Living As Light

Author: Davelewis

  • Diligence and hard work vs laziness and a slack hand

    Why do some people seem have more and more, while others can never seem to get ahead? Biblically it’s all about wise stewardship, which is a spiritual discipline.

    We reap what we sow. Diligence and hard work leads to prosperity, while slothfulness and a slack hand lead to poverty.

    Jealousy and anger often stem from looking at the prosperity of those who are diligently faithful with what they are given in life; good stewards.

    Instead of being diligent, they begin to covet what the prosperous have. Instead of developing better work habits and learning the principles of stewardship, they’ll become sinful in their desire to have what their neighbor has gained; financially, materially, etc

    Proverbs 29:10 NKJV
    [10] The bloodthirsty hate the blameless, But the upright seek his well-being.

    https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.29.10.NKJV

    Genesis 4:5-8 NLT
    [5] but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. [6] “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? [7] You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” [8] One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him.

    https://bible.com/bible/116/gen.4.5-8.NLT

    I John 3:11-12 NKJV
    [11] For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, [12] not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.

    https://bible.com/bible/114/1jn.3.11-12.NKJV

    Why was Cain’s gift not accepted, but Abel’s was?
    Abel gave the first and best of his flocks to God as an offering.

    Cain gave from his crops,but it wasn’t the first or best from his produce. Basically he gave what was left after the harvest; the inferior; after he had picked out the best for his own cash crop.

    Numbers 18:12-13 NLT
    [12] “I also give you the harvest gifts brought by the people as offerings to the Lord—the best of the olive oil, new wine, and grain. [13] All the first crops of their land that the people present to the Lord belong to you. Any member of your family who is ceremonially clean may eat this food.

    https://bible.com/bible/116/num.18.12-13.NLT

    Bloodthirsty:adjective. blood·thirsty ˈbləd-ˌthər-stē :
    barbaric, cruel, inhuman, sanguinary, savage, slaughterous.

    There was a bit of jealousy causing Cain to become angry towards his brother. Abel’s gift was received and accepted because it was done from the heart of a servant. A servant is one who says in his heart “whatever the Lord requires, that I will do” without question or hesitation.

    Cain gave his second best. He wasn’t focused on serving God, but himself.

    The parable of the lazy servant comes to mind here:

    Matthew 25:14-30

    In this parable, everyone was given a “talent” or money to invest and do their very best with. They all did so, gaining interest with what they were given, except the one who hid what he was given in the ground, instead of investing what he was given. This is stewardship 101. God wants our very best. We reap what we sow. Lazy people have nothing to offer anyone. They rarely have even enough for their own consumption and use. Diligence leads to prosperity while laziness leads one to poverty; to be lacking and in want.

    I’m thinking that Cain’s jealousy may have been motivated by the fact that Abel gave his first and best of his livestock as an offering, instead of offering it to him.

    Cain became “bloodthirsty” out of jealousy, anger and rage; the first motive for murder. How often does this still play out in our day?

    The lazy and slothful become jealous of the diligent, hard workers.

    Proverbs 10:4-6 NKJV
    [4] He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. [5] He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame. [6] Blessings are on the head of the righteous, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

    https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.10.4-6.NKJV

    Proverbs 13:4 ESV
    [4]  The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

    https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.13.4.ESV

    Proverbs 12:24 NKJV
    [24] The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.

    https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.12.24.NKJV






  • The Lord is my Strength and my Shield

    Lift up your shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one (Ephesians 6:16)

    Psalms 28:7

    The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.

    Read Psalms 28
    https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.28.1-9.NKJV

    When going into battle, a soldier would carry a shield in order to protect him from the arrows the enemy would shoot at him. Along with the rest of his armor, his body would be protected.

    When we lift up our shield of faith, we’re arming ourselves with Truth for battle for our heart, mind, soul and strength. We will have the faith necessary to ward off Satan’s attacks with his “fiery darts.”

    “Fiery darts” provides an image or word picture to describe the attempts of the enemy to destroy our faith with worldly teachings, philosophies and ideologies and the “wisdom” of the world. Satan wants you to make friends with this world.

