LUK 14:27. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

LUK 14:28. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

LUK 14:29. Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

LUK 14:30. Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

LUK 14:31. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

LUK 14:32. Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

PRO 24:6. For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

B. Burn your bridges behind you:

1KI 19:19. So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.

1KI 19:21. And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.

ACT 4:34. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

ACT 4:37. Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

C. Be single-minded & don't look back:

LUK 9:61. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

LUK 9:62. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

PHI 3:13. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

PHI 3:14. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

HEB 11:27. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

D. Some were sudden drop-outs:

MAT 9:9. And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

JOH 4:35. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

1KI 18:21. And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

HEB 4:7. Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

E. Delay & excuses can result in never serving God:

LUK 9:57. And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

LUK 9:58. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

LUK 9:59. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

LUK 9:60. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

LUK 9:61. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

LUK 9:62. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

F. Some took more time & required visitation & follow-up:

LUK 14:28. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

LUK 14:29. Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,