Dear Friends,

Recently in worship, I asked the question: “What does it truly mean to be a ‘living sacrifice’’’? The apostle Paul refers to this in the Letter to the Romans, as cited above.

A sacrifice is something dedicated to God. In the Old Testament, the faith community practiced sacrifice by offering a lamb to God. It was though a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. It is because of the sacrifice of Jesus, that we have been made right with God, an in turn, we live our lives not according to the world’s standards, but according to God’s standards.

Being a living sacrifice for God means offering ourselves not in death, but through the way we live. The new life we have been given transforms us as we dedicate our whole heart, mind, body, and soul to God’s will.

When anyone presents themselves as a living sacrifice this is what begins to happen:

·        They genuinely love rather than merely pretending.

·        They honor one another above themselves.

·        They reject laziness and pursue zeal in serving the Lord.

·        They remain patient in hardship, joyful in hope, and persistent in prayer.

·        They practice hospitality and generosity.

·        They bless their persecutors rather than seek revenge.

·        They celebrate with those who rejoice and grieve with those who weep.

·        They pursue humility, avoid arrogance and serve to live at peace with others.

·        They refuse to be conquered by evil and conquer evil by doing good.

For me, these traits flow from my gratitude for God’s grace, mercy, and love. I express that gratitude by giving my time, talents, and treasures to serve this congregation.

To be a good steward of my time, I try to use my time wisely, in the way I take care of the church family, my husband, and myself.

To be a good steward of my talents, is to share the gifts that the Spirit of God has encouraged in me. As the apostle Paul writes: if you are to lead then lead, if you are to teach, then teach, if you are to serve, then serve, if you are to encourage, then encourage.

Being a good steward of my treasures means generously sharing the financial resources entrusted to me. To share my wealth to support the ministry and mission of the Church of Jesus Christ here in Mount Clemens, to provide gift cards to those in need, and to give to charities that work to improve the lives of those they serve.

I have seen members of this church practice this same kind of sacrifice by putting others’ needs ahead of their own.

Still, I hope you will look at the list of qualities or traits listed above and consider prayerfully how you show your thankfulness to God by being a “living sacrifice” in your own lives. And how does this sacrifice, leads you to the reknewed giving of your time, talents, and treasures for the glory of God.

I thank God for you,

Pastor Kathy Nealand