    The goal of the enemy is to occupy your mind with so much stuff and push the Truth of God’s word and the  reality of God’s presence to the bottom of the barrel, out of our heart and mind so that our feelings and emotions are running the show on the inside of us. When those fiery darts penetrate, they will effect your heart and mind, which is why you must don and wear the full armor of God, including the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, daily. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

    The Lord is and will be your strength and your shield, protecting your heart, mind and soul. Worship him in Spirit and in Truth. Love Him with all of your heart, mind soul and strength. Then you will be equipped for every good work. Able to withstand the enemy’s assaults, because the power and strength of Almighty God will be in you and working through you.

  • Better the devil you know!

    1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT
    [8] Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. [9] Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

    https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.5.8-9.NLT

    Be aware, alert, sober and vigilant, for your enemy, the devil, roams about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour your soul.

    The best defense against an enemy is to be prepared and armed against their attacks. Knowledge is power. Know your enemy. Study him like your life depends on it… because it does!

    We all know our physical bodies will not live forever. You could say we’re born to die, but the other side of looking at that is, we’re born to live beyond these bodies of flesh and blood. These earthly tents come with an expiration date.

    Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT
    [11] Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.

    https://bible.com/bible/116/ecc.3.11.NLT

    When we leave these bodies behind, we’ll enter eternity in one place or the other. It’s all in God’s time, which is the realm of eternity. Eternal life in the presence of God, or eternal death, forever separated from our Creator, banished into darkness, away from Him and everyone who has gone before us.

    Know the enemy who wars against your soul

    Know yourself on the inside, where the enemy’s true target exists. He can’t inhabit your soul on the inside, so his attacks come from the outside, like fiery darts aimed at your heart. So put on the full armor of God; the shield of faith to quench those darts aimed for mayhem and destruction, through guilt, shame, fear, and anxiety.

    Also put on the helmet of salvation. Protect your head space from enemy forces looking to rob you of inner peace, joy and happiness.

    Without the armor of God, your heart is open to every thought, emotion and idea that seems good on the surface, but is really aimed at confusing and compromising you, causing chaos, disorder, dwelling on the past and dragging you down to the pit of destruction. The many voices that compete for space on your head will not stand a chance of penetrating your heart, mind, soul and strength. The breastplate of righteousness will protect your heart, which is the birthplace of deception, worldly ideas and false religion (piety). Here is where the enemy gains victory, little by little. Before you know it, he’s gained a foothold into your soul. But there’s a new Sheriff in this town of your soul, your inner man. SO KICK HIM OUT with the belt of truth girded about your waste, protecting your loins (your manhood) from thoughts that can lead you to sexual immorality of all sorts.

    Ephesians 6:11-18 NLT
    [11] Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. [12] For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. [14] Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. [15] For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. [16] In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. [17] Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [18] Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

    https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.6.11-18.NLT

  • My Light and my Salvation!

    Psalms 27:1-14 NLT
    [1] The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? [2] When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. [3] Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. [4] The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. [5] For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. [6] Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music. [7] Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me! [8] My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” [9] Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me, O God of my salvation! [10] Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close. [11] Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. [12] Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I’ve never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence. [13] Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. [14] Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

    https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.27.1-14.NLT

    The Lord is my light.

    John 8:12 NLT
    [12] Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

    https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.8.12.NLT

    The Lord is my salvation

    Psalms 18:2 NLT
    [2] The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.

    https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.18.2.NLT

    The Lord is my strength, my fortress

    Isaiah 60:18-20 NLT
    [18] Violence will disappear from your land; the desolation and destruction of war will end. Salvation will surround you like city walls, and praise will be on the lips of all who enter there. [19] “No longer will you need the sun to shine by day, nor the moon to give its light by night, for the Lord your God will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. [20] Your sun will never set; your moon will not go down. For the Lord will be your everlasting light. Your days of mourning will come to an end.

    https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.60.18-20.NLT

    Psalm 27 has been a favorite of both my Dad and my wife. It’s also very familiar to me and brings great help and comfort in the midst of fiery trials and turbulent times.

    When it seems like the world is closing in on me and the enemies of my soul are surrounding me, picking at me like vultures on a rotting corpse, I can search for God on the inside, at the core of my heart, the place where His glory truly dwells within me; His sanctuary.

    This is the place where I meet with God daily, in a holy convocation; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

    This is the place from which He guides me with His light, and His presence protects me, like a fortress.

