Gleanings for February 9

We are to be LIVING SACRIFICES

Genesis 8: 20 – 22 NLB: “Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and sacrificed on it the animals and birds that had been approved for that purpose. And the Lord was pleased with the sacrifice and said to Himself,

“I will never again curse the earth, destroying all living things, even though people’s thoughts and actions are bent toward evil from childhood. While the earth remains, SEEDTIME and HARVEST, COLD and HEAT, WINTER and SUMMER, and DAY and NIGHT shall NOT cease.”

God’s promises to us will (also) NEVER CEASE!! That truth has been forever sealed in my heart—I trust you can say the same thing. God’s integrity, His reliability is the foundation for our being able to put our trust in Him.

There is an established principle presented in the verse above. A quotation from Kingdom Dynamics relates this truth:

“Noah’s first acts after the Flood were to build an altar and sacrifice to the Lord. God was pleased and made promises to the human family through the faith of Noah. He also instituted the Law of Seedtime and Harvest: “While the earth remains seedtime and harvest…shall not cease.”

“When God created the first living thing, He gave it the ability to grow and multiply. How? Through the Seed. Your life began by the seed principle. Every act of your life since your birth has operated by the seed principle—they come from good seeds or bad seeds you have sown—whether or not you were consciously aware of your seed-planting.

“The principle continues today. To overcome life’s problems, reach your potential in life, see your life become fruitful, multiplied, replenished (that is, in health, finance, spiritual renewal, family, or your entire being), determine to follow God’s law of seedtime and harvest. Sow the seed of His promise in the soil of your need.”

GIVING is the heart of “Seed Faith”; this often calls for “sacrifice”. A seed must be “given away”--put in the ground before fruit can grow. Noah brought a “sweet smelling” sacrifice to the Lord—the “best” of the animals and birds that he had cared for. The promise of protection for his family followed the offering he gave.

The New Testament challenge for us is found in Romans 12: 1 NKJV: “I urge you, by the mercies of God that you present YOUR BODIES a LIVING sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God which is your reasonable (appropriate) service.”

Giving up “our rights to our own selves” TO GOD is what that verse means. He desires to hold the “reigns” and give direction to your life. Fear not. He is completely trustworthy. “He cares for YOU.” He wants to bless you so you can know:

THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH!!