"God has good, pleasing, and perfect plans for his children. He wants us to be new people with renewed minds, living to honor and obey him. Since he wants only what is best for us, and since he gave his Son to make our new lives possible, we should joyfully volunteer as living sacrifices for his service. Christians are called to 'be not conformed to this world' with its behavior and customs that are usually selfish and often corrupting. Many Christians wisely 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 the level of behavior and customs - it must be firmly founded in our minds - 'be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.' 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 minds are we truly transformed." - Life Application Bible, p. 1984.

"And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God." 2 Cor. 8:5.

"But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word." Acts 6:4.

"Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all." 1 Tim. 4:13-15.

"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." Heb. 13:15.

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Life Application Bible Notes Used By Permission. Life Application Study Bible © 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1996 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189. All rights reserved. Life Application is a registered trademark of Tyndale Publishers, Inc.