Taking Time To Remember:
Isaiah 46:9:
“remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me,” (Isaiah 46:9)
Remember…
- Those Who Gave Their Lives For Our Freedom
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
- Those Who Gave Their Lives For Our Faith
“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.” (Revelation 6:9–11)
- The One Who Gave His Life For Our Salvation
“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6–8)
How Do We Respond To These Deaths?
- Gratitude
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,” (Philippians 1:3)
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)
- Consecration
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1–2)
- Glad Surrender
“He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (Hebrews 12:1–3)
Making It Personal
- Intentionally spend some time this week reflecting on those who gave their lives for our freedom. How are you using the unprecedented freedoms and opportunities that you have been blessed with living in this nation?
- Intentionally spend some time this week reflecting on those who gave their lives as followers of Jesus Christ. What does their example say to you about living courageously for Christ day by day?
- Intentionally spend some time this week reflecting on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that enables you to experience abundant and eternal life. Spend some time in thanksgiving and praise to God for this sacrifice.
- Who can I share these truths with?