Hello Friends,

As I was preparing the message for the podcast that will air on Monday, March 2, entitled “What Do You Value the Most,” it made me think about my life and my relationship with Jesus.  Living in the center of God’s will requires that we reflect on our lives.  We must regularly examine how we live, what we think, our goals, plans, and most importantly our relationship with God.  As I sit here today, doing just that, some “heart cleaning,” I am struck by the price that Jesus paid for our relationship.  Everything about me was a sacrifice for Jesus.  My sins cost Him His life, caused Him to endure unimaginable physical pain, and required Him to give up His will for the will of the Father.  His love for me compelled Him to endure rejection, stoop to where I was, and to willingly be associated with one as imperfect, sinful, and fleshly as me.  His determination to rescue me resulted in Him leaving all the splendor of Heaven, in causing Him to become human while still being God, and to live on earth with no royalty, wealth, or material goods of which to speak.  My relationship with Jesus cost Him everything.   More importantly He was willing to lay His life down to save me knowing I would at times ignore Him, disobey Him, reject Him, and even take Him for granted.  Oh, what a precious gift the gift of salvation is to all who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior.

Simply put, my relationship with Jesus cost Him everything and me nothing but a repentant heart and a submissive will.  My relationship with Jesus gives me everything and all He gets is me.  Though I may think that isn’t much, and those who know me may find me less than impressive, Jesus finds me more than enough.  He made me in His image.  He bought me with His blood and that my friend, makes me and everyone else who has placed their faith in Him, priceless.  The world and the devil and all those who lend themselves to the work of the devil may tell you otherwise, but Jesus is truth and He backed His “I love You” with His life.  He gave His all. 

What am I willing to give?  What are you willing to give? If I am honest there are times, I think that visit He is prompting me to make is asking too much.  I am tired. I have already “been a blessing” what more could He want.  There are times when reading His Word seems like a chore.  It is hard to understand, and I seemingly am not hearing from Him.  So, I take the attitude of why continue to read, I will try again later.  Sometimes the comfort of my bed seems so more inviting than the thought of going to church though you can be sure I will show up for work the next morning.  The weather is too yucky, the risk of getting a virus too great, but rest assured on any given day you may find me at a ballgame.  Yes, sometimes my actions reveal that I think service, devotion, and relationship development are too high a cost for my relationship with Jesus.  No, I would never say it. I rarely will even admit it.  But the truth remains I have chosen other things over Jesus and unfortunately will most likely do it again.

Lord help me.  Keep me at the foot of your cross.  Bring to my mind what it cost you to buy my pardon and to set me free.  Keep me focused on You.  Thank You for loving me.  Thank you for investing all you have in my personal relationship with you.  I love You Lord, and I pray my life reveals that truth.

In His Service,
Kim

Kingdom Work
Podcast