‘We will never know the joy of self-sacrifice until we
surrender in every detail of our lives. […] We make it conditional by saying,
“I’ll surrender if . . . !” Or we approach it by saying, “I suppose I have to
devote my life to God.” We will never find the joy of self-sacrifice in either
of these ways. But as soon as we do totally surrender, abandoning ourselves to Jesus, the Holy Spirit gives us a taste of
His joy. The ultimate goal of self-sacrifice is to lay down our lives for our
Friend (see John 15:13-14). When the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, our
greatest desire is to lay down our lives for Jesus. […] Our Lord is our example
of a life of self-sacrifice, and He perfectly exemplified Psalm 40:8, “I
delight to do Your will, O my God . . . .” […] Have I ever yielded myself in
absolute submission to Jesus Christ? If He is not the One to whom I am looking
for direction and guidance, then there is no benefit in my sacrifice. But when
my sacrifice is made with my eyes focused on Him, slowly but surely His molding
influence becomes evident in my life (see Hebrews 12:1-2). CHAMBERS
Do you remember Lot’s wife?
Genesis 19 She looked back at the
city. Did you ever wonder why? What was it that was in that city that she
longed for? Husbands for her daughters. Friends perhaps. Maybe her home and the
comfort that it brought. The Bible doesn’t tell us, but whatever it was, it was
enough to cause her to disobey the command to not look back. To prefer what she had left behind over what
she was given. To sacrifice does not
mean to let go of something that has no value to you. Sacrifice requires the giving up of something
with great value.
At the point of sacrifice, the loss may seem insignificant
compared to what it is exchanged for, but there will be days ,, at least there
have been for me .. when those things will creep into your thoughts .. trying
to make their way to your heart. It
might be thoughts of your family that you cannot see. Perhaps friends that you
enjoyed spending time with. Or perhaps
the lack of personal hardship that you endure for the sake of the Cross. Whatever it is, the temptation is to look back
and desire that thing. Be strong my
friend … God has called you to higher ground … a better place … a place of fulfillment
… a place that He created you for … to
accomplish a purpose that He intended. ELGIN
Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore,
since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off
everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run
with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the
pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the
cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
“Once Again” Matt Redmon
“Jesus Christ, I think upon Your sacrifice You became nothing Poured out to death
Many times, I've wondered at your gift of life I'm in that place once again
And once again I look upon the cross where You died I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken
inside
Once again I thank You, Once again I pour out my life
Now You are exalted to the highest place King of the Heavens, where one day I'll bow
But for now, I'll marvel at Your saving grace I'm full of praise once again”
Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)
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