{"product_id":"thank-you-for-your-service-esv","title":"Thank You For Your Service (ESV)","description":"\u003ch3 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSome Examples\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSome time ago, I was in line at a Subway in a Pennsylvania town. Three Pennsylvania State Troopers came in and got in line. I have always had an appreciation for those who do their thankless task. So, I got their attention to say, “Thank you for your service.” They seemed pleased, and it made my day; I hoped in some small way, I was able to brighten theirs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhen our children were little, we had a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm go off one night. It was late enough to be after bed, and it was cold. Just some fumes from the garage? A problem with the woodstove? I didn’t want to take the risk, so I called the Fire Department. Soon they arrived in their big truck, the responders fully suited out. They were thorough and ran tests throughout the house. It made an impression on me, especially because they are all volunteers. I not only thanked them for their service, but also started making yearly contributions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThen there are service personnel. Sometimes you see them in uniform; sometimes you just recognize them by a hat or some other identifying item. My Dad was a Marine and WW II vet, so I grew up knowing about that kind of sacrifice and service.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOf course, there are also servers in restaurants, and often their hourly pay is such that they really need that tip. I always taught my kids if you don’t have enough for the tip, you don’t have enough to eat out.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe list goes on. There are all sorts of public servants. Even though the concept of being a servant is lost on some, there are many who are proud of their job and are genuinely helpful.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIn whatever category you might fall, thank you for your service.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Ultimate Example\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHowever impressive all these examples are, though, there is one that outshines all others. The Gospels tell us about it in Mark 10:45: \u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eJesus Himself is the speaker here. He’s responding to His disciples, whose concept of greatness was riddled with worldly notions of self-importance. Two of them had just asked to be seated on His right and left in the Kingdom (10:37). But in the spiritual realm—which is the only one that ultimately matters—the way of greatness is humble service.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eJesus modeled this concept like no other. He refers to Himself in this verse as the Son of man.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis title reminds us that the Son of God came into this world in human form. Paul explains:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e“But emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e(Philippians 2:7).\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhy did He do this? Jesus tells us it was \u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e“to give his life as a ransom for many.”\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e Or as Paul continues in Philippians 2:8, \u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e“Ransom” speaks of freedom or deliverance accomplished by the payment of a debt. Is there a debt or servitude that we all have? Yes—in a word, it’s sin. The Bible declares, \u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e(Romans 3:23).\u003c\/i\u003e It also describes sin’s consequence:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e(Romans 6:23).\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAll of this is why the Bible refers to Jesus Christ as the Redeemer. He died on the cross and shed His precious blood in order to redeem lost sinners. He paid our debt, a debt that we could never pay ourselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAn Invitation\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eJesus offers freedom from sin and death. By His selfless sacrifice on Calvary, He became our substitute. He took the condemnation we rightfully deserve so that God can be \u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e“just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e(Romans 3:26).\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e(John 8:36).\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eRemember, this freedom is a free gift. \u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e(Ephesians 2:8).\u003c\/i\u003e You just need to be willing to humble yourself by agreeing with God that you are a sinner, and that you cannot save yourself. Then, turning from your sin, in simple faith ask Jesus to save you. \u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e“God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e(Luke 18:13)\u003c\/i\u003e is a prayer He never refuses. \u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e(Romans 10:13).\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"PrintMyTract.com","offers":[{"title":"Standard (up to 3 weeks) \/ 100","offer_id":67676724134102,"sku":"mmi1792696888105","price":28.8,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Rush (1 week) \/ 100","offer_id":67676724166870,"sku":"dfl1792696888106","price":41.6,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Standard (up to 3 weeks) \/ 250","offer_id":67676724199638,"sku":"rdb1792696888107","price":62.12,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Rush (1 week) \/ 250","offer_id":67676724232406,"sku":"exp1792696888108","price":74.4,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Standard (up to 3 weeks) \/ 500","offer_id":67676724265174,"sku":"rln1792696888109","price":76.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Rush (1 week) \/ 500","offer_id":67676724297942,"sku":"los1792696888110","price":96.6,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Standard (up to 3 weeks) \/ 1000","offer_id":67676724330710,"sku":"zca1792696888111","price":99.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Rush (1 week) \/ 1000","offer_id":67676724363478,"sku":"jvl1792696888112","price":136.4,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Standard (up to 3 weeks) \/ 2500","offer_id":67676724396246,"sku":"uxd1792696888113","price":214.07,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Rush (1 week) \/ 2500","offer_id":67676724429014,"sku":"ymp1792696888114","price":284.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Standard (up to 3 weeks) \/ 5000","offer_id":67676724461782,"sku":"gac1792696888115","price":353.6,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Rush (1 week) \/ 5000","offer_id":67676724494550,"sku":"ldp1792696888116","price":438.9,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Standard (up to 3 weeks) \/ 10000","offer_id":67676724527318,"sku":"bwy1792696888117","price":571.55,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Rush (1 week) \/ 10000","offer_id":67676724560086,"sku":"xzg1792696888118","price":787.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0820\/4369\/9414\/files\/thank-you-for-your-service-esv_1.jpg?v=1792696893","url":"https:\/\/bencedarbench.shop\/products\/thank-you-for-your-service-esv","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}