I once traded in my birthright for personal safety and security. Sacrifice always involves faith and trust. I have grown into that knowledge. To sacrificially praise God means leaving your confort zone. It means disregarding the need to protect yourself from the criticism of others. To sacrifice possessions means to trust in God for your provision as well as disregard fleshly desires for material goods. To sacrifice good works and service means to put aside what I want to do or would prefer to be doing for my own personal pleasure to work for God. I am a work in progress, but I can say that my focus has changed. I am loosing my taste for stew. I honestly seek to be in God's presence because I realize that is where my security lies. I now have a passion for being a living sacrifice. I am willing to give up a little now for a whole lot later. Whenever the doors of the church are open, I am there receiving my instructions on how to continue my journey to maturity. This is not because I am the Pastor's wife. It is because of my love of God which surpasses anything and everything. I am now willing to sacrifice it all because I have a desire to please my heavenly Father since that is the purpose for my creation. I long to one day hear "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
--Aundrea Baker
<mailto:abaker@thewaybiblefellowship.org>

I believe that we are in a constant fight to retain our birthright. Many of us are not even aware of our true heritage and thus we forfeit our blessings unknowingly. More than that, the lack of true intimacy with the Lord prevents us from seeing circumstances through spiritual eyes. All too often our energy is geared towards (perceived) self preservation rather than sacrificial gain; after all, temporal but tangible satisfaction seems to fill the void... atleast temporarily. The reality is, coming into the knowledge of sacrificial living is not only pleasing to God, but also allows you to walk in your purpose (maintaining the right to your heritage)while storing up your riches in Heaven.
--Rev. &amp; Mrs. Pugh

Well said everyone. I have certainly been overtaken by my desire for "stew" at times in my life, but this journey to becoming whole is replacing that desire with a desire for the kingdom. I think that we all (Christians) loose sight of the fact that we have a spiritual heritage ("every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" Eph. 1:3) at one time or anther in our lives. I think that it is important to keep at the forefront of our minds that if we seek the kingdom and the will of God first, that everything else will be added unto us. It is a process and a work in progress, but in keeping with God's word, we'll all reach the level of maturity that He has intended for our lives.
--Stephanie

About 12 years ago, I traded in my birthright for a “bowl of stew” that was so potent it nearly destroyed me spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and financially. I was a young woman (single) with two small children; saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Spirit. I had given my life totally to the Lord after the conception of my second child. By the time my baby turned one; I became impatient, (babe in Christ) lost sight of what God was doing in my life and married (eloped) “torment” himself. When I gave my life to the Lord, I had experienced many “face to face” encounters with Him. It was like nothing I had ever experienced in my life, but I looked away for a moment and found myself “literally” joined to a curse. I guess, out of ignorance, I though my physical needs outweighed my spiritual inheritance. That was a trip that I believed would never end; went further than I wanted to go, stayed longer than I wanted to stay and certainly paid more than I wanted to pay..….But God!!!!!! I learned an unforgettable lesson and the importance of holding on to my birthright. The enemy is out to steal, kill and destroy and the only way he has legal access (right of entry) is if I focus on the temporal rather than the eternal. Through it all, I have learned how to live Holy and WAIT on God!!!!! “Come hell or high waters” I ain’t going to let go until I “literally” see His face. My mind can’t even conceive the value of my birthright, all I know is that I would rather die before I traded it (birthright) for anything of this world. I have purposed, by the reading of the Word, prayer/fasting, worship, accountability and an intimate relationship with the Lord; not to allow my flesh to make a fool of me ever again…..I’ve been flushed of the stew; therefore, I refuse to be as a dog returning to its vomit and licking it up…..Don’t want any stew; just give me Jesus…. I actually enjoy being a priest….it blows my mind that I have instant access to the Throne Room at any time…and boy! I tap in often…My greatest desire is to please God in every aspect of my life and live continuously in His presence…..That’s why I praise Him no matter what!!!!…In every situation (even the worst of the worst), I find the strength to worship Him, for He is definitely my “EVERYTHING!”
--Diana Baker
<mailto:dbaker1968@cox.net>