If this is your first visit, please start by reading this short page. When you are finished, close the window and come back here.

If you would like to download this week’s devotional to work offline or print and share, click here. Otherwise, read on!

A Living Sacrifice

Volume 1 Issue 8

Scripture
Romans 12:1-8

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.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. ‍Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ‍so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ‍We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. ‍If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; ‍if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Sunday

Pray: Lord, as I meditate on Your Word today, help me see You in a way I never have before. Help me see this portion of Your Word in a new light. Drive it deep into my soul so it becomes an integral part of my life.

Spend several minutes meditating on the first part of Romans 12. I know you looked at it last week, but we’ve learned a lot since then. Take another peek. Consider it phrase-by-phrase. Write down key words or phrases that seem to “jump out” at you and any insights you receive from God.

Who is talking?
To whom?
When and under what circumstances?
Where?
What was the purpose? (to teach, rebuke, entertain, emote)

Monday

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Romans 12:3

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Luke 8:17

It’s a sad thing when a servant of the Lord falls, especially when it’s someone who is notable in leadership. But why does it happen, and how can I avoid stumbling into that trap?

Here’s what I’ve seen in my own life. Whether or not it’s universal is hard to say. When I am struggling with something, I often am hesitant to ask for help because of my position in our local church. I’m afraid of what others might think. And what if Pastor finds out? What it boils down to is pride.

Does it matter what others think of me? They are not my judge. Jesus Christ is my judge – and my defense. And if Pastor finds out, it will only confirm what he’s known all along – that I’m human, and have room for growth.

So, when I need help, I need to ask for it. If I am struggling, I need to seek others who can uphold me in prayer, so I do not fall.

Are there areas in your life you try to hide because you don’t want people to know you struggle?

Pray: Jesus, keep me humble so I don’t become to big to ask for help.

Tuesday

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ‍so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:4-5

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? ‍But eagerly desire the greater gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 (Click to read from v. 12)

Several years ago, I was babysitting for a lady in her home. She had just escaped from an abusive relationship and was starting over. Her house was bare. It was lunch time and the only thing I could find to feed the girls was a can of soup – but I couldn’t find a can opener. After searching for 15 minutes, I found one of those all-purpose knives that have the can opener for one of the blades.

I promise you, if I didn’t treasure my can opener before that day, I do now.

But how often do we do that in the body of Christ? She only sets up the chairs. Why doesn’t she do some real ministry? All he does is push the buttons for PowerPoint – anyone can do that.

But just like the can opener, even the apparently useless members of the body are treasured by our Creator and have a special purpose for Him. We are not to judge them for what they do or do not do. And the same applies to you. If “all” you have to do is one seemingly simple task, do it with your whole heart, as a service to God.

What are your feelings toward people who do less than you in your church? What about those who seem to have their name on every committee?

Pray: Father, thank You for the gifts and callings You have placed in my life and the opportunity to serve You- whether high profile or behind the scenes. Help me to use them for your glory.

Wednesday

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Romans 12:6-8

I’m so great! You know how I know I’m great. It’s my birthday and I just got a huge gift. And that makes me great. Doesn’t it?

Okay, it’s not my birthday, an I haven’t been given any gift that makes me any better than you.

But how often do people act like that? God gives them a gift for serving. They can see when someone needs help and have the heart and energy to jump in and serve. Or they have a way of helping people understand difficult concepts and have patience to walk them through the process in baby steps so they can learn. Then, they think they are great because they can do such things – of course, these people are unsaved. No one in the Body of Christ would dare to be so brash, would they?

What gifts has God given you? How are you using them? What do you expect from the benefactor of your gifting?

Pray: Lord Jesus, I don’t ever want to be so proud of the things You have given me that I think I am better than others for the way in which You allow me to serve You. Keep me humble, Lord.

Thursday

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Romans 12:6-8

But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’”‍ Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? Romans 9:20-21

God saved Michael from a destructive lifestyle and blessed him with wonderful talents.

One day, God gave him an incredible story, depicting the crucifixion in a way that is meaningful to today’s unchurched masses. He directed a stage-presentation at his local church and a copy got in the hands of a film producer in Hollywood, who was interested in making it into a film.

Then, Michael’s girlfriend left him. He lost his job. His sister’s children were removed from her home.

And Michael told God, “After all I did for You, how do You dare treat me this way?” and returned to his life of drugs.

I cannot judge Michael because I do not know his heart. I pray for his restoration.

If we are servants of God, we are to obey Him. Then, regardless of the results, at the end of the day, we say, “I only did what was required of me. I deserve no applause.”

When you perform some act of service in God’s name and it is well-received, how do you respond? What if it gets no response? How does your reaction reflect on your heart-attitude?

Pray: Jesus, when I do something for You, help me to keep my focus on my Audience of One – whether anyone else is blessed by it or not, I want to bless You and obey You before all else.

Friday

Review your journaling for this past week. What themes run throughout your thoughts?

Pray: Lord Jesus, thank you for showing me (fill in the blank). . . . .  Show me how You want me to grow.

Record His answer in your journal.

Saturday
Spend some time in focused prayer today, reflecting on the call of a Living Sacrifice.

Pray: Thank you, Lord Jesus for loving me before the creation of the world. Thank you for calling me to serve You. Help me to be more faithful in these areas: