You Don't KnowThe Cost



In the society we live in today we accumulate and buy things that are valuable and not so valuable. We are a consumer culture; we buy to fulfill our basic and not so basic needs to survive. As we progress in our life we tend to make changes throughout our earthly journey. Let us reflect on changes that brings growth to us personally and spiritually. Our best model of progressing toward spiritual growth is becoming more like Jesus Christ. Paul urges us to follow the example of Christ in I Peter 2:21"For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps." And when we commit to following Christ our loyalty to the things of the world would be less casual. Loyalty, what is it-loyalty is valuable and it is a very rare quality found these days. Being loyal demonstrates our commitment to Christ. How would you define your loyalty to Christ? No better example of loyalty would be expressed is found in the I Chronicles 28:9 about David’s charge to his son Solomon was to be loyal and to serve God with both his heart and mind. We can’t be divided in our devotion; our service has to be unified. We can’t serve Him with heart and no mind and mind with no heart. Both are truly important in our service to God. At all cost, Jesus demands it all. 


 Pearls Are Costly


 I was going through my jewelry and I came across a pearl set that was given to me one Christmas. They may not be costly to others, but I value them and consider them costly because I like pearls. There are several types of pearls and some of them are costly and rare. The South Sea pearl is just one of many of the most expensive pearls. A South Sea pearl is cultivated from an oyster. Some anatomy of the oyster can be known that it has a mantle that produces the oyster shell. The material created by the mantle is called Nacre (mother of pearl). A pearl is formed when something foreign slips inside the oyster between the mantle and the shell causing irritation. From the irritation of the object, the oyster produces a beautiful pearl. A pearl is formed from all types of trash and debris, sand, bone fragments, etc., in the ocean and throughout our journey in life of certain circumstances, situations, difficulties and pain; they are just irritations being cultivated into something beautiful in our life. We are that pearl of great price that God is producing, has produced and will produce, and IS costly. Pearls are shaped as a result of great pain. The abrasion of our suffering from the depths of the pearl is not in vain; our pain will not go unrewarded. James 1:12 says “Blessed is the man that endures, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (NJKV)


Break Your Box

 In Luke chapter 7:36-50, the woman with the alabaster box had some fragrant oil in her box that was costly. She did not care how much it would cost her to break the flask of oil. It was a sweet smelling aroma offered to God. Without the breaking of the box, there is no anointing. She went beyond the norm to pour oil on his head and kissed his feet; she sacrificed in spite of the ridicule. In humility, she was broken before the Lord. Are you willing to sacrifice and be broken before the Lord to offer unto him a sweet fragrance by pouring out your oil. We have to go beyond the borders of what others may say or think. Don’t let the enemy stop your worship with others criticism or judgmental spirit, they don’t know the cost of your oil. You may be going through or even have been through something that causes you to say Lord I want more of you. Are you willing to worship at the feet of Jesus and give God the glory and praise He deserves? The time has come for you to break your alabaster box and pour your love out for the Master. Anything that is costly to you, you’re going to value it; however nothing should be more valuable than our relationship with Jesus Christ. Serve God no matter the cost. Remember things of beauty sometimes come with a price, the rarest; the more expensive. 



 Prayer: Thank you and bless you, our Lord and Savior. After all I been through Father help me to realize that you are still with me and my reward is great in Heaven. Help me to serve and worship you with my whole heart no matter the cost. Thank you for the cost of the pearls and the oil and that a sweet fragrance is being released for Your glory. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

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