Join Erica and Pastor Jesse as they explore the themes of courage and sacrifice. Learn how they are lived out by veterans, and how they can be applied in everyday life.
Click PLAY for more.
Do you have a question about faith that you’d love Pastor Jesse and Erica to talk about on the radio? Connect with Erica at Mornings@SPIRIT1053.com!
Need Prayer? Leave your requests here.
Guest: Pastor Jesse from Grace Community Church in Auburn. He’s the host of the The Bonfire Podcast on Purposely, AND author of the brand new book, The Power Of The Second Thought, How To Live With Indestructible Hope!
TRANSCRIPTION:
Erica:
Today on Faith Filter with Pastor Jesse, we’re going to talk about courage and sacrifice as you and I celebrate Veterans Day, and honor the heroes who live out those virtues on the daily. Our goal on Faith Filter, if you’re new to the family, is to take what we’re thinking about, what we’re marinating on in our hearts and in our lives, what’s trending on social media, and put it through the filter of God’s word and everything we know to be true about the Lord. Pastor Jesse, so good to be with you for another week. I want to start with courage, if that’s okay, because God tells us on more than one occasion in His word to be strong and courageous. So, how do you and I live that way?
Pastor Jesse:
That’s right. The veterans inspire us. As I sit here right now at my desk, I look over into my side. I have a picture of my grandfather who fought in World War II, Battle of the Bulge, jumping out of airplanes, even landing close to the enemy. And to do that takes so much courage. And I know many veterans have prayed continuously throughout their time of service. And anytime you’re going to risk your life or step out of your comfort zone, move far away where there’s danger and unknown, where they step into maybe some situations they never wanted to be in. And with that distance from loved ones and time they invest, we need to honor them. We really do. So, my encouragement is think about who has had courage and then say, thank you. Let’s have them stand in church services. Let’s write ’em notes, buy ’em a meal. But we need to give honor where honors due, and the ones who have courage are the ones who protect. I mean, I know ultimately God protects our country and there’s supernatural battles that are invisible, but there’s also physical wars and there’s danger, and there are those who have dedicated their lives to protect what we hold most dear even our very lives. And if you look around the world today and there’s lots of wars.
We thank God that we are not in the middle of that here in America. And without the service of the veterans, without the service of those currently, we could be in a whole different place as a nation. So, I just have a lot of gratitude for the courage that they’ve displayed over and over again.
Erica:
Yeah, they are God’s examples to us of what courage looks like. And much like joy, we often say joy is a choice… courage is a choice as well. Sometimes in order to be brave, you have to do it scared. Am I right?
Pastor Jesse:
That’s so true. We pray for wisdom and God gives wisdom and clarity, but God doesn’t always guide us on the broad path or the easy path. When we have that clarity, the next prayer is usually courage. God help me to do the right thing in the right way. And with compassion for people. God will frequently call us to do things that lead us to reliance and lead us to that courage. The apostle Paul said, “Pray for me that I’d have boldness and I’d have courage to do and say what I know I should.” And that’s what the early church prayed for. God, enable your servant to speak with boldness, with courage. That’s what God gives. And we truly need it.
Erica:
We do more than ever. And I wanted to talk about sacrifice too, Pastor Jesse, because I even think about Thanksgiving and Christmas coming. Some of these amazing heroes have made the choice to spend the holidays away from their loved ones. And then of course the loved ones here at home who are also making that sacrifice. I mean, to me, it’s the greatest gift we can receive as Americans.
Pastor Jesse:
Absolutely. Sometimes we forget love sacrifices, because love is a commitment. And love is not a feeling that comes and goes. And it’s a Hallmark movie. People enjoy those during the holidays, but we know that’s one flavor of love. But love is including scars. Jesus, there’s no greater love. He laid down his life for us and the scars demonstrate his love. And there are a lot of people who’ve served our nation, A lot of veterans who have scars, maybe emotional, physical scars, relational scars, and that sacrifice, those scars, point to the love. You really know who loves you. When someone’s with you at your lowest points. And they suffer with you, they listen. They sacrifice to be there for you. They travel. They put down their own agendas and they just care for you. And when you lift up other people above yourself, you serve them or you sacrifice, even submit, that all is a display of love.
Love is more than just sentiments or words. It’s seen in action. And again, there’s no greater love. Jesus demonstrates his love for us. It wasn’t just he gave a great sermon about love, but that’s how he lived. That’s how he lives today. And his love moves us to sacrifice because freely we’ve received, freely we want to give. And you see Jesus, when people are suffering and sacrificing and serving, you see the love of Christ. And I also think when we sacrifice and serve together, that’s where the deepest bonds are. Those who have served our country, they’ve suffered together. And when you suffer together for a righteous cause, there’s a bond. God’s presence is there. God is not distant from our sacrificial living. God is right there saying, “Keep going. I’m with you. This is good.” Even though it might be the most difficult thing you’ve done, is the best thing you’ve done is may it start at home in our families. May it be evident in our churches that we’re not self-consumed and me-centered, but we’re coming to serve, and if necessary, suffer for the gospel. And what an honor to represent Jesus in those settings.
Erica:
Absolutely. I’m so grateful for our Lord, who is the ultimate example of service and sacrifice. And for heroes like your grandfather, Pastor Jesse, thank you as always for being with us. And God bless you my friend.
Pastor Jesse:
You too, Erica. We appreciate you so much.
Comments