Words to SPARK your Heart-Song from our co-founder Sherry Douglas.

#uplifting #positive #encouraging #motivational #troyohio #miamicountyohio #heartsong

Hi everyone! Happy Easter! This past weekend, Christians around the world celebrated the greatest day there has ever been – the resurrection of Jesus. What we’re going to discuss today has the capacity to change anyone’s life.

In the New Testament in John 12:20-26, the story of Jesus is building to the highpoint. Jesus is predicting his death to a crowd by comparing a seed with himself. A seed must be buried in the ground where it dies and then sprouts and produces multiple seeds. Jesus knew he had to die and be buried to reproduce new life; new believers. As a seed lives again through this process, Jesus would and does live again. And that’s why we celebrate Easter!

In verses 25-26, The Message version says, “In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is, destroys that life. BUT if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal. If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you’ll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment’s notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.”

Look down at your hands. Form fists thinking about holding on to your own life. You want to be in control and self-sufficient, keeping hold of your own possessions. Now, turn them over, open them with your palms facing up. Let go! Release your life to Jesus. Ask him to be in control. Ask him to help you want to serve him and others with reckless love. By giving your life, you gain your life forever. It’s both / and like the seed. It dies to live and lives to die.

And the gift for serving with reckless love? Our Father God will honor and reward us. You can’t beat that promise. This is the word of the Lord. Let’s live the way we want to be remembered. See you next week.