I attend Athey Creek Christian Fellowship Church in West Linn, OR (Atheycreek.com). The pastor, Brett Meador, is one of the best teachers I have sat under. His knowledge of the Bible and how he can tie the Old Testament with the New Testament is seamless (as it should be). I feel very blessed to learn from one of God’s mighty teachers.
It just so happens that a few Sundays ago, pastor Brett was teaching about sacrifices made in the temple, Jesus the greatest sacrifice, and Us!
Hmmm, what did he just say? Us! Now isn’t that Old Testament stuff? In today’s society, we don’t go around sacrificing anymore! Right?
Wrong!
1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV: “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s spirit dwells in your midst.”
Romans 12:1 NIV: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God this is true and proper worship.”
Now before you start building the altar and gathering the wood for the fire allow me to show you another manner of self sacrifice.
The Daily transforming of your mind; by dedicating to him, your:
Mouth: Lord, I offer you my mouth. I ask that you help me with my words; may they be sprinkled with grace and kindness. I wish to speak words of positive affirmation laced with joy and laughter! I ask for your assistance in what I say, but how I speak, I am mindful of tones and expressions that corrupt!
Feet: Guide my paths, Lord. There are beautiful places for my feet to walk and areas of life I shouldn’t be; help me to distinguish between and make the right choices. To seek you before I head off on an adventure or deed! To be led to those who need you.
Hands: The things I touch and how I touch! To hold onto what I need and to discard that in my life that I don’t. To give a gentle touch and a kind word! To offer and share your nail-scared hands, Lord Jesus!
Ears: What I listen to and who I listen to. Lord, help me receive your thoughts, prompting, direction, and word! I would love to hear your thoughts of me, not my peers. I long to fill my head with peace, not discord and racket.
Eyes: Lord, help me to see people as you do. To look past me! To walk in love and compassion but also in discernment. To read your words and see the changes they make in my life. To see you, Lord Jesus, each day I awake, the same face I see as I drift off to sleep!
Psalm 119:18 ESV: “Open my eyes, that I may behold the wondrous things out of your law.”
Lord, Help me to be a living sacrifice by the transforming of my mind!
Help me be a service to you! ☺️
Sunshine On My Shoulder 