What Happens When A People Go To Church As a Living Sacrifice...

"God, Who is the best, must be served with the best we have." - Matthew Henry"
The good man will give his best things to God.""Of all we have we should give the Lord His portion, and that should be the choicest we can select."
"Reader, never attempt to come before God without Jesus, the divinely promised, given, and accepted burnt offering." - All three quotes from Charles Spurgeon
Proverbs 15:8 says - "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD..."
Now contrast Solomon's statement with that of David's in Psalm 66:13 and 15 - "I will go into Thy house with burnt offerings...I will offer unto Thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah."Both portions of Scripture deal with offering "sacrifices" unto the Lord. In other words, they deal with acts of worship. However, the "wicked" man's offering is distinguished from the godly man's by these words - "is an abomination to the LORD."Why is his particular "sacrifice" referred to as such?First of all, His "sacrifice" doesn't represent Jesus - the Ultimate Sacrifice. On the contrary, it represents self - self-will, self-confidence, and self-pride. The second reason is because his heart is not in it. Thirdly, his observance of the "sacrifices" doesn't flow from a principle of pure devotion to God. It is done hypocritically - not according to His word and will...not done in faith...not springing from love to Him... and not directed to His glory.It is "an abomination to the LORD."Just how many "sacrifices" of this sort are offered every time a worship service is conducted? And just how many "wicked" people are there - impersonating as Christians - who approach God without faith and with no sense of sin or repentance for it?The truth of the matter is - our churches are full of such people and the stench of such offerings before the Lord - each time that the doors are opened.David said - "I will go into Thy house with burnt offerings..."He made up his mind that he was going to the place of worship to acknowledge God's goodness and render Him His due praise. He had been delivered out of many troubles and brought into a "wealthy" or prosperous place (Psalm 66:12). Hence, he would bring the best for the King of kings. He wouldn't dare to appear before Him empty. His "sacrifice" would surely cost him something."I will go into Thy house with burnt offerings..."Would to God that every worshipper would come before the Lord with such "offerings."Why?Because of what the "burnt offering" represents.The words in the Hebrew mean - "to go, ascend." It applied to the sacrifice that was wholly consumed by fire on an altar or made to ascend in smoke before the Lord. It was a voluntary offering of which the offerers had no share and where all parts were entirely burned - except for the blood which was sprinkled round about the altar. It was offered in honor of God.In Psalm 66:15, David went on to say - "I will offer unto Thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah."He was determined to give God his very best. This is implied in his words - "burnt sacrifices of fatlings." These "fatlings" were just as they sound - the fattest of the flock - the best of the herd and fold. He would not dare to offer God any "sacrifice" that was lame or lean.He burnt the fattest of rams on the altar - which produced a smoke which ascended before the Lord and was just as acceptable and aromatic as sweet incense - "with the incense of rams.""I will offer bullocks with goats" - This type of offering cost him a great deal for he was very liberal in expressing his gratitude for all that the Lord had done for him.The "whole burnt offering" was the highest of the gifts given to God. Every part was burnt in the sacred fire - which symbolized God's Holy Presence. It represented the offerer's unreserved dedication of his body, soul, spirit, and will to the Lord. It also represented the most perfect surrender of the human will to the divine. It symbolized the true meaning of worship.It was that which the Apostle Paul referred to in his exhortation to the Christians in Romans 12:1 where he said - "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.""Present" is a technical term used in the language of offerings or sacrifice. It means to offer or bring.What were the believers required to offer before God?Their "bodies" - which included their personality as well as their faculties and rational powers - were to be placed at the disposal of God - dedicated and consecrated for His service and use. Their greatest desires would be - to live a life of holiness ... live for God ... worship and obey Him ... hate evil ... stand for righteousness... follow and serve Christ ... be filled with the Spirit ... and imitate Christ in all their relationships.In other words, they would be that "whole burnt offering" that was placed on the altar and figuratively burnt with the Holy Fire of God's Presence - sending forth a sweet aroma from the complete dedication and commitment of their lives unto Him."The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD..."When we read this, we think of the gross sinner who uses religion as "a cloak for sin." And that understanding of the Scripture can easily apply here.But what about the believer who tries to enter into the Holy of Holies with his life so totally consumed with His own fleshly ideas, plans, agenda, ways, and confidences? What kind of stench - do you suppose - comes from the smoke of his worship?What would happen if every believer would go to church as a "living sacrifice" - as a "whole burnt offering" - one whose carnal flesh is so totally consumed by the fires of God's Holiness? The Lord would surely come down in our midst in His Power and Glory. Miracles would be "the order of the day. "David said - "I will go into Thy house with burnt offerings...
"After reading this message, how will you go?
May God Bless His Word,Connie© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved
Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org .
Walking In Truth Ministry P.O. Box 383016 Duncanville TX 75138

Having Crossed Over, Hold On...

