Going All Out for the Kingdom
Responding to the Father’s Love
Scripture:
"Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be My disciple." - Luke 14:27–28, 33 (ESV)
Reflection
When Jesus said, “Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple,” He was not calling us to exhaustion or endless striving. He was inviting us into a life of deep love and surrender. True discipleship is not about how hard we work; it’s about how much we trust the Father’s love.
At Jesus’ baptism, the heavens opened and the Father declared, “You are My beloved Son; with You I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22). That same declaration rests over every believer today. Because we are in Christ, the Father says to us, You are My beloved child, and I am pleased with you. We do not strive for approval; we live from it.
When Jesus asks us to count the cost, He isn’t warning us to fear loss but inviting us to experience the security that comes from full surrender. Everything placed in His hands is safe. Every act of obedience becomes an expression of love. Courage to give, serve, or let go comes from knowing that our Father will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 31:6).
Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). When that love fills your heart, you begin to give freely, serve joyfully, and obey wholeheartedly. You stop holding back because you realize that the One who calls you is faithful and that His love never fails.
As the old hymn declares, “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” Going all out for the Kingdom is not reckless, it is a love response. It is saying, “God, You’ve given me everything; my only reasonable response is to give You everything in return.”
Love propels us to live boldly, give generously, and follow wholeheartedly. To go all out for the Kingdom is to live with an open heart and open hands, trusting that His love is worth our everything.
Reflection Questions
Prayer
Father, thank You for loving me with a love so amazing and divine that it calls me to give You everything. Help me to hold nothing back. Teach me to trust You with every part of my life and to live surrendered and secure in Your love. May my obedience be a joyful response to Your faithfulness. My soul, my life, my all belong to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture References
Luke 14:27–28, 33, Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 31:6, Luke 3:22, 1 John 4:18
Responding to the Father’s Love
Scripture:
"Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be My disciple." - Luke 14:27–28, 33 (ESV)
Reflection
When Jesus said, “Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple,” He was not calling us to exhaustion or endless striving. He was inviting us into a life of deep love and surrender. True discipleship is not about how hard we work; it’s about how much we trust the Father’s love.
At Jesus’ baptism, the heavens opened and the Father declared, “You are My beloved Son; with You I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22). That same declaration rests over every believer today. Because we are in Christ, the Father says to us, You are My beloved child, and I am pleased with you. We do not strive for approval; we live from it.
When Jesus asks us to count the cost, He isn’t warning us to fear loss but inviting us to experience the security that comes from full surrender. Everything placed in His hands is safe. Every act of obedience becomes an expression of love. Courage to give, serve, or let go comes from knowing that our Father will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 31:6).
Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). When that love fills your heart, you begin to give freely, serve joyfully, and obey wholeheartedly. You stop holding back because you realize that the One who calls you is faithful and that His love never fails.
As the old hymn declares, “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” Going all out for the Kingdom is not reckless, it is a love response. It is saying, “God, You’ve given me everything; my only reasonable response is to give You everything in return.”
Love propels us to live boldly, give generously, and follow wholeheartedly. To go all out for the Kingdom is to live with an open heart and open hands, trusting that His love is worth our everything.
Reflection Questions
- Am I following Jesus out of obligation or out of love and trust in the Father’s heart?
- What area of my life is He inviting me to surrender completely?
- How can I live today as one whose soul, life, and all belong fully to Him?
Prayer
Father, thank You for loving me with a love so amazing and divine that it calls me to give You everything. Help me to hold nothing back. Teach me to trust You with every part of my life and to live surrendered and secure in Your love. May my obedience be a joyful response to Your faithfulness. My soul, my life, my all belong to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture References
Luke 14:27–28, 33, Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 31:6, Luke 3:22, 1 John 4:18
Posted in Daily Devotional
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Praise in the Midst of a StormGod Sees Your HeartDare to AskStability in the Christian LifeThe Characteristics of LoveThe Value of HospitalityValue of Authenticity and AccountabilityThe Importance of God’s WordThe Value of IntimacyThe Battle Is in the MindThe Power of Sharing Your StoryThe Power of Choices ft. Jomon-JohnHealing is in the AtonementThe Value of GenerosityGod’s Message About FearLetting Go of Control: Trusting God Over SelfThe Woman at the WellThe Father's Love for UsGod Reminds His People What He’s Done For ThemTake up the full armor of GodWho is Jesus to You?Starting All Over Again: The LawStarting All Over Again: The WallStarting All Over Again: The TempleGod’s KingdomThanksgiving and GratitudeHospitality in ActionThe Comfort of GodLiving A Life of Faith as a BelieverFaith During the Seasons of Our LivesHow to Recognize God's Voice Pt. 1God As Our Shepherd - Week 1
February
God As Our Shepherd - Week 2The Importance of Prayer and Fasting – Part 1The Importance of Prayer and Fasting – Part 2The Love of JesusBut God!Loving as ForgivenessMary and Martha: Finding the BalanceThe Gospel and Our Responsibility Part 1The Gospel and Our Responsibility Part 2Walking in PurposeThe Power of New LifeLiving as a Witness for ChristRunning the Race with EnduranceHow to Recognize God's Voice Pt. 2The Love of the Father Obey and ProsperThe Outpouring of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit and the BelieverBreaking Free of Stagnation and MediocrityEncountering God Together as His ChurchThe Joy of Our Salvation Big Thinking and GenerosityLiving with Open Hands: Generosity in ActionHumility in ReceivingLiving Sacrifice Spiritual TransformationLiving with the Light of LifeThe Power of InfluencesStrength in the Storm
March
April
May
June
July
August
No Comments