Have you ever recieved a rose from a stranger?  Say you are walking along the street and suddenly a stranger comes up to you are gives you the most beautiful rose you have ever seen.  It smells so wonderful that you were amazed there was no bees in it and it thorns were carefully cut off so when they handed it to you it does not prick your hand.  Would you not say thank you to the kind stranger who gave you this beautiful rose.  I am pretty sure you would...esspecially if you were having a hard day.  You would be so touched by this amazing gift that came at just the right time to cheer you up.  What if I said someone already handed you a rose today?  It is true.  God gave His son Jesus, the Rose of Sharon, for you as a sacrifice.  Jesus took the thorns for you in his brow and his life was given so that you would not have to know the sting of  death.  The sweet smell is that of the victory that Jesus had over death and of the anointing that he has given us.  When you were given such a beautiful rose, how could you not thank God every day for this wonderful gift.

When ever you are having a hard time think about the beautiful rose, Jesus, and thank God for the new life he has given you!

Read what prompted this teaching at www.jcfaith.com/groups/?id551 and look for the topic sacrifice of praise!

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