Gift of the Heart
Hebrews 11:4 - By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
Abel got it! He understood what God was looking for. He understood that the sacrifice that God was pleased with was one that came from the heart.
God doesn't NEED our lip service. God doesn't NEED our checkbooks. God doesn't NEED anything that we can offer him.
The Lord says:
"These people come near to me with their mouth
and honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
Their worship of me
is made up only of rules taught by men. (Isaiah 29:13 NIV)
God WANTS your heart!
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:16, 17 NIV)
Give God your heart...and your offering will be pleasing in his sight!
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: How does the fact that God chooses to use us, without needing us, despite our sinfulness, demonstrate the depth of his love?
PRAYER SUGGESTION: Dear God, clean my heart and renew my spirit so that I may offer what is pleasing to you. Amen.