Scripture for Today: Matthew 16:25 “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me will find it.”

Today on Memorial Day, North Americans remember those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. The military cemetery pictured is found in Colleville-sur-Mer, France above Omaha Beach. It was the first American military cemetery of World War Two. Here lie 9,387 American soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. It includes the grave of Frederick Niland, the soldier on whose life the character of Ryan was based in the film, Saving Private Ryan.

The sacrifice of life for a worthy cause is incredible and I have the utmost respect for these soldiers. There is another worthy cause for sacrificing life that is even higher and more noble; losing one’s life for the Lord. Today’s verse is in the context of picking up our own cross in order to follow Christ. This sacrifice of life is a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). But sacrificing the right to order and direct one’s life is in fact no sacrifice at all. This verse teaches that in doing this we actually find life!

Losing my life for the One I love is the best way to demonstrate that love. I lose my life each time I choose to obey God’s way rather than my own. I lose my life every time I put His agenda of good works ahead of my own. When I desire Christ’s love above and beyond any human love then my life is spent serving Him. In losing my life to Him, He fills it and makes it meaningful!

Thank you, Lord, for sacrificing Your life for me.  Thank you that through sacrificing myself to You, I find that life!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 145:10 “All Your works praise you, Lord; Your faithful people extol You.”

“O my God, it’s beautiful!” was the first thing out of the mouth of a meteorologist as she broke the surface of Jelly Fish Lake. I can understand her reaction as the underwater camera panned the millions of jellyfish who had been her swimming partners. This lake is found on Eil Malk Island in Palau. It once had an outlet to the sea but is now closed off. Over time, these golden jellyfish lost their sting making snorkeling through them possible. These fascinating creatures are always moving as they follow the sun’s arc across the sky. Swimming through them must be an eerie and unforgettable experience!

Today’s verse proclaims that all of God’s creation praise its Maker. Perhaps this is what prompted the reporter to exclaim as she did. The millions of golden jellyfish extol the greatness and creativity of their Maker by their very presence. Even at such a remote location, God demonstrates His artistic power in creating something that most of us will never even see. Even if man does not recognize how they came to be, God’s eternal power and divine nature are revealed through what He has made (Romans 1:20).

All of the beauty and majesty of the Lord’s creation is intentional. His intention is to reveal Himself to those who would seek Him. All of His creation is like a huge megaphone announcing to those who would listen, “I am here.  This is for you and I love you.” Those golden jellyfish following the sun are a reminder to me to continually stay close to the warmth of the Son’s presence and light.

Lord, may I be faithful to extol You for all Your wondrous works!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2015)

Scripture for Today: Psalms 150:6  “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord!”

Get ready for a noisy invasion! Every seventeen years the Brood X Cicada emerges from underground in fifteen eastern states. This is no small invasion as he is joined with about a trillion of his friends! They appear en masse to follow a strict program of shedding skins, flying, mating, laying eggs and dying, all within several weeks. They are natural pruners for trees and add nitrogen to the soil when they die. But the negative side is their loud mating noise that some call singing. It can be deafening.

Today’s verse is a call to praise the Lord. In this short psalm, instruments are listed that can praise the Lord. But so can the cicada. He may not sound melodious but neither does the clashing cymbal! (verse 5) He has breath too and his chirping, clicking and buzzing are praise to his Creator. All creeping things are to praise the Lord, from the great sea creature to the small. (Psalm 148:7, 10) But how much more meaningful is man’s conscious and specific praise!

He is worthy of all my praise all the time. I want His praise to continually be in my mouth! Life and breath were given to me for this very purpose. When my heart is “tuned to sing His praise,” then I am fulfilling my purpose here on earth. Praise to my Creator begins here imperfectly but will continue into eternity! There, my praise will be beautifully melodious! But whether here or there, I want every breath of my life be a praise to Him for all He has done for me!

Lord, You deserve every note of praise!