WOULD YOU GIVE IT ALL?

 At times I come away from listening to a sermon with more than one post inspiration.  The thing about that is ~we both could sit and listen to a sermon and come away with different ideas of what important point should be discussed.  Once again-could I say how thankful I am for our differences!  I cannot imagine how tedious it would be if the world was filled with Lulu's.  Why I even annoy my own self at times.  

The question was asked in that sermon~

IF SOMETHING OF GREAT VALUE- PHYSICAL OR NONPHYSICAL,

COULD BE AVAILABLE  TO YOU

WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO GIVE UP 

TO OBTAIN IT?

WOULD YOU GIVE ANYTHING ASKED OF YOU?

I have had this in my notes for a few weeks now and keep going back to it. I have thought of something as simple as giving up sugar for a month to lose a few pounds.  A small and short sacrifice.  I have thought of those who have given up time to help those who have suffered disasters as an unselfish act of service.  I have thought of those who have given their lives, for the sake of living in a democracy.  I have thought of those who have donated an organ for transplant so a loved one can have a longer life knowing it could shorten their own life.    

This all boils down to an act of sacrifice to obtain something of value.  Most of us would quickly jump at the chance to give our own life for the sake of our child's life.  Many of us have witnessed a loved one's anguish in losing a child.  Inevitably the words are spoken, "It should have been me."  The bottom line is---when we love someone we are more than  willing and even desire to make sacrifices for them.  It is an act of love.

The sermon was touching on living a Christ like life.  When we turn to Jesus and admit our need for Him, we start down the road to sanctification.  Many are unwilling to make the turn because of what they might have to give up.  Those things they know will stand between them and their Savior.  Here is the truth of the matter---once we experience the boundless love of God---we are not only willing to give up our sinful ways, but we do not really miss them.  The challenge comes NOT in the giving up--the challenge is in being willing to give up ANYTHING to experience the grace available because of God's limitless love and compassion for us.  All we have to say is "I am willing" and He will do the rest.  What a GREAT GOD!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,

the new creation has come.

The old has passed away;

behold, the new has come."

2 Corinthians 5:17

WHAT GOOD COULD THIS POSSIBLY SERVE?

Have you ever had occasion to wonder the reason or possible good something happening to you can be?  We are told in The Word that God uses everything for His good purpose.  How in the world could this two year long pandemic be used by God?  I am certain, I do not speak just for myself, when I say I am sick and tired of all this.  Just about the time it looks like it is finally diminishing and life may be going back to normal (there is that illusive word again), a new variant arrives on the scene even more contagious than the last.  OH GOOD GRIEF!  Now it seems we all may sooner or later "get it".  It is sweeping the nation faster than the thrill over a stimulus check.  The question now seems to be not if, but when and how severe a case will you have.  HOW can God use this?  I do not have a clue, but I do know not only is He currently using it, but  when history examines it the long term consequences will be evident.  TRUST HIM!

 Today's devotional was a recap and discussion of Joseph's story which is another saga with long term consequences.  Back and forth the brothers went from their home to Egypt where the food was stored.  Hunger is the one thing that might keep you making that trip over and over.  The author of the devotional commented on what a great story teller the writer is.  "He draws out the agony. He speaks of the 'misery that would come upon my father'.  All the while, we the readers, know that Joseph is still alive and that through it all his dreams are being fulfilled."

Is it just me, or does it seem that Joseph might be jerking the chain of his brothers?  He has no intention of causing them any harm, but he is not going to let them off without a little suffering and grief.  He also was exploring their intentions and where their loyalties were.  Had they learned from their jealous pique which caused the impulsive decision to sell their brother?  Was his father still alive and well and what about his full brother-had they also harmed him?  Joseph is being careful and exploring his half brothers' intent.  Of course, he has great curiosity about his family.  "Joseph puts his brothers to the test.  Judah is a changed man. Joseph is 'deeply moved' and has to look for 'a place to weep.' "  History will prove to tell this story over and over.  God was giving us a glimpse of what He would do for us in the future.  Judah was willing to give his life to save the life of his brother and cause no distress to his father.  He was willing to make the sacrifice for those he loved so dearly.  A precursor to God's willingness to sacrifice His Son for those He loved so dearly to have life.  A beautiful example of how God works in the long term.

"And we know that for those who love God

all things work together for good,

for those who are called

according to His purpose."

Romans 8:28

ONE MORE GIFT POST

 Surely by now you have finished your gift purchases and though you may not have them all wrapped--you are breathing a sigh of relief.  NOT to pop your bubble, but I have finally decided what "The Perfect Gift" consists of.  

The perfect gift has nothing to do with stuff.  I wrote last week about the best gift being your presence.  This certainly has a boat load of merit.  The perfect gift can be your presence, but I have decided the perfect gift was modeled that very first Christmas.  It had nothing to do with sheep or wise men, although their presence on this blessed occasion was a wonderful gift.  Perfect gifts usually involve sacrifice on the part of the giver.  God gave us that perfect gift the very first Christmas when He gave His Son to be our sacrificial lamb.  NOW--we certainly cannot be anyone's sacrificial lamb, but our gift to them can require sacrifice.  A sacrifice of time, effort, energy, thought--giving of a part of ourselves we will never get back for the love of the recipient.  

I am giving my grands gifts--of course, but I give them far more when I spend time with them.  When I sit and have a conversation--LISTEN, play a game, tell them stories, watch a movie together---on and on.  When I give them a piece of the time I have left, I am sacrificing that time for them.  That sacrifice is not difficult for it is done in love.  So

 The gift of the sacrifice of God's own son so that we might be with Him eternally was also done in great love.  Though it came with a great cost, He never faltered as He sacrificed for those He loved.  What a beautiful picture of what real gift giving is all about.

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

I John 4:9