Romans 12:1-2 challenges us to “present our bodies as living sacrifices to God,” When a person commits their life to Christ, their heart is transformed by the power of the gospel. This transformation is manifested through the outward acts which are seen by those, this manifestation is carried out by our physical bodies. It is one to say with all my heart to my wife “I love you,” Yet, if with my outward actions I do not demonstrate that love it is nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). At the same time, a dead body brings no comfort to those who are around them, a person can only bring comfort by their living acts of compassion. Because of the transformation that takes place in the heart of a follower of Jesus Christ, it is only natural for them to demonstrate the power of the gospel, by living in a different way. Our behavior demonstrates our essence. If I am a caterpillar I cannot live as a butterfly, but if a metamorphosis has taken place my life will change, a butterfly can no longer live as a caterpillar. It’s very essence has changed! So to has a person who has come to understand … READ MORE

Countless numbers of people today flock to various churchs, seminars, and conferences in search of personal benefits that they hope to receive. They do just the opposite of what Paul so plainly emphasizes in Romans 12:1-2. In this forceful and compassionate exhortation, the apostle does not focus on what more we need to receive from God but on what we are to give Him. The key to a productive and satisfying Christian life is not in getting more but it giving all. True worship includes many things besides the obvious ones of prayer, [praise, and thanksgiving. It includes serving God by serving others in His name. Sacrificial worship includes “doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased (Hebrews 13:15. Our supreme act of worship is to offer ourselves wholly and continually to the Lord as living sacrifices. Tragically, that is far from the approach that is so com on today by which believers seek the key to the abundant life. We are told that victory in the Christian life is to have more of God and to have more from God. In the deepest, eternal sense we cannot have more of God or from God than we, … READ MORE

In Acts 8:3 we are told that Saul, made havoc of the church. We can only imagine how difficult it was to have Saul tell the church that he was converted to Christ. Paul went to Damascus to arrest followers of Jesus and bring them back to Jerusalem for trial. He was one of the men responsible for the stoning of Stephen. Yet, there Saul is in Act 9, being confronted by Christ and turning his life over to the Lord. Is it any wonder that those who were apart of the church, were unwilling to trust his testimony. What we see in the life of an encourager is that, one who encourages champions the unheralded. An encourage is someone who will jump on the bandwagon when everyone else is jumping off. Every successful believer needs to have a Barnabas, who will support them in their new-found faith. An encourager is one who sees others as assets rather than objects, They see their mistakes as opportunities to learn rather than as failures, and they invite participation and contributions rather than directing and demanding compliance. How do we see potential where others see problems? First, look for a teachable spirit, that … READ MORE