When Everything Isn’t Enough: Solomon, Discipleship, and the Cost That Brings Life - Ep 12

Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on Episode 12 of the Milk to Meat Discipleship Podcast.
Listen to the full podcast on all podcasts platforms (YouTube, Apple, Spotify, iHeart and the Cliffview App)

5-Day Devotional: The Cost of Following Christ

Day 1: The Gift of Divine Wisdom
Reading: 1 Kings 3:5-14; James 1:5-8
Devotional: When God offered Solomon anything he desired, the young king asked for wisdom to lead faithfully. This wasn't mere intelligence—it was discernment to honor God in every decision. Solomon understood that without divine wisdom, all his resources meant nothing. Today, God still offers us wisdom generously when we ask. But here's the question: What drives our requests? Are we seeking wisdom to build our kingdoms or to advance His? Like Solomon, we must prioritize understanding God's will over accumulating worldly success. Before making decisions today, pause and ask God for wisdom that honors Him. His wisdom transforms not just our choices, but our very character.

Day 2: Obedience Over Sacrifice
Reading: 1 Samuel 15:22-23; John 14:15-21
Devotional: "Obedience is better than sacrifice." These words echo through Scripture because God values our surrender more than our religious performances. The podcast hosts shared how obedience to God's call meant leaving comfort zones—moving across the country, releasing cherished dreams. Obedience costs us something real: our plans, our preferences, our sense of control. Yet disobedience costs us infinitely more—it distances us from God's best. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commands." This isn't legalism; it's relationship. When we obey, we demonstrate trust in God's character and His plans for us. Today, identify one area where God is calling you to obedience. Will you say yes, even before you see the outcome?

Day 3: Dreams at the Foot of the Cross
Reading: Matthew 16:24-26; Philippians 3:7-11
Devotional: "Sometimes the dream stays at the foot of the cross." These words capture the heart-wrenching reality of discipleship. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. This means bringing our dreams, ambitions, and carefully constructed plans to the cross—and sometimes leaving them there. Paul counted everything as loss compared to knowing Christ. This isn't about God being cruel; it's about Him being loving enough to redirect us toward what truly satisfies. Our hearts have a God-shaped void that no achievement can fill. When we surrender our dreams, we make space for His purposes, which always exceed our imagination. What dream is God asking you to surrender today? Trust that His plans are better.

Day 4: The Vanity of Earthly Pursuits
Reading: Ecclesiastes 1:12-18, 2:1-11; Matthew 6:19-21
Devotional: Solomon had it all—wisdom, wealth, power, and pleasure beyond measure. Yet at the end of his life, he declared it all "vanity and striving after wind." This isn't pessimism; it's profound truth. Nothing under the sun ultimately satisfies the human soul. We chase careers, relationships, experiences, and possessions, believing they'll complete us. But Solomon discovered what we must learn: only God fills the void. Jesus taught us to store treasures in heaven, not on earth. The richest man who ever lived concluded that fearing God and keeping His commandments is what truly matters. Today, examine where you're investing your time and energy. Are you chasing wind or pursuing what lasts eternally?

Day 5: Costly Grace, Abundant Life
Reading: Luke 14:25-33; Romans 12:1-2
Devotional: "Salvation is the most expensive free gift I'm ever going to get." This paradox captures the Gospel perfectly. Grace costs us nothing because Christ paid everything. Yet discipleship costs us everything because it demands our whole lives. Jesus warned that following Him requires counting the cost—it means loving Him more than family, possessions, even our own lives. This isn't meant to discourage us but to prepare us for authentic faith. When we offer ourselves as living sacrifices, we discover the abundant life Jesus promised. The cost is real, but so are the rewards—purpose, peace, transformation, and eternal glory. As you begin each morning, ask: "Lord, what do You want from me today?" Then walk in obedience, knowing that what you surrender to Him, He multiplies beyond measure.

Weekly Challenge: This week, identify one area where God is calling you to obedience. Commit to denying yourself in that area, and each morning before your feet hit the floor, ask God what He wants you to do that day. Then pray for the courage to walk it out faithfully.

For further discussion or questions about discipleship, contact: discipleship@cliffviewchurch.org