Today my pastor’s wife gave her testimony about being a living sacrifice. Why should we be a living sacrifice?
Seeing a glorious sunrise or sunset worship rises within me as I am confronted with the majesty and glory of GOD. Seeing the power of a raging storm I think of how JESUS said “hush be still” and the wind and the waves became calm (Matthew 8:24-27) and I have seen that power as HE has helped me in my times of weakness. Overwhelmed when not knowing what I should do, all I need is a glimpse of GOD’s wisdom in things HE has made from the mosquito with properties science can’t duplicate, the bee’s cross pollination so we could have fruits and veggies, or the DNA found in a single cell and I’m confident that HE can and will guide me in the way I am to go. Seeing truths about the LORD as I read HIS word glaringly expose areas when I fall short and need HIS forgiveness and help to change. Although it was over 60 years ago I saw GOD’s love in sending JESUS to die that I might live and confessed JESUS was LORD. Still to this very day I stand amazed at HIS love and the cost HE was willing to pay that I might be HIS.
“For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples, Give to the LORD glory and strength. Give to the LORD the glory due His name; Bring an OFFERING, and come into His courts. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth.” (Psalm 96:4-9)
JESUS was the OFERING that paid the price required for my sin, so what can I offer?
“..by the mercies of GOD present your bodies (for GOD to use to do HIS work) as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto GOD, which is your reasonable service “ (Romans 12: 1).
That is a lifestyle of giving up your rights and acknowledging GOD in everything and letting HIM direct your every step and word. Why should we do it? Because of HIS great mercies to us, the greatest being our salvation from sin and death, it is a small thing, a reasonable thing to ask.
But bear in mind that it’s not a one-time thing to OFFER yourself as a living sacrifice, for even the Apostle Paul said he had to get on the altar as a living sacrifice DAILY (1 Corinthians 15:31). But for you and me it may have to be even more often than that for whenever self rises up wanting its way we fall off the altar.
Think on these things and may GOD give you understanding.
Looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2).
Hugs
Sharon
Looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2).
Hugs
Sharon
wakemyear 