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Bible studies:
As a diligent student of the Bible, you will want to make sure the Bible really says what this study says. Always remember to test all things with God's word - as the Bereans did. They "received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). First, read the study all the way through, without looking up the Scriptures. Then read the study again, this time looking up the Scriptures. Highlight or mark each verse you look up so you can easily find it later. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It is common for people who have just started doing the Will of God to say, "I do not feel like I am doing enough!" These people are actually fulfilling the Scripture that commands us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12). They are very concerned that they are pleasing God in all they are doing, yet they know they have not attained their goal. In reality, it would be sick if they said, "I think I am doing too much for God!" The first attitude is beautiful because it gives the incentive to want to do more. In order to do more, we must not remain foolish. We must find out completely what the Will of God is, so we can grow in respect to godliness (Eph. 5:17). We are no longer to live the way the world lives, conforming to this world; but we are to renew our minds by finding out and proving what the Will of God is. Then, we must perform God’s Will in our daily lives (1 Peter 4:2; 2:12, 15). This is what transforms us into godly people, which we are practicing to be and we desire to be. This is how we become godly people who imitate God in our daily behavior (Eph. 5:1). If we are going to be perfect, as our heavenly Father is perfect, then we are going to have to practice (Matt. 5:48; John 3:21). We know practice makes perfect, especially when God is causing the growth and doing the perfecting (1 Cor. 3:7; Col. 2:19; 1 Peter 5:10). We are to please God from now on, walking in newness of life (2 Cor. 5:9; Rom. 6:4). We must consider our old way of life as dead and be alive to God in Christ Jesus by being happy slaves of righteousness (Rom. 6:11, 18). All things will become new as we become new creatures (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15). We cannot become weary in doing good if we want to have Christ’s nature formed in us (Gal. 6:9; 4:19; 2 Thess. 3:13). We will suffer a little until God perfects us (1 Peter 5:10). Think only good thoughts, say only good things and be filled with the knowledge of God’s Will (Phil. 4:8; 1 Peter 4:11; Col. 1:9-10). In due time, if we are rich in good works and if we study to show ourselves approved to God, the Lord will give us understanding in everything (1 Tim. 6:18; 2 Tim. 2:7, 15; 1 John 2:27). (Feel free to give copies of this study to others who want to know God’s truth. You will be doing God’s Will when you show and tell others how to live this special Way.) Bible studies:
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