Last week we brought the study God.Plan.Move to a close (I’ve included the link to the study). We began the week off with reading 1 Corinthians 10:13; Romans 8:31, 37; and
1 John 5:1-5. I think we would all agree the overarching theme of these passages is overcoming or victory.

Temptation comes at us suddenly. Sometimes we have no time to even think about it.

As I read these passages, each verse had a specific word:

• 1 Corinthians 10:13 – “God is faithful.”
• Romans 8:31 – “God is for us.”
• 1 John 5:4 – our faith overcomes.

As we truly believe the first two statements, the third will occur in our lives.

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” (1 John 5:4, NASB)

My faith is most precious to me today.

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Mid-week found us reading Mark 14:3-9 and Luke 21:1-4.

In the Mark passage, we have a woman breaking open an alabaster vial of very costly perfume. In the Luke passage, we have a poor widow giving two small copper coins.

One donation was costly, the other small.

But the point that Jesus was making was – They each gave the best they were able. They gave their all.

If I gave a pair of shoes away, would I truly feel the loss if I have 15 pairs sitting in my closet? Probably not so much. But if I gave all 15 pairs, it would impact me far more.

Jesus words are sobering to think on today:

“Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:3-4, NASB)

She gave all she had to live on. And that is something to think on all day.

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We brought the study to a close with reading one passage – John 13:12-20.

Jesus has finished washing the feet of His disciples and they are all still gathered around the table. Jesus’ words are ones to think on:

“For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.” (verse 15, NASB)

But there is more:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, the slave is not greater than his master, nor is the one who is sent greater than the one who sent him” (verse 16, NASB).

We serve because we are not greater than the One who has given us the example – Jesus Christ Himself.

Let’s think about this:

“The servant (slave) is not greater than his master; so if the master becomes a slave, where does that put the slave? On the same level as the master! By becoming a servant, our Lord did not push us down. He lifted us up! He dignified sacrifice and service. You must keep in mind that the Romans had no use for humility, and the Greeks despised manual labor. Jesus combined these two when He washed the disciples’ feet.”

(The Wiersbe Study Bible, page 1574)

May we never forget that Jesus did not push us down but lifted us up. Sacrifice and service puts on the same level as our Master.

The above quote presents a most different view on service. In fact it makes the simplest chores we do daily, often so mundane, seem more important.

~*~*~

Faith overcomes –
We can give our all when
we follow the example of Jesus.

Photo 1: by Elaine Casap on Unsplash
Photo 2: by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash

Today I am joining … Tell His Story and InstaEncouragements .