“Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” Lk 14:33

Who are you most tempted to put ahead of Jesus, to love more than Jesus? Whoever this person(s) may be are in competition with Jesus for preeminence in your life.

So for the next few minutes try holding a mental image of Jesus alongside a mental image of the person who would be in greatest competition to him.

Now when you have your prayer time imagine praying to the person(s) you are most likely to put ahead of Jesus. How would that go?

Jesus demands first place in our hearts. He will settle for nothing else. He said in today’s scripture if someone or something is ahead of Him in our lives then we cannot be His disciple. Is He first in your life?

Someone sent this to me yesterday and I it spoke to my heart as I pray it does yours as well.

Who knows you might be able to share it with a love one or friend one day.

A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to

Leave the examination room and said,

'Doctor, I am afraid to die.

Tell me what lies on the other side.'

Very quietly, the doctor said, 'I don't know..'

'You don't know? You're, a Christian man,

And don't know what's on the other side?'

The doctor was holding the handle of the door;

On the other side came a sound of scratching and whining,

And as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room

And leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said,

'Did you notice my dog?

He's never been in this room before.

He didn't know what was inside.

He knew nothing except that his master was here,

And when the door opened, he sprang in without fear.

I know little of what is on the other side of death,

But I do know one thing...

I know my Master is there and that is enough.'