Living Sacrifice = The Difference Maker = a Great Attitude

I am fortunate to work in an organization that offers weekly devotions, or devos as I refer to them.  It’s a 20 minute mid-week reminder that regardless of our job assignments, we are first called to serve God.

Today devos were out of one of my favorite passages of scripture, Romans 12: 1-8 & I like through verse 13.

A Living Sacrifice to God

1And so, dear brothers and sisters,^a I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.^b 2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

3Because of the privilege and authority^c God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.^d 4Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

6In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

9Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10Love each other with genuine affection,^e and take delight in honoring each other. 11Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.^f 12Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

There are hundreds of directions to go with these passages of scriptures.  Being a living sacrifice is a constant reminder that it’s not all about us, but offering ourselves daily to Christ.  Proving His good, acceptable & perfect will clearly defines we have a choice as to which will we center our lives around.  Why compromise accepting good when perfect is available?  It doesn’t mean we are perfect, but that there is a perfect will God offers for us to walk in!

The key focus today is found in verses 6-13.  Paul describes not just the gifts we may possess, but the attitude in which we are expected to use them while serving others.  I love the book by John C. Maxwell, The Difference Maker.  Our Ladies Book Club used this book in the  past & it is absolutely one of my favorites.  I know I say that about almost every book I read, but the message in this book is amazing.  Paul referred to being not only others centered, but to do so with a great attitude.  Clearly attitude is the difference maker when it comes to how we are perceived as we serve others with the precious gifts & abilities God has given us.

I have to be honest in that I needed this reminder today.  I get so busy in going through the motions of simply doing that I need to take time to realign my attitude in doing things sacrificially irregardless of me, myself & I.  There is no room for glorifying God if I get in the way & my attitude doesn’t mirror my actions.

Read, reflect & realign today!

Blessings,

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