A Life of Pure and Holy Sacrifice

[ezra]

A Life of Pure and Holy Sacrifice

He who believes in Me…out of his heart will flow… John 7:38

Jesus did not say, “He who believes in Me will realize all the blessings of the fullness of God,” but, in essence, “He who believes in Me will have everything he receives escape out of him.” Our Lord’s teaching was always anti-self-realization. His purpose is not the development of a person— His purpose is to make a person exactly like Himself, and the Son of God is characterized by self-expenditure. If we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain but what He pours through us that really counts. God’s purpose is not simply to make us beautiful, plump grapes, but to make us grapes so that He may squeeze the sweetness out of us. Our spiritual life cannot be measured by success as the world measures it, but only by what God pours through us— and we cannot measure that at all.

When Mary of Bethany “broke the flask…of very costly oil…and poured it on [Jesus’] head,” it was an act for which no one else saw any special occasion; in fact, “…there were some who…said, ‘Why was this fragrant oil wasted?’ ” (Mark 14:3-4). But Jesus commended Mary for her extravagant act of devotion, and said, “…wherever this gospel is preached…what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her” (Mark 14:9). Our Lord is filled with overflowing joy whenever He sees any of us doing what Mary did— not being bound by a particular set of rules, but being totally surrendered to Him. God poured out the life of His Son “that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17). Are we prepared to pour out our lives for Him?
“He who believes in Me…out of his heart will flow rivers of living water”— and hundreds of other lives will be continually refreshed. Now is the time for us to break “the flask” of our lives, to stop seeking our own satisfaction, and to pour out our lives before Him. Our Lord is asking who of us will do it for Him?

From My Utmost for His Highest Updated Edition

Bible in One Year: Psalms 137-139; 1 Corinthians 13​

 

[Tessa]

That is very inspiring. Thanks Ezra.
It brings to mind the hymn 'I Surrender All'
Love that hymn.

 

[ezra]

'I Surrender All'

and that is what it takes . we like to hold to the flesh surrender is sacrifice comes through discipline. i had teach adult class this morning we touched on blameless and with out spot and seeing all these things what manner person we should be 2 peter 3:10-18 . we had a good discussion just how disciplined are we presenting our bodies a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God. which is our reasonable service

 

[Tessa]

The more I think on this, I sometimes wonder if we use 'the flesh is weak' as an excuse. We haven't got an excuse.
Perhaps we have to learn to Love God more than we love ourselves. And 'surrender all.'

 

[Edward]

​

A Life of Pure and Holy Sacrifice

He who believes in Me…out of his heart will flow… John 7:38

Jesus did not say, “He who believes in Me will realize all the blessings of the fullness of God,” but, in essence, “He who believes in Me will have everything he receives escape out of him.” Our Lord’s teaching was always anti-self-realization. His purpose is not the development of a person— His purpose is to make a person exactly like Himself, and the Son of God is characterized by self-expenditure. If we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain but what He pours through us that really counts. God’s purpose is not simply to make us beautiful, plump grapes, but to make us grapes so that He may squeeze the sweetness out of us. Our spiritual life cannot be measured by success as the world measures it, but only by what God pours through us— and we cannot measure that at all.

When Mary of Bethany “broke the flask…of very costly oil…and poured it on [Jesus’] head,” it was an act for which no one else saw any special occasion; in fact, “…there were some who…said, ‘Why was this fragrant oil wasted?’ ” (Mark 14:3-4). But Jesus commended Mary for her extravagant act of devotion, and said, “…wherever this gospel is preached…what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her” (Mark 14:9). Our Lord is filled with overflowing joy whenever He sees any of us doing what Mary did— not being bound by a particular set of rules, but being totally surrendered to Him. God poured out the life of His Son “that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17). Are we prepared to pour out our lives for Him?
“He who believes in Me…out of his heart will flow rivers of living water”— and hundreds of other lives will be continually refreshed. Now is the time for us to break “the flask” of our lives, to stop seeking our own satisfaction, and to pour out our lives before Him. Our Lord is asking who of us will do it for Him?

From My Utmost for His Highest Updated Edition

Bible in One Year: Psalms 137-139; 1 Corinthians 13

Good post Brother. Everything that the Lord blesses us with...we are not to keep but to give it away. The river must flow through us, not make a pond...

I've been realizing lately what an awesome screen name you have...

 

[ezra]

I've been realizing lately what an awesome screen name you have..

i like ezra he had the first pulpit Nehemiah he was a worker got things done rebuilt the city worked with tools in one hand weapons in another

 

[ezra]

The more I think on this, I sometimes wonder if we use 'the flesh is weak' as an excuse. We haven't got an excuse.
Perhaps we have to learn to Love God more than we love ourselves. And 'surrender all.'

you hit the nail on the head we make excuses flesh / spirit which one wins > the one we feed the most reap what we sow .the Bible says
2 Peter 1:3
Christian Standard Bible
His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

 

[for_his_glory]

A pure life comes by the Living water, which is the Holy Spirit, that flows through us and opens up the fullness of the Godhead in whom all blessings flow. What I sacrifice is that of the world and to which I could temporarily gain from it that I may be with Christ above all things of this world as I am seated with Him in heavenly places, Philippians 3:8; Colossians 3:1-4.

Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Colossians 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (Read the whole chapter for the full context)

Jeremiah 17:12 A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary. 13 O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.

Zechariah 14:8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. 9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.

John 4:13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (Read vs. 1-42 for the full context)

John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Rev 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.