Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

August 23
Thursday


THE TIPPING
POINT

READ:
Romans 12:1-8
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In his book The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell observes that struggling businesses are often turned around by one key decision. Many once-foundering companies are now thriving and successful because of a choice that became the tipping point.

Although targeted to those in business management, the principle also applies to those who are committed to advancing the cause of Christ. Sometimes we find ourselves up against a wall, struggling with a decision or situation that threatens to cripple our capacity for effective service to our King. It's at those critical junctures that we can make a "Tipping point" decision to turn things around.

The decision? Surrender your will and heart to God. James 4:7 says, "Submit to God," and Romans 12:1 tells us, "Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God." Be willing to sacrifice your agenda for His greater purposes.

What if Noah had told God, "I don't do boats!" What if Joeseph had not forgiven his brothers and failed to protect them from the life-threatening famine? Or what if Jesus had refused to die on the cross?

Surrender is the tipping point. When we make that chocie, God can use us to do great things for Him. __Joe Stowell
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~~~~~~~~~~Lord, take my life and make it wholly Thine;~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine.~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~Take all my will, my passion, self and pride;~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~I now surrender, Lord--in me abide. __Orr~~~~~~~~~~
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Surrender becomes victory when we yield to God.

***************Today's Bible Reading __ Romans 12:1-8***********

1 I beseech you therefore,
brethren, by the mercies of
God, that you present your
bodies a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable to God,
which is your reasonable
service. 2 And do not be
conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that
you may prove what is that
good and acceptable and
perfect will of God.

3 For I say, through the
grace given to me, to
everyone who is among
you, not to think of himself
more highly than he ought
to think, but to think
soberly, as God has dealt to
each one a measure of faith.

4 For as we have many
members in one body, but
all the members do not have
the same function, 5 so we,
being many, are one body
in Christ, and individually
members of one another.

6 Having then gifts differing
according to the grace that
is given to us, let us use
them: if prophecy, let us
prophesy in proportion to
our faith; 7 or ministry, let
us use it in our ministering;

8 he who exhorts, in
exhortation; he who gives,
with liberality; he who
leads, with diligence; he
who shows mercy, with
cheerfulness.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Paul's letter to the Romans can be divided into two portions: the
theological foundation of our belief, and the practical application
of that theology. Having explained what the gospel is (Rom. 1-11),
Paul applies the gospel to everyday living (Rom. 12-15). The last
four chapters provide a pattern of discipleship for believers__the
call to commitment, spiritual gifts, and personal relationships. In
today's passage, God does not require that we die for Him (12:1-8 ).
Rather, we are to live for Him (vv.1-2a), in His perfect will (v.2b), in
humility (v.3), and in unity (vv.4-8 ). __SKT