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Humble Strength

John 10:17-18 "The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again.  No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.  I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my father."

Today's verses make me want to shout, "AMEN!"  I have read this verse with tears in my eyes.  The love of Jesus as He says these words is overwhelming and the power and authority He possesses is life giving.  It's a spiritual booster shot.  This verse encapsulates salvation, sanctification, and glorification for me.  The salvation is Jesus laying His life down because he chooses to do so out of his love for his sheep, not because he has to but because he is compelled to.  This is who He is.  The sanctification lies in His authority to "take it up again".  The power that resurrected Jesus is living in us to change our lives and working through us to change the lives of those around us.  What power we possess if only we will recognize the resurrected Christ is within us!  And the glorification? Well it's the resurrection itself, of course.  There is an incredible hope and deep joy in knowing that we share in His glory already as we get to walk with Jesus daily.  "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.  I have the authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again." AMEN!!


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