Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25

Most of us probably would have liked Washington State's Jim Sanders.

We would have.

Sanders and his wife were trying to raise some extra money by selling a diamond ring on Craigslist. Their ad was answered by four people who showed up at their home and asked to see the ring.

Rather than buying the bauble, the quartet put Sanders, his wife, and their two sons into plastic handcuffs. While some of the criminals ransacked the home, one of them pistol whipped the 14-year-old boy.

That's when Sanders went into action. He had always promised his boys he would defend his family, and he wasn't going to let those handcuffs stop him. With superhuman power borne out of his desperation, Sanders managed to break free and tried to defend his boy.

For being a Christian father, Sanders was shot three times. He died in front of his wife and children.

In that hour, in the course of a few brief minutes, we see the difference between those who know the Savior and those who do not -- the difference between good and evil, the difference between a man who loves and is willing to give his life for his wife and children, and those who are more than ready to take that life.

Yes, most of us would probably have liked Jim Sanders. On the other hand, most of us probably know men and women just like him.

True, these people may look like regular folks. Most days they mind their own business and live lives which seem pretty ordinary. But these folks know the Savior; they have seen the sacrifices He made for them throughout His life and, especially, during His suffering and death. Motivated by that love they know how to give and are willing to make sacrifices for others.

As much as is humanly possible, these folks love as Christ loved the church.

And it is an honor to know them -- to know you.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, although we never deserved it You loved us enough to live, die, and rise for us. Now we ask, as we are enabled by the Holy Spirit, that we may do all we can to give to others as You have given to us. In Your Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 12-14    John 8:28-59

To Download Devotion MP3 to your computer, right click here and select "Save Link As" or "Save Target As" or "Download Linked File As"