Dr H Reflections

Growing pains ∙∙

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. – Genesis 50:20

Hebrews 12:10-11

10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.

11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening– it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

“When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going” is a 1985 song recorded by English singer Billy Ocean. The song served as the soundtrack for the Michael Douglas film The Jewel of the Nile, propelling it to international fame. It topped the UK Singles Chart in February 1986 and came in second on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

However, a decade and a half before Billy Ocean sang it, John Wooden was the amazing and innovative head basketball coach at the University of California, Los Angeles. He changed the entire nature of the game and was nicknamed the “Wizard of Westwood.” He won ten NCAA national championships in 12 years and an all-time record of seven in a row.

Wooden formulated the “Pyramid of Success,” with competitive greatness forming its core principle: “When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going. Be at your best when your best is needed. Real love of a hard battle.” No doubt it worked! His pyramid comprised 24 characteristics that he believed were key to achieving success.

The 24 attributes of success include Faith through prayer; Patience – good things take time, fight, effort, and hustle; Reliability – others depend on you; Resourcefulness; – proper judgment; Poise, just being yourself, being at ease in any situation, never fighting yourself; Confidence – respect without fear, which may come from faith in yourself in knowing that you are prepared, Adaptability to any situation or condition; and Integrity.

The pages of history are replete with people who have endured injustice and suffering. It seems that hardly anyone is spared from mistreatment, criticism, and outright conflict. The Father uses these things to make us more like Christ.

Joseph’s life was marred by more unfair treatment and betrayal than most Westerners could even imagine. His brothers sold him into slavery. He was incarcerated on the false accusations made by Potiphar’s wife. In prison, for all practical purposes, he was abandoned and forgotten, left to rot. But something marvelous was happening deep in the dungeon. The Father was quietly sculpting his character. Joseph began to comprehend the Father’s ways and was being prepared for what was to happen in the future. He discovered joy in the midst of sorrow and purpose in the midst of hopelessness. All that happened to him was nothing more than growing pains.

REFLECT & PRAY

“God’s will does not come to us in the whole, but in fragments, and generally in small fragments” (F. W. Faber).

Father allow me to see my affliction and suffering as nothing more than growing pains. May I learn to instinctively ask, “What would You have me learn from this experience?” You are the Potter, and I am the clay. You are forming me into what you want me to be. May the image of the Lord Jesus Christ grow and burst forth through my life.

INSIGHT

Proverbs 16:9 We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.

The Father possesses an extraordinary and marvelous ability to intertwine human plans and intentions with His divine purpose and goals. Joseph, who experienced a series of betrayals and disappointments, was unknowingly part of the Father’s grand design. In every detail, the Father was orchestrating His plan, which unfolded in due time.

The evil intentions and selfishness of those who sought to harm Joseph inadvertently led to the deliverance of the nation of Egypt and many others from death through famine. The man Joseph became, as he languished and was seemingly forgotten in an Egyptian prison cell, was the work of the Father. Joseph stands as a prime example of His handiwork.

As stated in Proverbs 19:21, You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.

Joseph grew into a mature, godly man of faith. His generous, forgiving demeanor brought his family back together, which was an integral part of the Father’s plan. Seventy members of Joseph’s family relocated to Egypt to survive and prosper (Genesis 46:27). After the administration changed and Joseph was no longer in control, his people were enslaved and remained so for 400 years. However, this, too, was a part of the Father’s intricate plan.

Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.

Viewing things from the Father’s perspective brings about a profound transformation. It’s a remarkable paradigm shift.

In the difficulties and disappointments of life, we always have a choice. We can focus on the wrongs done to us and the pain we have suffered. Or we can ask the Father what He wants us to learn from our experiences. The former leads to sadness, remorse, and even bitterness. But the latter opens the way for the Father to reveal His ways and purposes and provide guidance. The journey towards spiritual growth and godliness commences with small, incremental baby steps. This, in turn, cultivates a positive attitude towards the Father and an understanding of how He works in our lives.

Hebrews 12:12-14

12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.

13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak, and lame will not fall but become strong.

14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life . . .

The Father frequently uses hardship to cultivate and burst forth the life of the Lord Jesus Christ within us. His ultimate goal is to create a growing “family resemblance” amongst all children of the King children. The book of Genesis concludes with a vivid display of Joseph’s Christ-like life in full bloom!

Genesis 50:19-24

19 Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you?

