Sacrifices to God

My life is comfortable.  I reside in a warm, loving home.  I receive a consistent paycheck from a reliable employer.  I live in a city that seeks to continually grow and improve, yet is long-known for its supportive, community spirit.  I am a citizen of a country founded on freedom and personal happiness.  Surrounded by all these comforts, it is eternally important for me to offer sacrifices to my God.  If I want to be a follower of Jesus, I must deny myself and sacrifice daily (Luke 9:23).

 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12:1-2

Living sacrificially is a testament about my priorities.  If I am to love the Lord God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, I must submit to his will and seek to please him.  I must sacrifice my will for his will.  Additionally, living sacrificially causes me to submit to others out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21).

Living sacrificially can be accomplished in numerous, concrete ways.  For example: dedicating my time and energy to help someone in need, sharing my wealth and resources to benefit those less fortunate, and giving up my comfort or safety to fulfill a commitment.  Sacrificial living can take many forms but it must be done sincerely and wholeheartedly in order to be acceptable and pleasing to God (see Philippians 4:18; 1 Peter 2:5).  Being a living sacrifice may cost popularity or friendships.  Leisure time or treasured habits may need to be given up.  Future plans may need to be adjusted.  In other words, I may need to get out of my comfort zone.

Living sacrificially will transform thinking and reinforce faith.  The sacrificial lifestyle is an eternal investment, with a heaven reward.  Sacrificial living affirms that nothing will come between me and my God.  Sacrifices to God keep me from using my God-given wealth selfishly.  I want to be a fragrant offering.

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name.  And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.  Hebrews 13:15-16

Prayer:  Dear Father, I want to be pleasing to you.  Please help me to overcome my tendencies toward self-reliance.  Remind me this world is only temporary.  I offer my life as a living sacrifice and look forward to my heavenly home.  In the name of Jesus, amen.

Carl Smith
Stephenville, TX

The Power Plant “in the Spirit”

Series: Reflections on Romans 12




Every so often you hear about an electrical power plant losing power. Whether it was caused by weather or failed mechanicals of one kind or another, the loss of power immediately causes a power outage to every place that is serviced by the power plant. Residential and commercial power is restored only when the power plant is fully operational. Every time I think about Romans 12:1-2 I think about a power plant.

Remember how it goes? "I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spirtual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."


Romans 12:1-2 usually shows up on the memory verse list before we reach fifth grade Sunday school class. Like a lot of memory verses we learn it “by itself”. Only as we get older and read our bibles more carefully do we realize that these two verses serve as the heading for 19 more verses!

I’ve heard a lot of lessons and sermons on the gifts listed in verses 3-8 and the discipleship described in verses 9-21. I still remember a bolt of insight that shot through me during my undergraduate days at Abilene Christian University. One beautiful fall day as we sat listening to Dr. Ian Fair present another well-prepared and stimulating lecture from the book of Romans he paused as he came to Romans 12, looked us straight in the eye and said, “Romans 12:3-21 will always be stunted in your life unless it is connected to 12:1-2.” What great insight! Ever since that day, my perspective of Romans 12 has changed and matured in many ways.

Romans 12:1-2 is the power plant for everything that follows in the chapter. The gifts in 12:3-8 and the discipleship described in 12:9-21 come to life as we remember that God’s mercy makes everything possible. To borrow from Paul, “by the grace of God we are what we are!” Our awareness and appreciation of God’s mercy should compels us onto our respective altars as living sacrifices. We meet each day with the resolve to offer our lives “in worship” as those called to share our gifts and give expression to the gospel in actions and behavior that give witness to the fact that we are those “transformed in mind”.

When I struggle with the things in 12:3-21 I find myself drawn to reflection on 12:1-2. Appreciation of God’s mercy toward me, crawling on the alter, surrendering my mind and heart to something God needs me to understand and embrace in my heart helps me realign my life with the things outlined in 12:3-21. I find that the lights stay on in my “life house” when the power plant of Romans 12:1-2 is working. Are the lights burning in your house? Check the switches in 12:1-2. There’s a lot of power there and it starts with God.

