Today is Monday, March 19th, 2012; Karen's Korner #2276
Something written and forwarded to me several years ago by Shirley Choat (in part). Good thoughts during Lent season and as we head to spring:
"This is the day the LORD hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."
~ Psalm 118:24
Every farmer and gardener knows from personal experience what happens when you plant a single seed in the ground. The seed gives life to a new plant, which, in turn, produces many more seeds. But in order to give life to the plant, the seed itself first has to die. And so it was with our Savior. His death was the necessary prerequisite for life; eternal life.
Following the analogy of the seed, Jesus knew that His death would bring about a rich harvest, not only among His fellow countrymen, but also among the Gentiles.
By God's grace, we too, are privileged to be a part of that spiritual harvest of souls. We, too, have been called by the Holy Spirit as servants of Christ who want to follow our Savior through this life and into eternal life. In order to do so, Jesus reminds us that we need to give Him first place in our hearts and lives. Since Jesus willingly died for us, we now willingly live our lives for Him. "To hate one's life in this world" doesn't mean that we are to despise the many blessings God has given us in this world.
But we do need to keep things in their proper perspective. If we want to follow Jesus, then nothing in this world should be allowed to hold first place in our hearts. There is no possibility of a loyalty divided between Jesus and anyone or anything else. If we are to follow Him into eternal life, then we must be totally committed to Him in this life.
Everyone who trusts in Christ and follows Him in this life will be honored by His heavenly Father with the gift of eternal life. We must be so committed to our Savior that we determine to live for Christ and die to self.
I'll go where You want me to go, dear LORD,
Over mountain, plain or sea;
I'll say what You want me to say, dear LORD,
I'll be what You want me to be.
PRAY - Almighty and eternal God, because it was Your will that Your Son should bear the pains of the cross for us and thus remove from us the power of the adversary, help us so to remember and give thanks for our LORD'S passion that we may receive remission of sins and redemption from everlasting death; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our LORD, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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