When It Costs You
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HOLY IN SPIRIT
John 14:12 - “I assure you: The one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.”
Matthew 20:28 - “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.”
Slow Read (Works and Ransom)
Read John 14:12 slowly three times.
• First reading: Notice the promise — you will do the works.
• Second reading: Notice the source — because I am going to the Father.
• Third reading: Sit with this phrase: “Will also do the works that I do.”
Remain silent for one full minute.
Let the weight of responsibility settle.
Heart Questions
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Reflection |
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Am I willing to serve when it costs me time? |
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Am I willing to serve when it drains my energy? |
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Am I willing to serve when it affects my comfort? |
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Or do I serve only when it’s easy to recover from? |
Let the Spirit reveal the line where willingness stops.
Spiritual Insight
Jesus did not serve out of surplus. He served out of surrender. His works required sacrifice. Teaching when exhausted. Healing when pressed. Feeding thousands when resources seemed scarce. Kneeling before men who would deny Him. And ultimately giving His life as a ransom for many. The assurance of works is not a promise of convenience — it is a promise of empowerment. The Spirit empowers you to serve beyond what is comfortable. Serving that costs you something reshapes you. It forms humility. It strengthens endurance. It aligns you with the cross. When service requires nothing, it changes little. When service costs something, it transforms deeply.
Prayer
Jesus,
You did not serve from comfort.
You served from surrender.
I confess I often calculate what serving will cost me.
Time. Energy. Emotion. Preference.
Today I choose obedience over convenience.
Strengthen me through Your Spirit.
Help me give without resentment.
Help me serve without keeping score.
Amen.
WHOLE IN MIND — Examine the Threshold
Take 2–3 minutes and ask:
“What is the point where I usually say ‘that’s too much’?”
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Possible Thresholds |
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When I’m tired |
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When it’s late |
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When it interrupts family time |
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When it affects my plans |
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When it stretches my patience |
Your threshold often marks the boundary of your comfort — not your calling.
HEALTHY IN BODY — Serve Past the Preference
Today you will intentionally serve in a way that stretches you physically or emotionally.
Choose one:
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Stretch |
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Stay longer to help when you’d prefer to leave |
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Help someone when you feel tired |
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Initiate a difficult but loving conversation |
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Volunteer for a task that requires effort |
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Serve your family when you’d rather disengage |
Do not rush through it.
Lean into it fully.
When resistance rises, say quietly:
“This costs me — and that’s okay.”
Serving that costs you grows you.
Closing Posture
Comfort protects self.
Sacrifice reflects Christ.
If you have followed, believed, listened, hungered, and yielded —
serving will not stop at convenience.
It will move into cost.