O Lord, apart from you we can do nothing. We know we can’t live in the world the way you need us to without staying connected to a healthy perspective of faith. Refresh us in your mercy. Help us climb on our altars everyday. Shape our thinking and remove things that congest our minds, enslave us and paralyze our gifts and our service. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of what you do in Jesus. Because of Jesus…Amen

Randy Daugherty
Stephenville, Texas

Running with Zeal

Series: Reflections on Romans 12

I ran track in my younger years and had some degree of success, but after college, getting married, and having three children, my running shoes were put to rest. I have always maintained some form of physical activity, but eventually lost all zeal for running. Let’s face it, running is hardcore physical work which requires commitment, endurance, patience, motivation, diligence, devotion, and enthusiasm, just to name a few. The business of wife, mother, and domestic engineer tapped all reserves dry. Last summer I pulled out the old running shoes once again desiring to up my physical game with the hope that my body (particularly my knees, legs, and feet) would immediately remember what this movement was I was asking it to do and react with vigor. No go. Nonetheless, I continued toward my goal of learning to run again. I have since run several small races and this weekend I will run my first half marathon in Austin, Texas.

So why do I choose to put myself (and my family) through the agony of physical and mental exhaustion? My motivation--to live a healthier life and become a positive influence in the lives of my family and friends. Along the way I was smitten by the fabled “runner’s high." It’s an intense sudden burst of energy and sense of wellbeing. My entire body lights up like a Christmas tree with surges of endorphins. I guess you could refer to it as renewed zeal or spiritual fervor.

Isn’t that what Paul talks about in Romans 12:11? “Never lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." We should be on fire for the Lord, all fired up, zealously glowing! Sometimes we get cooled off and become lukewarm. God wants us to have enthusiasm and excitement for the things of the Lord. We should have a burning zeal to do well. This is a word we should take to heart. Let’s take control of our race and put on our running shoes. Don’t be a spectator; build your spiritual muscle by exercising or renewing your fervor for God and finish the race with zeal.

Father, thank you for loving me despite times that I have shadows that darken the light and your spirit. Lord, help us to be believers who are diligently and fervently serving you, never lacking in zeal. May our souls be rekindled with fire from above as we seek the eternal life, the upward call, the crown of righteousness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Carla Henson

Abilene, Texas

Want to Get Even?

Series: Reflections on Romans 12



Paul ends chapter 12 of Romans with these words. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Evil is such a blunt word. I prefer a softer word like ‘bad’. Evil conjures up all sorts of dark images…like holocaust, murder, perversion and the sort. What surprises me is the context of this passage. Paul is talking about conceit and vengeance. He even says in verse 17 ‘repay no one evil for evil.’ This idea of getting along and being noble is a good idea in a perfect world but what about this world? Could Paul actually say you shouldn’t get even?


This takes us back to David when he is in the cave with Saul. Saul is committing all kinds of evil against David…even trying to kill him. David can kill Saul with one blow and the evil Saul will be stopped. David’s problems will be solved. So why doesn’t he kill Saul? The truth is, if he kills Saul, Saul will be dead but David will now be like Saul. Saul’s sin, evil, was not trusting God. Saul took matters into his own hands. Saul, not God, ruled his life. The moment David kills Saul, he becomes like Saul. Evil will overcome him. So, ‘do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’


Dear God, You know everything. You are everywhere and you are always good. I would not know what good is if it were not for you. Please forgive my haughtiness, my conceit and my arrogance. When I think I know best. When I seek to set things straight. When I refuse to trust you to do right. This is such an awful sin. I’m so ashamed! Please forgive me. I know more about evil than I should. Help me to do good and over come evil. Give me wisdom to know the difference.
In the name of Your Son who overcame the world. Amen


Paul Shero
San Angelo, Texas

The Gift of Encouragement

Series: Reflections on Romans 12

What ‘powers’ this gift, besides obviously God? I would say it is definitely ‘love.’

