And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Romans 12:1 (NLT)
When sacrificing an animal according to God’s law, a priest would kill the animal, cut it in pieces, and place it on the altar. Sacrifice was important, but even in the Old Testament God made it clear that obedience from the heart was much more important.
The prophet Samuel wrote, “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” ~ 1 Samuel 15:22
God doesn’t want animals as living sacrifices, but ourselves; and not just on the Sabbath, but every day.
So what does it look like to be a living sacrifice?
- Setting aside our will and our desires each day and putting God first.
- Devoting all of our energy and resources to God for Him to use.
- Trusting God to guide us; following Him without getting ahead of Him.
Do I set aside my desires each morning to make time to read and meditate on His word and to communicate with Him in prayer?
Am I looking for opportunities throughout the day to be helpful and encouraging to others? Am I willing to use the resources I have – time, money, or talents – to serve a purpose that He has made available to me?
Am I free of anxiety and worry, knowing that God is working all things out for my good, or do I become impatient and self-reliant because I feel my way will be better than His?
Today’s To-Do’s:
- Read my Bible and pray.
- Pay attention to opportunities God gives me to serve a purpose greater than myself.
- Keep God in every detail of my day ahead, trusting Him to lead my thoughts and decisions.
God wants to fellowship with us. He wants us to be productive and helpful to others. And He wants us to use us for His purposes.
Question for Today:
- Am I available to God?
Former Blackout Artist 