INTRODUCTION

The Devil despises the praise of God. Men sacrifice unto God to demonstrate their value of Him. As such, the Devil longs to eliminate godly sacrifices. Daniel 9:27And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
See All... speaks of a future time known as the tribulation when the Devil will cause animal sacrifices to cease. In the present age, God has made it perfectly clear that He does not desire animal sacrifices. Instead, believers offer spiritual sacrifices unto God in an effort to declare their praise and love for God. Just as the Devil will one day seek to end the physical sacrifices given to the Lord by the Jewish people in the tribulation, he is presently working to keep New Testament believers from offering spiritual sacrifices of praise unto God.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) The Devil has always wanted to be God (Isaiah 14:12-14 [12] How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! [13] For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: [14] I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
  See All...). While Jesus was on earth, the Devil tried to get Jesus to worship him. Jesus refused, and answered the Devil with a Bible verse (Matthew 4:8-10 [8] Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; [9] And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. [10] Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
  See All...).
• Why does the Devil hate for God to receive praise? What efforts does he put forth in your life to keep you from praising God through spiritual sacrifices?
• Do you love God? What do you do in order to demonstrate your love for Him? What kind of a battle do you face when you seek to offer spiritual sacrifices unto the Lord?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to help you overcome the efforts to stop your sacrifices.
• Thank God for giving you reasons to offer spiritual sacrifices.

HYMN

Am I a Soldier of the Cross?

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