Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Tag: Living Sacrifice

Drive them away

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On August 14, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

When Abram asked the Lord as to how he would know that he would inherit the land that the Lord was giving him, the Lord asked Abram to bring him a sacrifice of a heifer, she goat, ram, each three years old, a turtledove and a young pigeon. Abram did as he was told and he brought these animals and birds as a sacrifice to the Lord. But when the birds of the air came down upon the sacrifice, Abram drove them away.

Points to ponder:
When we present our lives as a living sacrifice to the Lord, there are many things that attempt to steal our sacrifice away. What we ought to do is drive all these things away, just as Abram did. We need to watch for the all which try to steal the sacrifice of our lives to the Lord, and drive them away. Are you a driver?

Genesis 15:9-11 (KJV)
9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
10 And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.
11 And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.

Worship wherever

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On July 1, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 13 tells us that when Abram left Egypt, he came back to the place between Bethel and Ai, where he had built an altar, before he had moved to Egypt. There he called on the name of the Lord, meaning that he worshipped God again. Then at the end of the chapter, we learn that Abram moved from there to the plain of Mamre (the Amorite friend of his), on Hebron, where again he built there an altar to worship the Lord. From this we see that wherever Abram went he built an altar to worship the Lord. In fact, it is the first thing that is recorded of Abram’s doings, in any new place.

Points to ponder:
Worship was an integral part of Abram’s life. He remembered the Lord first in whatever place he was … as a priority. Each one of us are in different places in our lives, but what is important is that our life is surrounded by worship bookends … in the beginning and in the end, wherever we are. Let our life be built as an altar and our body be presented on it, as a living sacrifice which is the reasonable action of worship (calling on the name of the Lord) (Romans 12:1). Is worship an integral part of our life, wherever we go? Think about it!

Genesis 13:3-4,18 (KJV)
3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;
4 Unto the place of the altar, which he had make there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the Lord.
…
18 Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord.

Seed and Sacrifice

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On January 9, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Jesus Christ - The Ark, Jesus in the N.T., Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

Children’s books that give the account of Noah and the ark he built, often depict the animals going into the ark two by two. Seldom do any of them make the distinction that there were seven pairs of clean beasts and the fowls of the air, both male and female, while there was only one pair of unclean beasts, both male and female that entered the ark.

Some speculate that it was for the sustenance of Noah and his family, but there is a fallacy in this conjecture as meat was not given unto man for food until after the flood (Genesis 9:4). So if the clean beasts and clean fowls were not for sustenance, why were they to be taken into the ark, in more numbers than the unclean ones.

The Bible says that God wanted the seed to be alive on the face of the earth (Genesis 7:3). It was also necessary to worship God by offering him a sacrifice, when the time was due (Genesis 4:3) and so if there was only pair of clean beasts and clean fowl in the ark, there would have been none left for the seed to be alive after they were sacrifice.

Having seven pairs of clean beasts ensured that even after a sacrifice was made (Genesis 8:20), there was still that kind of beast available for replenishing the earth to keep that seed alive.

Though the distinction of clean and unclean beasts was not given until the time of the Levitical law (Leviticus 11) during the time of Moses and Aaron, from Genesis 4:4 we see that God had certain expectations of what a sacrifice to him should be like – one like that of Abel and not as that of Cain.

Points to ponder:
God wants us his seed to be alive in Christ Jesus, the Ark of God, but he also expects us to worship him by sacrificing ourselves as a living sacrifice that is clean i.e., pleasing and acceptable unto the Lord (Romans 12:1-2). Would you consider your life clean? In other words, have you been washed by the shed blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ?

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully resting in his grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you washed in the blood, in the soul cleansing blood of the lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

If not, “Come now, and let us reason together,  says the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18).

Genesis 7:2-3 (KJV)
2 Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.
3 Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth.

Genesis 8:20 (KJV)
20 And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

Isaiah 1:18 (KJV)
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)
1 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.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Why Give? :: Love expression

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On September 17, 2012

In Christian, Giving

We are counseled to give (offer) our bodies as a living sacrifice to God and not be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind. But why give? Giving is the true outward expression of inner love. God so loved the world the world that HE GAVE us his only begotten son, through whom came eternal life. When we love God, we will give as an expression of our love for him.

