In light of the infinite sacrifice which has been supplied to us by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, (undoubtedly He gave all). Does then your life reflect your understanding and appreciation of it? Does He receive your all, or merely your left-overs?

    According to Scripture we should be indebted and appreciative servants 24 hours a day, all the days of our lives; for when we reflect on what He did for us on the cross, how can it be otherwise? The apostle Paul tells us: "If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again" (2 Cor. 5:13-15).

    Missionary C.T. Studd said: "If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him".

    It is so common for all of us to let down, and become lackadaisical in our service to God and others.        Let me illustrate!        Which is easier--to make your bed in the morning or leave it unmade? To volunteer for a community project or to watch TV all weekend? To vacuum, wash and wax your car or leave it dirty? The easiest choices reflect the Second Law of Thermodynamics which states: All work processes tend toward a greater state of disorder over time without fresh injections of new energy.

    This Law works physically and spiritually. Leave your car parked in a field, and it will rust and fall apart. The same will happen to your spiritual life. Forget to maintain the spiritual disciplines you have learned and, in time, your life will take on increasing signs of disorder. That's what happened to the Israelites when they returned to Jerusalem from captivity. They started off obeying God, but in time lost their energy. They stopped giving their first and best to God, and the prophet Malachi called them to account..... If you can see disorder creeping into your life, take a moment to evaluate, make sure you're still giving your first and best to God!

    Remembering and responding to God's will takes new energy every day. That's just the way it is this side of heaven. General William Booth, when asked about his success in establishing the Salvation Army, replied, "I will tell you the secret. God has had all there was of me to have". 

    The hymnist wrote:
                                            Were the whole realm of nature mine,
                                            That were a present far too small;
                                            Love so amazing, so divine,
                                            Demands my soul, my life, my all.

    Does Jesus have all there is of you?


    Pastor Greg Ells