sacrifice - Thoughts About God

Moving Beyond Good Intentions

Devotionals — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 07:03:15 +0000

“Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.” Proverbs 10:12

When I was twelve, I had a horrendous fight with both of my brothers. I was shocked at the anger and hate I identified in myself. A verse in 1 John 3:15 smothered me with guilt and shame: “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”

But the fighting continued in my closest relationships. At times my anger felt overpowering and I was conscious of being hateful. However, I rationalized that feelings of hatred could not be the cause of the dissension — that I had a right to sort things out. I grappled to be understood. I doubted that Solomon’s words, “love covers all wrongs,” really meant what they said.

The New Testament affirms the wisdom of Solomon: “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins” 1 Peter 4:8.

Over 50 years have passed since that fight with my brothers, and we have a great relationship now. But these words by contemporary author Mike Mason still ring true:

“In order to surrender, and so to put an end to fighting, one must see that it is within one’s power to consciously and prayerfully move toward love. The storms of life, we all know, are fraught with subtlety and complexity. But perhaps, in the end, the peace we seek lies in something very simple, the pure action of our will. The question is not What should I do? but Will I do it?”

That question provided an “ah-ha” moment for me. Whether I liked it or not, it was a matter of obedience to choose love and peace in the face of conflict.

Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing to me that You will renovate my life as I obey You. Amen.

By Sue Braid
used by permission

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FURTHER READING

They Don’t Know What They Are Doing

Justified Anger

A Love Too Heavy

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How Much Do Parents Give Up?

Devotionals — Sat, 09 May 2026 07:03:29 +0000

“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother … When Jesus saw [her] there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” John 19:25-27

The scriptures share little about Mary’s relationship with Jesus, but in the book of John we learn that in Jesus’ darkest hour Mary stood faithfully beside him. Mary may have anticipated Jesus’ horrible death, for the righteous man Simeon had told her, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:34-35).

According to Simeon, Mary had fair warning. A mother’s heart carries burdened love for her children; how much more for Mary as she knew that Jesus would grow up to stir up the religious leaders of the day? Yet she remained faithful, even to Jesus’ difficult end.

Have you ever considered the price of parenthood? How much do parents “give up” in hours, convenience, energy, income, heartache, and opportunity? If we stacked it all up against the “returns” of our children, the comparison might be laughable.

But consider Jesus’ loving gesture, at the cross. In his most desperate state, he looks at Mary and entrusts her care to John, his beloved disciple. He returns Mary’s “giving up” with caring devotion.

Sometimes we miss the connection between investing in people and their subtle responses of appreciation. Are you “giving up” your life with the hope to be repaid, or are you willing to let that go?

Dear God, thank you for family, friends, and colleagues you have placed around me. Help me pour into them things that matter, and may I hold, with open hands, my expectations for payback. May I know your grace in showing loyalty and love. Amen.

By Dr. Bill Strom
Used by permission

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The Rewards of Having Children

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Sample Mother’s Day Prayers

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Giving

Thoughts_About_God — Sun, 03 May 2026 07:03:41 +0000

I don’t know about you, but I love going to Charity performances, etc., and feel really good about giving my money to a worthy cause. It makes me feel warm inside and generally, I have a great time with my friends as well. This week, I had cause to read the passage from Matthew about giving, and it made me stop and question my way of giving.

I asked myself if I would have given that money if I didn’t get anything out of it? Would I have been willing to give a homeless person I met in the street a bed and shelter without the fear that they would take my possessions or dirty my clean house? I don’t think so. It is far easier to give to an organization, using the excuse that they are able to deal with the situation much better than I can.

Another question that needs my answer is whether I would give my money to the church if I wasn’t in the planned giving program? I know I give my time and my talents freely, but would I give my money anonymously during the week and not just on a Sunday when it is time for the offering?

I found these tough questions to answer but think we need to ask them every now and again, keeping in mind these verses and the way we give of our time and our money.

