SERVICE TO GOD : A LIFE OF SACRIFICE

Romans 12:1 (NKJV) 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.

I hope that by God’s abundant grace that this would eventually become a series. Service to God is a very vital issue for every Christian. A proper understanding of what our service to God is makes it easier to serve God better. Note that this would not take away the trials and hurdles that often try to make it difficult to give God a reasonable service, but it gives you a certain kind of Joy that makes the trials and the hurdles a walk in the park.

Recently, the Holy Spirit taught me a very valuable lesson about our service to God and I’m about to share that with you. We shall take our anchor scripture from the book of Romans 12:1, whilst looking through various translations. Using the New King James Version as the starting point, we see that there are two major things to note: “living sacrifice” and “reasonable service”. There is such a thing as a “reasonable service”, the Amplified Bible describes it as your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship! Which means that our service can be unintelligent and irrational. This happens when our service to God is not born out of a sincere heart-a right heart! Rather it is from a heart that seeks to please men-the Bible describes this as “eye service”. We would be just like Amaziah, who did what was right in the sight of God but not with a perfect or loyal heart (2Chronicles 25:2). We work things out with our head and intellect and decide on the things to do or not do for God. Hence Paul also describes our service to God as “spiritual” (AMP). So it is not spiritual when it is not done in the spirit (from the heart) or by the Spirit! We can easily identify such people when they complain about every little task they are given in the house of God. They complain about time, about not having enough resources and so on and so forth. They are never willing to make sacrifices. This brings us to the other point: living sacrifice. Paul admonishes us to give ourselves as “Living Sacrifices”. Before we look at the implication of that let us take a look at The Message translation of Romans 12:1:

Romans 12:1 (MSG) So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life--your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life--and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.

First we see that the part of our lives that we are to offer also includes those things that we probably had thought before now were unimportant-he says your everyday, ordinary life- not just the activities in church! Now here’s the part I love most-he says place it before God as an offering! We all know that no one places an offering before God and takes it back. Also the offering that has been placed down no longer belongs to you! Therefore to effectively serve God there must be total submission and surrender to God’s will and instructions. If your life is now His, as a result of you placing it before Him-as an offering, then He should call the shots and not you! The time you claim to not have enough of is actually His, not yours but we end up giving the smallest fraction of His own time. Haven’t you noticed how we tend to give God the smaller part of most things, take for example our tithe. Out of ten fractions He asks for just one yet some of us struggle to pay up!

If we were to properly examine our attitude, we would discover that God is far more faithful in the relationship and deserves a better attitude of worship and service from us. A life of total surrender and sacrifice. A life were we are willing to give our all-our substance, our time etc.

In subsequent articles we will look at how we can render this kind of service to God! God bless!

THE SIN OF "HOMOSEXUALITY"

Key scriptures: Romans 1:27-28:
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
and 1 John 3:8
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Growing up as a kid, the mention of the word “homosexual” was a “heavy” one. It always brought a stop to conversations and of course only earned one the look of disdain from anyone who was ‘morally’ sound. Even without scriptural backings then, it didn’t take much for one to be convinced that being attracted or having any sexual relations with the same sex was totally immoral and unnatural. In this part of the world (I’m from West Africa-Nigeria), it is-was considered sacrilegious and was greatly frowned upon. People here would gladly accept a man with many wives and concubines (not to say that this is right in the sight of God) than a homosexual.  All these were about a decade or two ago.

Recently (precisely today-05/03/2013 which is the day this article was written), I read the story of a man who claimed to have been led by the Holy Spirit to start a “Gay” church. It sounded so preposterous, I could hardly believe it. So I followed the link to read the full story, and discovered what had gone wrong. There was a time that only those who claimed to not believe in God or His Word had to defend their so called “sexual orientation”. Now we have those who claim to not only believe in God but also claim to be His “ministers” preaching the doctrine of being “gay” and not becoming “gay”…blah blah blah!

