This Column Will Save Your Life
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Let’s talk…What Gift does God want from us?
Here are the answers in scripture:
The 3 offerings the Lord wants…The Lord requires us to do what is right. The Lord requires us to love mercy. The Lord requires us to walk humbly with your God.
God also requires that we fear the LORD our God. “Live in his presence in holy reverence, follow the road he sets out for you, love him, serve God, your God, with everything you have in you, obey the commandments and regulations of God that I’m commanding you today – live a good life.” (Deuteronomy 10:12-13) MSG
What can we bring to the LORD? “He’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, take God seriously.” (Micah 6:8) MSG
What can I offer the LORD for all he has done for me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the LORD’s name for saving me. I will keep my promises to the LORD in the presence of all his people. (Psalms 116:12-14) Because of His all-sufficiency and our emptiness, we honor God most by taking. His giving to us is the deepest reason why our best response to Him is our thankful acceptance of His mercies. The principle here: ‘God is love and wishes for our hearts,’ and not merely ‘God has all and does not need our gifts.’–MacLaren’s Expositions. Anything more than that is just a man-made invention trying to put you under bondage (Galatians 5). Anything less than that is pride following the footsteps of Satan walking away from God (Isaiah 14; Acts 17; 2 Thessalonians 2). This is consistent with God’s revealed message throughout the ages… To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. (1 Samuel 15:22) AMP
“I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don’t for a moment escape God’s notice”. (Psalm 51:17) MSG. This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you build me a temple as good as that? Could you build me such a resting place? My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine. I, the LORD, have spoken! “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word. (Isaiah 66:1-2) KJV
An expert in religious law asks Jesus: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” The man answered, ‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” (Luke 10:25-28) NLT
When anyone comes to the Lord in humble love and faith, God has promised to receive these offerings…Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people–that they would become a curse and be laid waste–and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I also have heard you, declares the LORD. (2 Kings 22:19) NIV
“I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. (Isaiah 57:15)
Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. (Joel 2:13) NIV
The gift you can give to God? A humble repenting from a hardened and prideful heart. Surrender of self with a believing, obeying, rejoicing and loving spirit. A great expectation to walk obediently and be molded by our Lord. A desire for revival in the soul, ignited by our almighty God.