Matthew 6:1-4: “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Prayer: God of Wisdom and Compassion, thank you that you sent your Son to teach us your ways so that we can make your Kingdom here on Earth a better place and also bring us closer to you. Help us to see all our giving as an act from you and not from ourselves. Amen

By Terry Stead
used by permission

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Tithing – The Generosity Habit

Try Tithing

Joyful Generosity

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On Saturday

Devotionals — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 07:03:01 +0000

John didn’t know on that Friday what you and I now know. He didn’t know that Friday’s tragedy would be Sunday’s triumph. John would later confess that he “did not yet understand from the Scriptures that Jesus must rise from the dead. John 20:9

That’s why what he did on Saturday is so important.

We don’t know anything about this day; we have no passage to read, no knowledge to share. All we know is this: When Sunday came, John was still present. When Mary Magdalene came looking for him, she found him.

Jesus was dead. The Master’s body was lifeless. John’s friend and future were buried. But John had not left. Why? Was he waiting for the resurrection? No. As far as he knew, the lips were forever silent and the hands forever still. He wasn’t expecting a Sunday surprise. Then why was he here?

You’d think he would have left. Who was to say that the men who crucified Christ wouldn’t come after him? The crowds were pleased with one crucifixion; the religious leaders might have called for more. Why didn’t John get out of town?

Perhaps the answer was pragmatic; perhaps he was taking care of Jesus’ mother. Or perhaps he didn’t have anywhere else to go. Could be he didn’t have any money or energy or direction – or all of the above.

Or maybe he lingered because he loved Jesus.

To others, Jesus was a miracle worker. To others, Jesus was a master teacher. To others, Jesus was the hope of Israel. But to John, he was all of these and more. To John, Jesus was a friend.

You don’t abandon a friend, not even when that friend is dead. John stayed close to Jesus.

He had a habit of doing this. He was close to Jesus in the upper room. He was close to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was at the foot of the cross at the crucifixion, and he was a quick walk from the tomb at the burial.

Did he understand Jesus? No.

Was he glad Jesus did what he did? No.

But did he leave Jesus? No.

What about you? When you’re in John’s position, what do you do? When it’s Saturday in your life, how do you react? When you are somewhere between yesterday’s tragedy and tomorrow’s triumph, what do you do? Do you leave God’ – or do you linger near him?

John chose to linger. And because he lingered on Saturday, he was around on Sunday to see the miracle.

By Max Lucado
From: He Chose the Nails
To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
https://maxlucado.com/about/

photo credit: Christopher Brown. Creative Commons license.

Christ Crucified

Devotionals — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 07:03:52 +0000

This was the last week of Lent, also called Passion Week, and I have been reading and reflecting on the last days of Christ and His crucifixion.

I will be forever grateful for Christ’s willingness to go through the agony of carrying our sins (the sins of more than six billion people), and to suffer extreme physical pain — the torture of being whipped and nailed to the cross — and rejection and loneliness. When I think about the love He has for each one of us, I want to prostrate myself on the floor before Him and worship Him.

He went through all of this because we are sinful. However, we can be healed and experience His immense love. We can experience His power, grace, and wisdom every moment of the day and every day of our lives.

Let’s take a look at parts of verses 3 and 5 of Isaiah chapter 53 and reflect on His suffering.

Verse 3: “He was hated and rejected by people.” I find it much easier to be rejected by people who don’t know me, but when I am rejected by relatives or a friend I thought was loyal to me, that really hurts. We know that Christ experienced this, as His disciples all left Him. He too was rejected.

Verse 3: “He experienced much pain and sorrow.” I would venture to say that you have experienced some deep sorrow in your life. Because of Lou Gehrig’s disease, every muscle in my strong brother’s body deteriorated until all he could do was blink his eyes. Watching him struggle to eat and trying to make us understand what he was trying to say was one of the most sorrowful situations I have ever experienced. He had gone from using canes, to a walker, to a scooter, and finally to a wheelchair. It was sorrowful.

