A Life of Pure And Holy Sacrifice

[cmc]

"He who believes in Me... out of his heart will flow ..." (John 7:38).

Jesus did not say, "He who believes in Me will realize all the blessings of the fullness of God," but in essence, "He who believes in Me will have everything he receives escape out of him." Our Lord's teaching was always anti-self-realization. His purpose is not the development of a person -- His purpose is to make a person exactly like Himself, and the Son of God is characterized by self-expenditure. If we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain but what He pour through us that really counts. God's purpose is not simply to make us beautiful, plump grapes, but to make us grapes so that He may squeeze the sweetness out of us. Our spiritual life cannot be measured by success as the world measures it, but only by what God pours through us--and we cannot measure that at all.

When Mary of Bethany "broke the flask... of very costly oil ... and poured it on [Jesus'] head," it was an act for which no one else saw any special occasion; in fact, " ... there were some who .... said, 'Why was this fragrant oil wasted?' " ( Mark 14:3-4). But Jesus commended Mary for her extravagant act of devotion, and said, " ... wherever this gospel is preached .... what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her" ( Mark 14:9). Our Lord is filled with overflowing joy whenever He sees any of us doing what Mary did-- not being bound by a particular set of rules, but being totally surrendered to Him. God poured out the life of His Son "that the world through Him might be saved" ( John 3:17). Are we prepared to pour out our lives for Him?

"He who believes in Me ... out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" --- and hundreds of other lives will be continually refreshed. Now is the time for us to break "the flask" of our lives, to stop seeking our own satisfaction, and to pour out our lives before Him.
Our Lord is asking who of us will do it for Him?

by Oswald Chambers
taken from My Utmost For His Highest
September 2 reading

[toad]

"He who believes in Me will have everything he receives escape out of him." (O.C.)
What a profound statement indeed.......

This reading is just what I needed today. Thanks cmc for sharing.

Best should be heading home today. It was a wonderful experience to meet him face to face. The love of Jesus shines in Best's heart, ain't no putting that fire out! (that's a double negative, please don't read it that way, but as if it came out of the mouth of a born-again hillbilly)...........toad

[cmc]

Welcome 'home' toad, I'm glad you had such a nice time of fellowship!

[best]

As I read that post, I fill with many thoughts.
We all had a great time and each of us left to go home with a better self realization I would think.
Eight people showed up and gave of themselves and as the love of Jesus flowed through each of us as individuals, the other 7 were blessed.
I find that every time I give away what has been given me, as I give, I gain. I always walk away from a giving moment with a feeling I have gotten back more then I gave.
I guess in part it can be looked at as simple math... I give one smile and I find that 7 smile back. I shared from my heart and 7 shared back.
A group of dusty old sober bikers and Kym shows up as well. Who would ever think that such a group could have so much fun, love and friendship shared as we did.
Yes simple math... I only being one, share the love that the Lord has placed in my heart and I find that 7 others shared back and gave me 7 fold to my one.
You need give it away to keep it.
Now I have 7 times what I gave away... I will need find more people to share it with so I don't burst from all I have been given.