Love's Sacrifice - Matthew 27:45-46

There is a story that a forest ranger in Yellowstone found a bird carcass after a fire, knocked it over, and out ran three baby chicks that were protected by the mother bird's sacrifice of her own life. It makes a great illustration of what true sacrifice is all about - one willing to lose his or her life for someone else.

Only problem with the story is that it is apparently not true, at least as it has been spread. Supposedly the story was in a National Geographic, but a search of the magazine and asking the Park Rangers turns up nothing. Yep, it is disappointing, but all hope is not lost. True sacrifice does exist.

Let me tell you something about sacrifice that is true; Matthew 27:45 – 46 records, “From about the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This is of course a record of what happened when Jesus was dying on the cross.

We often think of the great sacrifice the Lord made by dying for our sins to be forgiven. We think about His burden of the sins, or the torturous death he endured. We know how much it must have hurt to have his disciples run away. But perhaps the greatest part of the whole sacrifice was the separation from the Father these verses spotlight. For a period of time the Trinity connection was somehow disconnected. For the first time in His life and in eternity Jesus didn't have that incomprehensible unity and fellowship. The agony of those moments was beyond anything else He endured – and He did it for you!

Will you ignore Him and the sacrifice or bow in worship and adoration because of the love He showed?

The Circuit ‘Riter, Michael Ullrich

Love's Looks - 1 John 3:2

   We like food cooked outside on our grill.  We have tried fish, potatoes and other vegetables, hot dogs and a variety of meats.  The most common thing cooked on the grill is probably hamburger.
    I am finally really getting the hang of things so my grilled finished product is more consistent.  Not nearly so many "burnt sacrifices!"  Once I cooked some steak and hamburgers and  when we placed one of the beef and oatmeal patties on then 4 year old Daniel's plate, he asked what it was.  We told him it was a hamburger and he replied, "I thought they were supposed to be black!"
    I didn't think I had been doing THAT bad.  Poor kid wasn't sure what a good hamburger was supposed to look like.
    Ever wonder what you will "look like" in heaven when you are all "done?"  It is encouraging to me to know that God does things right.  So I take that as assurance that I will "look" just right in heaven.  But also the Bible says in 1 John 3:2b, "We know that when He (Jesus) appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is."
    Now, I don't understand all of that but I know that in some way, what really matters about me will be brought into conformity with what Jesus is like.  That is the promise to the believer in Christ.

The Circuit ‘Riter, Michael Ullrich

Love's Promise - 1 John 2:25

    I have a poor memory for some things.  There is no getting around it.   I finally came to the conclusion when, on several occasions, what someone else recalled I had said was proved to be true.  To that point I fought the accusation because I couldn't remember saying what I said!  That's the big problem with a flawed memory, you don't know you have it.
    Since coming to grips with my shortcoming, I have tried to be more careful about what I say.  For instance, I try hard not to make promises that I haven't thoroughly thought out. I also use a calendar a lot and notes as well, however sometimes I forget to look at the calendar and I lose my notes.
    My greatest concern is with my family.  I don't want to promise them something I won't or can't fulfill.  I would much rather disappoint a non-family member that I don’t have to see all the time. Do I do a good job of this practice? I don’t remember…
    As a child of God I am especially thankful that the Heavenly Father has a perfect memory.  Can you imagine the chaos if God were to somehow forget to have the Sun rise or even allow the Moon to stray from its path for even a few moments?  Thankfully, God doesn't forget!
    The most important promise in the Scriptures is referred to in 1 John 2:25. "This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life."  John 3:16 says that you only have to "believe" in Jesus, God's only Son to have eternal life.  Have you?  Is His promise to you?  He won't forget it or you if you have trusted Him! 

The Circuit 'Riter, Michael Ullrich

Love's Confession - 1 John 2: 22-23

    Sometimes trying to figure out how people are related can be a little tough.  I have some relatives that I know are cousins of some sort, but I can't figure out whether they are third cousins or one of the those "removed" relatives!  You can imagine for a small child, it can even be a lot harder to fathom.
    Every once in a while we had one of those "figure it out" sessions with youngest when they were preschoolers.  The first relationship they really had to work at was that of understanding that their grandparents were our parents.  To them, children had to be small. How could someone my size be a child to anyone?  Throw in one of my adult siblings and their spouse, and things got a bit more confusing.  When one of them had been divorced, I think the small ones felt lost!
    I am proud to say that once they understood who we as their parents are, they have always been willing to claim us.  They aren't afraid to say, "he's my dad!"
    According to 1 John 2:22 + 23, those who cannot confess that they are "related" to Jesus Christ through His sacrifice for them, are not!  Also, those who deny having that relationship never had it in the first place (see vs. 19).
    Could you declare before heaven and earth today that Jesus is the Christ?  Do you believe that to be true?  It is the most important question you could ever answer.

