I need to spend today thanking Jesus for His precious sacrifice, and the gift to me of Salvation. Too often in this world, we as Christians take this for granted. We reach a place where we are no longer moved as we read Scripture. Perhaps this is never our desire, but it is often the by-product of a life lived at a furious pace.

I was having breakfast with a friend the other morning, and she was telling me about a message that stirred her soul. I wish I had access to it, I will not begin to convey the depth of its importance as I have never heard it myself. However, I know its author.

When was the last time that as you read John 3:16 that you allowed the Lord to move you?

We see it on signs everywhere, we know it by heart, we even bring about a disclaimer to somehow apologize to others that it is overused. Why?

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

Is it not the very Scripture that brings Salvation to many? The fact that it is recognized by so many is a huge blessing, yet we would cave to the enemies advances and believe that it is emptied of power because of its abundant recognition!

God loved the world so much that He let His Son die for you and me! That is not a little statement. That is a lifechanging statement! When was the last time you gave your son or daughter so that another might live? Are you willing?

Every time I hear a story of someone taking a stand for friends I am moved to the core! I saw on the news yesterday that a young man in an hummer in Iraq took the blast of a grenade to save the other four guys in his vehicle. He gave his life to save theirs and I was and am moved that he would care enough for them to do that!

How many of us would do likewise? We tend to think that if we were in that situation, we would, but then we drive right past stranded motorists along the highway of life because we are on a schedule and cannot take the time.

If we allow that passage of Scripture to mean little in our lives, then we do effectively empty the Cross of its power to those who the Lord would have us share it with!

All we have to do is convey our belief in Him, tell what He has done for us, how our lives have changed as a result of John 3:16's message, and others' lives will be transformed! The Holy Spirit will do the rest!

Jesus paid the price. The young man who sat on the grenade saved his buddies for today, but what about eternity? How can we allow the message to mean little, when the message is the only one that matters?

"FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE."

They can have eternal life if we will recognize the words we read, and be moved by THE Word!

We are so blessed to have a Savior like this! Thank you Jesus!

dad