Challenge Answers and "God Wants You!"

Good Afternoon to All!

I don't usually do Wednesday posts, but this week I am making an exception, as I have been having so many problems. We finally got our new modem today, and so far my computer is working even faster than it did originally.

The answers to the Bible Challenge on "Teachings 2" are as follows:

1. c) servants in the house of the Lord (Psalm 134)
2. c) heart (Proverbs 28:26
3. d) those who are merciful (Matthew 5:7)
4. b) wolves in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15)
5. c) earthquakes (Matthew 24:7)
6. "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you..." (John 15:7)
7. a) faith (Romans 1:17)
8. d) Mount Sinai (Galatians 4:24-25)
9. poisonous (James 3:8)
10. a) loveth (1 John 4:8)

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I'm sure you have heard the old adage "Uncle Sam wants you". Well, in this case, "God Wants You.

I appeal to you therefore, brethren and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies 'presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice. (Romans 12:1 Amp. ver.)

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. (KJV)

Reference Verses: Thompson Chain-Reference Bible KJV-- Mortifying the flesh: Matt. 5:29, Romans 6:6, Galatians 5:16, Colossians 3:5, 1 Peter 4:2, 4:11, Self-Sacrifice--(The Duty of) Matt. 16:25, 19:21, Romans 4:21, 1 Cor. 10.24, Philippians 2:4 (There are many others on this subject. If you would like to know them e-mail me and I would be glad to look them up for you.

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God wants you! He wants full custody of your heart, not just visitation rights. People often complain that they pray in Jesus' name and nothing happens--but considering the amount of time they spend with Him, it's obvious they're only "dating" Him. I didn't get my husband's name until I married him. Jesus wants a marriage relationship with His church.

Intimacy with God encourages His power to work in our lives. We cannot view intimacy as all smiles and warm, fuzzy feelings. When a relationship is intimate, one person can speak correction to the other and complete honesty can flow between the two of them. In an intimate relationship with God, we have wonderful moments, but we also have moments when He calls us to honestly face things that need to change in our lives.

Some people haven't learned that their own breakthrough to peace happens when they submit to God and obey Him promptly. They are like unbroken colts resistant to a bridle and bit in their mouth, which could be sued by God to guide them to a place of security and provision.

Some people are not willing to let God have the reins of their lives. but they will never feel the security or peace they long for until they surrender themselves completely to the Holy Spirit. He wants you; let Him have all of you.

God's Word For You Tonight: Give God full custody of your life.

Our God is NOT a part-time God. He gives us His full attention at all times and wants us to do the same. He wants all of us, not just what we think He should have. In our human marital relationship we give all our love and attention to our spouses and children. God deserves the same or even more. God's Word tells us to place God first, family second and everything else last. If we put God first, this means to give Him our attention, our respect, and obey His commands. If we do this then HE will be a part of our lives that will flourish and will make our lives whole, happy and complete. A good part of this is self-sacrifice. His Word says our bodies are a temple. He dwells within us (if we have invited Him), and show our love for Him. We would no more want to live in a house that is full of "bugs, trash or mold, but by defiling our own bodies that is essentially what we are asking Him to do. Whether it is physical such as our addictions (alcohol, tobacco, or drugs), or our actions, such as fornication or what we put in our brains such as pornography, or evil movies ( such as witchcraft, sorcery, vampires etc.) it is all defiling our bodies. I know, I hear it from my hubby, ("but I know they aren't real!") It doesn't matter. What counts are the images which stick in a person's brain. I remember seeing the the Exorcist many years ago. I can still her head spinning around. I saw Carrie back in the 70's. I can still picture her walking down the street covered in blood and her big blue eyes standing out like some crazy person's. Now it has been 30 years and longer since I have seen these movies but I can remember them just like I saw them yesterday. I would give anything if I had not gone to see those movies. This is what I am talking about.

To be a living sacrifice, we need to look at Jesus' actions and even though we will never be able to measure up to His standards, God tells us to strive toward the mark. This is how we do it. Even if it's little things at a time, or one thing at a time. God realizes who we are and where we come from, so He will help us to do this if we ask Him.

Good Night and May God Bless!