Devotional: Malachi Intro & 1:1-14

Reflection

Read Malachi Chapter 1.  Focus on the accusation God makes of the Israelites in verses 6-9 and 13-14.

Discussion

They say, “Where you see smoke, there is fire.”  Smoke is the sign, fire is the source.  That saying fits the mode of offerings made by the Israelites during the time of Malachi.  While they went through some of the motions, their hearts were not in it.  They worked for their own benefit and made God a secondary concern.  When they did bring an offering it was not done in accordance with God’s law.  God required their best, their finest, their first.  What they brought was their worst, their rejects, and their leftovers.  God did not accept those offerings nor did He accept the heart’s behind them. 

 

The same devoted heart is required of us today.  Even though we are not required to bring lambs and dove as offerings, we are required to lives committed to God in all things.  When we are called, “living sacrifices” it means we give up all for the work of God.  We are supposed to serve God above all else and trust Him with every aspect of our lives.

Connection

If you looked over the last week, could you honestly say that you put God above all else in your daily schedule?

 

If you looked at how you spent your time, would it reflect a heart that put God first?

 

If you looked at how you spent your money would it show that you put God ahead of the world?

 

If you looked at how you used your resources would it show your thankfulness to God for all He has provided you?

 

If you looked at how you thought throughout the day would it show a trusting of God goodness with your life?

 

What is holding you back from fully devoting your life, your time, your resources, your money, your thoughts to The One who gave His life for you?

Expansion

Salvation and Preservation

God saves people by their faith in Him alone according to His grace alone through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ alone, not on the basis of any human work.  All of the redeemed are immediately indwelt by the Holy Spirit and justified before God beginning the transforming sanctification of the whole person the fruit of which is shown by their attitude and conduct.  Having been saved by faith, we are justified in Christ before God, forgiven of our sins, and held eternally secure by Christ alone forever where we will one day assume a glorified condition with Him forever.  From beginning to end the salvation of people is entirely a work of God to bring glory to His name.

Acts 8:27-30, Ephesians 1:3-14, Ephesians 2:1-10, 2 Timothy 1:8-9, 2 Timothy 2:24-26, John 1:12-13, Romans 6:16-18, Romans 9:10-24, John 6:43-45, 1 Timothy 2:3-4, Ezra 18:23, Romans 10:10-21, 2 Peter 3:9, John 12:32, Romans 14:10-12