Sacrifice

May 25th – Philippians 2:3

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Philippians 2:3

We all love a little pat on the back along with acknowledgement and appreciation. But when our own egos become the main focus, no longer are we working for God. Instead we’re working for the pleasing of our own vanity. Jesus, who was fully God, willingly gave up the privileges of deity and, “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in the appearance of man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Phil. 2: 7-8) Christ lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a humiliating, excruciatingly painful death nailed to a Cross. He willingly became our substitute for sin, paying the debt that we owed. All in accordance to the will of God and out of love for us. In light of His great sacrifice, our words and actions should reflect the honor and humility of our Savior.

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May 24th – Romans 12:1

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Romans 12:1

Paul loved Jesus deeply. And that love compelled the apostle to dedicate his life to serving God. So Paul became a living sacrifice. And he calls us to do the same. But what does that involve? Becoming a living sacrifice means surrendering our entire being, body, mind, and spirit to God. And it challenges us to live in a manner that is holy and pleasing to the Lord, allowing His transformative power to shape our thoughts, actions, and desires. Living sacrifices also dedicate their lives to God’s service and seek to honor Him in all areas. It requires a daily commitment to let go of our own selfish desires and instead seek to fulfill God’s purposes. As followers of Jesus, our lives are not our own but belong to God. And as such, we should choose to live a life of surrender, seeking to use our time, talents, and resources for God’s glory and the advancement of His kingdom. All while embracing a life of gratitude, love, and service to God. Reflecting His love and glory in all we do.

May 24th – Romans 12:1 Read More »

Deuteronomy 15:11

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Deuteronomy 15:11

God cares deeply for the poor and the needy and expects His people to reflect that same care and compassion. That means it’s not just enough to simply acknowledge the existence of poverty. We must also actively work to alleviate it by helping those in need. Jesus loved unconditionally, without expecting anything in return. He loved the poor, the sick, the outcasts, and the sinners. Never withholding His awesome generosity from all who called on Him in faith. And He commands us to do the same. We can follow His example by loving others regardless of their background, social status, or behavior. The Lord calls us to love our neighbors. To practice Christlike, unconditional love, forgiveness, compassion, humility, and sacrifice. By doing so, we can become more like Him and make a positive impact on the world around us.

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December 9th – Mark 10:25

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Mark 10:25

When some hear the parable of the rich man, they wonder why Jesus told him to give away all of his money. It wasn’t because Jesus demands us to live in poverty. But rather, the Lord was testing the heart of this man. And in doing so, revealed what the man wasn’t willing to sacrifice to follow Jesus. Some Biblical scholars believe there was an actual gate in Damascus called “The Eye Of The Needle” At night, when the city’s main gates closed, the only way to enter was through a small side gate. This small gate was narrow and only tall enough to let a person walk through. For a camel to enter, the cargo it carried had to be unloaded, and the camel had to crawl through on its knees. What a perfect analogy of the Christian life. For to truly follow Jesus and pass through the gates of heaven, we need to unload our earthly treasures and enter into His presence on our knees. Humbly submitting all to the Lord who gave all for us.

December 9th – Mark 10:25 Read More »

November 11th – Acts 4:12

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Acts 4:12

I am thankful for name of Jesus Christ by which I am offered salvation

When the apostle Peter healed a lame man, he was asked what power he used to perform this miracle. In response Peter said he did it through the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The only name that has the power to save. The word salvation comes from the the Greek word, sōtēria. It means “deliverance and preservation.” To be rescued from enemies, or spiritual rescue. And that’s exactly what Jesus does. From His unmerited love and grace, He reaches down to pull us up from death and destruction. The only begotten Son of God, Jesus took the form of a man to pay a debt that we owed. And it is by His glorious name alone, can we have the gift of eternal life. Satan and his minions try to tell us there are many paths to God, and many ways to be saved. But he is father of lies. Christ who was born without sin and lived a sinless life, sacrificed His precious blood to save us. And there is no other that can offer us salvation than our perfect Savior!