Points to ponder:
Do you/I truly express our love for God? In other words, do you/I give (offer) our bodies as a living service to God which is reasonable service.

John 3:16 (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)
1 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.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Professional Speaking :: Jesus The Cost Estimator

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On July 30, 2012

In Christian, Professional Speaking

In Luke 14:28, Jesus poses a vital question, which may seem rhetorical, but it provides the basis for anyone involved in starting any project, be it in their professional or their personal life. The question posed was “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” As effective managers of resources (temporal or physical), we are expected to ensure that we can finish what we begin, lest we are ridiculed.

Even though, Jesus Christ, was ridiculed and mocked, by his crucifiers (Mark 15:15-20), he successfully finished the work of redemption that God began in and through him. When he estimated the cost for man to be reconciled with God, he knew that it would cost God “all of God” and “nothing of man” for that work to be completed. And when his estimation was complete, he agonized over that fact that it would cost him his very own life to pay this cost, and hoped that this cost would be passed from him, but not willing his own but instead willing to submit to God (Luke 22:41-44), and out of his love for his people, he joyfully endured the Cross, despising its shame (Hebrews 12:2), and humbled himself willingly, becoming obedient to God the Father unto death, even death on the Cross (Philippians 2:6-8) from where he declared that the work of God’s redemption was finished, or in other words, the estimated “Cost” of man’s redemption was now “paid in full” (Tetelastai) (John 19:30).

Points to ponder:
Jesus, The Cost Estimator not only estimated the cost for man to be reconciled with God but he also paid it to finish the work that God had sent him to accomplish. As disciples of his, are we merely counting the cost of being his followers or are we paying the cost of being a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God (Romans 12:1)?

Luke 14:28 (KJV)
28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

Convicted as charged

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On April 16, 2012

In Christian

The Bible states that we must be imitators of God as dearly beloved children (Ephesians 5:1) and counsels us to walk in love as Christ loved us and offer ourselves as a living sacrifice as did Christ Jesus (Ephesians 5:2). We must not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2), so that we may prove what is good, acceptable and the perfect, will of God.

Points to ponder:
Someone questioned, “If we were to be arrested for being Christians, would there be enough evidence to convict us?”. Think about this. Are you/I imitators of God? In other words, will we be convicted as charged for being followers of Jesus Christ, proving that our lives are good, acceptable and perfect, according to the will of God?

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT)
1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 
2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. 

Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)
1 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.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Jesus Amongst Thieves

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On April 9, 2012

In Christian

Interestingly, Jesus was accused of many things so that they could crucify him, but not as a thief, yet he was numbered with the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12) and was crucified in between two thieves, according to the Scripture (Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27). For those who are familiar with the crucifixion account, one of the thieves was repentant and believed in Jesus as Lord and King (Luke 23:42) while the other was rebellious and refused the Redeemer on the Cross.

While reading this account, let us be careful to not just write off these thieves as two individuals, recorded in history, in the event of the Crucifixion. Accordingly to Malachi 3:8, the Bible establishes the fact that, many a times, we act as thieves as well. We rob God in our tithes (by withholding what is already his) and in our offering (by not offering our bodies as a living sacrifice).

Points to ponder:
Jesus finds himself, even today, amongst thieves, but the question that remains is what kind? Symbolically the two thieves that hung along side Jesus, reflects the dichotomy that exists in our society as to how one perceives the Redeeming Jesus Christ on the Cross; some have a change of heart, while others harden it. The one who believed and repented was assured of Salvation. Which kind of thief are you and  I – a rebel or a repentant one? Jesus is amongst thieves, amongst you and me and we can’t rob him.

Malachi 3:8 (KJV)
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)
1 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.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Christian Senses :: To Smell

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On July 13, 2011

In Christian, Christian Senses

The Bible talks about two kinds of smell, namely the stench of death and the aroma of life (2 Corinthians 2:16). Apostle Paul writes that as ministers of the New Covenant (i.e., followers of Christ), we are a sweet savour (aroma) of Christ unto God and the aroma of life unto those who have life, but the smell of death to those who are dying (2 Corinthians 2:15-16). In other words, as Christians we must smell. Yes you read that right! We must smell.

