Give freely, though it may seem thrown away and lost. Give to many. Excuse not thyself with the good thou hast done, from the good thou hast further to do. It is not lost, but well laid out. We have reason to expect evil, for we are born to trouble; it is wisdom to do good in the day of prosperity. Riches cannot profit us, if we do not benefit others. Every man must labour to be a blessing to that place where the providence of God casts him. Wherever we are, we may find good work to do, if we have but hearts to do it. If we magnify every little difficulty, start objections, and fancy hardships, we shall never go on, much less go through with our work. Winds and clouds of tribulation are, in God’s hands, designed to try us. God’s work shall agree with his word, whether we see it or not. And we may well trust God to provide for us, without our anxious, disquieting cares. Be not weary in well-doing, for in due season, in God’s time, you shall reap.

There is a saying that goes: “show respect where respect’s due.” Which makes intuitive sense. If someone does something amazing,  we naturally show our respect. However, there is a thought that has been going through my mind for the last few days – which goes along the same lines:

Giving glory, where glory is due.

And it feels like – we’ve lost focus on what it means to give glory to God when glory is demanded of us. We convolute the glory of God with man’s own accomplishments. We value and glorify ourselves, instead of God. We neglect to see the amazing things God has done for us.

The cross is not about us, but it’s all about God. Our purpose in life is to glorify our Father in heaven.

We must realize that Jesus did not die in order to change God’s attitude towards us, but to change our attitude towards God. God who took the initiative of reconciling the world, does not need reconciling. It is in us that the decisive change is needed. The cross was not a sacrifice without which God could not love or forgive us; it was a sacrifice without which we would not have been able to accept forgiveness. The problem lies within us, not with God. He requires no sacrifice except a broken and contrite heart.  - Ibid

Today is good Friday. And as I’ve been reflecting today, I’ve come to appreciate and rejoice in how powerful and central the cross is to our faith. Because our Father is most glorified through Christ crucified by:

1. Magnifying God’s justice and mercy
2. Displaying God’s power
3. Uniquely demonstrating God’s holiness
4. Showing God’s faithfulness
5. pouring out God’s Perfect Love

How amazing is our Father, who would humble himself into that of a man and die on a cross for us. Sin demands atonement.

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men.
1 Tim 2:5-6

Nothing was left undone. For “it is finished” through Christ alone (Rom 3:26). That is the glory of the cross. (2 Cor 5:19)

Invited, invited
deep into this mystery.
Delighted, delighted
by the wonders I have seen.

Chorus
This will be my story,
this will be my song.
You’ll always be my Savior,
Jesus, You will always have my heart.

Astounded, astounded
that Your gospel beckoned me.
Surrounded, surrounded,
but I’ve never been so free.

Determined, determined now
to live this life for You.
You’re so worthy; my greatest gift
would be the least You’re due.

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

- John 15:15

Befriended, Surrendered, Invited, Delighted, Astounded, Surrounded, Determined.
What did I do to deserve this relationship with God?

When we sit back and see others do crazy things for God. And if you can’t help but wonder what God’s plan is for you. Don’t forget to ask! Seriously ask God what He can give you, and what His plans are for you.

When you ask, you will receive.

Sounds easy, and you may be like “but what if I ask and I don’t receive?” .. or “How do I listen to God?”

But know it takes faith to ask! Ask and don’t ask half-heartedly. Ask in complete faith and believe you will receive an answer. Ask and take the time to ask God. Don’t just ask, and forget to listen for the reply. Spend time waiting on the Lord.

Have faith that in waiting you will hear God’s voice. Like any normal relationship, you gotta ask and wait for a reply. The asking and waiting are both in prayer. And just cause you don’t hear a reply right away – doesn’t mean He hasn’t given you one. If your friend takes a day to reply to your question, doesn’t mean he/she has said “no” in the absence of a reply.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;

- James 1:5-7

It takes faith to ask and even more faith to receive what God has given you.

Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

- Luke 7:48-50

No matter where you are in life, no matter how far you’ve fallen – all it takes is faith to know your sins are forgiven. taken away by the grace of God.