GREAT SACRIFICE

GREAT SACRIFICE

READ:  Hebrews 10:5-18

The Lord Jesus Christ…gave

Himself for our sins to rescue

us.  Galatians 1:3-4

W.T. Stead, an innovative English journalist at the turn of the 20th century, was known for writing about controversial social issues.  Two of the articles he published addressed the danger of ships operating with an insufficient ration of lifeboats to passengers.  Ironically, Stead was aboard the Titanic when it struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic on April 15, 1912.  According to one report, after helping women and children into lifeboats, Stead sacrificed his own life by giving up his life vest and a place in the lifeboats so others could be rescued.

There is something very stirring about self-sacrifice.  No greater example of that can be found than in Christ Himself.  The writer of Hebrews says, “This Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God….For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:12, 14 NKJV).  In his letter to the Galatians, Paul opened with words describing this great sacrifice:  “The Lord Jesus Christ…gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age” (Galatians 1:3-4).

Jesus’ offering of Himself on our behalf is the measure of His love for us.  That willing sacrifice continues to rescue men and women and offer assurance of eternity with Him.  

BILL CROWDER

God of love and grace, words can never capture the wonder of the sacrifice that Christ offered on our behalf.  May our love respond to You with faith and worship-for Your Son is worthy of our praise.

Read more about the sacrifice of Jesus at

discoveryseries.org/hp131

Jesus laid down His life to show His love for us.  

INSIGHT

Hebrews 10:5-7 is a quotation from the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament.  This third-century BC translation was used by many Jews in the first century AD.  About 90 percent of the Old Testament quotations in the New Testament are from the Septuagint.  

DENNIS MOLES

THIS IS THE DAY

THIS IS THE DAY

READ:  Psalm 118:19-29

This is the day the LORD has

made; we will rejoice and be 

glad in it.  NJKV

In 1940, Dr. Virginia Connally, age 27, braved opposition and criticism to become the first female physician in Abilene, Texas.  A few months before her 100th birthday in 2012, the Texas Medical Association presented her with its Distinguished Service Award, Texas’ highest physician honor.  Between those two landmark events, Dr. Connally has enthusiastically embraced a passion for spreading the gospel around the world through her many medical mission trips while living a life of service to God and to others-one day at a time.

Dr. Connally’s  pastor, Phil Christopher, said,”Every day for her is a gift.”  He recalled a letter in which she wrote, “Every tour, trip, effort, I wonder if this will be my last and ultimate?  Only God knows.  And this is enough.”

The psalmist wrote, “This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24 NKJV).  So often we focus on the disappointments of yesterday or the uncertainties of tomorrow and miss God’ matchless gift to us:  Today!

Dr. Connallly said of her journey with Christ, “As you live a life of faith, you’re not looking for the results.  I was just doing the things that God planted in my life and heart.”

God made today.  Let’s celebrate it and make the most of every opportunity to serve others in His name.

  DAVID MCCASLAND

Lord, thank You for today.  May I embrace it as Your gift, celebrate Your faithfulness, and live this day fully for You.

Welcome each day as a gift from God.

INSIGHT

The unnamed psalmist of Psalm 118 tells of God’s rescue in response to his cry for help (vv. 5-16).  Because of the rescue theme of this psalm, the Jews often sang it after their Passover meal, which commemorated their deliverance from Egyptian slavery.  It is possible that Jesus and his disciples sang this thanksgiving song after the Last Supper (Matthew 26:30).  Psalm 118:22 is quoted or alluded to in Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10, Luke 20:17, Acts 4:11, Ephesians 2:20-22, and 1 Peter 2:7.  When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the crowds shouted the words of Psalm 118:25-26, proclaiming Jesus as their Messiah and Deliverer (Matthew 21:9). 

 SIM KAY TEE

HEART CHECK

HEART CHECK

READ:  Luke 12:22-34

Where your treasure is, there your

heart will be also. Luke 12:34

When commuting into Chicago on the train, I always followed the “unwritten codes of conduct” - such as, no conversations with people sitting next to you if you don’t know them.  That was tough on a guy like me who has never met a stranger.  I love talking to new people!  Although I kept  the code of silence, I realized that you can still learn something about people based on the section of the newspaper they read.  So I’d watch to see what they turned to first:  The business section? Sports? Politics? Current events? Their choices revealed their interests.

