Day 17 ( sacrifice)

Was walking the dog and thinking about what to write in the blog yesterday when I think I heard God say that He wanted you all to know that He sees your sacrifices.  And He is well chuffed.  😁

Now I know that the Bible says that to obey is better than sacrifice and all of that stuff - but that's Old covenant.  We now know that we can't earn our way into heaven or buy our salvation with good works - so that's not the sort of sacrifice God is talking about.   What He delights in is the attitude of heart which puts Him above our own desires.

God wants to say thank you to the single people who have made the choice not to settle for ungodly relationships or stray into temptation because they would rather honour Him.   He wants to hug the people who have put their own lives on hold to care for elderly relatives or disabled and sick family members.   He wants to shout with joy about those who have chosen to stay in difficult marriages because they made a promise that that is what they would do - even when the world is telling them that they can walk away and feel so much happier.    God loves it when we opt for the difficult way of righteousness and holiness - the narrow gate - the way which costs us dearly.   It is easy to choose the wide road of self fulfilment and feelgoodism  ( I just made that up - it should be a word don't you think? )  It is easy to spend more than we have in the bank and just live on credit - and it is hard to say no to your kids and not go on holidays and wear clothes from the charity shop.   God knows how hard that is.  And He LOVES you for living within your means and making those sacrifices.

He loves those who have said no to good jobs because they have felt the nudge of the Spirit saying ' this is the way walk in this, not that'.   He is proud of you Mums who have opted to put your careers on the back seat to look after kids when they are little.   He understands how exhausting and boring and downright difficult that can be.   God rejoices that you continue to tithe when you are not entirely sure if you are going to have enough money to put food on the table this month.   He is so proud of you every time you resist temptations, big and small and choose to do the right thing.

Every time you make a sacrifice because you are a follower of Jesus God's heart is blessed.  And today He wanted you to know that.

Receive His big THANK YOU.    And know that not one of your sacrifices has been in vain.  Because even though you might not be able to see any good at the moment, you are laying up treasure in heaven.  Soon and very soon we are going to see the King.  And you will wear your victors crown as an overcomer.  What a day that will be !