Hope these short bible excerpts & notes will help encourage my fellow brothers & sisters in Christ in their walk with Him!

Philippians 2:12-30

my bible highlights:)
12-15 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 
so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights of the world.

notes from NASB life application bible:

- "work out your salvation"- may mean entire church was to work together to rid themselves of divisions & discord
- God has not left us alone in our struggles to do His will- wants to come alongside us & be within us to help!
     o God helps us want to obey Him
     o then gives us power to do what He wants
     o submit to God's control & let Him work, *ask God to help you want to do His will
- to be like Christ => must train ourselves to think like Christ
- to change our desires to be more like Christ we need
     o power of the indwelling spirit
     o influence of faithful Christians
     o obedience to God's Word
     o sacrificial service
- often in doing God's will we gain desire to do it
- A transformed life is an effective witness to the power of God's Word
- when you are totally committed to Christ, sacrificing to build faith of others => joyous reward
- Don't let schedule & concerns crowd out your Christian service to & love for others

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Many times I try to work so hard to make myself a better person. But I always come up short and grow tired and weary. I know now that I can't rely on my own strength, but need to allow God to work in me- to give me the desire to do His will & power to carry it through. God is the only one who transforms lives supernaturally. Let His love work within your heart and you'll be amazed by what He does!