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Monday, April 26, 2010

we need some sacrifice!


"Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God,
that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."
(Hebrews 13:15)

A few weeks ago, my oldest 2 grandchildren were at my house and they decided to play church. They got one of my small baskets and asked me for some change to put in it and then they commenced to sing, preach and then of course, take up an offering.

As they held the basket out to their "congregation" they sang "We bring the sacrifice of praise into the House of the Lord". They continued playing and I had gone into the kitchen to begin cooking when Mikaela (7) came in and shook the little basket and cheerfully said, "We need more sacrifice, Nana!"

I got her some more money, but the words she spoke continued to play over and over in my mind. Profound Truth sprang forth.

"We need MORE sacrifice"

We all know that a sacrifice is when we give up something that is valued. It is the letting go of something important. Sadly, most of us feel like we have a real understanding of the true meaning of sacrifice, but the truth of the matter is, we really don't have a clue. In the deepest recesses of our imaginations, the vast majority of us are totally in the dark when it comes to the meaning of making a real, authentic sacrifice.

We think we sacrifice when we go to church in the pouring rain. Or when we have to keep the nursery during worship service. Or when we teach VBS. Or if we don't eat dessert.

Unfortunately, the things that we typically see as a sacrifice are really just minor inconveniences at best. Usually small things that when we do without, we really don't miss them anyway. Things that we don't appreciate and sometimes take for granted.

A true sacrifice should be just what it says.Something that we want to hold on to. Something that hurts to give up. Something that costs us in one form or another.

A sacrifice of our time. A sacrifice of our comfort zone. A sacrifice of our money. (ouch)

Our pride. Our wants. Us...

I've been asking myself lately what do I really do or not do that is a true sacrifice to my Lord. It's not tithing because not only is that required, but it is a joy to give back to Him, what is already His.

It's not working in the nursery. I love doing that and that fact that my sweet little Sawyer is in there, makes it definitely NOT a sacrifice!

I volunteer once a week at a clothing/food mission, but that's not a sacrifice because I love doing it. I come in contact with 40 or more families a week and am able to encourage them and share Jesus with them.

Do I even have a clue as to what a true sacrifice is?

No - but Jesus does. He became the ultimate sacrifice for my sins. For your sins. He did for us what we couldn't do for ourselves.

He took OUR place on the cross. A painful, cruel cross. He exchanged His life for ours. He paid our debt with His own precious blood. He became the payment for our sin. He became our redemption. He made the greatest sacrifice ever.

He gave so that we could receive.

So, what can I do that would be a genuine, authentic sacrifice?

Something that would indeed cost me to give up or do. Something that would take me out of my comfort zone. Something perhaps that I don't want to do.

I owe Christ nothing less than my whole heart and my whole life.

He deserves all of our energy. All of our talent. All of our committment.

All that we have and all that we are.

So, let's bring the sacrifice of praise, wholeheartedly into the House of the Lord!





Beth

13 comments:

Yolanda said...

Depth here, so much truth. And I love how your grandchildren spoke a deep work to you. Out of the mouths of babes


Love you

Kathy C. said...

Beth, that was beautiful! It's so "like God" to use the words of a child in play to pierce our hearts. :)
Thank you for that, I really needed that today. I've been struggling with thoughts of "what am I DOING for God"...what am I sacrificing?

Anonymous said...

Amen \o/

I love it...

My boys use to preach and sing to my chickens (102 of them plus 7 roosters) from high up in their pulpit (their tree house) when they were little... They would take turns being preacher and music leader. They would sing about the Power in the Blood, Amazing Grace and Victory in Jesus and then preach these words while pounding the pulpit and saying ": your going to hell if you dont change your ways"

Our what memories...they really are listening at VERY early ages!!

Thanks for the memories and the light of HIS WORD

Angel said...

I love this post. This has so been on my heart lately and it was just what I needed today!! Thank you!!
Angel

NanaNor's said...

Such a good post, one that makes me stop and really think about what you shared. Love how the Lord uses our grandkids to share His desires with us. Thanks for your post this day.
Hugs, Noreen

Every Day Blessings said...

Very Sweet grandkids, out of the mouth of babes. He does want every part of our lives. Right now, I feel like I have sacrificed everything for Him and it has not been easy. I miss everything about our old life in Kansas and in time I know that He will fill my life to the full. We have felt God's call to this new ministry and it seems Satan has made every part of it hard.Changing jobs, finding a home, I miss the schools where my kids were at, I miss the friends they had and I miss the simple life we had there. But I love our new church, it has been a huge blessing and I know that in time He will make this home too.
Sacrifice....not so easy.
Blessings to you.

Ella said...

A timely and poignant message God birthed into you spirit through your grandchildren. Seems as God is bringing many out into the deep waters in this season.
Blessings, Ella

Heart2Heart said...

Beth,

It is true that in addition to our sacrifices we need to give to God daily that our attitudes must be that of the "cheerful" giver otherwise the sacrifice becomes a chore.

Great post!

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Loren said...

Using your little "angels" to speak such divine words! I love when the Lord speaks so precious in the mouths of babes :)

I think you are so right about how we "view" sacrifice....truly the only ONE who the depth is JESUS. But it is through the Power of the Holy Spirit that we can offer a true sacrife because our flesh is too weak otherwise!

Love this post today...and you, my friend ~ I love you!

Sarah said...

Little ones tend to teach us so much!

I wanted to thank you for being a part of my first year of blogging! What a wonderful year it has been. I'm throwing a little party and as an honored guest, I would love for you to stop by and share a highlight of your year with all of us.

http://justsarahdawn.blogspot.com/2010/04/cactus-happy.html

Cactus Happy,
Sara

Nana Jul said...

And a little child will lead them...Children often say the most profound things, I'm so glad you listened! We sometimes miss what is said, or don't let it settle in.
Move in us Lord, stir our hearts, open our eyes and ears...You hold us in the palm of your hands, you have given us everything we need...set us free from our prison that we may praise your name! Great word...thoughts to ponder..
Love you Beth!

Julie

Nancy said...

You caught something special from the children that day. I've been thinking along the same lines. I need to think some more and then do. Thanks for such a timely word.

prashant said...

I love how your grandchildren spoke a deep work to you. Out of the mouths of babes
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