DATE POSTED: Friday, April 5, 2024, and I was blessed to be at a Vrbo property near Lake City, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE The Voice (VOICE) IS FOUND IN Hebrews 10:8-10

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: Now when it says that God doesn’t want and takes no real pleasure in sacrifices, burnt offerings, and sin offerings (even though the law calls for them), and follows this with “See, I have come to do Your will,” He effectively takes away the first—animal sacrifice—in order to establish the second, more perfect sacrifice. By God’s will, we are made holy through the offering of the body of Jesus the Anointed once and for all time.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: As I meditated on this Scripture today, I thought about how we don’t offer animal sacrifices today, so how does this relate to us? But then, I feel like the Holy Spirit stopped me thinking about animal sacrifices, and instead think about the ways that we feel like we sacrifice to gain favor with God. I’m sure you’ve heard friends and loved ones before: ‘Well, I will sacrifice going to the beach tomorrow, so that I could attend church’; OR ‘That church expects me to sacrifice my last dime to give to them’; OR ‘I’m sure that God will bless me if I get up early (sacrificing my warm bed and extra rest – my only day to rest) so that I could be at church this morning’. But take a moment to compare those sacrifices with animal sacrifices that the Jews took to the temple to be slaughtered, or offer up by the priests. The people were taught by their ancestors that this was necessary to receive certain concessions with God. But the Bible is clear, that there is no way to offer a sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sin. However, God had a better way in mind: He caused the miraculous birth of His only Son, Jesus, who lived on earth as God Himself – healing, loving the unlovable, raising the dead back to life – you know, those things that only God could do. And, although miraculous in every way, yet God ordered that Jesus be sacrificed, or put to death, so that all mankind might have a way for the forgiveness of sin, and therefore a way to eternal life. So this precious gift was offered to mankind – a Savior – Jesus Christ – the Son of God himself. As with any other gift that we know of, it is useless unless we accept it with a thankful heart. Therefore friends, please be reminded that your simple ‘sacrifices’ are nothing but conjectures on your part. It is only through the sacrifice of the holy Son of God, that we can have forgiveness of our sin – that thing that separates us from God, and that makes us worthy of stepping into the presence of the Holy One. Sin cannot enter where God is, so to reject His Son, is like saying ‘no thank you’ to God for His invitation to be where He is. God also sent the Holy Spirit to help us with this process, for we become so engrossed in making money, having fun, pleasing others, envy towards our neighbors and friends, etc, that our minds stay focused on earthly things. You will know that the Holy Spirit is knocking at your heart’s door when your mind and desires suddenly turn towards the things of God. Listen for it, and be ready to surrender your life to the lordship of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Lord Jesus, thank You for the sacrifice You made on Calvary so that those who surrender lordship of their lives to You, could receive forgiveness of their sin in readiness for the grandest event yet, when we enter the portals of heaven for all eternity. Having just celebrated Easter, we were reminded once again of true sacrifice. Please help us to get over ourselves and the self-proclaimed self-righteousness we feel when we feel like we have ‘sacrificed’ something for Your glory and appreciation. You have prepared the way, now please invoke Your blessing on us as You work on our self-will, selfish desires, and self-designed sacrifices. Teach us again to look full in Your wonderful face, accept Your perfect will for our lives, live in obedience to Your teachings and example, and accept the sacrifice You designed for our heavenly benefit. May our lives become uncluttered enough to see the goodness, love and mercy of our God every moment of every day! AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby your home and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!