When I first became a believer in 1975, my dear mom got me some Christian albums she thought I might like.  I absolutely LOVED them and listened to them over and over.  There was a group called Children of the Day, and one of their songs was about a young man’s testimony.  I’ll never forget this line as he talked to the Lord, “I know it’s not a sacrifice for me to give to You my life to take away my sin.”  So profoundly true!!  God is perfect, omnipotent, and always wants good for us.  Anything we give to Him is used to make us better!

From the journal . . . . April 1995

Lord, I was pretty discouraged yesterday and I’m not much better today.  I feel so far behind in my science class.  I need Your help so much Lord.  So much.  Lord, how much of this time I take is really for You?

And I Believe God Said:

Much.  Whether you are studying My word or just telling Me your problems, you honor Me by giving that time.  Of course, it is for your good and so it’s not a sacrifice. However, you honor Me because you see the value.  You spend time focusing on Me and your relationship with Me, and I am better able to use you.  You, like Mary, have found the better thing. 

Luke 10:40-41.  But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” ⁴¹ But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! ⁴² There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”  NLT

Don’t grow weary. Keep on entrusting yourself to Me. I am perfecting you. I will do it.

Matt 5:48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
2 Cor 3:18  So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.
Phil 1:6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
John 14:14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

When I began my life with Jesus we had financial concerns.  Two different times we almost lost our house, so monetary giving felt very much like a sacrifice, and tithing seemed very impractical.  However, we learned tithing is what God expects from us, so we did it. Sometimes it was really scary, but God saw us through.

“Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. Mal 3:8

“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.  Matthew 23:23

⁶ Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. ⁷ You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7  

Later, when I went to college, time was the valuable commodity, and I felt I never had enough of it.  Yet I knew I needed God and a relationship with Him.  That involved prayer, worship, Bible study, and service to Him. Again, God more than blessed that ‘sacrifice.’   Nothing, including the monetary things, compares with relationship with Jesus.

This week I wasn’t consciously looking for a Palm Sunday journal entry when I decided on this one, but Wow, it seems very fitting. Mine is not a sacrifice. His was.