Putting "Self" on the Altar
"If we have built an altar for ourselves to turn away from the Lord." Joshua 22:23 NLT
In the Bible an altar represented different things. It represented sacrificing to God by giving Him the best of the sheep in your flock. It represented worshiping God and putting Him above all else in life. It represented humility, acknowledging your need of God and your total dependence on Him. But it's also possible to build an altar "for ourselves." By doing so, we rob God of His rightful place in our lives and begin to put ourselves first. In other words, we build an altar to self-interest, self-promotion, self-preservation, self-aggrandizement, and self-explanation. That's why Jesus sets the following standard for discipleship, and it's a high standard: "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" (Matthew 16:24 NKJV). Your "cross" has only one purpose, and that's for "self" to die on. Paul writes: "For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live" (Romans 8:13 NKJV). Note the words "put to death." Your flesh, or your ego and carnal nature, will not willingly roll over and die; it must be crucified each day. And the power to do this can only be accessed by spending time in prayer with God and renewing your mind constantly with the Word of God. So today the choice is yours; to build an altar to the Lord, you must first put "self" on the altar. Are you ready to do that?
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word for You Today
In the Bible an altar represented different things. It represented sacrificing to God by giving Him the best of the sheep in your flock. It represented worshiping God and putting Him above all else in life. It represented humility, acknowledging your need of God and your total dependence on Him. But it's also possible to build an altar "for ourselves." By doing so, we rob God of His rightful place in our lives and begin to put ourselves first. In other words, we build an altar to self-interest, self-promotion, self-preservation, self-aggrandizement, and self-explanation. That's why Jesus sets the following standard for discipleship, and it's a high standard: "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" (Matthew 16:24 NKJV). Your "cross" has only one purpose, and that's for "self" to die on. Paul writes: "For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live" (Romans 8:13 NKJV). Note the words "put to death." Your flesh, or your ego and carnal nature, will not willingly roll over and die; it must be crucified each day. And the power to do this can only be accessed by spending time in prayer with God and renewing your mind constantly with the Word of God. So today the choice is yours; to build an altar to the Lord, you must first put "self" on the altar. Are you ready to do that?
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word for You Today
Recent
Archive
2021
January
A Word For The New Year (1)A Word For The New Year (2)Trust God and Don't Be AfraidKeep PerseveringLet Go, And Let GodA Word For The New Year (3)A Word For The New Year (4)Why Pray?Have You Read Your Bible Today?Learn To WaitWhere Can You Find Peace?Trust God's Saving And Keeping PowerDealing With Fear (1)Dealing With Fear (2)Dealing With Fear (3)Dealing With Fear (4)Dealing With Fear (5)Dealing With Fear (6)Dealing With Fear (7)Are You Successful But Unfulfilled?Choice MorselsYou're Commanded To LoveLive For What Matters!Today God Is With YouThe Assurance Of SalvationHave You Stumbled?You Can Have Peace And ProsperityHow To Walk In God's Blessings (1)How To Walk In God's Blessings (2)You're "Graced" For This TestAre You Under Pressure Today?Why You Need A Relationship With GodHow To Strengthen Your MarriageGive God The First Moments Of Your Day
February
Keep Believing in ThemSeek God's "Peace" Concerning ItDecide, and Stick With It!Dealing with Your Doubts (1)Dealing with Your Doubts (2)The StingGod Will Provide "All" You NeedLoving and Accepting OthersGenerational BlessingsYou Must Respond With GraceTurn Your Loss Into Gain (1)Turn Your Loss Into Gain (2)Turn Your Loss Into Gain (3)Your Identity Determines Your InheritanceTake it to God in PrayerGiving to Your SupplierHow Are You Coming Across?Get a "Preparation Perspective"Believe it, God's Word is TrueThe Power of Intimacy With ChristLive For Something Greater Than YourselfDealing With Our SinUnderstanding True Holiness"Do" God's WordUse What God Has Given You"Be of Good Courage, And Do It"Always Keep Your Conscience ClearThinking of Yourself Less
