Living Sacrifice

Dr. Mike 2025 , ,

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.   Romans 12:1

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Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.   Hebrews 13:16

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…you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.   1 Peter 2:5

A Christ-follower is called to live a life of sacrifice.

Did Jesus not emphasize this point? If you want to follow HIM, you need to deny yourself and accept the responsibility of carrying your cross (Mt. 16:24). Did HE not teach us this lesson throughout HIS life? And did HE not leave us a strong reminder with HIS sacrifice on the cross?

Do you want to know how mature of a believer you are? Ask yourself. How willing are you to sacrifice your time, money, or resources for another person? No strings attached. It could be a family member or a total stranger. Do you have to fight the sacrificial urge or does it flow through you without a second thought?

Have you ever noticed how a self-centered child will rarely sacrifice themselves for another? Yet as we age, we learn the value of sacrifice as one of the highest acts of love we can perform.

When we marry, do we not sacrifice our own needs to become one with another? As parents, don’t we accept the responsibility and sacrifice for the sake of the children? On the job, don’t we sacrifice our desires for the sake of the team? As grandparents, don’t we sacrifice our resources for the sake of the entire family?

Throughout life one learns sacrifice is the art of loving another.

Yet, what about those who are not willing to sacrifice? The person who always wants to take without giving? The one who always has to have it their way. The spoiled child who grows up being the center of the universe.

Sacrifice is the way of life for a Christ-follower. Jesus demonstrated how sacrifice is about serving others. Most of the time it is always inconvenient. Most of the time it will cost you something. It could be time, money, or even opportunity. If you love someone without willing to sacrifice, are you truly loving that person? Or are you only filling up your own insecurity?

As Christ-followers, we live everyday willing to sacrifice for the sake of others. We consider it an honor to do so. We know who holds us in HIS grip. Our needs and desires are in good hands. We just want others to experience the same grace of God upon their lives. It begins with being a living sacrifice pleasing to God.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Similarities & Differences

Dr. Mike 2025 , ,

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,   Colossians 1:9

An old mentor taught me that you don’t really understand a subject until you compare it with its opposite. You need to know all its similarities and differences. When you do, then you will be able to identify its strengths and weaknesses. Only then will you have an understanding of its practical application.

It doesn’t matter what subject you are discussing. We could speak about love and hate. Or people and institutions. Males and females. Rich and poor people. Life of indulgence and sacrifice. How to lead and follow. When to submit and rebel. The list is endless on what two items you can compare. The purpose is simply to identify everything you can about the subject. Then look at its practical application within the confinements of the situation. This is taking knowledge to a level of understanding all its applications. Then you will be able to exercise your understanding into wise action on the matter.

This holds true in the fields of business, government, and education. This is true in the operations of the local faith community. This is also true in our personal relationships, including our with-God understanding.

Take for example the with-God or without-God life.

What are the similarities?

Your list may include something like this: both require a choice. Both are a worldview. Both determine who you are going to serve. Both establishes a moral basis for decision-making. Both reflect the core of one’s identity. You could list more. But these are just a beginning example.

What are the differences?

You could list these for starters. One places a higher authority of accountability on oneself and others. The without-God places supreme authority unto self or government or another person. One finds meaning for living from their eternal God and the other finds it in themselves. One finds an ultimate purpose for life with-God and the other finds life is a happen-chance. One places value on each life because they are made in God’s image. The other finds only utility value in a life – a rat is like a dog and a dog is like a person. There is no value difference between each.

By analyzing similarities and differences, you develop a better picture of each. You then can choose which way you want to live your life.

This is a modest example of an exercise to help one determine a more thorough understanding of a subject. Most of us live life under the one note music theme. We hear or think of one message and that becomes the basis of our knowledge. An educated person gains knowledge from many sources. Then integrates different scenarios for a better understanding of the matter. This allows you to better apply wisdom in the situation you find yourself in.

The same is true in spiritual matters as in physical items. Know your similarities and differences. They open the door for a greater experience with God and others.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Books By Dr. Mike:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Know. Participate. Become.

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
    in the night also my heart instructs me.
I have set the Lord always before me;
    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
    my flesh also dwells secure.
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
    or let your holy one see corruption.

You make known to me the path of life;
    in your presence there is fullness of joy;
    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.   Psalm 16:7-11

The Bible is our introduction to the God of Creation. When you study its contents, you are presented with a BEING who wants to be known. A BEING who created a life simulation world to allow us to participate with HIM. A BEING whose desire is to enlarge HIS eternal family with children. A family who reflects HIS character before others. This is the overall message of the Bible.

To know HIM; To participate with HIM; To become like HIM.

If you are looking for purpose and meaning for life, reread the above line one more time.

When you apply yourself to seek HIM, HE will draw closer to you. As you hang out more and more with HIM, you discover who GOD truly IS. You become more aware of HIM in your daily affairs. You stand more and more at awe of who HE IS.

As you join HIM in HIS work, HE leads you to discover your natural talents and abilities. As you participate with HIM in worldly affairs, you marvel at HIS workmanship. You begin to experience HIS grace in your life. As you allow HIM to take part in your life, HE allows you to share in HIS. You both begin a relationship of two beings actively living life together. As you give 100% into the relationship, so does HE. The more you invite HIM into your private affairs, the more you experience HIM and HIS knowledge and ways.

You discover real freedom living out your natural self as HE has wired you. You begin to flourish in your work and relationships. You find joy in serving others and adding value into their life. Just like your heavenly Father does for you. You notice how HE leads you to find real fulfillment in your work, play, and social entanglements.

The more you hang out with HIM and follow HIS lead in your life, the more your character and spirit becomes like HIS. You begin to reflect HIS ways before others. You govern yourself after the pattern of HIS Kingdom. You become more like your Rabbi. While the outer person is wasting away, your inner person is becoming more and more like Jesus. You are being prep for eternity.

Knowing God is not becoming a religious person. But a social being in love with their Creator.

Participating with God is not a religious event. But a day-to-day adventure of allowing God to join you in your daily affairs.

Becoming like Jesus is also not a religious act. But a disciplined life allowing HIS Spirit to transform you into the person you are wired to be.

Focus on these major components of Scripture instead of the minor themes. When you do, your world will become more alive with HIS presence.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Books By Dr. Mike:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved