“ The Power of Sacrifice”
Apostle Nora L. Jackson

Matthew 16:24-25-Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
Jesus knew the meaning of sacrifice all too well; as He was the leading example. As we search throughout the scriptures, we see that He lived a life of sacrifice-he prayed continuously, hours in prayer he would spend with the Lord. He lived a fasted life, he forgave those that mistreated or came up against him, and much more. Then He became the ultimate sacrifice for us when he died on the cross. As Leaders, we must live a sacrificial life. You will sacrifice much, as God has chosen you to shepherd his people, to teach, train, and equip others. To be effective in ministry and to go from glory to glory, it will not come without sacrifice. Sacrifice of your time, your gifts, your resources. It requires all of you, giving yourself fully to God. The greater the sacrifice, the greater the power that is released. Sacrifice is not easy to do. It comes with a cost, as it requires you to give up things or something that is precious and valuable to you. The process is painful but gainful in the end. As Leaders, your sacrifices are not just for you. It is the key that unlocks many gates to people’s deliverances and blessings. It is one of the secrets of supernatural breakthroughs. Mark 10:45 states, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Christ was sacrificed that many would be saved; likewise, in this same manner, your sacrifice will help many to be delivered and to come into the full knowledge of God. Those whom you shepherd and those that are assigned to you. A sacrifice is also an act of surrender. When Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross, he rose with all power in his hands. Why is this? Because Jesus’ sacrifice was an act of total surrender. He surrendered his body and his life so that God’s purpose would prevail. In Mark 14:36, Jesus prayed “And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.”
The cup was a cup of suffering. He knew what lied ahead; a painful death of the body, yet he surrendered to the Father’s will. Jesus’ power was in his sacrifice and in his surrender. He knew who he was, who his father was, and what his purpose was. And he was obedient unto it. So we are to be the example of Christ; to lead a surrendered and sacrificial life. We are to surrender our will, mind, body, everything that we are. And after you have sacrificed yourself and died to self, then you will rise in power. This is very pleasing to God and He honors sacrifice. This also proves to God the love that you have for Him, the trust that you have in Him, and it shows Him that He can trust you with more of HIm. Wherever sacrifice is offered, God is attracted.

Love you all and Kingdom Blessings!
Apostle Jackson