A life of sacrificial service

MATTHEW 16

Jesus told the disciples that he was going to be killed, but Peter pulled Jesus aside and rebuked him.

23 But [Jesus] turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."  (ESV)

The worldly perspective prioritizes self-benefit (e.g., comfort, profit, safety), but the Father's perspective loves and serves others sacrificially.

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?  (ESV)

Father, I want to be like you.  Thank you for demonstrating your sacrificial love through sending your Son for us.  Jesus, thank you for your humility and selfless sacrifice.  Holy Spirit, I want to live like Jesus.  I love you.

I want time to be still and reflect

On the drive to the airport this morning, I remembered when I was a kid, riding home from the farm late one night after harvesting cotton, and the passenger side window of the pickup wouldn't role up.  Dad turned on the heater full blast.  It was a mixture of feelings, the cold wind on my face and the warm air from the floorboard.  

So, as I was driving this morning, I rolled down the windows and cranked up the heater.  I am thankful for my dad and times we had together.

I want to make more time to be still and focus on the Father and his love for me.  I want a regular rhythm of reflection in my life.  (My significantly lower frequency of blog posting is an artifact of limited time made for reflection.)

Father, thank you for your patience with me.  I want the peace and joy that come from spending unstructured time with you.  I love you.