Titus 2:13-14  while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to devote yourself to doing things for someone when your heart is filled with gratitude for what they’ve done for you?  Reciprocating the kindness and love is a wonderful opportunity to express that gratitude.

Gratitude is a powerful motivation to do the right things that we’ve been talking about in our recent devotionals.  It’s particularly important now that we’re in the Lenten season with its focus on repentance, prayer and fasting.  Easter is about 7 weeks away.  May we be moved to make it a very important time in our lives.  We have an advantage over the early disciples.  We know what happens!

One of my favorite worship songs highlights so wonderfully what we have in Jesus – and what He did for us.  The song is “You Are My King (Amazing Love)” by Billy James Foote.  I am so blessed by the overwhelming sense of gratitude and love welling up within me as I worship with this song.  The words of the song contrast what we have – with what happened to Him and His sacrifice for us.

Read these words slowly and see if you don’t experience the same thing that I do:

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken
I’m accepted, You were condemned
I’m alive and well, Your Spirit is within me
Because You died and rose again

Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my King, would die for me?
Amazing love, I know it’s true
It’s my joy to honor You

May we never let it grow old that Jesus gave His life for us – that we never cease to be moved by His love and sacrifice.  The movie, The Passion of the Christ shows so vividly what Jesus went through.  It was the only way for God to make us His own.  He wanted us to be His children – His family – His people.  Without Jesus’ sacrifice, it couldn’t happen.

We’re forgiven
We’re accepted
We’re alive and well
His Spirit is within us

BECAUSE

Jesus was forsaken
Jesus was condemned
Jesus died
BUT Jesus rose again!

Amazing love, how can it be that You, my King would die for me?  Amazing love, I know it’s true.  It’s my joy to honor You.

Here is a link to enjoy this wonderful song sung by Newsboys: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNousF-YMHo