For me to be truly interested in encouraging someone, I must be an unselfish person, basically. To encourage someone else, I have to get ‘outside’ myself and look at things from another’s perspective in order to understand, to empathize with their circumstances. So, this requires deciding to forget about myself and focus on the person that I want to build up and encourage (sounds a lot like Philippians 2, doesn’t it?!). I may use written words as my tool, or relaxed conversation, one on one. I may simply have a calm, non-judgmental listening ear! Involved in this process I may spend time in prayer, asking the Father who loves so perfectly to help me love in the same way He does, seeing the best that is in people, and desiring to help draw it out.

I have given lots of thought to the wonderful gift some have of seeing the very best in people, and lifting them up to a higher bar of excellence in their daily lives. It is through encouragement that the person is able to do this. It is through trying to see this person through the eyes of the Lord.

Isn’t it a thrilling, yet chilling thought that God sees good potential in every human being? And yet we look at the derelict on the corner, the filthy, smelly person that dares to stand in a line behind us in a public place, and it is hard for us to fight repulsion. But what if we looked at every person to see if we could find the good or the best in them? It is very amazing to see the transformation in a countenance that just a genuine friendly smile, and a kind word can bring about! As one who is a child of a loving God, saved by His redeeming love, can I be an extension of His all-knowing, merciful knowledge of people, and trust Him to be with me in reaching out to such as these around me? What a change would happen to our world if all Christians would make a consistent practice of looking for the very best in every person they meet, and in all their acquaintances! Even in our own personal families we neglect this, to our shame! We have too much to do! We are so busy with the “things” of our daily lives that we even fail our own children in bringing out the very best in them….by giving the loving affirmation that they need in large daily doses!

In Romans 12 we find a number of ‘gifts’ listed, and among them this gift of ‘encouragement.’ I am very comforted that the Lord affirms the Christian sister who writes cards and notes to her fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord as her way of encouragement. Every time we read of someone in the Bible being encouraging they are said to be building them up in their faith, urging them to stay true to the course! (see Acts 11:23; Acts 13:15; Acts 14:22 as examples.) This is a most worthy thing, and those who do this important, yet seemingly humble service give such a lift to the one they write! And we should all appreciate this thoughtful service, as it is given a place of honor in the scriptures right along with other ‘gifts’ that sometimes receive more attention and praise.

Father, please let us be extensions of Your outreach to everyone we meet! Let us smile and greet and draw them to all that is good about You, our dear redeeming Father! In doing this please help us to genuinely serve them, when we are able, and use us to encourage them to live up to the potential that You see in them! In the precious name of Jesus, amen.

Jan McCoy

Merkel, Texas

I Am Second

Series: Reflections on Romans 12

I saw nothing more fitting than to use “I Am Second” for my title taken from the “I am Second” website to describe the words of Romans 12:3. Most readers probably by now have heard of this website and have probably visited it on one or more occasions. If not I encourage you to do so. I am a “Big Fan,” to say the least. The sole purpose is to inspire “US” to live for God and others. Paul’s point in verse 3 is, I believe, summed up nicely by “I Am Second.”

“For by the Grace given me I say to everyone of you:”— Paul had received grace (God’s undeserved favor) to be an apostle (Rom.1:5), and as an apostle he is now writing to the Roman believers and giving them a gentle, loving command concerning humility.

“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself”—we must think correctly about ourselves, and not be puffed up with an exaggerated and unrealistic idea of our own importance and superiority. We must not have a high, lofty, proud view of ourselves, but we need to have God’s view of ourselves (see ourselves as God does).

“With sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you”— having a sound mind, mental health, sensibly and seriousness to have a balanced and correct estimate of ourselves, to see ourselves as God sees us.

