This morning as I was reading the Word, the Spirit showed me in Luke 23 that Simon the Cyrene was compelled by the Romans to carry the cross of Jesus. The compelling that he received from the Romans was one based on fear and physical force.

I was brought into the family of God by the compelling love of God. I wanted to be part of the family of God. The love of Christ, made known to me by the Holy Spirit, compelled me to surrender.

I remember the night I made public my submission to Christ as Savior and Lord. I was compelled to let others know at that moment. My compelling was based on the Holy Spirit prompting me to obey God now that I was following Him.
What compels you today? What compelled you to surrender to Christ?

I also noticed that one line is dedicated to Simon the Cyrene in the book of Luke. What an important role God gave Simon. I hope that I can live out my line in God’s story as well as Simon.

O.K. I admit it I am stuck right now on this concept of sacrifice. I am amazed that know one can think of a sacrifice they are willing to make if necessary. This is really a tough subject, I know. We are a culture and a people who are not accustomed to sacrificing. We are used to getting whatever we want or desire whenever we want it. Not only that, we get it fast because of our instant society and finance it mentality.

As I think about this whole concept of sacrifice I am wondering if there comes a point in sacrificing when it no longer feels like a sacrifice? Do you ever get used to self denial for the sake of the kingdom? I’m thinking that maybe sacrifice is a bigger issue for the person who is observing the one who is doing the sacrificing. There has to be a point somewhere along the way when it just feels and seems like the next logical step in the journey with the Father. The person who is watching does not have the privilege of hearing the internal conversation and the private talk of family as it relates to the subject being sacrificed.

Alright, I know it is heavy but I needed to throw it out there to process what He has been doing in my heart and life. Can anyone identify or relate?

There was a day in time where God decided to sacrifice His only Son on the cross so that the sins of man could be atoned for if they would surrender and submit thier lives to Him as thier Lord and Savior.

When the day arrived for Jesus to actually follow through with God’s eternal plan, Jesus willingly sacrificed his life for the Father’s glory. It did not come without contemplation (garden prayer time), personal suffering, and pain (in all realms mental emotional, spiritual, physical).

There have been times in our lives when we have made sacrifices for something or someone. What has been the most difficult sacrifice you ever made and for who did you make it? What do you think would be the hardest sacrifice to make for the glory of God in your life today?