March
People Pleasing (1)People Pleasing (2)Can You Pay The Price?Today Try To Be GraciousGoodness (1)Goodness (2)Tell Someone About Jesus TodayPreparing For Greater ThingsYour Words Reveal Your HeartYour Family Background Doesn't MatterOur Nation Can Be SavedShow Some Enthusiasm!Let God Use Your BusinessCultivate An Awareness Of God's PresenceLoving People You Don't LikeCast Out Your FearsDon't Belittle Your GiftGod Will Visit You AgainAccept Responsibility For Your LifeLearn To Set BoundariesWhat Will Your Legacy Be? (1)What Will Your Legacy Be? (2)What Will Your Legacy Be? (3)Sow For The FutureCrossing The "What If" LineDo What God Called You To DoBe Who God Made You To Be!Keeping The Excitement AliveGetting Beyond "The Splat"Don't Worry, God is FaithfulKeep on Persevering
April
Always Be HonestRedefining "Good" FridayThe Battle Over the ResurrectionThe Work Was FinishedRenew Your Love for ChristConquering Your Toughest Enemy - Yourself!Are You Struggling With Change?Don't Listen to the AccuserHarmony at Home (1)Harmony at Home (2)Harmony at Home (3)The Secret to Surviving Hard TimesYour Old Nature and Your New OnePrayer Can Change Your LifePrayer: Make it Simple and FrequentAre You Worried? Pray About It!Either Rule, Or Be RuledAnswering the Big Questions (1)Answering the Big Questions (2)Answering the Big Questions (3)Answering the Big Questions (4)Answering the Big Questions (5)How to Handle Disagreements (1)How to Handle Disagreements (2)Putting "Self" on the AltarThe Power of Influence (1)The Power of Influence (2)"Casting," or "Keeping."Memorizing Scripture and Conquering WorryTake Care of Each Other
2020
October
Facing Death Without Fear (1)Facing Death Without Fear (2)Training Leaders Who Can Train Others (1)Training Leaders Who Can Train Others (2)The Martyr's ContestOld VoicesThink God Picked the Wrong Person?What You Weren't Sent to Do!Love and Enjoy Your ChildrenQuality and QuantitySoul HungerGod is Working in YouGrowth is More Important than GoalsDon't Stagnate!True Understanding Comes From Your BibleGet Rid of ItBelieve That God Has Heard YouLove ListensAre You in a Storm Today?How to Keep Your Peace and JoyHow to Pray EffectivelyGive Your Worries to GodTry Brainstorming (1)Try Brainstorming (2)Be Generous With GodFinding Purpose in Your WorkYou "Must" Love YourselfThe Gift of EncouragmentDon't Spread DiscouragementGo Back to Bethel!When Your Family Doesn't Understand You
November
Obstacles To Answered Prayer (3)Obstacles To Answered Prayer (4)Obstacles To Answered Prayer (5)Obstacles To Answered Prayer (6)We Need Each OtherYou Need Purpose, And PersistenceLearn To Say Yes Or NoThe Protocol For ChurchDon't Obsess Over The FutureAreas Of Success, Areas Of StruggleYou Can Begin Your Life Over AgainKeep Persevering And You'll WinTemptation (1)Temptation (2)You Are Gifted By God (1)You Are Gifted By God (2)You Are Gifted By God (3)Personal Growth (1)Personal Growth (2)Lean On God\'s Presence And His PeopleThink Realistically (1)Think Realistically (2)What's Your Vision?Keep ImprovingInsecurity In LeadershipSet Free To Fulfill Your Destiny
December
By God's Grace You Can OvercomeStrength Through SharingSustaining GraceWe Serve a Generous GodForgive Because You've Been ForgivenTry to Make RestitutionProtect Your MindMake Your Life Count for GodYou're Accepted, Loved, and SecureThe Bible and Your Health (1)The Bible and Your Health (2)The Truth of Creation (1)The Truth of Creation (2)The Truth of Creation (3)The Truth of Creation (4)The Truth of Creation (5)The Mickey Mantle StorySet Healthy Boundaries for YourselfDollars and DiamondsHave You Prayed About It?Forget It and Move OnHold On Until Your Joy ComesKeep Your Conscience ClearAre You Alone This Christmas?Christmas is About - ChristBe FlexibleFocus on the Solution not the ProblemHave You Been Betrayed?
Categories
no categories