Nothing but the Best

"'When you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn't that wrong? And isn't it wrong to offer animals that are crippled and diseased? Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!' says the Lord Almighty. 'Go ahead, beg God to be merciful to you.  But when you bring that kind of offering, why should he show you any favor at all?' asks the Lord Almighty."  Malachi 1:8-9

I'm too tired, too busy, too wounded, too afraid, too ashamed, too inexperienced, too distracted, too broke, too angry, too ...  At one point or another in my life, I've selected from this list of "toos" to explain why I wouldn't extend my best to God. Looking at them now, I see them for what they are - a thinly veiled attempt to make life and living about me.

Malachi had the thankless job of breaking the bad news to the people.  He was brutally honest.  Their diseased sacrifices revealed their diseased hearts.  Ouch!  They had lost sight of under who's sight they were living - the Lord Almighty!  Creator. Sustainer. Healer. Forgiver. Provider. Protector.  Their perfunctory worship was an offensive stench to God.  Their myopic vision had tragically removed God's magnificence, splendor and glory from their frame of reference.  In short, they were stuck in the "toos".

What will God receive from us today?  Let's keep this truth in mind when we bring our gifts to God ... When God gave, he gave his very best, his one and only Son.  

Grace and Peace,

Tom
Location: Fall Creek Christian Church, 1102 West 700 South, Pendleton, IN 46064, USA

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