They Gave All

 ~ Give Thanks ~

Introductory Scripture  ~  There is “A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace” (Ecclesiastes 3:8).

Special Tribute  ~  In the U.S.A. during the last year we have seen many individual Americans give their lives to protect others.  Special honor this year is owed to our Police who have given their all during senseless riots and to our first responders who have cared for those with the COVID virus and lost their lives in the process.

Scripture  ~  Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.  This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:11-13).

Comment  ~  Many of our police and first responders gave their lives to help or better citizens they did not know – unknown people who were not their friends. 

Give Thanks  ~  For all who so gave as themselves to have given the ultimate price for others.  Thank you, most of all, to the Lord Jesus Christ who gave His all to redeem his enemies from their sin.

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:5-11).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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