Luke 14:25-35   Jesus does not lead us to think that following Him is an easy thing.  His next lessons are the hardest yet:

"If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, even his own life, he cannot be My disciple." The decision to follow Jesus must be total surrender and total sacrifice. "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." 

Count the cost.. like a man who wants to build a house needs to know if he has enough money to finish it;  like a king who wants to go to war needs to know if he has enough power to win... Jesus tells us to count the cost of discipleship.

"So therefore, no one of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions." 
Give it up - say adieu; depart from, dismiss, forsake, take leave, send away - everything;

Count the cost.

Father, there is nothing that we have that does not come from You or belong to You.  Our family members, our homes, our bank accounts... our bodies.  It is all Yours and we dare not cling to anything except Jesus Christ our Lord.  So, we lay down our lives and take up our crosses and follow You. It is not an easy thing to do.  Yet, as we count the cost, we know that it is worth it all - to know You and be with You for eternity.  There is nothing or no-one that can stand in the way of our love for You.  Please help us to be faithful to the end.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.