GIFTS and SACRIFICES

We all, as believers and watchers are pretty good Christians as a whole
and endeaver to do the right thing as we see it. We're cool enough now that we do these things not for any credit from HIM, we just do them because we feel that CHRIST would  HIMSELF given similar circumstances. We don't even think about them ,  they  seem automatic and they make us feel good.  They, in
fact,  make us confident in our relationship with HIM so that growing that
relationship isn't too high on the "to-do" list at the moment.  However, let's
just say for the moment we ask ourselves,,,,just how far can this relationship
with my LORD, MASTER, SAVIOR, KING and "friend" can go? HE
doesn't set limits on it, if fact HE STRONGLY ENCOURAGES us to
draw closer to HIM through prayer, works that grow our faith, and
certainly OBEDIENCE to HIS VOICE we hear with our mind's ear that
we KNOW to be HIS.  Do we allow that VOICE to lead us in every aspect
of our lives? This LIFE that HE has given to us, have we given it back to HIM
or just the parts we can't handle or scare us? Doesn'tHE ask us to do just that? HE is the GOOD SHEPHERD  and will lead us into all peace. ( even
if we don't understand it at the time)   All HE does is for good,  HE is
incapable doing otherwise.  HE is, after all GOD!  HE too is in favor of us
getting to know HIS SON better while we are still on this earth.  Do you
suppose there is some benefit for that later on in HEAVEN?  

        Let's talk about SACRIFICE.   Sacrifice as it pertains to today's
Christian can be summed up as a rejection of todays world and all there-
in which stands between a modern Christian and His/Her relationship
with CHRIST(the HOLY SPIRIT)  All that would be an IDOL would probably
qualify.  Is there anything you adore?  Even people?  A spouse?
Children?  Cat or Dog?  Collection of "fine antiques" ? Howabout
Your  Home?  Proud of that?  Like to hear friends and neighbors ooh &
aah about your home or surroundings? "Hey!  You gotta check out my
game room"!  "Bet you never saw anything like this before"!   We're all
guilty of that attitude, it's part of who we are today.  As a people,  we
gauge our success by accumulation and  income, even to the organizations
we belong to. (especially if there is a STATUS component to the group.  How
many of us really put HIM above ALL earthly matters that we are concerned
with in our modern world? So MANY THINGS  demanding our attention.
Is that just the way "things have evolved in our society"  or do you think
there might be a EVIL COMPONENT to these seemingly endless dis-
tractions?  There has never been a person on their "death bed" wishing
they had spent more time at the "office".  Read John 15:4-5. Let's  start  right now
and do what HE asks us to do while we're waiting for HIS glorious RETURN.
Lets put ALL these seemingly important earthly matters aside, and ask HIM to
take TOTAL CONTROL of ALL  aspects of  ourselves and be WILLING SERVANTS
to our LORD and  KING  so HE can make GOOD USE  of  us in what little time
remains.  Ask HIM for this,  you will not regret it.  After all,  who wouldn't want to
be closer to the LORD if given the chance?  Don't we all have loved ones we are
worried about in this late hour? Don't you think that being closer to HIM  will be
of a benefit to us in our witnessing to them? Of course it will!  So for our sake and
their's,  let us do what HE asks and seek HIM till HE answers. Today is a good day
to ask HIM for an increased presence in our lives. Remember HE said "I
don't want your gifts and sacrifices,  I WANT YOU TO BE MERCIFUL
AND OBEDIENT.  (Kind AND follow the H.S. instructions). Also to (this
is important) ask for forgiveness DAILY. This serves to keep us in touch
every day which pleases the LORD. How can we ask for blessings without
confessing our sins?Our acknowledging our failures every day is what
calls on HIS mercy to answer our prayers. NEVER FORGET THAT!
Remember HE died for ALL of our sins, past, present, and future!  
Struggling not to sin is not as well received as CONFESSING of and
asking for HIS forgiveness of the sins we commit.  This also covers the
sins we are not even aware of committing. Think on this,  how can we try
not to do something we not even aware of?  That's what DAILY confession
covers.  Besides, that is mentioned in the Bible that we should do this. While we are
waiting for HIM why not wait for HIM as close to HIM as possible?

             LOVE TO ALL,   TH