HOW DO YOU SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION TO GOD FOR SAVING YOU?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, 
but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, 
I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 
(Galatians 2:20)

MEDITATION:
Paul was a man on a mission of persecuting the Christians, 
but when he met the Lord, his life changed forever.
Unlike many who claim to be followers of Christ, Paul realized the 
magnitude of what the Lord did for him and wanted to show his appreciation.

When he said, “I have been crucified with Christ”, 
he was saying that since Jesus sacrificed His life for him, 
then Paul would make sacrifices for Christ in return.
Instead of continuing to live a self-centered life fulfilling his selfish 
desires, Paul became a man dedicated to faith in the Lord, 
with a new life devoted to pleasing Him.

He realized that God had a purpose for him before he was even born, 
and he would diligently pursue his calling from God.
But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his 
grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among 
the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. 
(Galatians 1:15-16)

Paul didn’t try to excuse himself from God’s calling, 
and he didn’t allow others to convince him that he was emotional 
and should wait before diving into this new life.
He didn’t allow others to persuade him to ‘rethink’ his plans in order 
to compromise God’s calling so it would align with his own personal desires. 
Paul’s new personal desire was to obey God 
and answer His call for him personally.

Paul was not going to dilute God’s plans for him 
by modifying them to fit his lifestyle.
Instead, he would adjust his lifestyle to fit God’s plans for him, 
make whatever sacrifices were required, 
and not waver from what God wanted of him, regardless of the consequences.

Paul knew God had called him, and he wasn’t going to allow the opinions 
of others to damage his enthusiasm, or discourage his dedication 
to serving the Lord.
He chose to listen to the calling from the Lord, 
over listening to the advice from any man.

ACTION:
If you are a follower of Christ, did you know that you too 
have been called by Him to serve in some capacity?
You might not be called to be a missionary similar to Paul, 
but you are called to be obedient to God, 
and to serve Him in whatever way He has chosen for you.

What should you do until God reveals His plan to you on His timetable?
You practice obedience until you receive clarity of purpose from God.
Too many who claim to be sacrificial followers of Christ do not consider 
what that really means, and they play ‘religious games’ 
without any true dedication, or sacrifices.

For instance, the scriptures clearly tell us to 
‘not give up meeting together’ with other believers, 
and especially as the return of Christ draws closer.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and 
good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit 
of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the 
Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Think about that scripture for a moment – when the Bible was written 
so long ago, God knew that some would be 
‘in the habit’ of ‘giving up meeting together’.
He knew then that we would be living in a world today where only 17% 
of ‘professing Christians’ would come to His house on a regular basis 
to worship Him, ‘encourage one another’, 
and ‘spur each other toward love and good deeds’.

Just imagine the impact believers could have on ‘one another’ 
if 17% became 100%!
But sadly, many have chosen to worship in their own way instead of God’s way, 
and still others have chosen to stop worshipping altogether.

Additionally, many who do attend on a regular basis do not believe God’s Word.
Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees 
and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the 
LORD Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ “Will a mere mortal 
rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’
“In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because 
you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there 
may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see 
if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much 
blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (Malachi 3:7-10)

God says that when we bring our tithes and offerings to Him, He will 
bless us immeasurably, but there are many believers who do not trust Him.
Consequently, they choose to ‘rob Him’ by refusing to obey His command, 
and choosing instead to use what belongs to Him to fulfill 
their own selfish desires.
They choose self-gratification over His promises, 
which means they don’t believe Him.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for the salvation available to me because of 
the love Jesus expressed for me when He sacrificed Himself on the cross. 
Forgive me for casually taking His sacrifice for granted and not realizing 
the full impact of what it means for me. Help me to be like Paul, and start 
living a new life that is willing to sacrifice my personal desires in order 
to obey Your commands. I pray that You will reveal Your purpose for me and 
that You will give me an enthusiasm and dedication to pursuing Your 
calling for me with diligence. Forgive me for failing to obey Your 
commands to meet with other believers and to bring my tithes and offerings 
to Your house. Father, I pray that You will change me from the inside out 
so that others will know of my love, obedience, dedication, sacrifice and 
service to You from the outside in. Convict me of my selfishness and the 
religiosity I am living, and help me to encourage other believers and spur 
them (along with myself) toward love and good deeds.”

blog: utvolwoody.wordpress.com