For those whom He foreknew . . . He also destined from the beginning . . . to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness].
- Romans 8:29
If we really are serious about loving God, we must ask ourselves if there are any areas of our lives in which we are holding out on Him. What are the things about which we say, "Well, God, You can have everything but that," or "Lord, just don't ask me to quit doing that"?
God doesn't want to take everything we enjoy away from us, but everything must be available to Him. He makes the choices about what is really good for us and what is not; our job is to trust Him completely.
According to today's Scripture, one of God's primary goals in our lives is to make us like Jesus. This means that He wants us to continue to become more like Jesus in our thoughts, in our words, and in our actions.
God has given us a free will, and the only way we will ever belong to Him is to make deliberate decisions to give ourselves freely to Him. He will never force us to love Him or serve Him. He will lead us and prompt us, but He will always leave the decision to surrender up to us. If God has been dealing with you about anything, I encourage you not to put off surrendering it any longer. In your thoughts you may intend to surrender at some later time, but remember that good intentions do not equal obedience—and obedience is not only what God requires, it's also what proves our love for Him.
Love God Today: Go ahead and do it: Give God everything.
Christ’s Prayer on the Cross
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
Luke 23:32–34
In the four Gospels, we find seven statements Jesus made while He hung on the cross. The very first of those is this powerful prayer for forgiveness of those who were crucifying Him. Charles Spurgeon said, “It was not a prayer for enemies who had done him an ill deed years before, but for those who were there and then murdering him. Not in cold blood did the Saviour pray, after He had forgotten the injury, but while the first red drops of blood were spurting on the hands which drove the nails; while yet the hammer was bestained with crimson gore, His blessed mouth poured out the fresh warm prayer.”
Christ’s forgiveness for those who were in that moment crucifying Him is an incredible revelation of the depth of God’s love. He does not love us because we are good or deserving, but because He is love and, in love, paid the price for our sins. We need a renewed sense of appreciation and gratitude for the salvation we have received. Especially for those of us who have been saved for many years, the temptation is to take salvation for granted and forget how much we needed it. “But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins” (2 Peter 1:9).
But Christ’s prayer on the cross should also motivate us who have received the forgiveness of God to freely forgive others. Ephesians 4:32 says, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Luke 23:32–34
In the four Gospels, we find seven statements Jesus made while He hung on the cross. The very first of those is this powerful prayer for forgiveness of those who were crucifying Him. Charles Spurgeon said, “It was not a prayer for enemies who had done him an ill deed years before, but for those who were there and then murdering him. Not in cold blood did the Saviour pray, after He had forgotten the injury, but while the first red drops of blood were spurting on the hands which drove the nails; while yet the hammer was bestained with crimson gore, His blessed mouth poured out the fresh warm prayer.”
Christ’s forgiveness for those who were in that moment crucifying Him is an incredible revelation of the depth of God’s love. He does not love us because we are good or deserving, but because He is love and, in love, paid the price for our sins. We need a renewed sense of appreciation and gratitude for the salvation we have received. Especially for those of us who have been saved for many years, the temptation is to take salvation for granted and forget how much we needed it. “But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins” (2 Peter 1:9).
But Christ’s prayer on the cross should also motivate us who have received the forgiveness of God to freely forgive others. Ephesians 4:32 says, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Today’s Growth Principle:
Never forget the amazing love of Jesus who prayed for your salvation even on the cross, and never withhold forgiveness from others.
Give God Everything
by Joyce Meyer - posted October 30, 2016For those whom He foreknew . . . He also destined from the beginning . . . to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness].
- Romans 8:29
If we really are serious about loving God, we must ask ourselves if there are any areas of our lives in which we are holding out on Him. What are the things about which we say, "Well, God, You can have everything but that," or "Lord, just don't ask me to quit doing that"?
God doesn't want to take everything we enjoy away from us, but everything must be available to Him. He makes the choices about what is really good for us and what is not; our job is to trust Him completely.
According to today's Scripture, one of God's primary goals in our lives is to make us like Jesus. This means that He wants us to continue to become more like Jesus in our thoughts, in our words, and in our actions.
God has given us a free will, and the only way we will ever belong to Him is to make deliberate decisions to give ourselves freely to Him. He will never force us to love Him or serve Him. He will lead us and prompt us, but He will always leave the decision to surrender up to us. If God has been dealing with you about anything, I encourage you not to put off surrendering it any longer. In your thoughts you may intend to surrender at some later time, but remember that good intentions do not equal obedience—and obedience is not only what God requires, it's also what proves our love for Him.
Love God Today: Go ahead and do it: Give God everything.
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