    He hides me in the shadow of His wings.

    He sets me high on a rock.

    He is my solid foundation upon which my life is built.

    Every day as I surrender my life to Him, he will lead me with His everlasting light and salvation.

    He will be my strength and my song

    From the inside out, I will become the light of the world as I reflect His love and His glory. Others will see His light shining in me and turn to Him.

    Each new day I have a choice; to walk in His light and salvation, and he becomes my strength and my Helper, tapping into heaven’s vast and infinite resources

    Or I can go it alone, by my own wits and human will and intellect until I run out of steam, and fear and anxiety take over, the real enemies of my soul. This is how the world lives and wants me to operate and run my life. But the Lord as my light and salvation leads me through all of this. This why I must cling to Him and the Living Power of His word (Hebrews 4:12)

  • God’s word is His promise!

    Psalms 119:169-176 NLT
    [169] O Lord, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind you promised. [170] Listen to my prayer; rescue me as you promised. [171] Let praise flow from my lips, for you have taught me your decrees. [172] Let my tongue sing about your word, for all your commands are right. [173] Give me a helping hand, for I have chosen to follow your commandments. [174] O Lord, I have longed for your rescue, and your instructions are my delight. [175] Let me live so I can praise you, and may your regulations help me. [176] I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands.

    https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.119.169-176.NLT

    A discerning mind will lead us into making right choices in our daily lives. God’s word, commands, instructions, precepts, etc gives wisdom and understanding to know how we should live. But so often we lose our way because we wander from the truths of His infallible word, the scriptures. When we choose to meditate on and absorb his word, we’re tapping into the living power that transcends our own human nature and intellect.

    Proverbs 5:21 NLT
    [21] For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes.

    https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.5.21.NLT

    Through this living power we receive the mind of Christ, as we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. This is where the promise of discernment, discretion, knowledge and understanding come into play and helps us to see, at the center of our lives; our heart, how we can take every thought captive and then submit it to Christ’s authority. Then we are enabled, filled with the Spirit of God, to say no to the ideas, thoughts and intentions that will not be good or productive in our lives. In the midst of our fiery trials and tribulations, God will rescue us. The living power of His Word arms us with the sword of the Spirit, with which we can cut through the truth vs lies, the good and the evil the enemy tempts us with. Like David fighting the giant Goliath, God will arm us for battle and deliver us from the enemy, as we encounter him daily.

    Even in the times when we become overwhelmed and overtaken by the enemy, God will rescue us as we continue to repent and believe in the power of His word and cling to the promises He has made. His word is always true as is His promise to help , comfort, counsel and deliver us.

  • Joy in the fellowship of God: Psalms 63

    Early will I seek you.

    It is so important to start our day in prayer. When I awake each morning, before my feet hit the floor, I will surrender my day to the Lord, because the world will come at me with its own agenda, and voices that will compete for my attention, to occupy my mind and keep me focused on myself and my problems, worries and concerns. The enemy’s goal is to keep me so busy worrying and gripped by fear and anxiety, that it binds me up like a strongman holding me in a bear hug.

    It starts with my soul and who’s in charge. If I deny myself, take up my cross and follow Him, through prayer and meditating on scripture, which is the living power of God, then my mind will be renewed and transformed instead of conforming to the image of this world. Then I will be able to put on the mind of Christ, walk in the Spirit and live my day as a freewill offering and sacrifice to God.

    Then this parched and thirsty, barren land within me will not be controlled by the world or its god, Satan, the enemy of God, and our souls. Jesus Christ is the living water through which our spiritual thirst is quenched and refreshed daily. He is our sanctuary, our place of worship, safety and protection from the enemy, warring against our soul.

    This is the place where His living power and glory dwell, as He sits on the throne of my heart. Every morning I must willingly lay down my soul and my will, so that He can continue to do His mighty work within me, for His kingdom and His glory, enabling me to live out His great commandment to love Him with all of my heart, mind, soul and strength, AND my neighbor as myself.

    This is the ultimate will of God for His creation; love! A personal, one on one, Mano e Mano relationship with each of us individually, so that we can live together in love and unity.

