Sacrifice...

I hope you've have a wonderful week! It's Friday, WooHOO!! I want to talk to you about something that I've never really paid much attention to...Sacrifice. It's Lenten season now & although I'm not Catholic, I like the principle of self-examination to better ones relationship with Christ. I have asked myself what have I sacrificed lately. Better yet what have I ever sacrificed? As you would imagine, the Bible is full from cover to cover with people who sacrificed. In Genesis 22, God tells Abraham to take his son Isaac to one of the mountains and offer him as a burnt offering. HIS OWN SON! As you continue to read Abraham obeys God, takes Isaac to the mountain God showed him, & is about to sacrifice his own son when an angel of God stops him.Verse 12 says "Don't lay a hand on that boy! Don't touch him! Now I know how fearlessly you fear God; you didn't hesitate to place your son, your dear son, on the altar for me." Abraham exemplified his faith and trust that God was in total control.

15-18The angel of God spoke from Heaven a second time to Abraham: "I swear—God's sure word!—because you have gone through with this, and have not refused to give me your son, your dear, dear son, I'll bless you—oh, how I'll bless you! And I'll make sure that your children flourish—like stars in the sky! like sand on the beaches! And your descendants will defeat their enemies. All nations on Earth will find themselves blessed through your descendants because you obeyed me."

I can't help but to think of Romans 8:28 (NKJV) 28 And we know that all things work together for
good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

God was testing Abraham & he passed to say the least! God blessed him & his children that they would “flourish-like stars in the sky!” I strive for faith like Abraham at that time.

I pray this opens your hearts so that you can hear what God is asking you to sacrifice for His purpose. I love you and hope you have a great weekend!