But what must we smell like?

To God, we must be the sweet-smelling savor of Christ. What is this savour of Christ? It is the aroma of A sacrifice. Jesus gave himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor (Ephesians 5:2). Likewise, our lives must be an offering and a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2), with an aroma that is sweet-smelling to God.

Now to men, what kind of a smell are we, when we bring the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ? If you liken the good news to a rose and it is presented to someone, some would smell the fragrance of the rose and enjoy it while others may complain about the thorns that can prick them. The same is true when we present the Rose of Sharon (Jesus Christ) to others. Those who are in Christ, will perceive him to be the aroma of life while others who are have not believed in Him or who outrightly reject/deny Him will perceive such knowledge to be the smell of death, when it pricks their conscience. Irrespective of what one perceives, we are to present Jesus Christ and live a life of service unto God and man, so that we are a sweetsmelling aroma to God.

Point(s) to ponder:
1. If God was to smell you/me today, what would we smell like? Stench or Aroma?
2. Are/I you willing to present the Rose of Sharon, Jesus Christ, to those around us?

Ephesians 5:2 (KJV)
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (KJV)
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

An offering for an offering!

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On June 15, 2010

In Christian

The writer to the Hebrews writes in chapter 10 verse 10 that Jesus Christ was offered bodily once for all. But why was Jesus an Offering? The answer is found in the text itself, Jesus was offered so that all can be sanctified. To be sanctified is to be set apart. To be set apart is to be renewed in our minds and refreshed in our heart to have allegiance unto none other than Jesus Christ. In other words, to be set apart is to offer ourselves (our bodies) as a living sacrifice.

Jesus offered Himself to the death sacrifice so that we can offer ourselves as a living sacrifice.
Jesus Christ offered his body and we are expected to do the same as well.

In other words, an offering for an offering. His offering warrants ours.

Hebrews 10:10 (KJV)
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)
1 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.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Teach us to number our days

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On June 4, 2009

In Christian

When man was made in the image of God, from the dust of the ground, God breathed into man the breath of life and the Bible records that man became a “Living Soul” ((Genesis 2:7). The translated word ‘became‘ implies that, that which was not living (dust of the ground) is now living (man). The curse placed on man, upon his disobedience to God (sin in the garden of Eden) was that “from dust we are and to dust we will return” (Genesis 3:19) and the LORD God said, man may try to take and eat from the tree of life (in the garden) and live forever and hence banished man from the garden, with no access to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:22-24)

When we die, our souls depart (Genesis 35:18) from this earthly enclosure we call bodies and goes to be with the Lord (to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord; 2 Corinthians 5:8), until the appointed time, when the earthly body is transformed (1 Corinthians 15) from being ephemeral to eternal, so that it can be judged, each according to what he/she has done (it is appointed unto man to die once and then enter into judgment; Hebrews 9:27).

It is noteworthy to recognize that we are made a living soul, not a living body. Each of us have an appointment to die. Each of our days are recorded in God’s calendar. In fact, even before we were formed in our mother’s womb, we were in the mind of God, known by Him. Our bodies are merely ephemeral jars of clay that hold in it the eternal soul. But while we are still alive, we try to live as if we are going to be live forever. We live as if our bodies are eternal (Living Bodies) and not our souls (Dead Souls).

God’s plan is that we live as Living Souls and Dead Bodies (i.e., sacrificing the desires of the flesh, as a living sacrifice). The Psalmist says, “Teach us to number our days” (Psalm 90) and this does not mean that we need the Lord to teach us not to count our days, but instead, it means that we need to ask the Lord to make our days count.

Every day, in which we live for  God as a living sacrifice is a day that will count in God’s account. Let’s each learn how to make our days count (the short time we have on earth, in our bodies).

Kingdoms come and Kingdoms Go
But through the Word of God, I know
When all in life is done and past,
Only what is done for Christ will Last

P.S: This post was inspired by the children of dear friends (Esther Boyalapalli, Ashton Mathew and Aaron Williams), each fighting cancer. I pray that you keep these loved ones in your prayers. Please feel free to post the links of family and friends that need support and prayers.

Psalm 90:12 (KJV)
12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

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