Spiritual Thoughts

  Friday Tale ~ Mary's Sacrifice A nd  the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.  (Luke 1:35-37 ESV)   Mary was a young woman ready to get married to Joseph. Her life was all planned out until she was greeted by an angel to inform her she would birth the Messiah her people had long-awaited. Mary wasn’t sure how it would happen, but she had to have known that this birth would change everything.   She was willing to sacrifice her plans, convenience, and even her reputation. Just imagine what others thought of her for becoming pregnant before she was married to Joseph. Even Joseph was going to call off their marriage until an angel came to him in a dream.   ...

Friday Tale - Push-Up Sacrifice   T here  was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christianson who taught at a small college in the Western United States.          Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course his or her freshman year regardless of his or her major. Most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.         This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman but was studying with the intent of going into ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physi...

  J esus received what he did not deserve, so that we could receive what we do not deserve. ~ Unknown   H e himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by his wounds you are healed. ~ 1 Peter 2:

W ith true greatness comes a willingness to sacrifice for others. ~ Chuck Swindoll   F or even the Son of Man did not come to be served, BUT to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. ~ Mark 10:45

T he greatest “exhortation” [sermon] that Jesus ever gave was when he died on the cross for us. Dying is a very ordinary thing to do. It happens all the time. Yet, Jesus’ death was the most extraordinary ordinary thing that ever happened. It was an extraordinary ordinary act of service and exhortation. Hopefully it is the exhortation that we keep the nearest and dearest to our hearts. ~ Kyle Tucker  S o Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, BUT to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. ~ Hebrews 9:28

S acrifice is a part of life. It's supposed to be. It's not something to regret. It's something to grow through. ~ Mitch Albom (amended)  T herefore, I urge you,... in view of God's mercy, to offer yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.....  ~ Romans 12:1

V irtue does not always demand a heavy sacrifice~    only the willingness to make it when necessary. -Frederick Dunn   D o not neglect to do good and   to share what you have, for     such sacrifices are pleasing to God.    -Hebrews 13:16