JoAnn's Spiritual Lessons

Acts 21:12/13, Galatians 2:20, Matthew 10:39, Romans 6; Give your life and be the servant of God.

Acts 21:12-13

"Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, "What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
NKJV

Sometimes we say, "I would be willing to die for the Lord." If you say that and really mean it, then that's awesome. But are you willing to live for the Lord?

Paul wrote,

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20 NKJV

If anyone lived for Christ, it was the Apostle Paul. He endured many trials and suffered greatly in order to further the Gospel. Paul did end up dying for the Lord, but by his living for the Lord, his life was "poured out as a drink offering" (2 Tim 4:6). If you are living for the Lord, then you will be giving your life away and living sacrificially for others and not for yourself.

Jesus said,

"If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for me, you will find it." Matthew 10:39 NLT

Are you giving your life away?

Life Lesson: We should give our lives away as we follow Jesus.

Dear Father,
Thank You for giving me new life in Christ. Please help me to live for You and help me to serve others sacrificially. Please forgive me for times when I have lived selfishly. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say, Pastor David McGee My comment: We are not our own, we were bought for a price and that was the sacrifice of Christ Jesus upon the Cross where He gave up His life so we may live. And not that we may live for ourselves yet that we may live for the glory of God and to serve others. Romans 6 shows us that we should know, reckon (some versions say consider), and present (ourselves) in order to be sanctified and have eternal life. How simple that is yet there is a world that is dieing because they want to do things their own way and under their own power (not God's) and for themselves. If we are crucified with Christ Jesus then we are no longer under or subjected to the law. Yet we are not our own either. We have been bought with a price, the blood of Jesus and we are His. When we put back on ourselves the worlds ways we get into trouble yet if we turn to God and repent with contrite hearts and trust in Him then He changes us and we can be used of Him, as Paul was used as the Apostles were used as Christ Disciples throughout the ages have been used, to bring others to the knowledge and glory of Jesus the Christ and into right relationship with God the Father. When we read the Holy Words of God we strengthen our relationship with our Abba (Daddy) and the more that relationship is strengthened the more He can use us to change our families, communities and the world. Only when we lose our lives can we truly live. Heavenly Abba, please open our hearts and minds to those things we still cling to that hold us back from giving ourselves to You completely and stop us from being used by You to the fullest. Clear us of ourselves and fill us with Your Holy Spirit and help us to trust You completely. Thank You for all you are doing in us and with us and through us for Your Glory and Praise. Amen Rebishka