Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
--- James 4:7
Although God and the devil are at war, we don’t have to wait until the end to see who will win. God has alr... View MoreSubmit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
--- James 4:7
Although God and the devil are at war, we don’t have to wait until the end to see who will win. God has already defeated satan (Revelation 12:10-12) , and when Christ returns, the devil and all he stands for will be eliminated forever (Revelation 20:10-15). Satan is here now, however, and he is trying to win us over to his evil cause. With Holy Spirit’s power, we can resist the devil, and he will flee from us.
--- Life Application Study Bible notes
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray and ask You to guide me to make the right choices WHEN THE DEVIL THROWS TEMPTATIONS at me.
Help me to RESIST the influences of the world, the flesh and the devil.
Father, draw me closer to You as I know WHEN I AM IN YOUR PRESENCE, the devil is forced out by the radiance of Your light.
Help me walk the path of truth being filled with Your spirit.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing ... View MoreIs there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
--- Philippians 2:1-5 NLT
v2:1-5 - Many people---even Christians---live only to make a good impression on others or to please themselves. But selfishness brings discord. Paul therefore stressed spiritual unity, asking the Philippians to love one another and to be one in spirit and purpose. When we work together, caring for the problems of others as if they were our problems. We demonstrate Christ’s example of putting others first, and we experience unity. Don’t be so concerned about making a good impression of meeting your own needs that you strain relationships in God’s family.
v2:3 - Selfishness can ruin a church, but genuine humility can build it. Being humble involves having a true perspective about ourselves (see Romans 12:3). It does not mean that we should put ourselves down. Before God, we are to lay aside selfishness and treat others with respect and common courtesy, Considering others’ interests as more important than our own links us with Christ, who was a true example of humility.
v2:4 - Philippi was a cosmopolitan city. The composition of the church reflected great diversity, with people from a variety of backgrounds and walks of life. Acts 16 gives us some indication of the diverse makeup of this church. The church included Lydia, a Jewish convert from Asia and a wealthy businesswoman (Acts 16:14); the slave girl (Acts 16:16-17), probably a native Greek; and the jailer serving this colony of the empire, probably a Roman (Acts 16:25-36). With so many different backgrounds among the members, unity must have been difficult to maintain. Although there is no evidence of division in the church, its unity had to be safeguarded (3:2;4:2). Paul encourages us to guard against any selfishness, prejudice, or jealousy that might lead to dissension. Showing genuine interest in others is a positive step forward in maintaining unity among believers.
V2:5 - Jesus Christ was humble, willing to give up his rights in order to obey God and serve people. Like Christ, we should have a servant’s attitude, serving out of love for God and for others, not out of guilt or fear. Remember, you can choose your attitude. You can approach life expecting to be served, or you can look for opportunities to serve others. See Mark 10:45 for more on Christ’s attitude of servanthood.
--- Life Application Study Bible notes
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
--- Roma... View MoreDo not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
--- Romans 12:2
Paul warned Christians: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world” that are usually selfish and often corrupting. Wise Christians decide that much worldly behavior is off-limits for them. Our refusal to conform to this world’s values, however, must go even deeper than just behavior and customs; it must be firmly planted in our mind: “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” It is possible to avoid most worldly customs and still be proud, covetous, selfish, stubborn, and arrogant. Only when the Holy Spirit renews, reeducates, and redirects our mind are we truly transformed. (see 8:5)
--- Life Application Study Bible notes
---- THE BURNING QUESTION ----
IF YOU DIED TODAY, WHERE WOULD YOU GO?
I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And t... View More---- THE BURNING QUESTION ----
IF YOU DIED TODAY, WHERE WOULD YOU GO?
I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave[a] gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. 14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. 15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.
--- Revelation 20:12-15
V12-15 - At the judgment, the books will be opened. The Book of Life contains the names of those who have put their trust in Christ to save them. These books also contain the recorded deeds of everyone. good or evil. Everyone’s life will be reviewed and evaluated. No one is saved by deeds, but deeds are seen as clear evidence of a person’s actual relationship with God. Jesus will look at how we have handled gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities. God’s gracious gift of salvation does not free us from the requirement of faithful obedience and service. Each of us must serve Christ in the best way we know and live each day knowing the books will one day be opened.
V14 - Death and the grave are thrown into the lake of fire. God’s judgment is finished. The lake of fire is the ultimate destination of everything wicked---Satan, the beast, the false prophet, the demons, death, the grave, and all those whose names are not recorded in the Book of Life because they did not place their faith in Jesus Christ. John’s vision does not permit any gray areas in God’s judgment. If by faith we have not identified with Christ, confessing him as Lord, there will be no hope, no second chance, no other appeal.
--- Life Application Study Bible notes
10 At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”
11 Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you h... View More10 At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”
11 Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. 12 May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
--- Ruth 2:10-12
Ruth’s life exhibited admirable qualities: She was hardworking ,loving, kind, faithful, and brave. These qualities gained for her a good reputation, but only because she displayed them consistently in all areas of her life. Wherever Ruth went or whatever she did, her character remained the same.
Your reputation is formed by the people who watch you at work, in town, at home, in church. A good reputation comes by consistently living out the qualities you believe in---no matter what group of people or surroundings you are in.
--- NLT Life Application Study Bible notes
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