There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. [John 15:13 (NLT)]
These were the words spoken by Jesus just hours before his betrayal, arrest, sham trial and crucifixion. It was love that brought him willingly to the cross.
CHARACTER BUILDING
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they can help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. [Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)]
Lord, forgive me, but could we have a little less character building today? I know you love me and that in every trial there is a lesson to be learned, but sometimes it all seems a little overwhelming. Remind me that life without a few hardships, complications, and struggles would be rather boring. Give me a thankful heart for every difficulty and challenge; may your Holy Spirit fill my heart with confidence and strength.
LIKE A STABLE, LIFE CAN GET MESSY
Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest. [Proverbs 14:4 (NLT)]
Lord, sometimes life is messy and demanding; it gets pretty chaotic and challenging. You never promised us that it would be easy or that we wouldn’t have to work hard. Help us find joy not only in the blessings of our lives, but also in the labor and mess that go along with having those blessings.
Just remember, every flower that ever bloomed had to go through a whole lot of dirt to get there! [Barbara Johnson]
WHO’S RESPONSIBLE?
People ruin their lives by their own stupidity, so why does God get blamed? [Proverbs 19:3 (MSG)]
Isn’t it thought-provoking how often we take credit for our achievements, but tend to blame God for our failures and disappointments? Perhaps it should be the other way around.
My victory and honor come from God alone. [Psalm 62:7a (NLT)]
YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Now, our God, we thank you, and we praise your glorious name! All these things didn’t come from me and my people. All these things come from you. We are only giving back to you things that came from you. We are only strangers traveling through this world like our ancestors. Our time on earth is like a passing shadow, and we cannot stop it. [1 Chronicles 29:13-15 (ERV)]
These were David’s words when all of the millions of dollars’ worth of gifts were assembled for the building of the Temple. He began by thanking the Lord for the privilege of giving! Let his words remind us that we are simply renters here on earth and everything we have is on loan from God. It’s His, not ours, and we certainly can’t take it with us when we die, which is why, as was recently pointed out to me at church, we’ve never seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul.
DO THE WORK
Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or terrified. The Lord God, my God, will be with you. He will not abandon you before all the work on the Lord’s temple is finished. [1 Chronicles 28:20 (GW)]
Thank you, Father, for reminding us that, although you make the plans, we have to do the work. Give us perseverance and endurance to keep working even when we see little or no progress. Thank you for your love, guidance, and patience. We know you have great plans for us; help us to achieve them.
Pray as if everything depended on God and work as if everything depended on you. [Attributed to St. Ignatius Loyola]