Our choices are always revealing.  Of course, God doesn’t need to wait to see our choices in order for Him to know what’s in our hearts.  But the things that occupy our time and attention are telling.  As Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34).  Regardless of what we want Him to think of us, the true condition of our heart becomes clear based on how we use our time, our money, and our talents.  When we invest these resources in the things He cares about, then it reveals that our hearts are in tune with His.

God’s heart is with the needs of people and the advancement of His kingdom.  What do your choices tell Him and others about where your heart is? 

 JOE STOWELL

Lord, I want my heart to be in tune with Yours.  Forgive me for giving it to things of far less value, and teach me the joy of investing my time in opportunities to serve You.  Thank You.

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Where is your treasure?

INSIGHT

The familiar words “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34) are found in an interesting context.  They are uttered after Jesus tells those listening not to worry about the cares of this world because the heavenly Father will take care of their needs.  His provision allows us to seek the kingdom of God and not become excessively preoccupied with our temporary earthly needs.      J.R. HUDBERGB

Have a blessed evening.

God Our Creator’s Love Always.

Unity & Peace

RESISTING THE TRAP

RESISTING THE TRAP

READ:  Genesis 4:1-8

Sin is crouching at your door;

it desires to have you, but you

must rule over it.  Genesis 4:7

A Venus flytrap can digest an insect in about 10 days.  The process begins when an unsuspecting bug smells nectar on the leaves that form the trap.  When the insect investigates, it crawls into the jaws of the plant.  The leaves clamp shut within half a second and digestive juices dissolve the bug.

This meat-eating plant reminds me of the way sin can devour us if we are lured into it.  Sin is hungry for us.  Genesis 4:7 says, “If you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you.”  God spoke these words to Cain just before he killed his brother Abel.

Sin may try to entice us by tempting us with a new experience, convincing us that living right doesn’t matter, or appealing to our physical senses.  However, there is a way for us to rule over sin instead of letting it consume our lives.  The Bible says, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). When we face temptation, we don’t face it alone.  We have supernatural assistance. Relying on God’s Spirit supplies the power to live for Him and others.

JENNIFER BENSON SCHULDT

Dear God, at times I let down my guard and indulge in sin.  Please help me to listen to Your warnings and obey Your Word.  Protect me from my own impulses and conform me to Your image.  Thank You for Your work in me.

We fall into temptation when we don’t flee from it.

INSIGHT

There has been much theological debate as to why God accepted Abel’s sacrifice and rejected Cain’s (Genesis 4:4-5).  One popular theory is that Abel’s sacrifice mirrored God’s act in the garden of Eden that provided covering for Adam and Eve-by means of an animal’s death-after they disobeyed God (3:21).  Another view is that Cain’s offering of what he had grown by his own efforts pictured works, but Abel’s offering of a lamb pictured God’s ultimate sacrifice of grace.  It seems that these brothers must have been given some idea of what was-an was not-considered an acceptable offering.  BILL CROWDER

Have a blessed evening.

God Our Creator’s Love Always. 

Unity & Peace

SWEET REMINDERS

SWEET REMINDERS

READ:  Exodus 3:7-17

Gracious words are a honeycomb,

sweet to the soul and healing to

the bones.  -  Proverbs 16:24

When the tomb of Egyptian King Tutankhamen was discovered in 1922, it was filled with things ancient Egyptians thought were needed in the afterlife.  Among items such as golden shrines, jewelry, clothing, furniture, and weapons was a pot filled with honey-still edible after 3,200 years!

Today we think of honey primarily as a sweetener, but in the ancient world it had many other uses.  Honey is one of the only foods known to have all the nutrients needed to sustain life, so it was eaten for nutrition.  In addition, honey has medicinal value.  It is one of the oldest known wound dressings because it has properties that prevent infection.

When God rescued the children of Israel from Egyptian captivity, He promised to lead them to a “land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8, 17), a metaphor for abundance.  When their journey was prolonged due to sin, God fed them bread (manna) that tasted like honey (16:31).  The Israelites grumbled about having to eat the same food for so long, but it’s likely that God was kindly reminding them of what they would enjoy in the Promised Land.

