Swans and Sacrifice
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A fairy tale presents a gospel truth.
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Reference:
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A young princess sacrifices to save her enchanted brothers from the curse of an evil queen.
They are turned into swans by day and can take human form by night.
The queen also hates her and tries to curse her also, but the princess is blessed and protected by Yahweh God.
She is instructed by an old woman to take stinging nettles from graveyards and crush them into flax, then weave the flax into capes with sleeves.
One for each of 11 brothers.
She has to remain silent and speak no words until the task is done.
The nettles burn and wound her delicate hands. She crushes each nettle with her bare feet, and spins the green flax.
Now her feet bleed also with pain.
The swan brothers transport/fly her to a different land to escape the evil queen.
She is discovered by a king who loves her but does not understand her silence and her weaving.
The archbishop there is suspicious of her odd behavior and accuses her of being a witch.
He convinces the king and the people.
She is condemned to die.
She continues to weave capes as she is brought to be executed by fire.
At the last moment, the 11 swan brothers show up and she throws the
nettle capes upon each one with her bleeding hands, and saves them.
They then turn back into men, and can speak and defend her actions, and she is spared death.
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Stinging nettles can cause a rash and other symptoms if people touch them. The reason for this is that stinging nettles contain fine hairs and chemicals that irritate human skin. One of these chemicals is formic acid, which causes the painful rash.
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Miracles require a sacrifice
When Yahshua / Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice at the cross for our sins and deliverance, He set an example for us.
As we follow in his example, sacrificing our own needs in order to help others, or serve him properly, this opens the door for us to receive even more through His grace.
Grace is not cheap.
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Humility needed:
"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Hebrews 4:16
To be truly humble, one has to die to the flesh ( our own selfish needs and emotions) and submit to the sovereign will of Yahweh God.
We have to crucify the flesh
Galatians 5:24: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me’” (Matthew 16:24)
Humility is the opposite of Pride.
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Avoid entitlement mentality:
Christianity is about Yahshua / Jesus, salvation and deliverance, not being privileged and important.
The Pharisees had this mentality, and they crucified Yahshua / Jesus, instead of their own flesh.
In contrast, the apostles gave their lives for the gospel.
Many Christians will not serve Yahweh God unless they get paid, or have a title to give them honor.
So, if the money stopped, or there is no special title or acknowledgement to be given, their service would stop.
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They do not sacrifice for you.
You sacrifice for them.
And if you do not give them money or what they want, they make you feel guilty.
And even if you do give the person money, it does not entitle you to a miracle.
Ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss….
— James 4:2,3
You have to have the right spirit to receive.
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Faith. Hope, and Love
Faith needed
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6
Well placed Hope needed – it is not what YOU hope for, but you want to fulfill HIS hope in you.
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
If you do not have love for the person to receive the miracle, your prayer will not be answered.
But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love 1 Corinthians 13:13
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Prayer
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16
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Endurance / Persistence
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Gal 6:9
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The Swan Princess
She has a relationship with Yahweh God, and He blesses her and protects her.
With faith, love and hope in her heart, she humbly sacrifices herself to help her brothers.
She works long and steadily, risking her own flesh and life for their deliverance.
She does not let the harm and pain she experiences slow her down.
In the end, she gets the miracle she prays and works for.
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Miracles
If you need one, then think on these things in this post.
If you have the right spirit, it will happen in Yahweh God’s timing.
Whether it takes 20 minutes, or 20 years, do not give up.
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Heaven Awaits 