Have you been altar-altered? I was. In 1992 I came up off my knees and never looked back. After years of mud baths and prodigal living, and then a couple of years of playing church, Holy Spirit invaded my life and convicted me of several things and, as they say, the rest is history!
The Bible is full of altar alterations.
Abraham and Isaac had one atop Mount Zion.
Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order, and he bound Isaac his (only) son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. Genesis 22.9
Then the account reads that Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But, wait, is that the bleating of a sheep in the brush and a voice speaking from the clouds?
“Abraham and Isaac, look up, your redemption draws nigh!”
They were radically altar-altered!
Then King (David) said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy (the threshing floor to build an altar) from you for a price; I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” … And David built there an altar to the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord heeded the prayers for the land, and the plague was withdrawn from Israel. 2 Samuel 24.24-25
David and all of Israel were immensely altar-altered!
Altars and sacrifice go together like milk and cookies – you cannot have one without the other. There are many accounts of unholy and pagan altars of sacrifice (King Jeroboam, King Ahab, King Ahaz and peoples such as Israelites and Athenians). Take some time and do a word search of “altar” and read the testimonies – some of them are pretty gruesome.
Then came Jesus! The sacrificial Lamb of God, slain on the altar of Calvary. His one-time sacrifice cost Him His earthly life and offers us eternal life!
THAT is the kind of altar-altered we can jump up and down about – have you experienced it?
xo
Kathy Walters says
August 28, 2013 at 10:05 amLove this!
Kathy
Peggy Hoefl says
August 29, 2013 at 4:10 amTruth again…Been there — done that — and at this season in my life, I am so glad that I did, because my altered life keeps me at the Altar of my Life!
Sandy Blevins says
August 29, 2013 at 3:57 amSo good…yes…I’ve been there! Thank you Jesus!
Arna Toliver says
August 29, 2013 at 4:01 amAltars —1st a Sacrifice , then the Change. Coming to the point of being willing to lay it all down. ( To die to self, that I might Truly Live). Looking back at the Altars of my life is good. It reminds me, of All that the Lord has done in my life. The Landmarks in my life that altered my coarse. I am So Glad He Altered Mine!!! Thanks for the Reminder, Susan. I Am MOST GRATEFUL.. for THE ALTAR and THE SACRIFICE that was made…..THAT HE HAS ALTERED MY LIFE……Your Words are Encouraging and a Blessing to us all.
Kit Lawrence says
August 29, 2013 at 5:40 amNo pain no palm.
No cross no crown.
No altar no alteration.
The simple Gospel, again.
Thank you, Sus.
ali battersby says
August 29, 2013 at 8:09 amWhen I am going thru “dry periods” in my life, I find immense comfort when I look back and recall the altars/alterations in my life– when the faithfulness of our God was right in my face, showing itself so clearly. When I am “under the weather” I am reminded that the sun is always shining, whether I see it not.
What a wonderful topic, and I appreciate the comments!
PS We are enroute to Creston, as I write 🙂 🙂
admin says
August 29, 2013 at 8:16 amLet’s try to savor a moment or two together on your porch – 🙂
Donna Morscher says
August 30, 2013 at 1:40 pmWritten beautifully!!! Yes, through the blood of the Lamb we can all be altered and I am sure most of us have been. I have been altered and thankful to say so.
Tessa says
August 27, 2015 at 11:28 amGreat topic. Thank you for reminding me.
admin says
August 27, 2015 at 12:22 pmThanks for visiting Tessa.