Give Him Your Heart

"present your bodies a living sacrifice,...which is your spiritual worship." (Rom 12:1-2)

The psalmist reminds us that "the earth is the Lord's and all it contains." (Ps. 24:1) We often speak of what to give someone who has everything. That is really true when it comes to God. We read that God loved us so much that He gave His one and only unique Son, Jesus Christ to be our Savior. When we sense the gratitude that comes from comprehending that, we want to give Him something as a love offering. But God owns the cattle on a thousand hills. Every inch of this ever expanding universe is all His. So what can we give to God?

For 11 chapters in the book of Romans, the apostle Paul has described the incredible mercies and grace that God has shown to us. He turns a corner, so to speak, in 12:1 with the word "therefore". And He emphatically declares, "present your bodies a living sacrifice." A modern way to say that would be, Give yourself completely to God, once for all. Would you examine your life this Christmas season? Have you surrendered yourself to God completely? If not, why not? If not before, how about right now? Give Him Your heart.

What Will You Give?

"Therefore, because of God's incredible mercy, I urge you to give to Him..."

These words mark the turning point in one of Paul's great writings in the New Testament. Some of you recognize them and know exactly where they are. The rest will have to wait until tomorrow. But have you considered what gift you will give to Jesus Christ this Christmas?

This Sunday I will preach the second message in our new series, "The Cradle that Rocked the World." The message is entitled, "Christmas is For-giving." The drummer boy raised the question in the song, what gift can I give that is fit for a king. The magi brought gold, frankincense and myrrh. But in reality, God owns everything in this universe, so what do you give someone who has everything? There really is one appropriate gift. Will you give it?