Words to Live By... Sacrifice

In her book Jesus Always (sequel to Jesus Calling), Sarah Young writes: "People routinely put their confidence in their abilities, education, wealth, or appearance. But I urge you to place your confidence fully in Me--the Savior whose sacrificial death and miraculous resurrection opened the way for you into eternal Glory!"

I don't know about you, but it doesn't take long for me to realize that anything or anyone I place my confidence in other than Christ will sooner or later disappoint. This week as we reflect on the Weekly Word to Live By: SACRIFICE, I'm going to make a point of thanking God for the perfect sacrifice of His Son which paid for my sins and purchased my salvation.

Then, I'm going to ask Him to show me how or what I might sacrifice in order to show others a sampling of His great love.

After all, living sacrificially brings joy and blesses others.

Let's have a joyful blessed week!

Dalene Parker, guest blogger

co-author with Linda Gilden of Words to Live By: One Word a Week

https://www.facebook.com/weeklywordstoliveby/ #sacrifice #weeklywordstoliveby

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

do you know about today?

"This is the day the LORD has made, let us rejoice and be glad." Psalm 118:24

It's not what i want, but what will i choose to do now?

Should i act as if God neither knows or cares? Has He forgotten my needs or prayers?

Never.

He is more minutely aware of my being than even myself.  If i had been the only one in need of a Savior, He still would have sent His Son.

So, today, through the clouds and the rain, i will praise God for this moment before me, and trust Him for the next one.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ still

"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

With a power outage last night, i could not prepare for today as i normally do.  It was a quiet and early night for me.

Sometimes we are still on our own, and sometimes God steps in.

Thank You, Father, for needed rest.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

here's the main point...

"Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." Proverbs 16:24

I had almost marked Brian "done" for the year.  Missing days, sleeping in school, despondent in class responsibilities.  But then, he had a good reason.  Recent events at home belted some tough blows to his heart, and the wind to survive had been knocked out of him.

Then it happened... with only a handful of school weeks left.

Ms. Thomas reached down deep in Brian's pit of despair and stirred hope back into his soul.  She believed in him more than he believed in himself.
Many who have succeeded in life or overcome difficulties, credit a special teacher who encouraged them. In a world filled with pain, uncertainties and hopelessness, teachers have the power to rescue. They can steer the life of a child to freedom by sharing a caring heart filled with truth, love, persistence and wisdom.

Do you believe in them? Do you tell them?

Your words are a precious gift of hope and life.  Let there never be a doubt, as long as we still have one school day left, you have an opportunity to make a difference.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ reign

"The Lord reigns forever and ever." Exodus 15:18

Now, that's the kind of reigning i am grateful to know will never end!

Thank You, Father!

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

Words to Live By... celebrate

"O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below--you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way."  1 Kings 8:23 8:23

When God calls His faithful servants to their heavenly home, loved ones left behind naturally experience loss and sorrow. Yet, there is also celebration for a life lived in a meaningful way that brought joy to others and glory to God.  Such is the case for our beloved former First Lady Barbara Bush. 

How appropriate that she requested Henry Van Dyke's celebratory hymn "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You" sung as her casket exited the church:   

1 Joyful, joyful, we adore You,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow'rs before You,
Op'ning to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!

2 All Your works with joy surround You,
Earth and heav'n reflect Your rays,
Stars and angels sing around You,
Center of unbroken praise;
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flow'ry meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain
Praising You eternally!

 

This week as we seek to activate the word CELEBRATE in our lives, let's take time to sing and meditate on the words to this beautiful hymn.  May we, too,  spend our days in meaningful ways which bring joy to others and glory to God. 

Celebrating Him and you,

Dalene Parker, guest blogger

#weeklywordstoliveby   https://www.facebook.com/weeklywordstoliveby/  #celebrate

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

counting the days?

"...never tire of doing what is good." 2 Thessalonians 3:13

While many are joyfully counting down the remaining days of school, some are counting in a different way.  

This week, while looking over a report, Ms. May expressed her frustration in the progress of a student.  My effort to cheer her by reminding her of only 6 Mondays left, did not get the reaction i expected.  She confessed to feeling a sense of urgency, but it was an unwanted urgency of having a limited time left to accomplish what she desired. It was an unexpected inspiration to keep doing what's right.

In spite of the high winds to wrap up the school year, or any other season, may our roots run deep in doing what's right, so we don't fall short in what God desires.  

Father, thank you for loving reminders of counting our days as still half full instead of half empty.  As long as we have Light, this is an opportunity to make a difference in someone's life... and each difference matters.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ ask

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8

He didn't say maybe, 
He didn't say how, 
He said it will be done.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

how can this be?

“'How will this be,' Mary asked the angel... 
'The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.'" Luke 1:34-35

Impossible situation, impossible solution... we have all faced them at one time or another.  And sometimes we're smacked in the face by trials at what feels like the frequency of ocean waves... endless, with one right after-the-other. 

How will this be?
How can we survive?
What will happen next?
How can i continue?

Whatever the question, the answer remains the same:

When we are weak, He is strong.

God is with us, and He will see us through.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ hold

"For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

When stressed, worried, hurt or depressed, having someone hold your hand is one of the most comforting acts i know.