On reading the story of the supposed man of God, I discovered that there was a time he tried to fight against that nature. A time when he knew or rather accepted that it was wrong but here’s what what happened to him: he gave up! He accepted the lie of the devil that it was his nature. He accepted that he was made that way, and that there was no point trying to change who he is. This is one lie from the pit of hell that has held many bound in that pit of homosexuality but I’ve come to let you know that you can be free! How do I know? The word of God says in 1 John 3:8 “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. FOR THIS PURPOSE THE SON OF GOD WAS MANIFESTED, THAT HE MIGHT DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL.”! Hallelujah!

Homosexuality is an implantation (works) of the devil in your life. You were never made that way. You were created in the image and likeness of God! Let’s take a look at the Good news translation of Gen 1:26 Then God said, "And now we will make human beings; they will be like us and resemble us. They will have power over the fish, the birds, and all animals, domestic and wild, large and small." We are meant to be and act like God. Looking at the scriptures we can tell what God’s mind on homosexuality is. From our key scripture, we see that God detest the act. Verse 26 says that because of this act, they refused to retain God in their knowledge and He gave them up to vile affections! Let us expand our scripture reference a little by starting from verse 25-28 (AMP)

25 Because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, Who is blessed forever! Amen (so be it).

26 For this reason God gave them over and abandoned them to vile affections and degrading passions. For their women exchanged their natural function for an unnatural and abnormal one,

27 And the men also turned from natural relations with women and were set ablaze (burning out, consumed) with lust for one another—men committing shameful acts with men and suffering in their own bodies and personalities the inevitable consequences and penalty of their wrong-doing and going astray, which was [their] fitting retribution.

28 And so, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or approve of Him or consider Him worth the knowing, God gave them over to a base and condemned mind to do things not proper or decent but loathsome.

The reason you find it hard (not impossible) to come out of that pit is because at a point you have rejected God’s truth about it! The key to getting over the act is accepting that it is wrong and shameful. Also you must do away with any idea that you were made that way. If only you knew the original design of how God made you!

How do you come out of it?

First, if you must come out of any form of sin you must be born again. Rom 8:5-7 (AMP)

5 For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and [d]pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and [e]seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit.

6 Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that [f]comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever].

7 [That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God’s Law; indeed it cannot.

It would be impossible for a man to submit to the truth of God’s Word when he is still being controlled by the flesh. That is why you must accept Jesus into your life and then receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (Visit our Salvation page now!)

Next thing to do is accept that you have sinned. This is not the feeling of condemnation but of conviction. This is where and when you decide to refrain from excuses. Next you must rely fully on the Holy Spirit for help, though this is not to say that you wouldn’t be required to make conscious efforts to get out of the sin!  Next make sure that you are properly planted! By this I mean the church or fellowship where you feed from must be the right one. Being planted in the right congregation (trust me it’s the safest place to be i.e. where God wants you to be) can only be determined through the leading of the Holy Spirit. If you have issues hearing from the Holy Spirit, I’d recommend you read Joyce Meyer’s ‘How to Hear From God’.

I must say that it would not be an easy adventure but I’m confident that who the Son (Jesus) sets free is free indeed. We are never too far gone for God to pull us back, nor are we ever too sunk for God to dig us out of whatever pit we find ourselves. Just continue to trust in God and you are sure to experience a total deliverance! You’re blessed!

IT'S ALL AND WHAT WE SHOULD DO-PRAY!!!

Remember the BIBLE says: "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" Matt.18:18.

First thing to note in this scripture is that it says 'whatsoever' meaning there are no limitations or exceptions in what we can or should bind be it spiritual or physical! Second thing to note: 'is bound or loosed in heaven'. My interpretation: whatsoever you bind or loose(be it principalities & powers, spiritual or physical wickedness), you have the full backing of the entire host of heaven! It is signed off and stamped by heaven! Thirdly, it says whatsoever "you" bind, that means the racket's your in hands and the ball is in your court!

