"Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me, with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased."
-Hebrews 10: 5-6

Offering

Have you ever wondered what you have to offer? What can you offer God? What is it that God wants from you? In the Old Testament Abraham faced these questions. You can read about it in Genesis chapter 22. In this chapter of Genesis God tests Abraham. He tells Abraham to take his son, Isaac, and to offer him as a sacrifice. "Then God said, 'Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.' " (Genesis 22: 2) Abraham, with a sad and heavy heart, follows God's command. "Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together,..." (Genesis 22: 6) Isaac wonders where the 'sacrificial lamb' is and asks his father. "Abraham answered, 'God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.' And the two of them went on together." (Genesis 22: 8) As Abraham is about about to sacrifice his son, an angel calls out. "But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, 'Abraham! Abraham!' 'Here I am,' he replied. 'Do not lay a hand on the boy,' he said. 'Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.' " (Genesis 22: 11-12) God then provided Abraham a lamb for the sacrifice (see Genesis 22: 13).

Abraham was willing to do all that God had asked but what God really wanted from Abraham was his heart. For ultimately that is all that any of us have to offer our Lord. "...Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body prepared for me, with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased." (Hebrews 10: 5-6) God eventually provides the greatest sacrifice of all, His Son, for us. Those of you who know me well, know that my favorite musical artists, is the group Third Day. They have a great, powerful song about 'offerings.' Read the lyrics below.

Offering (by Third Day)
Magnificent Holy Father
I stand in awe of all I see
Of all the things You have created
But still You choose to think of me

Who am I that You should suffer
Your very life to set me free
The only thing I can give You
Is the life You gave to me

This is my offering, dear Lord
This is my offering to You, God
And I will give You my life
For it's all I have to give
Because You gave Your life for me

I stand before You at this altar
So many have given You more
I may not have much I can offer
Yet what I have is truly Yours

This is my offering...

How true! Those words speak to me. Lord, I will give you my life for it's all I have to give. I may not have much I can offer, yet what I have is truly Yours! Now that is an offering that is pleasing to God. Amen!

I pray that all is well with you. Please let me know if you have any prayer concerns or praises. Have a great week and remember to smile :), the Lord loves you!

In Christ,

Shan D. Hartsough

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship."
-Romans 12: 1

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