Jesus was warning His disciples that it would be costly for them to follow Him. It would be costly because they would have to give up their own plans and goals... because they must share in His rejection and death, No wonder " many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed Him"( John 6:66).
The cost of following Jesus has not changed. We want to cling to our plans- our possessions- our positions- but He says they must go. We want to live for ourselves- but He says we must live for Him. We want to live a life of pleasure and ease- but He says we must follow Him to the cross.
Unfortunately, I have known way too many who " have turned back and no longer follow Him."
" If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross        daily and follow me." Luke 9:23

 "  And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”-Matthew 28:18-20

This command has been burned in my heart for ages. I have attempted to disciple men and women , to teach them about Christ's commands. I have found out that a person has to have a desire to be a disciple of Christ or they will not become one. I hope I can continue as a discipler of men until the Lord takes me home.

Abba Father, You have commanded us to make disciples; Your disciples- not my  disciples. Lord, why do we keep this commandment? Why doesn't others within the Body of Christ make disciples? Father send more workers for the harvest so they can disciple.

" The Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord increased all that Job had twofold." Job 42:10
Praying for others is very important especially those who have offended , hurt or disappointed you. In the ministry that happens almost daily. But God will bless me if I keep praying for those who have.

Abba Father, I have neglected praying for others as I used to. Let me get back to that responsibility. I will pray for______________. Help me to be faithful in this, Help me to do so in my preparation for this wedding I will be doing this weekend. -Amen!

Psalm 5:1-3 (NLT) "O LORD, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning.
  Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you. Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.

I know God listens and He pays attention to my prayers, my groanings. I hope I can pray as consistently as this psalmist did. Do I bring my requests to Him? Do I wait expectantly? Well, I need to.

Heavenly Father, I ask of You this day for strength, for protection, for inspiration, for Your touch. Father, show me today the Father's love. I ask that You give me a Word from You to share with our people. Bless You, Abba Father!- Amen!

Psalm 85:6 (NASB)  "Will You not Yourself revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You?"
This statement implies that at one time these people were alive and serving but they had fallen away. They were dead spiritually. The Psalmist says "Will you be angry with us always?" Why would God be angry? In Psalm 7:11 it says that God s angry with the wicked every day. Why would He be angry? They traded the One True God for their own gods of __________(fill in the blank). They rebelled against God and went their own way. They needed a wake-up call, a reminder of who God is and who they are? Do you need a wake-up call, a personal revival?