Articles
Are we giving God our Best? - 9.18.2022 Bulletin
Are We Giving God Our Best?
Even though the minor prophets were written thousands of years ago their message is timeless and still applicable today. In Malachi 1.6-14, the Lord condemns the priests for their unacceptable sacrifices. In Leviticus 22.17-22 the Lord told Moses what made a sacrifice acceptable. It needed to be “a male without defect” [v. 19], also, “it must be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no defect in it” [v. 21]. Any sacrifice with a defect would not be accepted by the Lord. In Malachi 1.8 we find the priest offering sacrifices they knew to be unacceptable; “But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil? Why not offer it to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you kindly?” says the Lord of hosts.” The Lord even tells the priests if these sacrifices were offered to the governor he would not find them acceptable. Malachi 1.10 reveals it would have been better for them to shut the gate and go home than to offer these useless sacrifices. The priests were the ones who knew the rituals best. Instead of being examples of faith and devotion while among the heathen nations, they began to view the rituals as a burdensome chore, and their worship lacked joy.
Are you giving the Lord your best each day? Colossians 3.17 says, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” While Deuteronomy 6.5 says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” The Lord expects us to give Him our all, one hundred precent, anything less is unacceptable. We need to examine ourselves to see if we are giving the Lord our best.
In your spiritual growth do you making it a priority each day to spend time in study and meditation of God word, or do you view it as a “if I get around to it” type of thing. A person will make time for what is most important to them, therefore a child of God who is serious about their spiritual development will make time for personal study. It is only through study can one become “approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” [2 Timothy 2.15]. As a follow up, do you have a desire to study God’s word, or do you view it as a chore? Disciples of Christ should want to grow closer to God. Spending time with the inspired word should not be viewed as a burdensome task. God’s word reveals the dangers and evils of sin, while also giving us how to gain the strength to fight sin when confronted. “I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” [Psalm 119.11 ESV]. An active prayer life is another aspect of spiritual growth. Prayer is our avenue to talk to God, and we can open up our hearts to Him with all of our cares and concerns. We shouldn’t be afraid to pray to God, because He wants to hear from us. As 1 Peter 5.7 says “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” Prayer provides Christians a way to gain strength to take on the world each day. If we make it a priority to spend time in study and prayer each day we place an emphasis on what God views as important.
Are you giving God your best when we assemble to worship. To start, are you in attendance when the saints are gathered, or just showing up when you feel like it, or just enough to avoid being confronted about it? When we gather together for worship it is an opportunity to encourage one another. To forsake or neglect the assembly shows a voluntary inattention, and a person misses out on the encouragement worshiping together provides [Hebrews 10.25]. It is essential that we worship with the right attitude. Remember what Malachi 1.10 says, “Oh that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you might not uselessly kindle fire on My altar!” We can be in attendance, but mentally forsaking or neglecting the service. Those who attend just to be a body in a pew, and check off a box to say they were there, the Lord will not be pleased with their worship. Instead, we need to be actively engaging in the service. Singing and thinking about the words being sung. Listening to the prayers being offered, or offering your own if that helps keep your mind from drifting. Remembering the sacrifice of Christ during the partaking of the Lord’s supper. Focusing on the the sermon and bible study when the word is being taught, and thinking how it can be applied. Active participation in the service, helps keep a person from offering vain worship.
Are you giving God your best in your personal lives? At work, are you putting forth your best effort each day? Christians should be the best employees in the workforce as a way to show we are different and give God the glory. In your friendships, are you trying to be an influence for good to spread the gospel to those who haven’t obeyed or heard it? In your dating or marriage relationships, is it centered around putting God first, and helping each other grow closer to Him? The aim of our lives when we are out in the world is it let the light of Christ shine in every circumstance, that is how we give God our best. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” [Matthew 5.16].
- Glad_Tidings_9.18.2022_PDF.pdf (1.50 MB)