God still uses honey to remind us that His ways and words are sweeter than the honeycomb (Psalm 19:10).  So then the words we speak should also be like the honey we eat-both sweet and healing.  JULIE ACKERMAN LINK

Read these verses about the use of word:  Proverbs 12:18; Proverbs 13:3; Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 3:8.  Which truths might God want you to put into practice in your life today?

Spend time counting your blessings, not airing your complaints.  

INSIGHT 

The Israelites’ exodus from Egypt fulfilled a promise God had made to Abraham in Genesis 15:13-14.  “You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land….But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end they will come away with great wealth” (NLT).  

DENNIS MOLES

Have a blessed night.

God Our Creator’s Love Always.

Unity & Peace

WHO AM I WORKING FOR?

WHO AM I WORKING FOR?

READ:  Ecclesiastes 4:4-16

“For whom am I toiling,” he asked,

“and why am I depriving myself

of enjoyment?” - Ecclesiastes 4:8

Henry worked 70 hours a week.  He loved his job and brought home a sizable paycheck to provide good things for his family.  He always had plans to slow down but he never did.  One evening he came home with great news-he had been promoted to the highest position in his company.  But no one was home.  Over the years, his children had grown up and moved out, his wife had found a career of her own, and now the house was empty.  There was no one to share the good news with.

Solomon talked about the need to keep a balance in life with our work.  He wrote, “Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves” (Ecclesiastes 4:5).  We don’t want to go to the extreme of being lazy, but neither do we want to fall into the trap of being a workaholic.  “Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind” (v.6).  In other words, it is better to have less and enjoy it more.  Sacrificing relationships at the altar of success is unwise.  Achievement is fleeting, while relationships are what make our life meaningful, rewarding, and enjoyable (vv. 7-12).

We can learn to work to live and not live to work by choosing to apportion our time wisely.  The Lord can give us this wisdom as we seek Him and trust Him to be our Provider.  

POH FANG CHIA

Lord, show me if my priorities are skewed and where I need to make changes.  Thank You for the gift of family and friends.

To spend time wisely, invest it in eternity.

INSIGHT

The book of Ecclesiastes laments the vanity of life when God is not taken into account.  In regard to our work, Solomon calls us to seek moderation and contentment (4:6-8) and to find meaning, satisfaction, and enjoyment in cooperation with others (vv.9-12).

Have a blessed night.

God Our Creator’s Love Always.

Unity & Peace

TAKE HEART

TAKE HEART

READ:  2 Corinthians 4:8-18

In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart! I have overcome

the world.  -  John 16:33

I like to watch birds at play, so years ago I built a small sanctuary in our backyard to attract them.  For several months I enjoyed the sight of my feathered friends feeding and flitting about-until a Cooper’s Hawk made my bird refuge his private hunting reserve.

Such is life:  Just about the time we settle down to take our ease, something or someone comes along to unsettle our nests.  Why, we ask, must so much of life be a vale of tears?

I’ve heard many answers to that old question, but lately I’m satisfied with just one:  “All the discipline of the world is to make [us] children, that God may be revealed to [us]”  (George MacDonald, Life Essential).  When we become like children, we begin trusting, resting solely in the love of our Father in heaven, seeking to know Him and to be like Him.

Cares and sorrow may follow us all the days of our lives, but “we do not lose heart….For our light and monetary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

Can we not rejoice, then, with such an end in view? 

 DAVID ROPER

Lord, we do rejoice even in our struggles because we are rejoicing in who You are and Your good purposes for us.  You are powerful, loving, in control, and eternal.  We trust You and love You.

Heaven’s delights will far outweigh earth’s difficulties.

INSIGHT

Despite today’s text telling the story of Paul’s suffering as a follower of Christ, it also carries an implicit message of hope in the phrase “but not” (vv.8-9).  Though Paul suffered in a variety of ways, he was not overwhelmed by his experiences.  His hope-and ours-is expressed in verse 17:  “Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”  BILL CROWDER

Have a blessed night.

God Our Creator’s Love Always.

Unity & Peace