Christianity Oasis Forum

[kimberly]

It's the first day of a new month, and I got used to the daily routine of searching the Word of God last month....so I decided to continue this month with: A Month of Sacrifice.

"Sacrifice" is a word that makes us cringe, isn't it? But God uses it for change, and to create something new. So, I'm thinking I could use some sacrifice of emotions that are rotten, and maybe develop some fruit of the Spirit in the process.

"Sacrifice" is defined as---'to suffer loss of, give up, renounce, or destroy especially for an ideal, belief, or end'

Sacrifice costs us something, to the benefit of ourselves or others. If we're not giving up something, it's not sacrifice. God views true sacrifice as an act of worship. Worship that takes place wherever we are.

So, here goes. I'm telling on myself. Lately, I have been 'draggy'. You know what I mean? Kind of 'I don't care' emotionally. It's a dangerous feeling to put up with, because for me it signals the first stage of depression. I know better than to let it go any farther. It robs me of my desire to do anything...and I mean anything.

So today, my sacrifice is this: my emotion of self pity. Because I know this feeling comes from looking at my circumstances and wishing I was physically able to do more. Pffft. It's not what I can do that matters, it's what God can do through me that He desires I notice.

So today, when those feelings come, I stir myself up and say "No! I'm not going there."

And, I go here:
Hebrews 13:14-16:So let's go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus. This "insider world" is not our home. We have our eyes peeled for the City about to come. Let's take our place outside with Jesus, no longer pouring out the sacrificial blood of animals but pouring out sacrificial praises from our lips to God in Jesus' name.
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. (The Message)

I feel today, my sacrifice is to share Jesus with someone I meet when I go to sewing this morning. To reach out to someone else, forgetting me, and focusing on someone else.

Stay tuned, this could get interesting...I'm not exactly 'good' at this!

[kimberly]

I've thought and prayed about where to begin with this...and this scripture came to mind:

Psalm 86:11
Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

An undivided heart....

Ouch. That means, there is a divide.

Thank You Lord, for insight and truth.
I want to be in awe at just the mention of your name.
Teach me.
In Jesus name, amen.

[goldieluvs]

awww kimmy i echo ur ouch. Definately was there today. Gotta admit i didnt do a very good job of Representing Him today.

Its awesome that youre being proactive when u start getting those emotions. Its a good lesson. One in which i may have to follow wif ya sis.

Luvs ya

[kimberly]

Thanks Goldie, I'm glad for your company

I meditated on Ps. 86:11 last night and this morning I knew what I needed to do...

Proverbs 1:7
The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline. (Amp.)

The last line in Psalms 86:11 said...give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.

I'm thinking I need what Proverbs will offer me, instruction on the reverent worshipful fear of God. Maybe I've gotten a little slack there. How am I not worshipping? How am I divided in my heart? I think it has to do with doing things in the flesh instead of in the spirit...and most of that would involve my thoughts.

Well, we all now what takes care of that! :D

Lord, today I sacrifice my contrary thoughts, words and deeds on the altar.
I renew my mind in the Word.
I don't want to be a fool.
Save me from myself.
In Jesus name, amen.

[kimberly]

Well, I have an answer to the "how am I not worshipping" question...and a confirmation. It happened like this:

the day before yesterday, in a group of ladies who were sewing, a discussion came up about drive through service at a local fast food place. One lady described how what she prdered was fixed wrong, and had no condiments for it in the bag....and berated the worker for being lazy and not paying attention.

She said she drove around to the door of the restaraunt, went in and complained and made them fix it right. Then she described a similar event at another eating place, and said, after the 3rd time they got the order right, THEN she handed them a coupon for a free sandwich! The discussion centered around the faults of the workers in the fast food industry.

My thoughts whirled in my head. "Why do you expect perfection? Those workers serve hundreds of people a day. They work hard for little pay. You want 4 star restaraunt treatment for $2.00, or for FREE?"

The next day, I was still thinking about it as I read a scripture~~~~~~~"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."
(Romans 12:1)


I first saw this as a sacrifice scripture, but now I relized it was so much more. The answer to my worship was right here...and it was a sacrifice. To offer your entire being ---mind, will, emotions, strength, heart.....and sacrifice them to do His will, that was to be my act of worship.

The first place to start? With that grudge I built up against the women who were talking trash about the food workers. The Holy Spirit made it clear to me I was treating my act of worship like they did those workers....

I was expecting a $200.00 return on $2.00 worth of input.
I was expecting to trade in my 'coupon' of grace for perfection.

I was no better than their words were. I wanted something for nothing, and it better be right! I had given up offering my whole self to God, but I was expecting that the little effort I made was good enough to pass for worship.

Well, it's not. God gives all of Himself to us, and asks the same in return. Oh, I pray, and read my bible. I do those things that are comfortable for me. But, I don't speak up everytime I should...I don't step out everytime I should.

My confirmation came this morning in Rise and Shine, when someone began discussing, how we see faults in others, and try to 'correct' them...

The Holy Spirit whispered to me:... "and they are the very faults we have ourselves."

