April 18 - Willing.

Psalm 119:108
“Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.”
 
In order for us to be willing, we must first have a giving heart. So often when we hear the word offering we think of ushers passing a plate throughout the congregation so that the church can pay the bills, the pastor, or help a ministry or missionary. An offering is so much more than giving money for a cause.
 
2 Corinthians 9:7
“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
 
An offering to the Lord is only an offering if it is done with a willing heart. Just as God will not force us to love Him, He will not force us to praise or serve Him. God wants us to praise Him voluntarily. He is not only worthy of our praise, He wants it!
 
The Lord desires our willingness before any sacrifice can be offered unto Him.
 
Psalm 54:6
“I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O Lord; for it is good.”
 
It is our reasonable service to offer ourselves in service to the Lord. He only desires praise from a willing heart.
 
Romans 12:1
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
 
May we daily submit our own desires to the Lord, willing to do His will with our whole heart.
 
Psalm 103:1
“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.”
 
If we want the Lord to order our steps, we must be willing.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Judges 3-4  |  Acts 19  |  Psalm 77