I love leftovers. Spaghetti seems to taste better the next day and Thanksgiving and Christmas leftovers may be my favorite. Pop a plate of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, broccoli-cauliflower casserole in the microwave and presto, you have a great midnight feast. Getting hungry? I am!
Whereas I love leftovers, I am certain that God doesn’t enjoy them. Yet, there are times when we find ourselves offering our Lord – the Creator of the Universe, stuff we have already devoured. It is easy for us to cut corners and offer
God and others “leftovers,” “just enough” and not the best service, isn’t it? I think we get careless and reckless in our service to our King. We become too familiar with handling the holy opportunities and holy things.
I don’t want to be like the priests and people in Malachi who were guilty of offering God sacrifices that a human superior would not accept. Take time to read Maachi1: 6-14. God is insulted when we just go through the motions, when our devotion is turned into duty or when we give Him second best or lower. He is a jealous God and He desires to be first.
Lent is a wonderful time to reflect and renew our commitment to God. Let us ask ourselves some questions about:
o The sacrifices of our bodies (Romans 12:1-2),
o The giving of our money (Philippians 4:14-18),
o Lifting up our praises (Hebrews 13:15),
o Our good works (Hebrews 13:16),
o And your witnessing to people who are far from God
Am I giving my best?
Am I giving to God first?
Is my giving to God costing me anything?
I believe God is calling us to a conscientious spirituality – one that thinks about and changes the attitude and motives and one that thinks about and increases the quality and cost of our discipleship.
What other areas of sacrifice can you add to the list? When are you most tempted to offer God leftovers? Which of the five areas above do you need to evaluate and offer God a better sacrifice?
March 7 How Many Times Do I Have to Forgive?
Luke 17:4; Matt. 18:21-22; Colossians 3:13
March 14 Lay Minister Cheryl Adams
March 21 Excuse Me! Thanks! Being Courteous
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
March 28 Don’t You Think This Was A Little Showy
Matthew 21:1-11
April 1 Seder Meal
April 4 Easter
7:30 AM – God’s Generous Love
10:45 AM – Chancel Choir
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