Oh, I believe. I pointed the finger, and it pointed back at me.

Dear Father,
Forgive me for being an accuser of the brethren,when it's me that's been guilty.
I repent.
Help me to remember that my act of worship is surrendering all of me to Your will.
It will be a sacrifice of worship.
Thank You, Jesus...in Your name. Amen.

[goldieluvs]

oh wow kimmy wat awesome revelations we receive when we open ourselves to Him. I am sorry i missed the past couple posts. Maybe lesson in there for me on that one.

As in even if i am not doing good and maybe not thinking straight, like hmm i think it was mlg just sharing a hug goes a long way.

The next day, I was still thinking about it as I read a scripture~~~~~~~"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."
(Romans 12:1)


I first saw this as a sacrifice scripture, but now I relized it was so much more. The answer to my worship was right here...and it was a sacrifice. To offer your entire being ---mind, will, emotions, strength, heart.....and sacrifice them to do His will, that was to be my act of worship.

Wow, i gotta admit im convicted on this one. Have been for awhile but haven't listened. All i can say is Im sorry God and try harder. Let Him lead me, instead of trying to do it on my own.

GBU sis for sharing. Wat awesome insight the Lord has given you. It has helped me and am sure it helps others as well.

[comfy]

Give it all, give it all,
give it all to our Lord Jesus,
and He will make all the difference
in all we give to Him.
So, let's give all, let's give all
to Christ our King and our Groom,
and He will lead us in love dance,
every footstep shared with Him . . .
through it all, through it all . . .
though there be more problems to give Him,
there will be blessings gift-wrapped within them,
as He feeds us His own love to live.
So, let's give all, let's give all
to our Personal Lover within us,
and He will make all the difference
in all we give to Him.

[kimberly]

Thanks Goldie and comfy....what a great--song?-- is it? Says it to a tee.



God has had me thinking about my thoughts, and how they affect everything.
It all begins in the mind....the thoughts affect the attitudes, emotions, and actions of a person. At least, they do with me. So, how I think affects my faith and my love walk towards others.

My thoughts about...(to name a few)...life being unfair, or disease being miserable, or fear of being betrayed...all covered by God, I know it like I know my name. But that doesn't stop thoughts. Thoughts come, and have to be dealt with in a hurry, or they take root and begin to grow.

I also know what I have to do. I have to take those things captive, and make my thoughts obedient to Jesus. So this sacrifice of worship is of disobedint thoughts....

2nd Corinthians 10:
3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.
4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

It only takes a little crack, and those thoughts that don't agree with the Word start leaking in. I have been a little careless, but now I have to adjust my armor and sharpen the sword. There are strongholds to destroy.

Father, though I live in the world, I don't wage war like the world does.The weapons I fight with have divine power. I demolish every thought that is against the Word of God, and take those thoughts captive to the obediance of Christ Jesus.

When I feel afraid, I will trust You.When i feel miserable, I will be thankful, and say so. When i think life is unfair, I'll remember that You are more than enough.

I am being transformed by the renewing of my mind. I think on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. I leave no room for the devil to invade my thoughts.

In Jesus name, amen.

[goldieluvs]

oh wow kimmy i LOVE this part

When I feel afraid, I will trust You.When i feel miserable, I will be thankful, and say so. When i think life is unfair, I'll remember that You are more than enough.

Oh if i can just keep that in mind sis woo hoo i learn much from u

[comfy]

Yes, Kimberly, it's a song that I share.

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

So . . . to be sacrificed to how Jesus loved on the cross.

And I notice how in sacrificing Himself, Jesus "loved me" >

He did not only make such a sacrifice, but He loved me and made the sacrifice. So, this is how to sacrifice > first, to love, and do the sacrificing in love, rather than self-pity or hesitation or boasting oneself or wasting oneself in burn-out and stress-out.

And I notice > when Jesus was going to tell the young rich man what he needed to do > "Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him" > in Mark 10:21 > so, Jesus loved first, then spoke. He loved first before He spoke and loved while making such a sacrifice.

And another thing > I notice how Jesus so suffered like that, in order to keep us from going where He knew we could go in our sin. So . . . if Jesus considered it to be worthwhile to suffer so much like that > this could show how bad a place He knew we could go to, if He found it worthwhile to suffer like that in order to make sure we don't go there.

[smalltowngirl743]

Hello Kimberly!

I just read all of the posts in this thread, and I really enjoyed them. I don't have much to offer here myself, but just wanted you to know that I did come here and read.

You are very good at expressing your thoughts and finding appropriate Scriptures to apply to them.

I will try to come by here every day to see what you have written.

Thanks for sharing, and God bless you!

[kimberly]

Goldie sis, I'm so glad you are so determined to lay hold of the promises. Please share whenever you can, I learn much from you all as well.

Comfy,
You speak with great insight when you say Jesus loved first...and love should be our reason for sacrifice. Love should be our motive for everything...thank you for your post.

Smalltowngirl, I'm glad you're here, and I believe everyone has something to share. I don't always post everyday, I post as the Holy Spirit leads.

God bless all of you. *hugs* Kim