20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

21 No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.

22 So Joseph, his brothers, and their families continued to live in Egypt. Joseph lived to the age of 110.

24 “God will surely come to help you and lead you out of this land of Egypt. He will bring you back to the land he solemnly promised to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

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All power and authority ∙∙

All power and authority ∙∙

One day, Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority Luke 9:1

Matthew 28:18-20

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.

19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

January 10, 2020, Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa announced that he was giving away $9 million to 1000 randomly selected Twitter followers. Each recipient would receive $9000.

Maezawa was conducting a social experiment regarding the correlation between money and happiness. He wanted to determine if money leads to happiness. How would a sudden influx of $9000 (roughly 100,000,000 yen) impact an individual recipient’s life? He wanted to see how people’s lives would be changed when he gave them $9000 free and clear. Would it make them happier? How would their lives be altered?

What if you received an amount that was far greater than $9000? Suppose you were given $1,000,000. How would your daily life change? What would you do differently and why?

What if you received an amount so vast that it was almost incalculable? How would it affect you?

That is precisely what the Father has done for each child of the King.

Matthew 28:18 Jesus came and told his disciples; I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.

Luke 9:1 One day, Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority.

How much authority does the Lord Jesus Christ possess? He identifies Himself as possessing all power and authority in heaven and on earth. Exactly how powerful is He?

The King James version describes Him as the Lord God omnipotent [The Lord God Almighty] (Revelation 19:6).

The Greek word translated as omnipotent or all-powerful is pantokrator. It comes from two Greek words: pantos – all, every, everything + krateo – ruler, be powerful. Thus, it means being an all-powerful ruler with control over everything. There’s an interesting contrast between pantokrator and the word used to describe the enemy, the god of this world, kosmokrator (Ephesians 6:12).

Kosmokrator comes from two Greek words: kosmos – world, world system + krateo – ruler, be powerful. Thus, it literally means to be a world ruler who has control over planet Earth.

The enemy may have limited control over planet Earth, but the Almighty Lord God has ultimate control over everything, including the adversary. The Father has the enemy on a leash. Due to the Father’s ultimate power and authority, the adversary’s sphere of influence is severely restricted.

REFLECT & PRAY

Lord Jesus Christ was crystal clear.

Matthew 28:18-19 I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations.

Father thank You for what You are. I readily acknowledge You as my Lord, Who has all authority and power in heaven and on earth. Thank You for sharing Your power and authority with me. Encourage me to use it wisely in Your service.

INSIGHT

There is a subtle but significant difference between the Greek word translated as power – dunamis and the Greek word translated as authority – exousia.

Dunamis is related to ability or capacity. It connotes getting the job done, that is, having the required power, might, and strength.

On the other hand, exousia concerns authority – the right to control or command. It does not require personal strength.

Many huge offensive and defensive players on a football field have tremendous physical power – dunamis. Next to them, the referee is almost puny. But the referee has authority – exousia and exercises it at will. He makes decisions, calls penalties, and brings the entire game to a complete halt by simply dropping a yellow flag.

The Father’s decision to bestow power and authority upon us was well-calculated and deliberate. We are entitled to take charge of circumstances in the mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ. As needed, He endows us with a supernatural strength that far surpasses ordinary human capabilities.

The Father and the Lord Jesus Christ didn’t give us their power and authority without purpose. Each of the children of the King is commissioned to make disciples of all nations.

We possess all the power and authority needed to accomplish this task. How’s that working out for you?

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Making all things new ∙

Making all things new ∙

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Revelations 21:1-7

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone.

2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.”

4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.”

6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega – the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty, I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.

7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.

Suppose we were to ask the average individual on the street if they had ever lied, been in trouble, or done something they deeply regret. Would each one recount their unique story with a sigh and a hint of melancholy?

Mistakes are unavoidable because we are fallen and live in a fallen world. Sooner or later, people stumble and fall. Those who falter are not necessarily bad people. Most often, they are decent individuals who have made poor choices. Given the opportunity to revisit those choices, wouldn’t they opt for the correct path? Indeed, everyone can learn from their past errors and make course corrections.

However, fear often prevents many from making these necessary adjustments. They navigate through life aiming merely to endure rather than flourish. They strive to survive rather than thrive. A better life script might be “Growing from hurt, living in hope” (allthingsnewtherapy.org).

The Lord Jesus Christ made a magnificent promise to every child of the King.

Revelations 21:5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.”

When the Lord Jesus Christ speaks, His words are accurate, reliable, and can be believed. He always tells the Truth. As a witness, His character is above reproach. His words can be trusted. “Everyone can believe these words; they are true” (UBS). When He says, “I am making everything new,” you can have complete confidence that He will do exactly what He says.

