Day 12

January 22

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” - 2 Timothy 4:6-8

God spared no expense to redeem us. Rich in love and mercy, the Father delivered us “from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13). He “made us alive together with Christ... and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places (Eph. 2:5-6). “In him we have received an inheritance” (Eph. 1:11). We have been sealed by the “promised Holy Spirit” (Eph. 1:13), and “from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (John 1:16). He has loved us with an everlasting love, and he is coming again so that where he is we may be also. “Beloved, we are God’s children now” (1 John 3:2).

As we gaze again at the perfect provision of Jesus for us and forget not his nearness and “benefits” (Psalm 103:2), our hearts should soar in worship, and our lives be lived in devotion. How rich we are! We who were dead in our trespasses have now been blessed in Christ “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:3). Therefore, to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48). But what offering would the King of Kings receive? Does the Lord just want more service or ministry?

Beloved, the Lord does not change. Even though he has also given us a calling and purpose: to give to others as he has to us, he is still after our hearts. Hosea 6:6 says that he desires steadfast love and not sacrifice. Jesus says to us, “Give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you” (Luke 11:41). He prizes our love, and before we can freely give to others, we must again give ourselves to him. Give him our talents, our dreams, our time, our family members, our possessions, and our lives. Once we have been emptied of ourselves, the Lord will fill us and make us a vessel able to be poured out in love to him and in selfless service to others.

Paul is an excellent example of living a life poured out. Having been miraculously transformed by God, he poured and poured and poured out. He gave himself as an instrument to the Lord and the Lord enabled him to toil, struggling with all Christ’s energy that he was powerfully working within him (Col. 1:29). He planted churches, endured persecutions and allowed God to order his steps. At the end of his life, he was able to say with confidence that although he again was being poured out even unto death, he had kept the faith and finished the race. He had given everything for God, who gave all to him. May we run to win and finish well. We can never outgive God, even in the giving of ourselves.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for all that you have given me in Christ Jesus. Help me not to be stingy in my affection, time, or resources. Fill me up and pour me out. Use my life to glorify your name and serve those you have placed around me who need the presence of Jesus. I want to be a vessel. As I have freely received, enable me to freely give.

Sophia Watson,

2^nd Wave Leadership Team, Vineland, NJ