Day 14
"The Ultimate Sacrifice"

Romans 12:1-2


We often think of dying for the cause
when someone speaks of making the ultimate sacrifice.
The soldier dies in battle for the cause of freedom
or in order to save his fellow soldiers.
The firefighter dies while saving someone else from the fire.
A young mother dies in childbirth rather
than aborting the child to save herself.

All of these examples do speak of a great
sacrifice that ended a life to save others.
That is indeed a tremendous gift and
the last one that a person can give.
But Paul speaks of another kind of sacrifice
we are all called upon to give and
it takes more than just one
fleeting moment at death to give it.

He calls us to a whole life of sacrifice!
He had spent several chapters of the letter to
the Roman Christians to remind them of the
sacrifice of Jesus that paid for their sins
and brought them eternal life. Then he said that
in light of that, we should live for Him!
You may be called upon someday
to die for Jesus - maybe not.
But you have been called upon to live for Him.

Living for Jesus takes sacrificing time, talents, and
treasures - day after day - witnessing,
teaching, training, serving, giving, and worshiping.
While others try to build their own little kingdoms,
you give that up to help build God’s Kingdom.
You'll need His mind and spirit to be able
to continually make that kind of sacrifice,
so let Him transform the way you think,
through much prayer, Bible study and worship.


Prayer: Father, give us the wisdom to spend
time in your word and in prayer, allowing You
to shape the way that we think and feel.
Then give us the courage to live out Your calling.

P.S. “You came and rescued my life; cleansed and made me whole.
Now I’m - a living sacrifice to the One who saved my soul.

Now I’m living a life that came from above;
I got my spirit from You.
You came to me, on the wings of a dove,
and gave – me - a - life - that’s - brand new.
So, now I’ve set my mind on things up above;
I’ve got a purpose that’s true.
You are the One who gave me peace, joy, and love,
so I’ll be wholly devoted to You!” -- From “Wholly Devoted” by TEW


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