REFLECT & PRAY

It takes a strong person to say I am sorry. But it takes a stronger person to forgive.

Father I thank You for a second chance. I am a new creation in You. Encourage and strengthen me to live like it.

INSIGHT

When the six days of creation were completed, the Father said, “It is very good” (Genesis 1:31). All was well until sin entered the human race. Adam and Eve sinned and became fallen. The innocence and luminescence of planet Earth were marred. The world became a dark and fallen place. The Father loves His creation and does not want to vaporize it. Instead, the Father seeks to rescue and restore it rather than its destruction. The Lord Jesus Christ came into the world to die for sin, the sin of the human race. His purpose is to redeem people and planet Earth. He will make everything new, exchanging evil and death for goodness and life.

Lord Jesus Christ will renew all things and “make everything new.” Although the old heaven and earth will be replaced with a new heaven and earth, there will be a degree of continuity between them. For example, the Lord Jesus Christ was part of the old heaven and earth. He was confined to an earthly body. But He was raised from the dead, and His mortal body was transformed into a resurrection body. Nevertheless, He was still essentially the same “person.” He was recognizable and recognized by His disciples. Their relationship continued until His ascension.

In the same way, as children of the King we “will be raised to eternal life with our ‘selves’ intact. We will retain our memories, our personalities – everything that makes us who we are. At the same time, we will be transformed, purified, and renewed so that we conform to God’s will in every way” (Christopher A. Davis).

Could everything good in this world be incorporated into the Father’s eternal kingdom and become part of the “new heaven and new earth?” The coming renewal is more than a renewal; it replaces our old ways and lives with new, remarkable, refreshed, extraordinary ones (Garland).

All that we do on planet Earth will be sorted out by purifying fire. Knowing this should inspire us to strive for excellence as we build upon the foundation established in our hearts.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

10 Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful.

11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have – Jesus Christ.

12 Anyone who builds on that foundation may use various materials, such as gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw.

13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.

14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward.

15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.

Paul doesn’t stipulate what kind of work is valuable and remains or what is trivial and worthless and is burned up and incinerated.

Each child of the King should be careful how they build. We are to seek to make things that are precious and eternal. Only two things are eternal on planet Earth: the Word of God and human souls. The quality and value of our effort will be revealed with fire, which will test the quality of each person’s work. Some stuff will be burned up, and some stuff will survive. Each one of us will experience some degree of loss, but we will be saved.

“At the final judgment, everything in our lives that does not conform to the will of God (the ‘wood, hay or straw’) will be ‘burned up.’ Praise God, for all our character flaws and failures will be removed! They will not be a part of the New Creation. However, Christians themselves will be ‘saved,’ and whatever good we have accomplished (the ‘gold and silver’) will be incorporated into God’s eternal kingdom” (Christopher A. Davis).

We were given eternal life when we accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. Our eternity with Him began at that instant and will continue indefinitely. We are now intimately connected with the risen Lord Jesus Christ. We exist “in Christ,” spiritually fused with Him forevermore.

“And one day we will enter into His promise of unending days with Him (John 14:3). Age and disease will no longer take their toll, and we will continue the adventure of an eternal lifetime. What stories each of us will have to tell – stories of our Savior’s redeeming love and undying faithfulness” (James Banks).

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Desires of the heart ∙

Desires of the heart ∙

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. – Psalms 37:4

Psalms 20:4 May He grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed.

What are desires? More particularly, what are the desires of the heart?

A desire is something that people want or think they need. Desires are our wants or seeming “must-haves.” Imagine a toddler in the checkout line of a supermarket, relentlessly repeating its demands to its poor, harried mom. Their insistence essentially boils down to, “I want what I want when I want it. And you don’t care what it does to the rest of us.” (Betty Draper, Mad Men)

Often, people equate human “desire” to an intense, heartfelt longing or craving. These fervent desires could be likened to what the apostle John refers to as the lust of the flesh and the eyes.

1 John 2:16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions.

At first glance, such an understanding seems plausible. Many people simply stop at that point without digging deeper. However, additional investigation and reflection yield a deeper, more significant understanding when the superficial layers are peeled away.

So, what are the desires of the heart? They are essentially “What we crave the most” (UBS). Our Father promises to give us what our “heart desires.”

Luke 11:13 If sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?

The Hebrew word translated as desire is mishalah. Mishalah is also translated as a request or petition. It is derived from the Hebrew verb sha’al, typically translated as ask, inquire, or desire.