Jesus was with him every moment of every day, strengthening him and us and giving us courage. He has experienced every sorrow we have and ever will go through.

Verse 5: “He was wounded for the wrong things WE did. He was crushed for the evil things we did. The punishment which made us well, was given to Him, And we are healed because of His wounds.”

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

Become a Brave-Heart Disciple

Devotionals — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 07:06:50 +0000

“Then Jesus said to his disciples,

‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.’” Matthew 16:24 – 25

Are you content with your relationship with God? Do you desire a dynamic, deeper, more intimate relationship with Him? If your answer is yes, your decision will certainly cost you.

For years, my relationship with God felt satisfyingly comfortable, yet inwardly, I sensed a static, stagnant, apathetic stupor. My dilemma compelled me to urgently pray for a hungry heart of spiritual discontent — a discontent that only subsides with a wholly surrendered heart and life.

In today’s verse, Jesus unapologetically outlines authentic discipleship: deny self, take up your cross, and follow Jesus. He purposely reiterates His declaration by clarifying that His disciple must lose his life to ultimately find life. In today’s narcissistic world, from birth, we are indoctrinated to value self-worth, self-gain, and self-acclaim. Jesus’ prerequisite for discipleship is unashamedly counter-cultural. At first glance, Jesus’ declaration and expectation seems impossible to accomplish, but for believers courageous enough to confront the grand illusion of a static faith experience, daily self-denial is the non-negotiable cost of deeper intimacy with God.

Are you willing to daily and bravely never be content with your spiritual status quo and to surrender your life for greater discipleship intimacy? If your answer is yes, then your decision commences with audacious ambition, courageous confession, soul submission, and relentless resolve – continuing everyday of your ransomed but rewarding life. Renowned brave-heart missionary, Jim Elliot, concluded, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for redeeming my life with your blood. Empower me to become a brave-heart disciple — a disciple never content with a static, stagnant faith experience. Create a constant spiritual discontent in my heart that can only subside by daily and wholly surrendering my life to your will. Amen.

By Allan Mitchell
Used by permission

FURTHER READING

Courage to Speak the Truth

Be Strong and Courageous

Swimming to the Savior

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Who Do You Work For?

Devotionals — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 07:06:09 +0000

“Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:22-24 (ESV)

Why do you work? Do you work hard at your job? I know, it’s too early for that many questions, but it is a very serious subject. In our society, it is proper to work hard for your boss, or to work hard for your family. These are good things as long as you are doing them by working hard for the Lord. Not sure what that means? Let’s see what Paul says:

Ignore the bond servant (slaves) word. In the King James Version it uses the word servant, which would be more proper. Slaves were a cultural thing, not a biblical thing. Notice Paul says, “obey your earthly masters as one who fears the Lord. . . not as a people pleaser”. When you work hard for your boss or your family are you doing it to be a people pleaser, or are you doing it with sincerity of your heart, as one who fears the Lord? What’s the difference you might ask?

If you work hard in all things for the Lord, you are in His will, just as Jesus did all things as the Father asked Him to do. When God said go, He went, when God said stay, He stayed. We need to have the same approach to our work. Man will manipulate and deceive you. Family will manipulate and deceive you, but God will not. In all things we need to pray and seek His wisdom so we are working hard for Him. There is a huge difference!

For years, before I gave my life truly to Christ, I worked for myself. If I held a second job it was for me to have more money, or for others to have more. I worked for material things, and for selfish reasons. My heart was not on God, it was on me. I made a lot of money in those days, yet the funny part is that I had nothing to show for it except brokenness and heartache.

My son barely saw me, and when he did, I was angry, exhausted, and had no patience. This wasn’t just because I was working so hard, it was because I was doing it on my own, and for me. I felt I was entitled to be short on patience and angry. I had no fruit of the Spirit in me. Now, I work just about as hard as I did then, and for a lot less money but my life has a much different look. When I am at work, I no longer grumble and complain, I do all things to serve Christ. Now I work hard for God, and not for man. I am blessed, I am happy, and my heart is at peace.