November 11th – Acts 4:12 Read More »

November 7th – 1 John 4:10

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1 John 4:10

I am thankful for God’s unmerited grace and love

Author Lee Wallace wrote, “Riches take wings, comforts vanish, hope withers away, but love stays with us. Love is God.” Our Father doesn’t love us because we are good, special, or worthy. In fact He knows we aren’t deserving in any way. He loves us because He is love. And it’s out of that amazing, unmerited love, that God sent His only Son to pay the sin debt that we owe. All He asks in return is that we open our hearts to Him and receive His free gift of grace. That’s it. No strings attached, no conditions to meet, no standards to reach. God loves us, and no matter how dirty, broken, or sinful we are, He wants to call us His own. He longs to pick up us, dust off the dirt, wipe away our tears, replace our sorrow with joy, and make us royalty in His kingdom forever!

November 7th – 1 John 4:10 Read More »

November 3rd – John 3:16

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John 3:16

I am thankful that God held nothing back to save me

When we consider the perfect, awesome majesty of our Father, we can’t help but ask the same question David asks in Psalm 8:4. “What is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him.” We are but a speck in this vastness of the cosmos. Frail, wicked, and rebellious enemies of the Lord. But God loves us so much, He stopped at nothing to provide a way for us to be reconciled to Him. Not even sparing His only begotten Son. God fully knew the betrayal, brutality, and rejection His precious Son would face. Yet out of His unmerited love for His children, God sent Him anyway. And because of His love for both us and the Father, Jesus willingly left His glorious throne in heaven to ransom His life for ours. God gave all to call us His. And Jesus shed His blood to save us. We were purchased at a very high and precious price! That’s how wanted, valued, and loved we are by God!

November 3rd – John 3:16 Read More »

October 21st – 2 Corinthians 9:8

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2 Corinthians 9:8

God’s Promise – “I will meet all your needs so you can overflow with good works.”

There is a Chinese saying that goes, “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.” In Luke 22:26-27 Jesus makes it abundantly clear that the greatest in God’s sight are those who humbly serve others. And so important is helping one another, that God equips us with everything we need to carry out His work. 1 Peter 4:10 tells us that each of us has received a special gift. And we are to, “employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” Jesus performed the ultimate good work with His death on the Cross. And now because of His sacrifice, we receive the grace of God. So out of thankfulness for our Lord, how could we not take every opportunity of every day to share God’s grace through a good work for another!

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April 19th – Hebrews 4:15

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Hebrews 4:15

Does it comfort you to know that the Creator and Lord of the universe knows you personally? Every detail about you; your interests, fears, and failures. He knows what upsets you and what brings you joy. God knows our hearts, desires, and thoughts. (1 Chron. 28:9) And He regards us as the apple of His eye, taking  delight in each of us. (Zec. 2:8, Is. 62:4) Because of all He endured, the Lord empathizes with our weaknesses” (Heb. 4:15) Suffering what He did from out of a love so great that He laid down His life for us, His friends. (John 15:13) And as such, He is our perfect, great, High Priest. For like A.W. Tower says, “Many men can be touched by the sorrow of another, but they are not touched with the sorrow.  It is one thing to see pain but another thing to be touched with the feeling of it. Our pain, depression, trembling, and sensitiveness. Jesus was touched with these though he did not fall into sin that so often comes of them. We must treasure this view of our Lord’s sympathy, for it may be a great support in the hour of agony and weakness.”

Blessings,

Sue

April 19th – Hebrews 4:15 Read More »

May 21st – Philippians 2:3

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Philippians 2:3

In the greatest example of humility, Jesus left His glorious throne in heaven to be ridiculed, persecuted, tortured, and crucified. He set aside His royalty to redeem all who call Him Lord. Such selflessness, grace, and sacrifice stands as a model for all Christians. Instead of focusing on ourselves, our needs and wants, we are to put others best interests before our own. Now that doesn’t mean thinking less of ourselves, but rather thinking of ourselves less. If we truly abide in Jesus, then we should follow His golden rule. “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)

May 21st – Philippians 2:3 Read More »