Gtcotr/ss052624
This Sunday is a part of our annual Memorial Day weekend in the USA. It began being observed as Decoration Day the year after the Civil War ended as a tribute to the memory of those soldiers who had fallen on the battlefields on both sides during that divided conflict. Through the years our presidents and legislators have signed executive orders and enacted legislation in efforts to never forget those who gave their all to keep America and Americans free.
Since 1971 our nation has set aside the fourth Monday of May as Memorial Day and this year our president has asked that all Americans pay special tribute through prayer and remembrance at 11am local time wherever they may be, to brave service men and women who laid down their lives defending our nation’s decided best interests.
Today, as a Church, we join our nation to remember the fallen and to pray God’s continuing grace on the families who have given and lost so much.
Let’s pray. God bless America and God bless the fallen.
Jesus has something to say about those who willingly lay down their lives so that others might have a chance to live.
John 10 NKJV
10 “The thief does not come
except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have
life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
11 “I am the good shepherd.
The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”
15 “As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.”
When someone willingly offers their life as a ransom for others, it makes the sacrifice so much more valuable. Especially when they aren’t even sure you will acknowledge it, accept it, or appreciate the gift.
Jesus chose to suffer and die, not just so you would hear about Him and His sacrifice, but rather He hoped you would take advantage of the chance He died for you to have. A chance to personally know Him and experience His love for you. He died to give you a chance when you didn’t deserve it.
Romans 5
6 ¶ For when we were yet
without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a
righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare
to die.
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
God has given you a chance … a chance to change … a chance to be saved … when you didn’t deserve it. Have you accepted His offer of eternal life?
The devil wants to steal, kill, and destroy your life, your family, your finances, your health, and your future. Jesus has come to give you an abundant life. Jesus died to give you something you could not afford.
How can you take advantage of His offer?
Romans 10
9 If you will confess the
Lord Jesus with your mouth and believe in your heart that God has raised Him
from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
God doesn’t know; your family doesn’t know; your boss doesn’t know; the judge doesn’t know; the devil doesn’t know; your friends don’t know; the salesman doesn’t know; the client doesn’t know; the kids don’t know; and most likely you don’t know until you say it! Consider; Commit; & Confess.
There
is something powerful about saying it. Pull the trigger on your chance. Make
your commitment to Christ and say it out loud. Say it in the name of Jesus! What Jesus did won’t matter to you if you
don’t take the chance He is giving you. Consider; Commit; Confess &
Remember …