So when we are confronted with issues in life that threaten our existence or undermines the goodness of GOD In our lives, the only thing to do is confront it in the place of prayer! This issue of terrorism can be handled only by prayer! Odd as it seems to some or most, it's all I think the believers can contribute. I challenge every child of GOD to include these issues in their prayers everyday and see GOD move!

"IF MY PEOPLE WHICH ARE CALLED BY NAME, SHALL HUMBLE THEMSELVES, AND PRAY, AND SEEK MY FACE, AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS; THEN WILL I HEAR FROM HEAVEN, AND WILL FORGIVE THEIR SINS AND WILL HEAL THEIR LAND!" 2Chron. 7:14. GOD is willing to act, as soon as we humble ourselves, seek HIM, change our ways(in this case our selfish attitude and prayerlessness), and just pray, HE SHALL HEAL THE LAND! (Pls say a prayer after reading this post)

Reality Or GOD'S Word(View)? Faith Or Logic?

NOAH'S ARK: designed by armatures, made of wood, probably wasn't a"beaut". TITANIC: designed by experts(at least at the time they were), made of Iron, and most definitely a beauty to behold, and of course the largest thing sailing at the time. Following the statistics(reality), we all know which should be able to better serve It's purpose. But then again we both know the details of both stories.(well if you don't...hmmm, at least I'm glad you're out of the cave! Lol!). You can read the story of Noah in the book of Gen 6-9. I think Titanic has been premiered over a decade ago, so it should be in stores by now, Lol!

Most times, we often look at the odds that statistics imply are against us and It's even worse when we compare ourselves with others(I was at that spot not too long ago), we think if only we were like Mr. A or B,or did things like them, things would be better but then I saw this somewhere, that is, someone comparing Noah's ark and the Titanic. Then I realised my attention had been focused on statistics rather than the truth of GOD's word! The builders of titanic relied on the statistics, but Noah's depended on GOD! It's not the size of the challenge relative to you(because you might always seem incapable), but It's the SIZE OF GOD RELATIVE TO THE CHALLENGE!(now that's more than the right match!).

Now, Faith doesn't disregard reality, but it looks beyond it, and only considers what GOD says about the situation. The man with faith chooses to depend on God rather than his abilities! Faith is an expression of "total" confidence in GOD! Noah never heard of rain before, it didn't make sense, just like Abram leaving his kindred didn't match with reality! Imagine having to leave your loved ones behind to a place you have never heard of and google isn't returning any results for your search! Noah's ark faced more than the titanic ever faced. Icebergs cannot be compared to 40 days & 40 night of rain with part of it spent floating on rocks(mountains), and the water remained for 150 days, but the ark still served It's purpose, and not because it was built to withstand such, but because it was in GOD's care! The Bible says GOD HIMSELF Shut the doors of the ark! So there was no way water could get in! Gen.7:16. Also, Noah and the ark remained in line with GOD's will and purpose! Often times when we try to help ourselves, we find ourselves outside of GOD's will and purpose for our lives! It's not how equipped or positioned you are to face that challenge. It's not beauty nor intelligence(see 1Cor 1:27). When GOD is involved,the statistics don't count! Reality or GOD's word? Logic or Faith, I choose the later!

FAITH-What is it really about?(Heb 11:1-6)

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen-Heb. 11:1"
When a skydiver jumps out of a plane, it is with the hope that the parachute he has on, will not fail. Now, he may not have previously tested the parachute himself but based on the recommendation of the manufacturers and probably from experience, he has to trust that the parachute will not fail him. Now, for a skydiver, it is easy to trust because man believes mostly on what he sees and feels, and it becomes easier when one has certain information to back up ones trusting in whatever it is that needs one's trust. We could also examine the case of a man who chooses to move when he sees the green light on a traffic light at a cross junction. This decision is based on the trust that, the traffic light should have stopped the other cars on the adjacent road. Also, this trust is as a result of previous knowledge on how traffic lights work.