While i can only hold 2 hands at a time, and an octopus can hold up to 8 hands at a time... 

God is capable of holding every hand on earth at one time for as long as needed.

Thank You, Father.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

Words to Live By... sing

"The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing."  Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

As you reflect on and activate this week's Word to Live By:  SING, meditate on the power of God's active presence, power. and the calming reassurance of the verse above.

The Lord abides with us.  

Our Mighty Warrior saves us. 

He takes great delight in us.

He rejoices over us with singing.

No matter how weary, worn, or war-torn you may feel, sing along with the One who gives you voice and victory in every situation. He is with you, and He will save you.  SING!

Have a wonder-filled week and take note of all the ways God "sings" back to you,

Dalene Parker, guest blogger

https://www.facebook.com/weeklywordstoliveby/

#wordstoliveby   #sing

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

a Mighty Word ~ healing

“I am the Lord who heals you.” Exodus 15:26

Whatever ails you... heart, mind, body, soul, our God has the means and way and power for healing as He deems right. 

And, Father, may i remember, Your way is always perfect.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

have you been labeled?

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in Me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea."  Mark 9:42

This week i was labeled a "bad outbound sender".  While the label stemmed from technical issues and resulted in undeliverable emails, it still made me frown. It paralyzed me from sending emails to anyone outside our school system. Who wants to be labeled a bad outbound sender? 

With my boundaries of influence and communication yanked in, i was forced to wait for clearance from the authorities.  I thought how God might like to restrict us, due to our human frailties, in what we do.  Careless or incorrect sharing of Him, could cause one to fall away from Him instead of being drawn to Him.  A danger zone for all involved.

I remember what a neighbor once shared with me concerning her view on believers: "From what I see and hear, many people who say they are Christians are not anything like I want to be."

OUCH!

Father, i want to be an encourager, not a discourager.  Before i contribute to someone stumbling from their faith, please seal my lips, restrict my actions and rework my heart.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

the promise of promises

Jesus said...
"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20

When issues, decisions or results are shaking and tumbling about in my head, how very thankful i am to remember that through it all, Jesus is still with me.  And sometimes that alone can be and must be enough.

Thank You, Jesus.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

an unlikely response

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another -- and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10: 25

Spring break is over, and the students are back.  While checking books out to them, i was quickly reminded not all students swim or feel the same about returning to school.  

When i asked Lelia about her Break, she admitted she cried Sunday.  I told her, "I understand; i had a hard time coming back too."

"No, that wasn't why i cried," she replied. "I was crying because i was excited about coming back to school and seeing my friends!"  

Wow, i didn't see that coming... i was expecting a lip-dragging response. Yet, her greatest joy for the week was being reunited with friends.

Oh, how i love a surprising breath of fresh air! May we enjoy, encourage and strengthen each other as we reunite too. Thank You, Father, for unexpected smiles and nudges.  

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

Words to Live By... stop

"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

For those just emerging from the glories of a slow-down-and-savor-life spring break, how ironic that the Weekly Word to Live By is STOP! What a word to consider when it's time for us to rev up our engines and get going again.  As we re-enter our work zones, the extra time spent visiting family and friends, resting and refreshing just makes us long for more occasions to STOP the rush and crush of our typical daily lives.  And yet, we do have the power to make purposeful stops in our routines.

This week, let's make sure we STOP every day to listen to what God wants to tell us in His Word and through His creation.  And if there's anything in our hearts, minds, or emotions we need to STOP nursing, cursing, or rehearsing, try reversing those negatives into positives by blessing the one or the thing causing the aggravation or distress.  

Springtime is the perfect time for rebirth or renewal.  May we STOP long enough and often enough to allow God to activate that process in us this week.

Blessings,

Dalene Parker, guest blogger 

Words to Live By #stop (pages 169 -174)

https://www.facebook.com/weeklywordstoliveby/

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

Words to Live By... laugh

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118.24

Easter Sunday and April Fool's Day rarely fall on the same day, but what a wonderful "God-incidence" that it happened this year, even going so far as to line up with our Weekly Word to Live By:  LAUGH!

In the Christian faith, we experience much joy and laughter, often giving much-needed relief right in the middle of a dark, distressing situation.

Can you imagine the jubilation the disciples felt after realizing their Savior had risen and was alive again? That celebration goes on in our hearts and lives today.  He is alive!

Keep laughing all week long, Friends, and share the reason for your joy with others.

And if you want to have a good laugh on us, check out our oh-so-silly video on https://www.facebook.com/weeklywordstoliveby/

Joy and blessings,

Dalene Parker, guest blogger

Words to Live By

we are chosen and loved by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

the morning after...

"Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58

It's the day after Easter, and it's still a good day!  Don't let those doubts and fears seep back into your victorious soul.

Father, i am reminded you are among the living, not the dead.  May our lives reflect we believe that. You are reason enough for every day to be called Good.  Thank You for saving me.

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,
veneal

SPECTACULAR SUNDAY!

"HE HAS RISEN!"  Mark 16:6

"But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three - sin, guilt, death - are gone! the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God!" 1 Corinthians 15:57

It's Easter Sunday

The earth shook, the cloth was folded, His work finished.

And the glory of the LORD shone all around.

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it.

veneal