Could it be that the desires of our hearts are transformed into action through our prayers in the form of our requests and petitions? In this case, our heart desires are not selfish cravings. Instead, they are our supplications, made known to the Father through prayer. The phrase “he will give you your heart’s desires” could be translated as “he will give you what you desire most” (NET). The Hebrew literally reads, “he will grant to you the requests of your heart.”

Desires of the heart originate deep within our renewed spirits. Our prayers express our innermost desires. When we pray, and the Father responds and answers, He grants the desires of our hearts.

Further, over time, a remarkable transformation takes place. Our hearts begin to desire what the Father desires for us, and our longings align with the Father’s.

Most often, the Scriptures mean what they say. They make common sense. However, in this instance, the Scriptures imply something more profound than what is communicated at face value.

Psalms 37:4 promises that the desires of the heart will be realized as we delight in the Lord.

The context and flow of the Psalm help unlock its meaning. This is where it gets interesting. The Psalm begins with an appeal.

We are advised not to fret over the wicked or envy those who engage in wrongdoing.

Psalms 37:1 Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong.

Those who commit wrongdoings and act wickedly often prosper. How should we react? David shows the way and guides us towards an appropriate response. He is calm, peaceful, faithful, and does not fret or get upset. Despite the seeming paradox of the circumstances, he exhibits a serene, unshakable confidence.

The Hebrew word translated as fret or worry is tithhar. Tithhar comes from the Hebrew verb charah, which means to become hot, burn, angry, excited, or irritated. Therefore, we’re advised not to fume and succumb to anxiety when witnessing the success of the wicked.

Rather than focusing on wrongdoers and seething with anger, the children of the King should focus on the Father. Regrettably, being obsessed with enemies and rivals cannot be easily eradicated with a simple flip of an on-off switch. Instead, these preoccupations act more like a dimmer switch that can be slowly turned up or down. In the process, we shift our focus to the Father.

We’re encouraged to place our trust in Him (37:3), take delight in Him (37:4), commit our way to Him (37:5), be still before, and wait patiently for Him (37:7). We are to do good (37:3), acting out of justice and righteousness (UBS).

The Hebrew word for delight is anog. Anog means to be soft, delicate, or dainty. It came to mean to take pleasure in, take comfort, or enjoy. It even has the sense of pampering. We delight ourselves in the Lord and pamper ourselves by finding comfort, joy, and pleasure in Him.

REFLECT & PRAY

Pamper yourself! Delight yourself in the Lord.

Father thank You for providing a better way to react to sources of irritation. Encourage me to delight in You.

INSIGHT

It is way too easy to respond with anger or jealousy to the success of the wicked. There is a right way and a wrong way. David models a better way (Psalms 37:1-9). “The alternative to anger is to surrender and trust what the LORD has in store” (James H. Waltner). The right way is summarized in one phrase: “Take delight in the LORD.”

As children of the King, when we face sources of irritation, we can choose a better way to react: delighting ourselves in the Lord. David provides sound reasoning for his response. He explains that the prosperity of wrongdoers is often a reality. But it is fleeting and temporary.

Psalms 37:2 For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither.

He uses two examples from everyday life: grass that dries up and spring flowers that wither under the hot sun. “It is a figure of temporary success and prosperity quickly ended by harsh conditions” (UBS). In contemporary English, we would say they are “here today, gone tomorrow.”

When wrongdoers are successful, it can provoke negative feelings within us, such as resentment, anger, or jealousy. These negative emotions take our eyes off the Father and fix them on the source of irritation.

Stanley outlines strategies to evade adverse feelings and cultivate positive reactions. First, we need to acknowledge and admit our negative emotions. Secondly, we should express gratitude for the achievements of others and pray to the Father to instill love in our hearts for them. Thirdly, we must keep our attention solely on the Father. We should find joy in Him, knowing He has pledged to fulfill the desires of our hearts. Our primary focus should be on what He’s done for us and the promises He has made to us through His Word. It’s crucial to remember that the Father is God and has the right to bless each of us in the way He sees fit (Stanley).

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Self-sacrifice ∙∙

Self-sacrifice ∙∙

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. – John 15:13

Romans 5:6-10

6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.

7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.

8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

10 For since the death of his Son restored our friendship with God while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.

Albrecht Durer created the renowned ink and pencil sketch “Praying Hands” in 1508. The drawing is simple yet meticulous, depicting solely the hands of a praying man with the rest of his body hidden from view.

However, the story behind this artwork is particularly poignant, heartwarming, and inspiring. It tells a tale of familial affection, selflessness, respect, and devotion, narrated in J. Greenwald’s most famous account.