I am constantly reminded by life events, whether large or small, that humble me and help me realize that “I Am Second.” Just the other day while I was leveling dirt for a Fort/Swing set (Santa Clause present) for my 2 year old little boy, Cash, walked up to me with arms outstretched and hugged me, patting me with both of his little hands on my shoulders and said, "Daddy, I love you." I am here to tell you this so-called “Tough Daddy” melted like butter. I was a mess and it struck me down to the very core of my heart. After he left my sight, I had somewhat of a "moment" and the simple gesture of a little 2 year old boy calmly put me back in my place. It made me ask the question; How long has it been since I have said or done that to God or for someone else? A daily hug and I love you, is what God wants and what he desires us to do for others! In reading a recent article, I came upon an excellent illustration that sets in motion and gives valuable advice for those of us that sometimes think we are a V.I.P (Very Important Person):

Sometime when you’re feeling important, sometime when your ego is way up, sometime when you take it for granted that you are the prize winning “pup," sometime when you feel that your absence would leave an unfillable hole, just follow these simple instructions, and see how it humbles your soul. Take a bucket and fill it with water, put your hand in it up to your wrist. Now pull it out fast and the hole that remains is the measure of how you will be missed. You may splash all you please as you enter, and stir up the water galore, but STOP and you’ll find in a minute, its back where it was before.

It is very easy to become proud and feel good about ourselves these days due to all the resources that are available to us, but what frustrates me the most (and I talk to myself more than anyone else) is that if I claim to be who I am (Christian) why is it so hard for me to live my life like the 33 years that Jesus did on this earth? If anyone on the face of this earth had/has the right to be proud, it is him, yet he came to this earth and put himself “Second” and then died on the cross for me so I could become something. Jesus, thank You!!!

Jesus, thank you for life events that humble us and help us realize we are second. I ask that you soften our being to have the conscious that puts you and others before us. Thank you for the opportunity to wake up each day and love you and others more. When we get to the point in our life when our ego is way up, give us the maturity to know that everything we have, everything we can do are precious gifts from you. We love you. Amen!

Landon Kribbs
Springtown, Texas

A Legacy to Follow

Series: Reflections on Romans 12

Today I attended a funeral service celebrating the life of Danny Duggan. Loved ones shared the legacy of his Family, his Service, and his Walk with God. Danny’s exemplary life was compared to that of Christ. He has truly left a legacy that will lead us to our eternal home.

Danny served as Executive Director of Cherokee Home for Children since 1998. His death was the result of head injuries while playing basketball with the children of the home, Aggies for Christ, and other staff. Danny was 59 years old.
My family and I were blessed to have been associated with Danny and his family when they moved to Stephenville to work with us at Foster’s Home for Children.

This past week, since Danny’s accident, has been one of mixed emotions for me. I treasure the time we had together while our children were young and we were sharing common dreams and goals for the precious children in our care. I treasure the spiritual bond we had as we shared our struggles and prayed for wisdom and guidance in the challenges we faced daily. My heart is broken because I know the pain and suffering of a family whose loved one has gone home. I know by God’s grace, they will find comfort and the strength to follow in his steps. He will continue to minister through them and all whose lives he has touched.

I know Danny would agree, there truly is no journey that compares to our journey with God to our heavenly home. My heart literally “jumps for joy” when I reflect upon the way God’s Spirit moves and works in our lives. While living as a houseparent at Foster’s Home, I discovered a passage that defined God’s purpose for my life, then and now. The scripture is from Romans 12:1-8 in the New Living Translation:

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. As God’s messenger, I give each of you this warning: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other and each of us needs all the others. God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”

“Thank you, Father, for Danny and the legacy he left for us to follow. Thank you for his faithful life of service. May we, like him, recognize our gifts and use them to Your glory. Thank you for the gift of Your Son, in whose name we pray, Amen”

Jan Alderfer
Stephenville, TX