Sacrifice-It's Clobbering Me

March 3
It's popping up all around me...the word sacrifice. Even in church Sunday one song was about...

Sacrifice-"the act of giving up something that you want to keep especially in order to get or do something else or to help someone; an act of offering to a deity something precious; destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else.

(It's a great word to have in your head when you are decluttering. "Oh, I'll sacrifice that and let someone else have it!)

What are we willing to sacrifice for Jesus, who gave it all for us?

Those who cling to worthless idols forsake faithful love, but as for me, 

I will sacrifice to You with a voice of thanksgiving.  

Jonah 2:8-9

So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time,
not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Hebrews 9:28

Whew! Thank You, Jesus. I don't know about you, but I'm so thankful we don't have to take a critter to church on Sundays and sacrifice it.

How are we to live sacrificially?

Let's see if the Lord wants to speak to us through any of these verses related to living sacrificially.

What does our checkbook/financial statement say about sacrificial giving?

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.                   Proverbs 3:9

What lifestyle changes have we made that please the Lord? Is that something that needs to go?

To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.                Proverbs 21:3

How could we say we have lost our life for Jesus? Does Jesus come first?

For whoever wants to save their life will lost it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.

                                                                                                                                     Luke 9:24

What have we sacrificed for a friend lately?

Greater love has no one than this; to lay down one's life for one's friends.                John 15:13

Have we sacrificially given love to the Lord, by loving someone else?

And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.                                                                                                    Ephesians 5:2

Are we invested in the lives of the Body of Christ, even if it means sacrificing worldly social status?
Years ago, a neighbor commented about us. "They go to church EVERY Sunday and Wednesday."

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.                                                                                                                           Acts 2:42

Does the path we walk exhibit sacrificial living with a joyful attitude?

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. Job 23:10-11

When the Spirit stirs in us today and we are called to sacrifice our time, our money, or our love may we be found faithful to do so with a huge smile on our face and joy in our hearts. We are oh so blessed to be connected to Christ in a way that affords Him the opportunity to work through our lives!