I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:1 –2 (ESV)

A lot of us are pretty squeamish when it comes to blood. It freaks us out. Some of us even faint at the sight of it. I'm not sure how devoted we would be if we lived in Old Testament times. Ancient Judaism was a bloody religion. Worship was filled with sacrifices, most of which involved death at the hands of the priest or worshiper. Taking life and identifying with death was essential to spiritual life.

So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! - Romans 11:11 –12 (ESV)

Have you ever seen one of those pictures that is made up of a bunch of miniature pictures. Each smaller picture makes up a pixel of the larger image. Depending on what medium you are viewing it in, you can zoom in and out. The big picture is made up of all these little pictures.

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

    “For who has known the mind of the Lord,
        or who has been his counselor?”
    “Or who has given a gift to him
        that he might be repaid?”
   
    For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. - Romans 11:33 –36 (ESV)

Did you grow up singing the Doxology in church? If you didn't (and want to figure out what I'm talking about) or if you want to hear a beautiful version check out this video.

So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. - Romans 11:5 –6 (ESV)

Do you trust the promises of God? Do you ever fear that you might do something to screw up God's gifts to you? Maybe, He might renege. Maybe I'll cross a line from which there is no return. Maybe God will finally get fed up with my disloyalty and find someone better. Have you had any of these thoughts? I have.

Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob” - Romans 11:25 –26 (ESV)

Do you love a good mystery? Maybe when you think about mysteries your favorite detective character comes to mind. Maybe when you think of mystery you think of some event or place that has secrets like the pyramids.

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” -- Romans 10:14 –15 (ESV)

Maybe your feet look better then mine, but I would not point to them as my most attractive feature. Paul says that feet can be beautiful, not because they are neatly groomed, polished, or accented. He calls them beautiful because of their ability to carry an important message to those who haven't heard.