KEY SCRIPTURE: Rom 12:1 KJV” I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

In our study about the makeup of the ark, we left out two qualities of the gold that I would want us to talk about now. We said the gold naturally must be pure. Its process of purification is through fire. This act means it naturally accepts great sacrifice to attain its desired end. The word is sacrifice. Sacrifice is to willingly give up something dear or precious that ultimately glorifies God. It is a willing act.

As the living Ark of God, we must make lots of sacrifices. When I talk about sacrifices, I do not mean things like sickness. The Lord taught that sickness is an oppression of Satan, and the child of God must not tolerate. He must always stand against it and resist it in faith, and the Lord says it would flee away like its source. When I talk about sacrifice, I mean actions that keep us more pure and holy as saints of God. A Saint of God must fast and pray. Many times, it is not praying for ourselves but praying for others. Especially those who are bound by sin and all kinds of demonic activities. We must also endure hardships as ministers or servants of God. 2Co 6:4 KJV “But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;” Apostle Paul says he w8llingly accepts to go through these distressing circumstances and does not get offended in any way. This is one of the means of sacrificing.

The essence of sacrifices is to end up very pure. Purity is seen in a heart truly in love with God, and that makes you want to please God. Purity is not about showing anything to men, but a state that increases your commitment to God. It is this true love for God that constantly drives you away from sinful fleshly life to always choose that which would honour God. Sacrifice should be normal with us because that is our nature. When dealing with certain difficult people, we must bear with their difficulties. This is a sacrifice. When we have to go out of our way to support the weak and needy. Many times, this is done not out of our abundance but at quite challenging times. Mar 12:43 KJV “And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:” This woman made a great and real sacrifice. Such unqualified sacrifice always attracts God’s unqualified attention. Please, how many of the worshippers who offered touched Jesus to make any comment but this poor widow? In the way Jesus commented, Heaven would release angels to go and assist her so she does not go hungry and poor. God would always respond to your sacrifice.

CONFESSION

I am a living Ark of God, and I represent God by making sacrifices on every occasion as the word of God and the Spirit of God would demand. My sacrifice draws me closer to the Father in love and purity. God also responds in many amazing ways, showing his power and providence. Amen

FURTHER STUDIES

1Co 15:58 KJV:” Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

Phi 2:17 KJV” Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.”