Just a Nugget!

Real Faith

Requires Sacrifice

By Jan Matthews, Founder

COVENANT WOMAN MINISTRIES

Faith has to be in your heart, your mouth, your legs and your pocket! That’s right. Bible faith has always had sacrifice involved, and though it is not always substance, it’s always something that is dear to you. Something you don’t want to let go of. Just as real submission is doing something you would rather not do, real sacrifice is laying something you esteem as precious or valuable on the altar. Sometimes it’s your “flesh” life. But modern day Christendom has reduced the faith that men and women of the ages have given their lives for to a few steps and a confession…when God always looks down from heaven and asks, Where is the sacrifice?

What are you expecting God to do for you? What are you willing to sacrifice for this thing you desire? How important is it to you? Actually, whatever is most precious to you at the time is the sacrifice God will require to show real faith. Real faith believes in a Big God, has no time limit and no plan “B”. It says “God can,” not “Can God.” And it will require of you everything you have and everything you are. But there is also a reward involved. And there is no greater experience or satisfaction in this life than to stand on God’s Word, lay your sacrifice on the altar by faith and see the salvation of the Lord!

There are so many examples of the faith “sacrifice” in the Bible. For instance, Abraham had to offer up his only son — the son of promise. The widow woman at Zarephath was asked to “first” make the prophet Elijah a little cake out of their last morsel of meal before feeding herself and her son (1 Kings 17:13). In 2 Kings Chapter 5 we see that Naaman had to let go of his pride and humble himself. Then remember the little boy who gave Jesus his lunch to feed the people? And of course, many prophets and disciples sacrificed their very lives.

What are you believing God for? Is your faith in your heart and coming out your mouth? Are you putting “legs,” or action to your faith? Do you have a plan “B” or a time limit? Just how big is your God? Can He do this for you? What are you willing to sacrifice for it? You may need to turn off the TV and get into the Word. God may prompt you to humble yourself and apologize to someone you have wronged. You may need to give a sacrificial offering. Sometimes the greatest sacrifice for a woman is to just keep quiet and let the Holy Spirit talk to her husband about a situation!

Will you turn off that TV? And what about apologizing to that person? Come on, have you really given your best? Lay that tongue on the altar! Now that takes real faith! Some people say, “I just want to die for Jesus.” But if they won’t live for Him...Oops! Did I say that? Sorry.

Jan Matthews, Founder & Executive Director

COVENANT WOMAN MINISTRIES