Albrecht Durer Sr., a goldsmith and father to 18 children, would labor for nearly 18 hours daily to provide for his family. Two of his sons, Albrecht Jr. and Albert aspired to be artists. However, the financial burden of formal education for both was far beyond what the family could afford.

The brothers devised a strategy. One would labor in the nearby mines and use his earnings to finance the other’s art education in Nuremberg. After four years, they would exchange roles, with the educated brother funding the other’s studies either through mining work or art sales. It was decided by the toss of a coin. Albrecht Jr. went to art school while Albert took up work in the mines. Albrecht Jr.’s etchings, woodcuts, and oil paintings were exceptional, quickly earning him large commissions.

Upon his return to the village, the Durer family celebrated Albrecht Jr. with a festive dinner. After the meal, Albrecht Jr. made a toast to his devoted brother, stating, “And now, Albert, blessed brother of mine, now it is your turn. Now you can go to Nuremberg to pursue your dream, and I will take care of you.”

Albert sat there, tears cascading down his pallid face, his head shaking from side to side as he wept. Over and over again, he muttered, “No, no, no. No, brother. I cannot go to Nuremberg. It is too late for me. Look what four years in the mines have done to my hands!”

The bones in every finger had been broken or crushed at least once. Arthritis had taken hold, and his hands could no longer make delicate lines on parchment or canvas with a pen or a brush.

Albrecht Durer’s extensive collection of exquisite portraits, pen and silver-point sketches, watercolors, charcoals, woodcuts, and copper engravings adorn numerous esteemed museums worldwide. However, his most recognized piece is “Praying Hands.”

As the story goes, Albrecht Durer painstakingly drew his brother’s bused and broken hands stretched skyward in prayer. He simply titled this evocative drawing “Hands.” But the world soon embraced his great masterpiece and renamed his tribute to love “Praying Hands.”

Albrecht Durer’s magnum opus, “Praying Hands,” symbolizes the quintessence of self-sacrificial love for all eternity. How does one define self-sacrificial love? It is the act of forfeiting one’s personal interests or well-being for the benefit of another. Self-sacrificial love embodies the readiness to compromise and give up things you value for the well-being and success of another.

REFLECT & PRAY

“Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self” (St. Francis of Assisi).

Father if only I had a smidgen of the immense self-sacrificial love that You and Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, possess.

INSIGHT

John 15:12-13

12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.

13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

We may be ready to lay down our lives for family, friends, or even strangers in exceptional circumstances. But how many of us would be willing to make such a sacrifice for those who have wronged us, our enemies, or our tormentors

Yet, that is precisely what the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ did. We were once sinners of the worst kind, willfully disobedient and rebellious foes. A number of us, now children of the King, once denied His existence, ridiculed Him, and even bore hatred towards Him!

Romans 5:6, 8

6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.

8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

In our wildest dreams, we can’t envision this ever happening. But it did! The Lord Jesus Christ gave His life for each one of us when we were at our worst – disobedient, rebellious, defiant, and godless.

How can we be sure of the Father’s love for us? It is encapsulated in a single sentence about the Lord Jesus Christ: “He died on a piece of wood, yet He made the hill upon which it stood!” (Hal Lindsey)

Most of us understand and appreciate grand, one-off sacrifices. But what about the small, daily sacrifices in our interpersonal relationships? This is where the real test begins for each of us. Choosing to serve, yield, and compromise are among the most challenging lessons that we are meant to learn as children of the King.

Are you willing to apologize when you’re in the wrong? Are you ready to forgive those who have wronged you? Trouble is as common to humans as sparks flying from a fire (Job 5:7).

Interpersonal relationships can be messy and complicated. Challenges, disagreements, offenses, illness, and disappointments are part of the journey. It is here that personal integrity and strength of character are forged. Love and commitment equip us to face life’s adversities together. Self-sacrificial love does not hold grudges or keep score.

It’s as if each of us holds an internal balance scale. The wrongs of others are piled on one side, good deeds on the other. We must devise methods to permanently discard the accumulated pile of wrongs for our emotional health. Without this, the scales will never be balanced. Have you learned to unload the wrongs from your scale of balances?

As we mature in our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, self-sacrificial love becomes a way of life. What we once saw as sacrifices no longer seems so. They become expressions of the Father’s love that we’ve finally learned to speak.

Regrettably, for many of us, it is the most challenging language to learn and master.

As children of the King, we have the ultimate example of self-sacrificial love in the Lord Jesus Christ.

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