The Joy Of Self Sacrifice

Jesus said that He laid His life down for His friends. He wasn't talking about the cross alone. He was talking about giving Himself over entirely for us because of His agape love for us. He asks also that we lay our life down for Him. This means total surrender in all areas of our life so that He, by way of the Holy Spirit, can do His work through us. This is also called dying to ones self.
When you do this, He raises up new life in us so that the sacrifice we made and the dying to ourself was not in vain, but results in joy.

Daily Prayer: Lord Jesus, place Your love in our heart so that we can see. We both want and need you, but often times are selfish and immature. Forgive us, but also raise us, so that we too may demonstrate the love of Christ. Amen.