Just a side note: Working hard for God will not earn you salvation. You cannot earn your salvation, nor can you earn His Love. It is a gift.

Father, We pray today, that in all we do, we do it for You. Lord let us humbly and fearfully work for You and not for man. Transform our hearts Lord God. Let us not be lazy, nor selfish. Let us have our eyes and minds on You, being led by Your Holy Spirit. We praise You Lord, for every blessing You provide for us and our families. Let us not use these blessings for ourselves in selfish ways, yet use them in how You see fit for us. Be our captain, and steer our lives Lord, in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Question: Do you work hard for you, or for God?

By Daniel Forster
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

Yes, Lord, Yes!

A Most Important Work

Will You Join Jesus in His Work?

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The Cost of Worship

Devotionals — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 07:03:10 +0000

“I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” 2 Samuel 24:24

Several years ago while going for a walk, I noticed someone on a bike and felt an immediate impression to talk to her about God. However, I argued with myself against doing it and kept walking the other way. With feelings of immense remorse, I told God, if I saw her again, I would speak to her. And I did. I shared with her about the love of Jesus but also gave her the gold cross I was wearing around my neck, which held sentimental value.

What costly thing am I giving to God who has given me EVERYTHING?

When Araunah offered to give David oxen for an altar that he wanted to build, David insisted on paying for them out of a deep desire to give to God something that would cost him something. He did not want to give to God something that would be of no expense to him. David understood that true worship meant sacrifice (2 Samuel 24:18-25).

It is easy to serve God when it doesn’t require much from us. When it does, and we dare go to that place which demands that we fully trust in God in a way we haven’t experienced before, God looks upon that sacrifice as a measure of our deep love and devotion to Him.

Heavenly Father, I love you and thank you for offering your Son to me so I can have eternal life with you. My desire is to offer to you ________ [fill in the blank with the area that God shows you]. I choose to give you this part of my life to show my love and thankfulness to you. Amen.

By Brigitte Straub
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

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Put Feet to Your Faith!

Thoughts_About_God — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 07:03:31 +0000

“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:17

“Having faith” is popular these days as interest in spirituality grows.

Yet faith that is truly alive has a distinguishing mark: It will care about others in a way that puts feet to that faith. Listen to this wisdom from James 2:14-17:

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Today I heard a cool story about a couple who gathered a bag of shoes, rain gear, and other necessary items and put them in the grocery cart of a street person. A few days later, while out on a walk, they saw the lady wearing the new shoes. Though her eyes were usually cast down, and she did not look at passers-by, she quietly lifted her head as they passed and flashed a huge smile.

True faith demands action! God bless you as you put feet to your faith today!

Lord God, please open my eyes today to the needs around me so I can lovingly put feet to my faith. Show me the one on Your heart who is within my reach to help. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

In what ways is it most important to you to put feet to your faith? How have you been inspired by others putting their belief into action?

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Boxes

Thoughts_About_God — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 07:03:14 +0000

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world– the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions–is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” 1 John 2:15-17 (ESV)

In light of recent events, I have wanted to think about where I am before God and what He expects of me.

So I went down the imaginary stairs of my consciousness, to the inner store-cupboard of my being.

I made my way past the previously opened boxes, piled in a heap on one side. For now I was keen to find the box I hoped would still be there, so I pressed on and opened the cupboard.

Yes, there it was, the box labelled, “In the need for faith, open“. Its container was somewhat battered and torn by past frequent use and abuse but lately it had become dusty. I struggled with the box as I carried it from the cupboard to a waiting table. There, in the light of the room, I rummaged inside the box and pulled out a cassette entitled “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego“. Its tale can also be found in Daniel chapter 3.

I placed it in the player on the table. It told of three God-fearing people who, by an attitude of faith, were blessed. They built a bridge of trust with God between a time of imminent painful death in a fiery furnace by order of the king, and a time where they were to find themselves coming out of the furnace untouched. With either outcome in mind they had been prepared to face the fear of death because they loved God more than this life.

