…therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. – Hebrews 13:15

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

However, while it is good practice to be thankful to God every day, it would be much better to express our gratitude through actions rather than through words.

In a way, showing gratitude is like showing love; one thing is to say it and another thing to prove it. Our daily act of gratitude should be accompanied by a life lived in such a way that it pleases God.

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. – Colossians 3:23-24

In the Old Testament animals were sacrificed for the forgiveness of sins, but also as a thank-offering. It is no longer necessary to make that kind of sacrifice, but we should live our lives devoted (our living sacrifice) to God as a response of gratitude to him.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. – Romans 12:1

There is no better answer to God’s mercies that a life lived in constant worship to God.

So this and every day…

Therefore… let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe – Hebrews 12:28

Jesus wanted us to remember what happened that day.

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. – 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Why Jesus wanted us to remember his sacrifice? Because of the meaning it has for our lives.

His death meant the payment for the debt for our sins and, as a result, reconciliation with God.

His resurrection meant victory over death and, as a result, eternal life for those who believe in Him.

Remembering his sacrifice is intended to produce a transformative effect on our lives. It reminds us that we moved from condemnation to salvation, and from death to life.

Certainly this event is not to be remembered only once a year but continuously. Why? Because God knows us, and He knows that we tend to focus too much on the everyday things and lose our focus on the most important things. We get easily burdened and stressed by everyday problems.

That is why it is necessary that every day we remember the sacrifice of Jesus, and be transformed by the hope of glory that he brought to our lives. Let’s remember Jesus each day, and allow His peace to reign over our circumstances, and His guidance to lead us in the moments of confusion.

Thank you Lord.

It is easy to receive the teachings of the Kingdom when it is about blessings. But what about the verses that teaches about sacrifice? We would have certainly preferred they were not in the bible, but they are.

Some definitions for sacrifice are:

• The act of offering something to a deity in propitiation or homage
• Forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have a greater value or claim.
• Relinquishment of something at less than its presumed value.

The perfect sacrifice was made by Jesus in the cross. Through his sacrifice we obtain salvation. There is no need for more sacrifices for salvation.  Then, what kind of sacrifices are we talking about?

Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? – Luke 9:23-25

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. – Matthew 10:39

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. – Matthew 11:29-30

Deny myself; take up my cross daily; lose my life; take his yoke. These sound like tough words.  Tough enough to make some people think about running away, but that was not Jesus’ purpose.  He wanted us to know that following him would mean sacrifice. He wanted us to know that there is a cost involved, but with benefits far greater.

The word sacrifice has meant different things for different people:

• been rejected because of their faith
• giving away their harmful life styles
• giving away dreams that would have lead them to wrong paths
• dying because of their faith (like most of Jesus’ apostles)

One might consider these experiences losing, but people that have gone through these experiences have endured them recognizing that in loosing these things they have found their lives.

I can’t tell you what will sacrifice mean for you. The only I can tell you is that it will contain the following characteristics: denying yourself, taking up your cross daily, taking Jesus’ yoke and giving away your life to live Jesus’ live.

Athletes endure long periods of training, including lots of sacrifices because they have their mind set in the prize they will receive if they win. Our sacrifices lead us to certain victory.

We came to this world empty handed and will leave it empty handed. There is only one thing for granted in this world: death. It doesn’t matter how successful we are in this world (“gain the whole world”), we won’t take anything to eternity. However, whatever we gain in Jesus in this world are treasures waiting for us in eternity.

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. – Matthew 6:20

I think that Jesus was teaching us, that as his followers, sometimes we need to give up something we perceive of high value in order to receive something of greater value.

What would you do if you are offered a secured investment that will return you $100 per dollar invested, but the initial investment requires $5,000.  I am pretty sure that you will do whatever “sacrifices” are required in order to obtain the money for the initial investment.

Jesus is offering us the investment of our lives.  Are you willing to take your cross?

If you would like to begin a discussion on this teaching please do so by accesing the topic about the Kingdom of Heaven our forum site http://forum.forachangeonline.org/