The Bible is such a unique book in that we should not approach it like we do other books. For example, the Bible was never intended to be simply “enjoyed” as we would enjoy good literature…although there is beauty in the words of the Psalms, the writings of the prophets, and truth of the Gospels. Neither is the Bible simply meant to be listened to like we would listen to a good story…although we may gain knowledge or inspiration by reading through its pages. No, the ultimate purpose of the Bible is that we know Jesus Christ and become like Him in our actions, attitudes, thoughts, speech, and values…the words of the Bible are meant to be lived.

James 1:22 tells us, “Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves”. Action is required when reading God’s Word. It is simply not enough to read it, we must do what it says. The result of obeying God’s Word is life transformation. The Bible is intended to change our character and transform our lives. As you read the Bible, find out what it has to say to you…and do it.

For most of us, our problem with the Bible is not that we try to understand difficult passages. Our real problem is with obeying the passages we do understand. We let God’s Word go in one ear and out the other without applying it’s principles and practices to our lives. Our culture has shaped us to be talkers. It’s easier to talk about doing something than to actually do it. When it comes to God’s Word we need to turn down the volume of our voices and amplify our actions. James challenges us not to simply hear God’s word, but to be doers as well. Doers are people who inspire, influence, and make a difference. Doers are people that realize that God’s Word demands action.

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• Planning/Strategy mtg with the Children’s ministry team. We’re getting pumped about our 3rd service starting this weekend. #
• having lunch with my beautiful wife #
• In need of a change of scenery… #
• I’ve lost interest in “lost” #

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• Headed to All Staff but the carpool line at Dacula elementary is stupid slow. #
• great all staff meeting @12Stone. good things to come… #
• pack in the office after lunch. getting ready for meetings… #
• just finished an exciting conversation about our 1pm service @12stone. this Sunday is going to be a blast. #
• Just finished wrestling with the kids. I had to teach them whose boss! #
• New stimulus package: all the cabinet appointees pay their taxes. #
• going to bed…finally! #

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• Headed to the office to get ready for some meeting. #
• Where is Rod Serling? I think I just entered an episode of the “twilight zone”. #
• Heroes or 24? How do i decide? Dont have to b/c i have TiVo. Going to start with 24 b/c Nicole will watch it with me. Good times. #

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Romans 12:1 ”Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice – alive, holy, and pleasing to God – which is your reasonable service.” 

In view of who God is and what God has done for us…we are to present our bodies to God as a sacrifice. In this passage Paul paints a picture of what it means to “die to self” (Matthew 16:24). If we want to come to Jesus we must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. In other words, Paul calls us to dedicate ourselves without reserve to God. 

Why? We must look back to the previous 11 chapter of Romans to see the reasons. The Christian life is not based on ignorance but knowledge, and the better we understand Bible doctrine (Romans 1-11), the easier it is to obey Bible duties (Romans 12-16). Therefore…

Present your bodies…ALIVE

• We were once dead in our trespasses & sin. Now we are made alive in God through Christ.

Present your bodies…HOLY

• We were once slaves to sin. Now we are righteous through faith in Christ.

Present your bodies…PLEASING

• We were once enemies of God because of sin. Now we are at peace with God through the work of Christ.

John Stott wrote, “All true worship is a response to the self-revelation of God in Christ and Scripture, and arises from our reflection on Who He is and what He has done.” As we understand what Christ has done for us on the cross (theology); we are therefore to live our lives in complete submission to Him (practicality). As Bishop Handley Moule said at the end of the last 19th century, we must “beware equally of an undevotional theology and of an untheological devotion.”

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• Up and ready to go…gonna be a great @12Stone today. #
• http://twitpic.com/1a5qd – Preschool worship was hilarious today. Teresa and the team were ON today. The volunteers at 12Stone are awesome. #
• http://twitpic.com/1a6yj – Stage 12 Studios started at new series called “Meet Me At The Fair”. The kids LOVED it! #
• Walmart run on super bowl Sunday…not a good idea. Heck…it’s not a good idea any day. #
• watching the superbowl pregame with Samuel. we’re picking the steelers. what’s your pick? #
• Kickoff #
• AZ Cards uniforms made it to the game…but team hasn’t shown up yet. Looks like world isn’t coming to an end yet. #

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• If we do not change direction, we are likely to end up where we are headed – Chinese proverb #

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• Day off…aaahhh #
• Just enough to to get in a work out. Circuit training here we go. #
• Great workout. Now getting Emma & Will @ preschool. Then lunch with Samuel & his kindergarten class. #
• Fun fish friday at school today. Not as tasty as it was when I was 6. #

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• Working out of the office this morning. Playing catch up. #
• loving the fact that my macbook now works on our network. thanks @tonymimms, it’s working great! #
• shuffling songs between the “enter the worship circle: 1st, 2nd, & 3rd circle” albums. good stuff #

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• This righteousness from God comes thru faith is Jesus Christ to all who believe. Romans 3:22 #
• “Brevity is the soul of wit, the essence of a witty statement lies in it’s concise wording and delivery…” #
• in a meeting with ccb #
• still in CCB meeting. Anyone using Church Community Builder as your database? If so, what do you think? #
• talking one for the team! #
• Guest chef at the Echols tonight http://twitpic.com/18g7c #

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