Monday, February 21, 2011

Sacrifice

The practice of a blood sacrifice began in the book of Genesis, and was carried through the entire Old Testament until the Final Blood Sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross.

After that final sacrifice by Jesus which purchased for us Salvation, God no longer required a blood sacrifice.

Instead the Apostle Paul states in the book of Romans that we are to present ourselves to God as a “Living Sacrifice.”

Romans 12:1 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.

I have personally known friends who have sacrificed and gave up all for the cause of Christ. They had been called to serve The Lord, and when their fiancé was not interested in their call, the women followed Jesus, leaving behind their hope for a husband, a family and children of her own.

One friend has worked as a Missionary for Child Evangelism Fellowship, and her influence and sacrifice has brought thousands of children to find Jesus as Savior. She is a “Mother in Christ,” to children world wide. Her sacrifice of service continues today.

Another women, Lillian Trasher, ten days before her wedding, broke off her engagement and became a missionary as she followed Jesus to Assiout, Egypt where she established the Lillian Trasher orphanage. Many there called her “Mother” and she was indeed,

”The Mother of the Nile.” She was also known as the "Lady on a Donkey," as she rode a donkey requesting food for her orphans. Usually she was given more children and her orphanage grew in numbers.

Lillian Trasher: The Greatest Wonder in Egypt (Christian Heroes: Then and Now) by Geoff Benge and Janet Benge (Authors)

God may not ask you to sacrifice your family and leave for the unknown. Most often he is requiring you to stay where you are planted and bloom for him as a LIVING Sacrifice in word and in deed. Your ministry first is to your own husband and children, then to your family and friends.

Also daily offer to the Lord, your “Sacrifice of praise.” Your verbal praise in song or in prayer becomes a sweet smelling Sacrifice to the Lord.

This post has been entered in “One Word at a time” the word is SACRIFICE. Visit and enjoy other posts at: http://peterpollock.com/2011/02/sacrifice-blog-carnival/



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11 comments:

Glynn said...

It's in the sacrifice -- that living sacrifice -- that we are transformed into oneness with the Lord. Good post, Hazel.

katdish said...

I have great admiration for those brave enough to pray: Use me for your glory, God. Whatever you ask of me, I will do.

To pray that and mean it takes great sacrifice.

Jeanne Damoff said...

Good word, Hazel. Thank you.

Sandra Heska King said...

I need to become better acquainted with Lillian.

We forget that to bloom where we are planted as living sacrifices is a pleasing aroma.

Great post.

Cris Ferreira said...

Hazel, those women lived beautiful and inspiring lives. I truly believe that God provided everything they needed, and they had a great sense of accomplishment even tough they had to give certain things up to follow His call.
Sometimes we are afraid to give some things up, but God always has much more for us when we follow His plan.

Anne Lang Bundy said...

What wonderful illustrations, Hazel Moon! Such faithful women are an inspiration, even as you are.

I'm so pleased to share the vision with you, my sister, the missionary ministry of wives and mothers. There was a time when I thought that if I'd known the Lord sooner, I might have become a missionary serving the Lord in some distant land. I see now that His plan was for me to be a missionary, or ambassador, of a different sort, in another distant place.

Wherever and whomever we serve, our home is in Heaven, we are all "sisters and brothers and mothers" for the Lord Jesus (Matthew 12:49-50).

lynnmosher said...

It is a great sacrifice to live the life of a missionary. There are few who can do it. However, God gives each of His children an outpost to conquer. Good post. Thank you, Hazel.

Lisa notes... said...

A living sacrifice where right I am...that's what I strive for. Thanks for the encouragement!

Anonymous said...

good post, hazel

Mari-Anna Frangén Stålnacke said...

Great post, Hazel. I truly enjoyed it. Thank you so much! God bless you as your serve him!

Loni said...

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. It is nice to "meet" you.

So appreciated: "Your ministry first is to your own husband and children, then to your family and friends."

So many, especially those in ministry need be reminded of this. Thank you for sharing!