Galatians 3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

This amazing passage defines all true believers in Messiah as “Abraham’s seed and heirs according to God’s promise”. Abraham was known as the first Hebrew – literally, “one who crosses over!” Before he crossed over into the promised land, we know from the scriptures that Abraham lived in a deeply idolatrous society and that even his own father was an idol worshiper. (Joshua 24:2) But one remarkable day, a call came to Abraham….a call from the Most High God – and he became one who “crossed over” from idolatrous polytheism into a personal knowledge of the one true Creator God. So leaving his past behind, he entered a new life of spiritual truth and holiness and a new land of promise; a profound transformation, and for us, a beautiful picture of our own “crossing over” into the new life of Yeshua the Messiah.Now looking at Abraham’s story, do we see that his life was free of obstacles and troubles once he reached his destination in Caanan? No way! Here are a few major events: he felt forced to go into Egypt to escape a famine, where his wife, Sarah, was held captive in Pharoah’s harem for an undisclosed amount of time; after being liberated, Sarah continued barren until old age; then, Abraham was required by his own deep loyalty, to rescue his worldly nephew Lot and his family, risking his own life and the lives of his men; again he was tested when following Sarah’s advice, Abraham conceived a son with Hagar, whom he deeply loved but was required to send into the desert with his Egyptian wife/mother. And of course, he probably faced the greatest test of faith when God asked Abraham to sacrifice the son of promise, Isaac, Sarah’s only son, for whom they both had waited all their lives!Isn’t it interesting that we know nothing of Abraham’s life trials before he crossed over into Caanan? Only after he crossed over do we read of the successive testings of this great man of faith – and in fact, because of those tests Abraham is considered the “father” of faith. (Romans 4:16)We are called to bear our crosses daily, and also to respond with faith to whatever may come our way. And, praise God that when we do, we also will be known as those who “crossed over” and overcame every obstacle and trial of faith…having held firm to every great promise of God!

By Worthy Devotions

Wisdom From Proverbs

1 Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, But a just weight is His delight.
-Proverbs 11:1

My pastor is doing a study on the heart and each day in July we are reading a proverb. Today's devotional really spoke to me. I couln't get past the first verse.

I know in verse 1 God is talking about fair and just business practices, but spiritually I think He may also be talking about deceitfulness, carnal thinking, etc. Honest scales will always be in perfect balance. Is our hearts honest, or our we off balance in some areas of our lives? We are studying the heart, and God measures everything by the heart, so how balanced are our hearts? Jeremiah says that the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, who can know it? Jer 17:9

In those days things were measured with stones. That is interesting to me because, we may need to take away some stones in our heart to get in perfect balance. Then our "just" weight will be His delight.

Praise God and may He Bless His Word.

A Song of Thankfulness

1 Samuel 21And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.2There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.3Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.4The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.5They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.6The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.7The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.8He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them.9He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.10The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.

Commentary on 1 Samuel 2:1-10 (Matthew Henry)Hannah's heart rejoiced, not in Samuel, but in the Lord. She looks beyond the gift, and praises the Giver. She rejoiced in the salvation of the Lord, and in expectation of His coming, who is the whole salvation of his people. The strong are soon weakened, and the weak are soon strengthened, when God pleases. Are we poor? God made us poor, which is a good reason why we should be content, and make up our minds to our condition. Are we rich? God made us rich, which is a good reason why we should be thankful, and serve him cheerfully, and do good with the abundance he gives us. He respects not man's wisdom or fancied excellences, but chooses those whom the world accounts foolish, teaching them to feel their guilt, and to value his free and precious salvation. This prophecy looks to the kingdom of Christ, that kingdom of grace, of which Hannah speaks, after having spoken largely of the kingdom of providence. And here is the first time that we meet with the name MESSIAH, or his Anointed. The subjects of Christ's kingdom will be safe, and the enemies of it will be ruined; for the Anointed, the Lord Christ, is able to save, and to destroy.

Hey Everyone, You Don't Want To Miss This...

My pastor is doing a verse by verse study in Proverbs and he is blogging it @
www.pastordavevcc.blogspot.com

It is very interesting, and he is receiving a lot of comments. So join in, read and get blessed, and leave a comment about whatever the Lord has revealed to you about a verse. It is how we learn. God can say many different things to different people and it is good to get a wide variety of thoughts.

My prayer is that Pastor Dave will put his audio sermons on his blog page. It would be a HUGE blessing to the whole world. I have listened to many preachers around the world on the web and it is a blessing and a good learning tool. Sooooo, Pastor Dave, something to pray about!

The Prostitute in the Mirror...

Don't know who this lady is, but this teaching blew me away. It will definitely make you examine yourself to see if you be in the faith.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aloviJ1Hnbc

Best Poem in the World...

"BEST POEM IN THE WORLD"

I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor..
But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp--
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.
There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.
Herb, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.
I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.
'And why's everyone so quiet,
So somber - give me a clue.'
'Hush, child,' He said, 'they're all in shock..
No one thought they'd be seeing you.'
JUDGE NOT.
Remember...Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more
than standing in your garage makes you a mechanic or a car.
Every saint has a PAST...
Every sinner has a FUTURE...