get to do good and share with others for with such sacrifices God is pleased .” ( Hebrews 13:15-16 )
We have to choose to continually offer God a sacrifice of praise . And what is that sacrifice ? The fruit of lips that openly profess his name . Our praise is not only to our Lord but we praise him by professing him before others . The Greek word for “ profess ” is the same word translated “ acknowledge ” in Matthew 10:32 . Jesus said , “ Whoever acknowledges me before others , I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven .” We are to be quick to speak of our Lord and tell others about him .
This truth is woven throughout the Bible from the Old to the New Testament . Each of us is part of a holy priesthood , offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ ( 1 Peter 2:5 ). What are these spiritual sacrifices ? As a part of the holy priesthood , we are to be ministers of our God and intercessors . As a priest we speak to people about God ’ s way of salvation . As intercessors we speak to God on behalf of people who are lost without Him . Both take intentional service of laying ourselves down in order to minister and intercede for others .
This is reiterated a few verses later when Peter says , “ You are a chosen people , a royal priesthood , a holy nation , God ’ s special possession , that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light .” ( 1 Peter 2:9 ) We are set apart with a very specific purpose , to declare the praises of our God . We join the woman at the well in proclaiming the One who brought each of us out of darkness and into the kingdom of Light .
But it doesn ’ t come easy in the business of this life .
That is one reason I have loved watching women and men intentionally taking steps of faith in their neighborhoods , families , friends and workplaces . As we invite others to study God ’ s Word with us , we have many opportunities to proclaim Him . The invitation to Bible study is just the beginning . Through one act of faith God opens many doors to be His ambassador ! I love watching people lay aside their desires and their routine to allow God to use them . This has been a sacrifice of praise and proclamation with which God has been pleased .
This summer , Judi felt God ’ s leading to invite her condo community in Traverse City to join her for a Bible Study . She opened her hands to God ’ s plan and purposes for her being where He had placed her . That one act of obedience has opened a floodgate for ministry .
Not only has she helped women navigate the Bible for the first time but earlier this summer she wrote , “ The invitation note is still on the mailbox for people who come at different times . Yesterday a man who lives there said he saw the note and wondered if I could help him with a Bible question . We had a little discussion . A lady asked if she could talk to me and we stood in the lake and talked about the sovereignty of God . I sent a lesson notebook with a lady from Kansas who had come to visit her sister and came to the study . Collette in our group , found a Bible believing church that hosts Bible Study Fellowship in her area . This has really been God working in my summer neighborhood !” Judi ’ s step of faith has required far more than she would have ever thought , but her joy in watching God work around her and through her has been overflowing !
This is our sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess his name . The intentional laying down of our lives in doing good and sharing with others .
May we as the church live the words of Chris Tomlin ’ s song …
I lay me down I ' m not my own I belong to you alone
Letting go of my pride Giving up all my rights Take this life and let it shine , shine , shine Take this life and let it shine
By Susan Sorensen Pastoral Staff , Women ’ s Ministry
Susan has been married to Scott for 29 years and they have two sons . As a result of her cancer journey , Susan co-authored Praying Through Cancer , a devotional book that has brought many women to the throne of Grace where they have received courage to face their greatest fears .
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