#Kept

We have chickens and it is been delightful watching them grow and taking care of them daily. They are doing their job as egg producers and keeping us stocked up on them as well. Though only a wire separates them from Mr. Kitty and the dogs, Lucy and Archie. They are not scared and seemingly know that there is a barrier protecting them from the “outside”. My thoughts as I remember them as Easter is upon us, as I sat there watching all of the activity the other evening. Easter isn’t about rabbits, chickens or eggs or candy or Easter baskets, it’s about what God did for us in three days. For those of us who believe without a doubt are protected Thanks Giving isn’t about being thankful for our stuff or even our family, it Is about God’s provision and deliverance. Christmas isn’t about giving useless gifts or even family, it’s about what God did for us when He selflessly came to live among us. It is personal sacrifice for just one person believe and receive, the perfect sacrifice and gift of Jesus Christ. So, how should we respond to this singular act of selflessness? Well, we can start by acknowledging the great gift that God gave us on that Holy Day. John 3: 16 says: For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall have eternal life. What form does that acknowledgment take? 1. I can deny it ever happened, 2. I can ignore it, or 3. I can accept it and receive the gift that is offered by God. We know what denying it or ignoring it looks like. It manifests itself in a selfish, self-absorbed, sinful world that only cares for me and mine and mine and me and no more. But what does accepting God’s gift look like in our lives? Becoming a follower of Christ means we take on the attributes of Jesus Christ, that it, we exhibit the nature of Jesus in our everyday lives. I ask myself daily a serious question, do my friends, family, and coworkers see me as selfish or selfless? Am I the same with my family as I am with my friends and coworkers ? I have seen people treat their own families in the most rude and disrespectful manner and yet they would never speak or act that way to friends or coworkers. Then there are others who are gentle and kind at home, but are heartless monsters and ruthless at work. If we are to be followers of Christ, then we are to treat others as Christ did. Jesus said we are to “love our enemies,” and “do good to those who use you and persecute you.” “Pray for those who spitefully use you” Jesus said if we want to be great we must be a servant. His selfless act of coming to this world is an example for all of us to follow. Jesus has a servant’s heart; He demonstrated this in His obedience to the Father, by His willingness to come to earth in the helpless form of a baby over 2022 years ago. He showed His humanity when He washed the disciple’s feet. He showed His total obedience on the cross of Calvary. So the question is, are we willing to let Jesus give us a servant’s heart? Will this Holiday season be marked by our selflessness? Are we willing to humble ourselves and be more concerned about the needs of others over and above our own needs and desires? Are we willing to be obedient to the call of the Holy Spirit on our life? I have had people recently approach me with a complaints and concerns that they weren’t being blessed or didn’t feel they were being spiritually fulfilled and I can’t catch a break victims attitude. Anytime someone makes that type of statement to me, my first question to them is, “have you been a blessing to others?” What have you given lately out of a true servants heart with sacrifice without expectations in return ? If we are to be blessed and spiritually satisfied, we must begin by seeking out opportunities to be a blessing to others. Our primary focus as believers should be on the selfless act of Jesus Christ and our secondary focus should be our desire to be like Jesus, to be a servant and a blessing to others through our words, time and actions not just a monetary give and go on experience. What can we do to make a difference in our life and the lives of those we interact with on a day to day basis? We can start by acknowledging the selflessness of Jesus Christ, the humility of Jesus Christ, and the obedience of Jesus Christ. Meditate on the infinite love of God the Father that would compel Him to send His one and only Son to a fallen world. Accept the greatest gift ever offered to mankind, forgiveness and reconciliation to God the Father through the humble Servant, Jesus the Christ and Christ crucified selfless act for our salvation. And finally, go forth into a world that is self-absorbed and demonstrate the true and passionate selfless servant’s heart that seeks salvation for all people we interact with daily. Be the man or woman that God has called us to be. Be obedient and take up our cross every day. Show our family, friends, coworkers and strangers the truth of who Jesus Christ is. Live our faith, seek to serve, and be obedient and we will be blessed more than we can imagine as we live to love and share Jesus with others.

Job 19:25- 26

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

1 Peter 1:3- 5

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.