Date: 19-Aug-2024
Name: Simon
Topic: GIVING GOD YOUR BEST
Content:
Giving God Your Best
Introduction
Imagine you're an Olympic athlete, and you've spent years training for the gold medal. You know that the judges will be evaluating every move, every step, and every second of your performance.
Would you show up unprepared, lacking focus, or giving anything less than 100% effort? No, you'd leave everything on the field, pouring every ounce of sweat, dedication, and passion into achieving victory.
Now, consider your life as a spiritual Olympics, and God as the ultimate Judge. He's calling you to compete for the gold medal of faith, and the world is watching. What kind of performance are you giving? Are you giving God your best effort, your utmost dedication, and your most passionate commitment? Or are you settling for a bronze-medal mentality, going through the motions, and giving less than your best?
Today, we'll explore what it means to give God our best, to run the race of faith with excellence, and to win the gold medal of His approval.
What does it mean to give God your best?
What does it mean to give God your best? It means offering Him your highest quality, your utmost effort, and your greatest devotion. It's about surrendering your entire being to Him, holding nothing back.
In 2 Samuel 24, King David wanted to build an altar to God, but Araunah offered him the land, oxen, and threshing tools for free. David refused, saying he wouldn't offer sacrifices that cost him nothing. He wanted to give God his best, not something cheap or easy.
2 Samuel 24:24 NLT
But the king replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the LORD my God that have cost me nothing." So David paid him fifty pieces of silver for the threshing floor and the oxen.
In Mark 12:30, Jesus says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength." This verse sets the standard for giving God our best.
Our response, if we truly understand His love for us, is the desire to give back to God that which means the most to us - Our lives as living sacrifices. Giving God our best should be our priority because of who God is and what He’s done for us. (Romans 12:1 NKJV 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. )
God wants us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices—daily laying aside our own desires to follow him, putting all our energy and resources at his disposal and trusting him to guide us. This is not a one-time decision, but one we make every day. We do this out of gratitude that our sins have been forgiven.
The offering you give back to God reveals your hearts condition. A heart that overflows with
gratitude for God's love will respond in selfless devotion. If we are unwilling to sacrifice our time, our possessions, our money, or our energy, we indicate that we do not love God as He desires.
According to Genesis 22:1-14, Abraham offered his son Isaac, whom he valued most, to God as an act of obedience and faith.
Genesis 22:2 NLT
"Take your son, your only son-yes, Isaac, whom you love so much-and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you."
Abraham's willingness to offer what he valued - Isaac, demonstrated his unwavering faith and trust in God's sovereignty and provision. Because Abraham was willing to give his best to God, he received back more than he could have imagined. When we give our best to God, He can bless us more than we can imagine!
If you struggle in giving your best to God, pause and reflect on what God sacrificed for you. He is not asking us to do anything that He hasn't demonstrated.(John 3:16 NIV For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.)
The Holy Spirit enables us to give our best to God
As believers, we desire to give our best devotion to God, but at times we find ourselves struggling to do so. Our flesh is weak, and our efforts can be feeble. However, we have a Helper, the Holy Spirit, who empowers us.
The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in helping a believer give their best devotion to God. Here are some ways the Holy Spirit assists:
1. Illumination: The Spirit illuminates God's Word, revealing His will and purposes, and helping us understand what pleases Him.
Ephesians 1:18 AMP
And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened
[flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints.
2. Inspiration: The Holy Spirit inspires us to worship, pray, and serve God with passion and enthusiasm.
Acts 4:31 NLT
After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.
3. Empowerment: The Spirit empowers us to live a life of devotion, overcoming our weaknesses and limitations.
Ephesians 3:16 NLT
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT
Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My
power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
4. Fruit of the Spirit: The Spirit enables us to give our best devotion to God by producing fruit in our lives.
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
John 15:5 NLT
"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
5. Guidance: The Holy Spirit guides us in our decisions and actions, helping us prioritize what is most pleasing to God.
Romans 8:14 NLT
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
John 10:27 NKJV
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
Isaiah 30:21 NKJV
[21] Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.
6. Conviction and Repentance: The Spirit convicts us of sin and leads us to repentance, ensuring our devotion is genuine and heartfelt.
John 16:8 ESV
[8] And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.
Acts of the Apostles 2:37-38 NLT
[37] Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” [38] Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy
Spirit.
7. Intimacy and Fellowship: The Holy Spirit fosters intimacy and fellowship with God, deepening our relationship and motivating us to give our best devotion.
2 Corinthians 13:14 NLT
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Through the Holy Spirit's work in our lives, we can give our best devotion to God, living a life that is pleasing and honouring to Him.
Reflections:
- What area of your life do you tend to hold back from God?
- How can you practically give God your best in your daily life?
- Identify one area where you can give God your best today. Is it your time, talent, or resources?
-Are we giving Him our best, or just what's convenient?
Conclusion
As we close, remember the Olympic athlete who gave it their all, leaving everything on the field. They didn't hold back, and neither should we. Let's commit to giving God our best, every moment, every day. Don't settle for a bronze-medal faith when God is calling you to gold.
As you leave here today, ask yourself: 'What's the next step I need to take to give God my best?' Is it surrendering a habit, renewing a commitment, or pursuing a dream? Whatever it is, take that step.
Take a moment to reflect on areas where you struggle to give your best devotion to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you in those areas, and surrender your weaknesses to Him. Give God your best, and watch Him do the extraordinary.
Remember, it's not about being perfect; it's about being dedicated. It's not about being flawless; it's about being faithful. Give God your best, and He'll take care of the rest. Let's strive for excellence, not mediocrity. Let's give God our gold-medal best, and experience the victory and joy that comes from living a life that honors Him."
Prayer Points:
Heavenly Father , As I come before your throne today , my passionate prayer rises before you and I find myself wrapped in Your love, covered by a blanket of Your mercy. A canopy of Your kindness and joy overshadows me. Your love and compassion towards me is extravagant in every way.
Lord, you deserve my highest praise and nothing brings You more delight than hearing Your children rejoice. Clothed in the radiant beauty of a surrendered heart, I offer you my sincere devotion and fervent praise. For you are my Father, my Savior, and my God in whom I trust.
Lord, I’m all yours, and you are my Savior; I have sought to live my life pleasing to you . (Psalm 119:94 )
As I offer my life to You as a living sacrifice, I abandon myself to Your goodness and offer You my heart. Your love has saved me. Because of Your great mercy, I am free. I am no longer a slave to sin or fear. I am yours—totally and completely surrendered to Your will.
I want nothing more than to please You, my Lord. I want to give You my best. Help me surrender every area of my life to You. May my heart, soul, mind, and strength be fully devoted to You. Help me give You my best, not just what's easy or convenient.Take my best and use it for Your glory.
Holy Spirit, thank You for empowering me to give my best devotion to God. Help me to surrender my weaknesses to You, and fill me with Your strength. Guide me in Your Word, and inspire me to worship and serve You with passion. May my devotion be pleasing to You, and may I bring glory to Your name. In Jesus' name, Amen.
DOWNLOAD WORD
