Sunday, 3rd April, 2022
Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 15: 18-22
Memory Verse: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1 (KJV)
In the Old Testament, sacrifice was an act of slaughtering an animal or person or surrendering a possession as an offering to a deity. In the New Testament, our life is the only reasonable and acceptable sacrifice God demands of us (Romans 12: 1-2). ONLY after you might have offered an acceptable sacrifice unto the Lord with your life that every other thing such as your money, talents, skills, etc, becomes acceptable. The offerings, tithes and other kingdom services of an unbeliever or unyielded Christian is an unacceptable sacrifice which does not count both in time and in eternity before God.
What is unacceptable sacrifice?
1. Sacrifice done grudgingly (2 Cor. 9:7).
2. Sacrifice done to boost one’s personal self esteem.
3. Sacrifice done because you want men to praise you.
4. Sacrifice not coming from a broken spirit and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17).
5. Sacrifice done so that it will be seen by men that you are equally doing something for God.
6. Sacrifice done for fear of the people or your Pastor (1 Sam.15:24).
7. Sacrifice offered when it is rather too late.
8. Sacrifice offered for men’s approval.
9. Sacrifice offered in order to fall into the good books of your pastor, leader or co-workers.
10. Sacrifice done outside of the love of Christ.
11. Sacrifice offered without deep reverence.
12. Sacrifice that costs you nothing (2 Sam. 24:24).
13. Sacrifice offered borne out of compulsion or after you have been coerced.
14. Sacrifice offered outside of love and grace to God and mankind.
Quote: It must cost you something at the terms of the Master before it can be called a sacrifice.
Prophetic Decree: May your sacrifice shake the foundations of your problems, in Jesus name.
Prayer Focus
1. Thank you Father for sacrificing Jesus for the redemption of our sins.
2. I break the hold of limitation in my life by the sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary.
3. Any sacrifice performed at crossroads against my destiny, backfire by the atoning blood of Jesus.
4. Blood of Jesus, wash away any covenant made by my ancestors with water spirits, in Jesus mighty name.
5. Covenant blood of Jesus, silence any evil covenant speaking against my bloodline, in Jesus mighty name.
6. I receive grace to offer acceptable sacrifice unto God with my life, in Jesus name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Judges 10-12