sacrifice

Scarifices

July 27, 2024 by Bill Leave a Comment

“Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1)

I pray this verse each day but got an interesting revelation about “sacrifices” recently. In the Old Testament, God’s people were to offer animal sacrifices to atone for their sin, (Leviticus 4:35). In these sacrifices, an animal was killed. However, the above verse mentions a “living sacrifice”. The animal of old didn’t have to “do” anything; just give up their life. A living sacrifice involves action on the part of the one giving themselves. For sure there are many who have sacrificed their lives for others: military, first responders and many who have placed themselves in harm’s way to save others. So, what’s this about being a “living sacrifice”?

As Christians, we’re supposed to offer ourselves as sacrifices by DOING. Here are some examples from scripture: “To do righteousness and justice” (Proverbs 21:3), “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God.”(Hosea 6:6), “And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself.” (Mark 12:33), “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Hebrews 13:15-16). As we can see from these verses, to be a living sacrifice, we are required to “do” things, to be active, to show and shine our light to those around us. And as we do these things, God sees it as worship. That pleases Him. But the words, “holy and acceptable” means we should ask forgiveness for our sins first before offering our bodies. The animal sacrifices had to be, “unblemished”, (Deuteronomy 17:1).

But we must never forget the One who offered up the ultimate sacrifice for us: “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2). Jesus gave Himself up for us yet, unlike the animals of old; He was dead but now lives! And we, having the Holy Spirit in us, can sacrifice and live too. Are we willing to offer our bodies a living sacrifice? If yes, we must get to work sharing the love of God.

Teach, Train, Test, Try

January 13, 2024 by Bill 17 Comments

As a former teacher and coach, I “see” a lot of spiritual things with an athletic comparison. In our Christian lives, we too have to go through teaching and training to achieve what God has planned for us, and it’s usually hard. We may go from glory to glory, (2 Corinthians 3:18) or still be drinking milk instead of solid food, (Hebrews 5:13). The point is, when we join God’s team, we’ll have to go through teaching and training to move forward and receive the prize, (Philippians 3:14). Sadly, some people are still in Kindergarten class or standing on the sidelines. They’re on the team with the Teacher or Coach but have not progressed.

Then, after the teaching and training, comes the testing and trying. An old song by the Gaither Vocal Band, “I’m Yours Lord”, has these lyrics: “I’m yours Lord: everything I’ve got, everything I am, everything I’m not. I’m yours Lord: try me now and see, see if I can be, completely yours.” That is a sacrifice! When we get saved, we have to be willing, after a session of teaching and training, to be tested and tried. We cannot move forward, go on to the next “glory”, without being tested and tried. This could take awhile; we may have to go back to the classroom or training room. Has anyone else experienced this?

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.” (Psalm 143:10) – Teach.

“Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.” (Hebrews 12:12). Train

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2). – Test

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 1:7) – Tried

So, we as Christ’s followers, must decide whether we want to just be on the team and wear the uniform or do we want to be tested and tried so we can move from Glory to Glory. On the bench or on the field/court. It’s our decision, whether we’re young or old, Coach still has a game plan for us. “And I said, “Here am I. Send me! “ (Isaiah 6:8).

It’s Up To You

September 8, 2023 by Bill Leave a Comment

“How often I have wanted to gather your, (Jerusalem’s), children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.” (Luke 13:34)

As Christians, we have a free will. God will not force anything on us. But what He offers us is amazing beyond belief. “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’” (Jeremiah 33:3). I know many people who want to lose weight or athletes who want to get stronger or someone who has a tough decision to make. But in these cases, and with many others, it will take effort…with prayer. They have to make the decision to go for it. It’s up to them. A famous line in the TV show, Mission Impossible, stated, “Your mission, if you choose to accept it.” It was up to them. Jesus told the rich man who wanted to inherit eternal life, “Sell your possessions, give to the poor then come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21). It was up to him. Then there were the people who were invited to a great banquet but gave all kinds of excuses why they couldn’t attend, (Luke 14:15-24). It was up to them but they missed a great feast.

So, what about us? Are we willing to give or go out of our way to help someone, deny the things of this world, sacrifice our time and effort for God, stand up for Godly principles, accept God’s plan for us? And, most importantly, are you willing to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? The enemy will do all he can to dissuade you. But, ultimately, it’s up to you!

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24). It’s up to you.

Remembering

May 28, 2012 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given May 27, 2012

As we remember our militaty heros on this Memorial Day 2012, I will share something God gave me. I help with a BibleTime Ministry club in a local elementary school and the leader asked if I could do a short piece on what Memorial Day is for the first – third graders. This is what the Lord showed me:

I remembered reading about Joshua setting up an altar on the site where his people came across the Jordan River into the Promised Land. I remembered something about telling the children what it stood for so I looked it up. In Joshua 4:21-24, it says this, “He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.” In this passage, the people were to tell their children when they asked what the pile of stones meant. They were to pass on the memory of what God did for them and tell how great God was and is.

I showed the picture above to the kids and told them the story. I told them today, we remember those in the military who fought and some died to give us the freedoms we enjoy today. We are free to have a Bible Club in our schools, go to church where and when we want, pray in public and say what we want. We want to have a memory of the past and present sacrifices others made for us to preserve our freedoms. They seemed to understand.

Each child was also given a little cartoon that said, “On Thanksgiving, we give thanks for the things we have.” “On Memorial Day, we give thanks for those who gave us the freedom to enjoy the things we have.” God bless our military men and women.

Freedom

July 4, 2011 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given July 4, 2011

Years ago, our forefathers had a dream of a nation free from the tyranny of Great Britian. They acted on that dream and formed, “a more perfect Union” by creating the Constitution of the United States. It was difficult but they stood fast and many gave their lives fighting for that dream of freedom. We are still fighting for it today. God also had a dream of a people free from the tyranny of Satan. He acted on that plan and sent Jesus to lead us in the paths of righteousness. It was difficult but Jesus was faithful and gave His life for God’s plan of Spiritual freedom. We still have that opportunity today but Jesus fought and died in our place. By the sacrifices of our forefathers, military, and others we enjoy freedom in our United States. By the sacrifice of Jesus we can have true freedom. Today we celebrate our independence in this country but let’s not forget
the real independence we have through Jesus. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John8:36). God bless America!