Archive for category: GAMEtime Sharing

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Philippians 2:1-11.  Let’s go!

Philippians 2:1-11 (NIV)
1  If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
2  then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
3  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
4  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

On verses 1-11:  It is one of the most beautiful and important passages in all of the New Testament, so much so that I encourage you to memorize this passage.

When you memorize this passage, the Holy Spirit will use it to remind you of some essential truths, including the following:

1. As Christians we are to be like Christ in our attitude and to put others’ interests (especially the interests of your brothers and sisters in Christ) ahead of our own (v3-5).

2. Jesus Christ is in very nature God (v6). He is fully God.

3. Jesus Christ also became a human being (v7).  He is both fully God and fully man.

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Philippians 1:22-30.  Let’s go!

One of the big themes of Philippians is putting the needs of others, or the needs of the team, ahead of your own.  We see this theme played out in various ways in today’s passage.

Philippians 1:22-26 (NIV)
22  If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!
23  I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
24  but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
25  Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,
26  so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

On verses 22-26:  Facing the possibility of execution, Paul is torn between the thought of dying and going to heaven and the thought of continuing to live and serve God on earth.  For the sake of his own happiness, Paul would prefer to die and go to heaven (“which is better by far” – v23).  But Paul senses that God still has more work for Paul to do on earth with his churches (v24).  Paul believes God wants to keep using him to help his churches grow (v25) and to experience the joy and encouragement of seeing him again (v26).  For these reasons, Paul is convinced that his time to die has not yet come, even though a part of him would love to leave and go to heaven right away.

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Philippians 1:1-11.  Let’s go!

Hi GAMErs,
 
Today we begin the book of Philippians, a letter Paul wrote to his church in Philippi while he was imprisoned in Rome for preaching the Gospel in approximately 61 AD.  This book is packed with valuable lessons and verses worth memorizing.  I look forward to studying it with you.  Today’s passage is Philippians 1:1-11.  Let’s go!
 
Philippians 1:1-2 (NIV)
1  Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
2  Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

On verses 1-2:  Here Paul addresses all the believers at his church in Philippi as “saints” or “holy ones”.   Contrary to popular belief, the word “saint” or “holy one” in the Bible is not a term reserved for especially good people.  As long as you have placed your faith in Jesus, in God’s eyes you are a “saint”, a “holy one”.  That’s not because you are a good person in and of yourself, but because Jesus’ blood covers your sins and makes you holy and blameless in God’s sight.  

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Ephesians 6:1-9.  Let’s go!

Ephesians 6:1-3 (NIV) 
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 
2 “Honor your father and mother”–which is the first commandment with a promise– 
3 “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” 

On verses 1-3:  Here Paul refers to the children in the church of Ephesus.  The fact that Paul addresses children shows that children are as much a part of the church as adults.  When verse 1 tells children to “obey your parents in the Lord”, what does “in the Lord” mean?  It’s saying that children are to obey their parents as an act of worship and trust in God.  Paul gives two reasons children should obey their parents.  First, it’s the right thing to do (v1). Second, God promises that it will lead to blessing in a child’s life (v2-3).

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage in Ephesians 5:15-21 gives us some important advice on how to live life to the fullest.  Let’s go.

Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV) 
15 Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, 
16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 

On verses 15-17:  What does Paul mean when he says “the days are evil”?  He means that the age we live in is full of traps that can take people off track — distractions, deceptions and temptations.  Time is limited.  So rather than being unwise (v15) and foolish (v17), wasting our lives on things that will not matter in the end, we are to understand what God’s will is (v17) and make the most of every opportunity to do God’s will and to fulfill our God-given calling.  Don’t spend your life worrying and chasing after things that will not matter in the end.  Instead spend your life on God’s purposes: worship Jesus, grow in intimacy with Him, serve Him, lead others to Him, and live a life of love.