"It comes by REVELATION"

Now let's examine faith. Our scripture reference defines faith has "the substance of things hoped for". That means it is tangible, hence the use of the word "substance". It also calls it the evidence of things not seen, so faith is not based on what we have done or seen before. Now, the skydiver may trust in the manufacturers word but as long as the manufacturers are humans, they are still bound to fail. As believers, our faith is not based on the knowledge of the situation, but on that that of the word of GOD. That is why the book of Romans 10:17 says "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God". Also if we go further in our main scripture reference(Heb.11), to verse 6, it says "But without faith [it is] impossible to please [HIM]: for he that cometh to GOD must believe that HE is, and [that] HE is a rewarder of them that diligently seek HIM". Now, before faith, comes the word of GOD. And an in-depth knowledge of GOD's word reveals to us the true nature of GOD. Verse 6b, says that HE that comes to HIM must first of all know that HE is! It takes knowing a man to really place anything in his care. So faith in GOD, is developed by the revelation of  who GOD is and the capability of HIS might!


"It is an expression of total confidence in GOD"

Yes, faith is an expression of confidence in GOD! Like the skydiver, you jump out of the plane, knowing that on your own you cannot fly, but you just hope the parachute does not fail you. So also, when we exercise faith, it's like telling GOD, I'm totally confident that as I jump, I may not know how to fly, but I'll land safely. It is not asking GOD to prove HIMSELF so you can trust HIM, but it is believing and trusting GOD, and letting HIM prove HIMSELF! Noah had never seen an ark nor had he experienced rain before, but he went ahead to trust GOD, and of course, GOD proved HIMSELF!



"It is more than what we have, it is what we do!


"Faith is more than what we say or have, but also something we do. True or genuine faith is always backed up by actions! From the book of James 2:17-26, we see that faith without works is dead, like the body without the spirit is dead! Action is the spirit that gives life to your faith! Noah did not just say to GOD, "I believe that you can do all that you have said" but he went ahead to start building the ark as GOD had instructed him. When we say we trust GOD, we must demonstrate this by acting! The proof that the skydiver believes that the parachute would help him land safely, is not in his words but in the act of jumping out of the plane. 



"It requires OBEDIENCE!"

Faith can also be seen as an act of obedience to GOD's word, be it RHEMA or LOGOS. When GOD ask us to do things that are not logical to the human reasoning, it takes true obedience to adhere. The man that truly has faith, would follow GOD's instruction to the letter, no matter how odd it may seem. Remember that Adam fell due to disobedience. If we examine closely, we would discover that it was lack of total confidence in GOD, that would make a man trust in the word of another over that of the ONE that created him. Our faith will most times remain dead if we lack the spirit of obedience, because it is often what is required to take action! 



In conclusion...

2 Peter 1:5   "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;"

If we read further in that passage, we see that there is a build up, with faith being the foundation. If a believer must grow, it is not without faith! It is when we have had faith, that we the add virtue, and then knowledge and so on. It is through faith that we have a relationship with GOD. Heb 11:6- "But without faith [it is] impossible to please [HIM]:...". We cannot come to GOD(fellowship) with doubt about whom HE is. Faith also frees us from the fears of failure and the troubles of this life. It allows us love others without the fear of rejection. It is through faith that we are saved and enjoy GOD's blessings. My last words? Move above hope, for it is frail and enter the realm of FAITH!

7 Principles Of An Eagle – Dr. Myles Monroe

PRINCIPLE 1

Eagles fly alone at high altitude and not with sparrows or other small birds. No other bird can get to the height of the eagle. Stay away from sparrows and ravens.

Eagles fly with Eagles

PRINCIPLE 2

Eagles have strong vision. They have the ability to focus on something up to five kilometers away. When an eagle sites his prey, he narrows his focus on it and set out to get it. No matter the obstacles, the eagle will not move his focus from the prey until he grabs it.

Have a vision and remain focused no matter what the obstacle and you will succeed.

PRINCIPLE 3

Eagles do not eat dead things. They feed only on fresh prey. Vultures eat dead animals, but eagles will not.

Be careful with what you feed your eyes and ears with, especially in movies and on TV. Steer clear of outdated and old information. Always do your research well.

PRINCIPLE 4

Eagles love the storm. When clouds gather, the eagles get excited. The eagle uses the storm’s wind to lift it higher. Once it finds the wind of the storm, the eagles uses the raging storm to lift him above the
clouds. This gives the eagle an opportunity to glide and rest its wings. In the meantime, all the other birds hide in the leaves and branches of the trees.

We can use the storms of life to rise to greater heights. Achievers relish challenges and use them profitably.

PRINCIPLE 5

The Eagle tests before it trusts. When a female eagle meets a male and they want to mate, she flies down to earth with the male pursuing her and she picks a twig. She flies back into the air with the male pursuing her.
Once she has reached a height high enough for her, she lets the twig fall to the ground and watches it as it falls. The male chases after the twig. The faster it falls, the faster he chases it. He has to catch it before it
falls to the ground. He then brings it back to the female eagle.

The female eagle grabs the twig and flies to a higher altitude and then drops the twig for the male to chase. This goes on for hours, with the height increasing until the female eagle is assured that the male eagle has mastered the art of catching the twig which shows commitment. Then and only then, will she allow him to mate with her.

Whether in private life or in business, one should test commitment of people intended for partnership.

PRINCIPLE 6

When ready to lay eggs, the female and male eagle identify a place very high on a cliff where no predators can reach. The male flies to earth and picks thorns and lays them on the crevice of the cliff, then flies to earth again to collect twigs which he lays in the intended nest. He flies back to earth and picks thorns laying them on top of the twigs. He flies back to earth and picks soft grass to cover the thorns. When this first layering is complete the male eagle runs back to earth and picks more thorns, lays them on the nest; runs back to get grass it on top of the thorns, then plucks his feathers to complete the nest. The thorns on the outside of the nest protect it from possible intruders. Both male and female eagles participate in raising the eagle family. She lays the eggs and protects them; he builds the nest and hunts. During the time of training the young ones to fly, the mother eagle throws the eaglets out of the nest. Because they are scared, they jump into the nest again.

Next, she throws them out and then takes off the soft layers of the nest, leaving the thorns bare When the scared eaglets again jump into the nest, they are pricked by thorns. Shrieking and bleeding they jump out again this time wondering why the mother and father who love them so much are torturing them. Next, mother eagle pushes them off the cliff into the air. As they shriek in fear, father eagle flies out and catches them up on his back before they fall and brings them back to the cliff. This goes on for sometime until they start flapping their wings. They get excited at this newfound knowledge that they can fly.

The preparation of the nest teaches us to prepare for changes; The preparation for the family teaches us that active participation of both partners leads to success; The being pricked by the thorns tells us that sometimes being too comfortable where we are may result into our not experiencing life, not progressing and not learning at all. The thorns of life come to teach us that we need to grow, get out of the nest and live on. We may not know it but the seemingly comfortable and safe haven may have thorns.

The people who love us do not let us languish in sloth but push us hard to grow and prosper. Even in their seemingly bad actions they have good intentions for us.

PRINCIPLE 7

When an Eagle grows old, his feathers become weak and cannot take him as fast as he should. When he feels weak and about to die, he retires to a place far away in the rocks. While there, he plucks out every feather on his body until he is completely bare. He stays in this hiding place until he has grown new feathers, then he can come out.

We occasionally need to shed off old habits & items that burden us without adding to our lives.

By Kwee Lain from sharelife.wordpress.com

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