Shalom,


I want to share two portions of today's devotional from Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost For His Highest". Speaking of Abraham offering Isaac: 


This event is a picture of the mistake we make in thinking that the ultimate God wants of us is the sacrifice of death. What God wants is the sacrifice through death which enables us to do what Jesus did, that is, sacrifice our lives. Not— “Lord, I am ready to go with You . . . to death” (Luke 22:33). But— “I am willing to be identified with Your death so that I may sacrifice my life to God.”


It may seem so committed to say, "Jesus, I am willing to die for you". Peter said the same thing in John 13:37 (AMP):

37 Peter said to Him, Lord, why cannot I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You. 


Jesus didn't ask Peter to die for Him, He asked him to watch and pray (Matthew 26:38-41), but Peter slept! It is MUCH harder to LIVE for Jesus than to die for Him! We have streets of gold, the River of Life, our friends and family and a beautiful Heavenly home waiting for us when we leave this life! Far better, the Bible says (Philippians 1:23)! THAT is the sacrifice He asks us to make! It is much more needful for the lost that we stay and BE the Light! This portion says this:


It is of no value to God to give Him your life for death. He wants you to be a “living sacrifice”— to let Him have all your strengths that have been saved and sanctified through Jesus (Romans 12:1). This is what is acceptable to God.


I hope this blessed your day as it did mine! We are here for God's plans and purposes! To really LIVE according to John 10:10, so that we can lead the world to HIM! Amen! Here is Hillsong United with "Life":

Shalom in Him!