Romans 12:1

I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Nearly every week, you can pick up a newspaper or magazine, or watch a television show, focusing on the distressing social problems we face in our nation. CBS devotes an entire evening of prime-time television to a look at violence in America...Newsweek magazine runs a cover story on battered wives...Time reports that nearly half of Americans are worried "a lot" about our economy, and 89 percent think the crime problem is getting worse.

But let me ask you this: How often do you hear about workable solutions to these problems?

I think the apostle Paul hints at the most practical solution of all in Romans 12:1 when he urges us to "present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God."

Large social problems will end when they are solved, not in the halls of government, but in the hallways of homes across America. In short, change will occur when Christians get serious about their relationship with God and live out their values and priorities in the family.

Change will come when dads get down on their knees and ask their wives and children to forgive them when they make an error. It will come when men take responsibility for their families and don't expect the Church to do it for them. It will come when men say, "I will lead my home."

Change will come when more women decide to make motherhood a greater priority than careers. It will come when more children are raised with godly character by parents who are involved in their lives.

We have been called to proclaim Christ, to obey Him as we make an imprint on our society. To give ourselves as a "living and holy sacrifice" to God means we will allow nothing to come between us and Him-that we will live in obedience to His will no matter what the cost.

And if enough families begin living holy lives, making right choices, loving one another-America will experience a family reformation.

Psalm 122:1

"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord."


Mike and Jerry were neighbors for about five months when one day Jerry asked Mike to play golf with him on a bright, beautiful Sunday morning. Mike graciously declined, asking for a raincheck. Jerry invited Mike on a couple more Sundays, but Mike always refused. Jerry asked him why, and Mike told him that he went to church. After that, Jerry didn't ask again, on Sunday or any other day of the week. Mike finally asked Jerry why, and he replied, "I asked you to go with me three times to do something that was really important to me, but you never once asked me to go to church with you."

Mike never thought that Jerry might like to go to church. Too often we shy away from asking people because we don't want to seem pushy. But the Lord asks that we work diligently to bring people to Him. Often people do not go to church simply because they feel awkward and have never been asked. Share your faith. Ask someone to church with you. You never know what might happen.

Psalm 119:2

Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

"I don't have time. I can slip in a prayer now and then, but I really can't commit to Bible study, or even church."

Terri was so busy that she didn't have time to spare for God. When times got tough, she couldn't understand why her faith didn't do her more good. Unfortunately, faith will not do more for a person than that person allows it to. We will benefit from our faith in proportion to how much we are willing to put in. God is waiting to spend time with us, to help us develop our faith. Seek Him with your whole heart, and He will richly bless you.

Psalm 99:9

Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy.

Betty loved the old church. She had come to its sanctuary since she had been a young girl, and that was a long time gone, indeed. The place was special. Betty had always been filled with awe whenever she stood in the church. From the moment she entered the door, she felt God's presence. This church was a holy place. She felt closest to God when she felt the special magic of the old church. It was easy to worship God there.

We need reminders to help us understand God's holiness. Truly, only He is worthy to be praised, and yet we so often act as if there's nothing special about God at all. There is no life in our prayers, we decided to skip church, or we ignore opportunities to share Christ with those around us. Our actions say, "No big deal." It is a big deal. God is the biggest deal of our lives. Everything we do should exalt the Lord and show others just how important He is to us. Anytime we can experience the holiness and majesty of the Lord, we should jump at the chance. Nothing pleases God more.