    Psalms 63:1-11 NKJV
    [1] O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. [2] So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. [3] Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. [4] Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. [5] My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. [6] When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. [7] Because You have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. [8] My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me. [9] But those who seek my life, to destroy it, Shall go into the lower parts of the earth. [10] They shall fall by the sword; They shall be a portion for jackals. [11] But the king shall rejoice in God; Everyone who swears by Him shall glory; But the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped.

    https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.63.1-11.NKJV

  • Fight or flight: Psalms 11

    We need not fear the times we live in, when law and order have pretty much been destroyed and righteousness and justice are very rare; especially in our government, but more importantly in the individual lives of people who have lost hope and vision for a better life and future, for themselves and for the generations to follow.

    Our response to such times is one of either fight or flight. We need not “fly like a bird to the mountains for safety” when the enemies of God shoot their fiery darts at our hearts in an effort to cause chaos, strife, disorder and confusion, bringing about anxiety, fear,  and a lack of hope and faith.

    It’s so easy to take our eyes off of the cross and the victory we have in Christ. We have victory over the many voices that attempt to rob us of our inheritance in Christ, as children of God. When we look at the world around us and how no one seems to care about God’s kingdom, which is built on love; love for God and our neighbors.

    All the while the world around us decays and corrodes as the scales of justice, compassion and mercy are being tipped more and more towards unrighteousness and wickedness.

    In the midst of all of this we, as believers and citizens of God’s Kingdom, shine forth with His light; the Light of the world living in and through us, and the fruit of our works bearing witness of His Spirit dwelling within each of us as we walk with Him daily.

    When others see that we choose to stand firm and fight in the Spirit, armed with the full armor of God and strengthened by His inner peace and joy, they too will be encouraged to stand firm and let God renew their strength like the eagles, so that they may “run and not grow weary, and walk without fainting” (Isaiah 40:31)

    Psalms 11:1-7 NLT
    [1] I trust in the Lord for protection. So why do you say to me, “Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety! [2] The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right. [3] The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?” [4] But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. [5] The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence. [6] He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked, punishing them with scorching winds. [7] For the righteous Lord loves justice. The virtuous will see his face.

    https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.11.1-7.NLT

  • Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone

    Psalms 118:22-23 NLT
    [22] The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. [23] This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.

    https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.118.22-23.NLT

    Matthew 21:42-44 NLT
    [42] Then Jesus asked them, “Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures? ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.’ [43]  I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit. [44] Anyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.”

    https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.21.42-44.NLT

    Cornerstone definition;
    1. The first stone that is set in a foundation, upon which the rest of the foundation is built.

    2. The most important or fundamental piece on which something is built.

    Christ is not only the cornerstone or head of the Church. He is the Chief cornerstone upon which the church is built. He is the foundation upon which our house is built, both individually as followers and believers, and collectively as the body of Christ. He is the head. We the Church members are the body, each having a function. Just as every physical body has many parts, each with an intended purpose, so the body of Christ being many members has a specific purpose for everyone in the church.

    The stone which the builders rejected; the psalmist is referring to Israel who has rejected Messiah. This is what Jesus meant when he said in the Gospels, “the Stone which the builders rejected has become the Chief Cornerstone. Jesus was not referring to the temple that the Israelites built with their hands, but to Himself, who is the Messiah, whom Israel had rejected, except for a small percentage who did receive him as Messiah, as spoken through the Prophets.

    When Jesus claimed to be the Chief Cornerstone whom the builders (Israel) rejected, he was saying that the foundation of the Kingdom of God is built on Him, as the Messiah, first born of creation.

    If we reject Christ as Lord and Savior, we’re rejecting the Chief Cornerstone of salvation. Anything we build without Jesus Christ as the cornerstone, will be built on sinking sand. Those who build on Christ are building on a solid foundation. Jesus is the Rock and the Chief Cornerstone. A house built upon the words and teachings of Christ will stand in the mightiest of tempests and storms.

    Matthew 7:24-25 NLT
    [24]  “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. [25] Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.

    https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.7.24-25.NLT

    Jesus Christ is not only the cornerstone of our lives, but of the Church, which is His body collectively. Each one of us is like a brick in the wall of a church or temple. We bring the Kingdom of God with us as we gather. Together we exist as one body, one church. We are many “bricks” but he is the one who holds us together. He is the foundation upon which the church is built, and the gates of hell will not prevail against her.

