UNCONDITIONAL LOVE AND SACRIFICE

1 Corinthians 13: 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not insult others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts hopes, and always perseveres.  8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, and they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.  Ephesians 5:2 And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

"The Praying Hands" is a story of selfless sacrifice and love, the same sacrifice, and love Jesus exhibit for us. This story of the Albrecht and Albert two brothers that wanted to become Artist, but could not afford it, so one brother worked in the mines to support the other brother thru school. In return when Albrecht finished school he would support Albert, but by the time Albrecht completed school and became a success Albert hands were damaged beyond repair, which destroyed his chances of him every becoming an Artist. So to pay homage to his brother for the sacrifice he made for him, he made a sculpture of Albert’s hands. He named the sculpture “Hands”, which was renamed “The Praying Hands”. This story brought me to tears when I thought about the sacrifice Jesus made for us, and we have yet to pay homage to Him, by surrender all.

Father, thank You for Your love and unselfish sacrifice of Your only Son; You put our needs before Your own, and we are so grateful.  Lord, there is no greater gifts we can give than love and sacrifice; and if we love You, we would also sacrifice our worldly desires, to walk with You.  Lord, may we love You in all things and above all things. May we reach the joy which You have prepared for us in Heaven. Nothing is right that is against Your Will, and all that is good comes from Your Hand. Place in our hearts a desire to pleaseYou and fill our mind with thoughts of Your Love so that we may grow in Your Wisdom, knowledge, and enjoy Your Peace. In Jesus name Amen