Daily Devotionals
August 9, 2018
To Die For…
August 9, 2018
DAILY READING
Genesis 1:26-31
Psalm 8
This weekend’s reading: Genesis 1:26-31
FIELD NOTES
After Ryan’s birth at 10:30 p.m. to two of our church members, several of us, waiting in the hallway, celebrated and then went home.
About 3 a.m. the NICU head nurse, who was also a church member, called me to the hospital ASAP. Noticing some was wrong, x-rays showed the doctor that Ryan’s was throat connected to his lungs and his lungs to his stomach. Receiving any liquids would drown Ryan. Time for surgery.
At the hospital, I found his father in the cafeteria. After bringing me up to date, he choked up while speaking. After trying two more times, he took a napkin and wrote, “I now know what it means to want to take someone else’s place, even die for that person.”
Jesus willingly gave up heaven to live with us and take our place on the cross, because he valued us above all else (Philippians 2:5-11).
If you really had to do it, for whom would you be willing to die? If you have that much love for that person, just think how much more love Jesus has for you right now.
QUESTIONS FROM THE FIELD
- Who are some people for whom you’d be willing to die?
- Knowing that you may never have to physically die for someone else, who are some people for whom you are willing to sacrifice your self-interest?
- How might you live out this sacrificial love today?
FAMILY FIELD TALK
- Share ways how your parents and grandparents sacrificed for you, giving you opportunities you might not have otherwise?
- Share ways in which we can focus more on Jesus as a family?
PRAYER
Most loving gracious Lord, I know we are self-centered and selfish people. Please help us be centered in you and put aside selfishness to serve you. In your gracious name, I pray. Amen.