Malachi 1:6
“A son honours his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honour? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the Lord of hosts to you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’

The second line of the Lord’s Prayer says, “Hallowed be thy name”. That means, “Let your name be highly honoured or respected”. Beloved, God’s name has been dishonoured enough outside and inside the Church! It ought not to be so.

God is not interested in lip service, beloved. For the Bible teaches the dire consequences of honouring the Lord with our lips while our hearts are far from Him (Isaiah 29:13-14). But how do we honour God in a manner that is genuine and acceptable? How do we unknowingly dishonour the Lord?

The prophet Malachi reveals that the QUALITY of our offerings is a measure of our respect and reverence for God (Malachi 1:7-8). When we present sacrifices which are defiled, crippled or diseased, we dishonour God. Our Father does not just pay attention to our wonderful worship lyrics; He considers the value of our offerings.

In ancient times, it was the duty of priests to examine their intended sacrifices before presenting them to God. As new covenant priests, let us ensure that every offering we present to God–in material, financial, verbal, musical or any other form of worship–will honour and not dishonour Him. Let all your sacrifices be pure, holy and acceptable in the sight of God. The rewards are out of this world!

Pastor Josh