Fred's Devo # 22 "Offer yourself as a Living Sacrifice to God!"

"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[a] act of worship. 2Do 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." Romans 12:1-2

Today we begin a series of devotionals in Romans 12. Today's passage is a challenging one. In a day when the world (even many of us as christians) seem self absorbed and self focused, it is challenging, even shocking to hear an exhortation to sacrifice our bodies (our whole lives) as living sacrifices to God! Yet, that is precisely what the Apostle Paul begs the Roman saints to do - and he does it without apology! In fact, he has the audacity to say that sacrificing our whole bodies to God is our (reasonable service KJV) or spiritual act of worship! He also says that this type of sacrifice is "pleasing to God!" Amazing! Is this message for us today! Yes I think so!

Considering Christ's sacrifice for us, this is a reasonable exhortation.

Lord: Forgive me for the many times that I have failed to make you first in my life! Although it will mean surrendering my will to yours, help me in my desire to submit my body as a living sacrifice to you. I realize that I will need to do that daily. Help me to become a more and more obedient servant each day. To your Glory Lord! In Jesus Name! Amen!