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!