It is a reminder I re-play to myself time and again. It tells of faithfulness expected and rewarded. I believe it speaks of daring courage, self-sacrifice, in the face of a painful torture. How could they do it? They believed their life would be kept safe in God’s hands, even through death itself.

“ for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way“. Daniel 3:29b (ESV)

LORD, in your mercy hear our prayers for our world today. LORD, for those in positions of oversight faced with the impossible, unbearable, overwhelming or ceaseless, bring to their hearts and minds your Wisdom, Peace, Hope and your deliverance from dissipation.

LORD, in our time stem the tide of fear. Show us the way You wish us to go in Your Kingdom and grant us the courage to remain faithful wherever that may lead us. Give us eyes that see the need, ears that hear the call and a spirit that is willing to serve, to the praise of Your Name. Amen.

By Rod Marshall
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• Forgiveness – Yourself and Others
• Going Deeper with God

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To Me and Through Me

Thoughts_About_God — Sat, 21 Jun 2025 07:06:15 +0000

Kelly locked her door and hurried to the car. Easing into the morning traffic her thoughts went several directions. She began to breathe a prayer for the needs in her life. She needed God’s wisdom in her relationship with Bob. She needed His help in stretching her finances. She needed strength to get through her day and deal with the politics at work. She needed… oh, so much. She needed the Lord to pour out His help and strength to her.

We all need that. We are all invited to come to God and ask for mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. Yet there is more. God wants to pour into us so He can pour out through us.

Today don’t just stop at asking God for His help and strength for your own needs. The God of Peace longs to come into your day and equip you for what you need, but He also wants to equip you for what He needs you to do. Ask Him to give to you so that He can give through you to those you will touch today. All around you are people who need to know God cares. He wants to show them His love through you. You were made to do this in unique ways only you can do.

Inviting God to give TO you and then THROUGH you will energize you in a way that will surprise you. It doesn’t add more to an already too long “to do” list. Instead as we allow His Spirit to work through us, it brings the process full circle and again we find He works in us. Not just meeting the urgent needs of our day but refining who we are.

Listen to this blessing for you today from God’s Word

“May the God of Peace… equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” Hebrews 13:20 & 21

Dear Father in Heaven, Thank you that You, the God of Peace who raised Jesus from the dead, will equip me… with all my faults and failings. Please pour out to me what I need today… and then pour through me to touch others. What an amazing process. As You work through me You will also work in me to refine and smooth my rugged edges. Thank you for caring enough about me not to leave me as I am. I pray this in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

by Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

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Uncomfortable Love

Devotionals — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 07:03:20 +0000

“And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2

Jesus Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us. Paul calls that act “a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” It was the will of God that Jesus should die on the cross. It was not an easy thing to do. But He did it anyway in obedience to the will of God and because of His love for us. Anytime we choose to do the will of God and obey what He has told us to do, it is an act of sacrifice to God.

There was a time I received a call from a sister in Christ who needed help. She was not feeling well. I had just arrived at home and was very tired. I could have decided to use that as an excuse and just pray with her over the phone. But instead, I went to meet with her, and glory to God, she was strengthened. Sometimes, we will need to go out of our way to show love to others.

Just as Jesus gave Himself for us, we need to give ourselves to others. It might be our time, a listening ear, or words of encouragement; whatever it is, love will place specific demands on us to give to others.

We are to walk in love towards people, regardless of who we think they are. Whenever we choose not to walk in love towards those the Lord has placed on our path, we deny God of a fragrant offering and sacrifice. Let’s take a moment to think about that.

Dear Lord Jesus, please help me to continually follow your example of love, by sacrificially giving myself for others. Amen.

By Folasade Oladapo
Used by permission

this devotional can also be found on w ww.thelife.com/dailydevotions

FURTHER READING

Walk in Love

Brotherly Love

A Short Supply of Love

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