IN VIEW OF GOD'S TENDER MERCIES

Romans 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. (WEB)

This is a very familiar Bible verse that I have loved for years. The very idea that our bodies are a living sacrifice that is pleasing to our Father absolutely amazes me! If we want to know what true worship is... this is it. Sure we can worship with songs and shouts of praise, or we can worship in quiet meditation. But the very offering of our entire lives as a living sacrifice in every expression of our being is worship in its truest form.

The NIV Bibles says Romans 12:1 this way... Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (NIV)

The New Living Translations says it this way... And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. (NLT)

The Amplified Bible translates it this way... I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. (AMP)

Whatever translation you prefer, God absolutely loves your living sacrifice! And notice that it isn't just the sacrifice of when you are in church... it is your entire being! When you are washing the dishes, when you are driving your kids to soccer practice, when you are on the job, even when you are sound asleep. Your life is a sweet smelling savor to the living God.

My prayer today is that you would know all that you do is pleasing to your Father. Your entire life is 'in view of God's mercies'. He is not judging you, He is cheering you on in whatever you do that is in line with His plan and purpose for your life. You were created for His pleasure and nothing gives Him more pleasure then when you fulfill His destiny for your lives and thus brings glory to your Dad (John 15:9). So go for it! Live life large and worship your Father with all your body, soul and spirit!

John 4:23-24
23 But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshippers. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (WEB)