Friday, January 15, 2010

This Week's WORD

"When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?" says the LORD Almighty.

Malachi 1:8

I have come to the end of the Old Testament in my read-thru-the-Bible-in-a-year program. And even though I know what to expect in Malachi, every time I read it God fills me with a new desire to always and only give Him my best.
I don't want to give Him that which is blind or crippled or diseased.

So, even on the weekend, let's give Him our best.
And I'll meet you back here Monday for some encouraging words.

Love you!


Karen

11 comments:

Leah Adams said...

I so very much want to give Him my best, yet all too often I find I do not. Great reminder Scripture. I might have to do that as a memory verse for next year's Challenge.

Leah

Beth Herring said...

Oh, me too, sister. I want to give Himm nothing less than my best!

Karen Hossink said...

Leah - I am loving this year's Challenge. To know that HE has searched me and knows me - and still loves me. Wow!

Beth - I'm glad you're with me.

Jessica Nelson said...

What a great reminder for my weekend! Thanks. :-)

Angie Muresan said...

Karen, I will be still and give Him my best.

Karen Hossink said...

Jessica - You're quite welcome.

Angie - *grin*

luvmy4sons said...

Hope your weekend has been good...I love how God's Word ministers to me! Hugs!

gianna said...

i have a question. when you are so worn out and exhausted, how do you give your best to Jesus? What does it look like to give him your best? what is my best? I don't really know. i know i love Him, but that's kind of where i'm at in life.

Karen Hossink said...

Thanks, Leslie. I really did enjoy the weekend. Elizabeth was in a musical at school and I was so proud of her! *grin*

Gianna - I'm learning that when I am worn out and exhausted the best thing I can give to Jesus is recognition of my desperate need for Him. Because when I am at that point, there is no way for me to deny my need. No way for me to think that I can "do this" on my own.
And I think He allows us to come to that place on purpose.
When I'm there, I cry out to Him. I curl up and imagine myself crying on His shoulder. I lay down and ask Him to hold me while I sleep; to pour out His love on me as I slumber. That's the best I have to give in those moments - my expression of complete need.

And I really do believe He delights in that.

God loves us and loves to meet our needs. HE is our strength, and I believe He loves it when we recognize that fact.

God knows what is going on in your life. HE knows what you can do, and what you cannot. I believe that at ALL times He wants us to give Him the best love we can - the best expression of our devotion to Him. Sometimes that will mean serving other people. Sometimes that will mean giving of our resources. Sometimes that will mean sacrificing our time. And doing it all for His glory, with joy in our hearts because we are doing it for HIM.
And sometimes that will mean rolling over in our bed and crying out, LORD, I love You so much! I am so thankful for Your faithful love toward me, for Your unending patience with me, for Your amazing grace which sustains me every day. I need You so desperately!
Father, I am completely exhausted. My spirit and my body are tired. Please hold me now, and love me while I sleep.


I hope these thoughts are helpful, Gianna. I love you!

gianna said...

thank you so much! it was very helpful and you know i think i was asking that because i was starting to get the stomach flu but didn't know it. he he! but even when i don't get the stomach flu and i'm exhausted, it's awesome to think that the best that i can give my jesus is my need for him. Thnks!

Karen Hossink said...

You're welcome, Gianna. You know, I have been thinking about your question and my response quite a bit today. Feeling a few blog posts coming on! *grin*