    1 Corinthians 3:10-15 NLT
    [10] Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. [11] For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. [12] Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. [13] But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. [14] If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. [15] But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.

    https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.3.10-15.NLT

  • He desires mercy over sacrifice

    Loving my neighbor as myself is better than all of the stuff I do in church; pray, read my Bible, sing songs, give of my tithes and offerings, bake pies for the church potlucks, etc.

    We are no longer under the Old Testament covenant practices of sacrifices and offerings. Jesus Christ is our new, eternal and better covenant (read the book of Hebrews).

    God was never truly pleased with the burnt offerings and sacrifices on the altar in the temple, but he permitted it in those days. Yet the Prophets and priests continually reminded the Israelites of what God truly desired of them. These offerings and sacrifices became nothing more than religious rituals, an obligation to appease the God of Israel.

    The word of God is very clear about what God truly desires and requires of each of us. What he always wanted, since the creation of Man, was and is, a personal, one on one, Mano e Mano relationship with each and every one of us.

    In Christ we can have that reconciled relationship with God (Romans 5) because of His atoning sacrifice on the cross. Jesus shed His blood for the sins of the world, so that those who believe on His name will not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16).

    In Christ we are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17) enabled to walk in the Spirit and not only put away our flesh with its passions and desires, but to walk in a new way to life, producing fruit that follows us into eternity. That fruit of the spirit starts with love. Loving others in the Spirit includes mercy, compassion and forgiveness. Loving our neighbors as ourselves is the fulfillment of Christ’s commandment to love God and one another. We can’t truly love God, as he commands, without loving our neighbors (brothers, one another, etc).

    The cross symbolizes both our vertical relationship with God our Creator, AND the horizontal relationship with our fellow Man. The two relationships meet in the middle. Through the blood of Jesus Christ we can love one another the way we are commanded, but more importantly, it becomes engrained into our hearts as we deny ourselves, take up or cross daily and follow Him

    Proverbs 21:3 NLT
    [3] The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices.
    https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.21.3.NLT

    Micah 6:6-8 NLT
    [6] What can we bring to the Lord? Should we bring him burnt offerings? Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves? [7] Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins? [8] No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
    https://bible.com/bible/116/mic.6.6-8.NLT

    Proverbs 15:8-9 NLT
    [8] The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright. [9] The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness.
    https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.15.8-9.NLT

    Isaiah 1:11, 16-17 NKJV
    [11] “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats.
    [16] “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, [17] Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.
    https://bible.com/bible/114/isa.1.11-17.NKJV

  • My spirit is the lamp of the Lord

    The Spirit of God and the spirit of man knit together as I become one with him.

    Proverbs 20:27 NKJV
    [27] The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, Searching all the inner depths of his heart.

    https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.20.27.NKJV

    Psalms 139:1-7 NLT
    [1] O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. [2] You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. [3] You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. [4] You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. [5] You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. [6] Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! [7] I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!

    https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.139.1-7.NLT

    1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT
    [19] Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, [20] for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

    https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.6.19-20.NLT

    When I become aware of the fact that God sees me and knows everything about me, from the inside out, I’m awakened to His presence, and the scope of His vision is penetrating to the depths of my soul.

    God’s Holy Spirit lives in me. He illuminates my soul within me. My Spirit aligns with His Spirit as I surrender to Him daily; heart, mind, soul, and strength. Therefore, my body is not my own, to do whatever I want, when I want to do it. My flesh wants what it wants, but in Christ, my flesh has been crucified. I no longer live on my own, but Christ lives in me, and gave His life for me. Therefore, I must daily crucify my flesh with its passions and desires. As I offer my body to Him daily, as a living sacrifice and offering unto him, he will continue his work of sanctification in me; setting me apart for his own purpose.

    1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT
    [19] Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, [20] for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.6.19-20.NLT

    I must worship God in spirit and in truth, offering myself as a living sacrifice, to honor God with integrity and transparency. He sees everything anyway. I can’t hide from God and His penetrating light. Like a lamp within the depths of my soul, His word searches the deepest parts of me and brings about a holy fear and reverence for the Lord, along with a spirit of repentance and believing in His name. Trusting in Him with all of of my heart.