A LIVING SACRIFICE

Presenting Your Body As A "Living Sacrifice" (Romans 12:1-21) "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:1-2) When God saves us out of our sin, He also calls us into full times service on a day to day bases, and as we are obedient to Him, He grows us to the place where we are willing to present our bodies to Him as a living sacrifice, that would be willing to physically die for what we believe. That is what it really means to die to self, Paul said, for me to live is Christ and to die is gain. ((Philippians 1:21) God does not just want a part of us, but He wants all of us, a living sacrifice unto Him. But really, what does that look like - Well, a living sacrifice unto God, is willingly surrendering you life to God on a daily bases, asking God to fill you with His spirit that you might live a life pleasing unto Him. Based on the knowledge you gain from reading and studying the word of God. This surrender consists the believers entire life—body, mind,soul and will.. It is an as act of worship and thanks giving that is expressed because for Gods great love, grace and divine mercy shown unto us. Jesus was willing todie in our place on the cross. Because Romans tells us the wages of sin is was death, "BUT" the gigt of God is eternal life. (Romans 6:23) This sacrifice involves separation from the world, coming apart or a way from acting like the world, and serving God continuously, using our body for righteousness rather than self-gratification through materialistic gain. It is not a one-time event but a lifestyle of obedience and devotion, yielding to God's authority over one's life. I am thankful to God for His goodness Why, Because I have had the great priviledge to see and experience God's presence in nature, in ways that many people have not had. I have climbed mountains in the Yukon in Canda, I have walking and road horseback through beautiful forests and across rivers, I have seen wild life standing in a flowing river, drinking together, all at the same time.. Dear, moose, wolf, some peole have only seen this in pictures. But I was able to see it in person, Nature was at peace with each other in that moment.I have seen cascading water falls and rocky cliffs. God's handywork is magnificant. Yet, in my humaness I am tempted to take credit for taking myself into those places as my our resources and accomplishments and placed I have lived as allowen, "ME" to do and thus try and bring praise to myself When really, it was all because of God giving me the breath and strength to get to those places to enjoy. To think that God, the creator of the univers would allow me to enjoy His masterpiece, is simply amazing. Friends, what are we willinh to sacrifice, which would include our all? Moses invited the Israelites to bring gifts to build the tabernacle/church in (Exodus 35:5). As I read it, “Everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them” contributed what they had: precious metal and stone, linen, leather, wood, spices, and oil (vv. 21-28). these items did not come cheap, and in order to posses them it took a lot of work to obtain them. Yet, they were willing were offer these items with thankful hearts, so God could fulfill His promises and they would be doing what God had commanded (v. 29). Same as today, some are ore gifted in crafting and building things than others, this is true.. But it says "everyone", could contribute something, even the women who skillfully spun goat hair (v. 26). They used the talents given them by God, and then gave what they produced with those skills back to be built into the temple/church. Friends its not about howmuch you give, its not about giving the same or as much as others are able too But rather it is about the posture of the giver’s heart. It says, “From what you have, take an offering for the Lord” (v. 5). When we do it this way, it is when our talents and our resources are put to their best use. God is able to put them to use in the furturancce of His Kingdom. We need to ask ourselves on a daily bases, as we seek to be a living sacrifice. What does God want me to give today, that can be used to bring praise to Him? Dear God,thank you for your mercy, Love and grace, that has brought me this far in my life I pray you will continue to give the strength I need to continue to serve you, and that I will be willing to listen for your guidance and direction in all that I do. Lord, you know me well, that I can get caught in doing good things, in seeking my own praise and others approval, to the place where I miss your still small voice. Please help my life to bring You glory and that I would live my life as a Living Sacrifice onto YOU. "In your name I pray,"AMEN.