“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” - Romans 12:1

The Apostle Paul practiced what he preached, he sacrificed much for the kingdom of God, just read 2 Corinthians 11: 23-28.

Paul saw the “big picture” - he witnessed the resurrected Christ, which gave him vision and purpose!  Paul walked purposefully each day to help others see their desperate need for Jesus Christ.   Having vision ( seeing the big picture) and walking with purpose did not come without goal setting and sacrifice.

Paul recognized, “not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward..” (cf. Philippians 3: 12-14) 

When you and I see the big picture (vision) for our lives and conduct our lives accordingly with purpose (not aimlessly going about life), we will set goals with our eyes on the vision, and that always comes with sacrifice.

We need to change (renew our minds) how we see these sacrifices.

What elevated the original Olympics was not the sport but the sacrifice. 

The late Steve Prefontaine well said, “to give less than our best is to sacrifice the gift.”

Vision creates Purpose.  Purpose creates Goals.  Goals create Sacrifice. 

“Find God in every step” - He has given you and me all that we need to accomplish the mission!

“Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.” - Proverbs 4: 26

May God help us to “prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (cf. Romans 12: 1-2) as we focus on Him!

In His Service,

Pastor Rodney