A Living Sacrifice.

I have been learning a nlot about this lately. There is a:
Sucky truth.

The Christian walk is not cupcakes and flowers all the time. A common misconception. Its easy for people to get that impression... Of Christianity, the church, and the people in it. As believers we are called to a life of worship a life of SACRIFICE. There is a part of my heart that says, "Sacrifice? Who said anything about sacrifice? I didn't sign up for this God." Maybe I don't word it quite like that in "real life", BUT it comes out in my actions for sure. Bottom line I am selfish person and giving up that way of thinking an life is really hard.

So what is true worship? I have to ask myself this question all the time... i get asked this question all the time. To passages int he bible help answer this for me. On my own, this answer in complicated and runs full circle in the ground. I always have to get back to the roots of my faith, the word.

Romans 12:1-2 (New Living Translation)
"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 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 learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

The NVI words it this way- "Therefore I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer up your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship."

When ever I am doubting what it means to truly worship God the way he desires, it's right here. He wants ME! He wants all of me. All the good parts, all the bad parts. Psalms 51:17 says that, "The sacrifices of God are a BROKEN spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." Whats contrite? (I dint know what it meant for the longest time, I just pretended...) but having a contrite heart just means being repentant- recognizing and desiring atonement for my sin. It come down to this, God wants me leave myself behind and step into NEW skin, a new life in Him.

Luke 9:23-24 says,
"If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For who ever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it."

So all these thoughts began with me stating this "Sucky Truth"... really though, how sucky is it to end up in heaven with God? To really find and experience life while I'm still breathing? Yeah there is some cost involved, but God sees me- He sees you...making the choice to walk this life. Oh mylanta how he will bless it and there is glory, BLISS waiting for us. I promises it's worth it! See for Yourself...

Die Today.

-h