May 24, 2009
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Remembering the Sacrifice
As we are reflecting this Memorial Day on sacrifice and honor, let us not forget to focus on the most important sacrifice of all! The sacrifice of our Savior for the forgiveness of sins… and let us be thankful!!Below is a great devotional from Pastor Roy. In it he asks an intriguing but simple question:
“…
if we really are living by faith in him, what is there for us to
complain about?” Hmmm.. this makes me think about what truly “living by faith” looks like when it is fleshed out. What do you think it looks like?Love, Bee
For those of us living in America, we are celebrating a holiday this
weekend that is supposed to encourage us to remember the sacrifices of
men and women over the years who have died so that we can enjoy the
freedom that we have today. Of course…. many instead of solemn reflection will see this as simply
another long weekend for family, travel and special events. The whole
idea of being a sacrifice for anything has become a matter of words
without experience. Alas, for those of us who are a part of the
family of God, we have also forgotten the importance of sacrifice.
Instead of thinking in terms of honor, we think of sacrifice in terms
of pain. In biblical terms, the sacrifices did have pain and death
attached to them, but they usually were a part of dealing with the sin
issues of God’s people.
Joyfully, there is another sacrifice that all of God’s family can be a
part of today. The psalmist reminds us that giving God thanks for who
he is and what he has done and will do is something that really does
honor him. We are a people who are living in a world that is always
complaining about what they don’t have or what they do have that they
don’t want. Our Enemy does his best to focus us on the negatives of
reality so that we will forget that every day of our life was planned
out before we were even born. (Psalm 139:16) It’s true that there are
many challenges that come along with living a life of faith in God, but
if we really are living by faith in him, what is there for us to
complain about? We are loved by a loving Father and perfect Savior and
strengthened by God’s perfect Holy Spirit. All that is going on is
wonderfully a part of our salvation and the adventure that God has
built into our journey through time. May the Lord help us to focus on
the sacrifice of our Savior, the love of our Father, and the mighty
strength of God’s Holy Spirit rather than the fearful things that may
challenge our faith.
Psalm 50:23
“But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If
you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.”
Comments (1)
I spent today with one of our soldiers home from combat. He’s lost several friends, one he was with as he passed on the field. He was such a gentleman as he shared that today was not for him but for those lost soldiers. He had to leave back for base this evening. This soldier has been persecuted for his faith in Christ as well. Oh how our entire country needs revival.
Thank God for the sacrifices our soldiers are willing to make for us. God be with them.
Big blessings to you always. ~Amelia