READ: Romans 12:1-8
Present your bodies a living sacrifice. —Romans 12:1
When my son Steve left home in the summer of 2006 to join the US Navy, he knew the gravity of his decision. He understood that once he walked onto that naval base for boot camp, he was giving up everything a teenager lives for. He was leaving behind his freedom, his guitars, his music, and his girlfriend. He surrendered the right to make his own choices and to do what he wanted to do. He said, in effect, “I am making myself a living sacrifice. I no longer do things for me; I do them for the service of my country.”
The sacrifice Steve and thousands of others make when they enter the military service reminds me of what the apostle Paul taught in Romans 12:1. In that passage, he urged us “to present [our] bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” This means we are to give up our selfish ways and surrender ourselves completely to God. We are to seek to be “holy” in all we do—to have a godly character (1 Peter 1:16), which is acceptable to God.
It wasn’t easy for Steve, who cherished self-determination, to give it all up for the Navy. But he did it. And it isn’t easy for us to completely surrender our will to God. How can you and I be a living sacrifice for God today? — Dave Branon
Here is my heart, Lord Jesus,
I have but one for Thee;
Oh, let my heart be Thine alone,
Thy will be done in me. —Mick
A life given fully to God is at the heart of true sacrifice.
This just reminds me that this life, in conjunction with yesterday's devotion... that the life we live is certainely not ours to live. But its just so hard you know?
But is it not better to be called early and experience God early? Who would give for that? Or would we devulge in earthly pleasures until God calls again? The choice... that choice... is so hard to make sometimes...
First off, not going extreme, i just wanted us to ask oursleves that question to realign our thoughts and hearts and mind, so that we may be able to know the direction we are headed. Just as in class today... "is it possible for an organisation to put motivation into its members (workers)". I would relate it to the context of our christian lives, that when we is down, we should edify each other, spur one another on to the end! FLAME ON!!!
Today was the good day in a long time, my class was only 1 and a 1/2 hours long... after a prac discussion, i left for home and driving... soon i will be able to take the road!!! lol... hmm.. maybe i'll have some porridge my mom cooked... maybe not ^^
It just reminds me of the song:
Empty hands held high
Such small sacrifice
If not joined with my life
I sing in vain tonight
May the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to You
Let my lifesong sing to You
Let my lifesong sing to You
I want to sign Your name to the end of this day
Knowing that my heart was true
Let my lifesong sing to You
Lord I give my life
A living sacrifice
To reach a world in need
To be Your hands and feet
So may the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to You
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to You
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