THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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((This week I am preaching revival at Calvary Baptist Church in Mangham, La. Consequently I will probably not be able to answer many e-mails until Thursday.))
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A fella was really looking puzzled as he studied the man in the check out line ahead of him. He KNEW that face, but couldn't remember where. Finally he said, "Sir, I know your face, but I just can't PLACE you."
The other man said, "Well, for 2 years now, I've been passing the offering plate in your church!"
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Rom 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
(KJV)
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Paul's plea is that we present to God our "bodies." The word for "bodies" in the Greek is soma, meaning WHOLE. God wants ALL of us. God does not only want our minds, or our hearts; but He wants our WHOLE SELF.
Notice that Paul also says this is our "reasonable service."
Christ is our Creator, Sustainer, Savior and Eternal Judge. All we have belongs to Him. It is "reasonable service" to give Christ ALL of ourselves.
The majority of the population of the world lives for SELF. Paul says that we should not be "conformed" to the world; but rather we should be "transformed" by a renewed mind. As Christians, our thoughts should place Jesus FIRST in all that we do.
So often, we "conform" to the world. We plan our lives around our own desires, and put our Lord in a corner of our lives. But our "reasonable service" is to plan our lives around Jesus as the CENTER of all that we do.
Being "born again," our objective should be to honor Christ in all that we do. That objective only comes from having a RENEWED mind. The renewed mind comes from studying God's Word to find what HE WANTS in our lives. If we study our Bibles, we will "prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God" for our living and giving.
May our Lord bless you today, as you give Him your "reasonable service."
Love ya,
Bruce
mcge3582@bellsouth.net
http://www.linktojesus.org/
The phrase that is guaranteed to wake up an audience:
"and in conclusion."