A Different Kind Of Sacrifice

I was reading the book of Hebrews in The Message the other day and I came across this amazing verse:

Make sure you don't take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of "sacrifice"—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets. - Hebrews 13:16

The writer is encouraging us not to become lazy in working for good, and to not take what we have inside for granted. We as the people of God are called to share what we have with all those around us. God has deposited a love and power in us that the world is in desperate need of. I think for far too long the body of Christ has locked themselves behind fancy buildings and theology. The heart of God is that we would encounter people where they are at, not wait for them to enter our meeting places. The verse says God takes pleasure in acts of worship in places that we take for granted everyday. Places like, the kitchen with family, the workplace with co-wokers and customers, and the streets filled with strangers. We all pass by people on street corners and resteraunts everyday. I want to encourage you along with the writer of Hebrews today to not take for granted the common situations you are in daily, and to share the goodness of God today. Lets offer God a different kind of sacrifice, ones that cost us 10 more minutes at Starbucks because we are praying for a stranger. Ones that cost us being a few minutes late to work because a stranger needed help beside the road. Sacrifices that cost us missing our favorite show because our kids need prayer.

Be strong today and walk in the full glory of God. I pray that you do not take the life God gives you for granted, may you all experience the fullness of His grace today!

GRACE and LOVE!!

Letting God Decide

I have been reading 1 Corinthians the past few days and came across these amazing few sentences in Chapter 4.


It matters very little to me what you think of me, even less where I rank in popular opinion. I don't even rank myself. Comparisons in these matters are pointless. I'm not aware of anything that would disqualify me from being a good guide for you, but that doesn't mean much. The Master makes that judgment.
So don't get ahead of the Master and jump to conclusions with your judgments before all the evidence is in. When he comes, he will bring out in the open and place in evidence all kinds of things we never even dreamed of—inner motives and purposes and prayers. Only then will any one of us get to hear the "Well done!" of God. 1 Corinthians 4:3-5 (The Message)

I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. 1 Corinthians 4:3-5 (NIV)

I love how Paul says that he does not even judge or rank himself. He literally leaves all judgement to God. I think that so many times we as believers find ourselves fighting for a higher ranking in the church world, or to become the best at what we do. In our stride to become top notch we tend to look at those around us and begin to compare ourselves. Then one of two things occur...we either judge them by there shortcomings, or we judge ourselves because of our lack.

What Paul is stressing here is that we are not to rank ourselves or others at all. We are to leave all the ranking to God. Our job is to love God and to seek first the Kingdom of Heaven. Only God knows the hearts and motives of people. We are not to assume that someone deserves punishment because there is sin in thier life...they might be on their face daily praying to overcome...likewise we cannot rank others as "good" because thier life looks all clean and tidy...they may have not relied on God for anyhting. The point I want to encourage you with today is...Don't be too hard on yourself or others. Live in peace with all, and extend Grace and Love to those around you. If a friend is struggling...reach out a helping hand, don't pass judgment because "you would never do that". WALK IN LOVE AND LET DADDY GOD HANDLE REVEALING OUR HEARTS.

GRACE AND LOVE!!