The Circuit ‘Riter, Michael Ullrich

Love's Enemy - 1 John 2:15-17

    I have an insidious enemy that seems to lurk all around me.  Everywhere I go, there it is waiting for me.  Just when I think I have this enemy held at bay, someone comes along and brings it back into my presence again!  Seems like I will never win this battle, but then again, there are occasional rays of hope.
    What horrible enemy, you ask, is so stalking me and making my life miserable?  Why, it is that terror of diabetics, that nemeses of the weight watching body -- CHOCOLATE!
    Now, I know you think I love chocolate, so how could it be my enemy?  Truth is, I do "love" it, but it does bad things to me.  For instance, if I eat enough of it, my skin will break out and I may even experience a slight headache.  Yes, something I like can be my enemy.  That is what the great Apostle was writing about in 1 John2:15-17.  You may have a destructive love relationship with the world that needs overcome.
    Notice verse 15 says, "Do not love the world nor the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." The "world" seeks to drag Christ's followers down with it.  Ever notice how someone who is doing something wrong or sinful can hardly stand to not have you involved too?
    Love's enemy is the love of something that isn't good for you. Verses 16 & 17 explain that the things of this world are not from the Father.
    What do you love?  Are you willing to put it aside if it is in opposition to Jesus Christ?  Love's enemy is loving the wrong things!

Love's Maturity - 1 John 2:12-14

   A fascinating study is that of children and their maturity levels. From one child to the next in our family there are marked differences in the way they respond and play. The younger ones may spend a great deal of time entertained by pulling around a small toy. At a little older age, hours are taken in play-acting. Sometimes the boys got so dressed up in their "cowboy" gear that they were almost unrecognizable.
    As the children age, their taste for fun usually changes.  At thirteen Nathan could spend hours inventing something or making some gadget to fulfill a perceived need. Once he concocted a doorbell for his bedroom!  It even had a button on his end to activate a response light so I could know if he heard the bell!
    Youthful immaturity is entertaining except when found in someone older. It is sad when a twenty-year-old who acts like a six-year-old. When someone doesn't mature, there is something wrong.
    John wrote to Christians of varying maturity (1 John 2:12-14).  To each he had a word of encouragement and explanation as to why he had addressed them. He didn't disparage that all were not mature. However, John was expecting them to be MATURING. It is sad when a Christian doesn't mature.
    Are you still growing in the Lord? You should be until the day He calls you home. What are you doing to grow? Are you reading the Word  and talking with God? Are you exercising your faith by telling others about Jesus?
The Circuit ‘Riter, Michael Ullrich

Love's Sight - 1 John 2:7-11

   As often falls to me in my household, I recently had to work on one of our vehicles. Underneath the dashboard a small vacuum powered “motor” or valve had apparently quit working, making it impossible to circulate air in the car. The result was a car that was very uncomfortable to drive.
    Now to fix something under a dashboard takes a special level of nimbleness. For all practical purposes it really helps if you are double jointed (about halfway up your back). Not only do you work upside-down but must be able to think at the same time! I found myself in that position with one element missing, light.
    Working under a dashboard is similar to looking into a “black hole” in space. In the darker interior vehicle like I was fixing, very little light seems to get under the dashboard even in the daylight.
    John shared with his readers (1 John 2:7-11) that followers of Christ should have a different standard than the world when it comes to "hating" others. We have "light" that is supposed to shine in our hearts, without which we "stumble" (v. 10).  In verse 11 John makes the observation, "The one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because his eyes are blinded."
     Harbored sin, like hating a brother, only hurts me. It only hurts you! If you want to experience Christ's leading in your life, make sure your sight is not obstructed by the sin of hate. Confess it today.
The Circuit 'Riter, Michael Ullrich