My Lifeline

2 Samuel 7:18 (NIV)
¹⁸  Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: "Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?

The scripture today finds David sitting (abiding) with the Lord. He is claiming, with great humility, just how stunned he is at the goodness of God. He is praising his Lord by asking, how it is possible that such a great God would trouble himself with a sinner such as he (David).

2 Samuel 7:19 (NIV)
¹⁹  And as if this were not enough in your sight, O Sovereign LORD, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign LORD?




Do I ever approach the throne with such an attitude? Do I acknowledge how unworthy I am and how great and awesome is the Lord? This may sound like 'buttering up," but if the heart is in the right condition, this is the proper way to come before God. Humility and honesty are traits God wants to instill, traits He wants to see us practice.

Prayer is too often focused on meeting our own needs, when prayer is so much more. Prayer is how I build a strong relationship with my Lord. Prayer and reading His Word are how I learn about God's heart; it is where I learn to be like Jesus and what that means for my life.

This week I am going to take a better look at my prayer life, my style of prayer requests, and how I view this thing called prayer. I am going to Praise Him and I am going to be more deliberate and open when talking to God. I want to build a better relationship with Him so that I can build a better relationship with others.

2 Samuel 7:18-29

He who exalts himself will be humbled

(Today's commentary from the Daily Scripture Reading 9/1/19)

Scripture: Luke 14:1, 7-11

One sabbath when he (Jesus) went to dine at the house of a ruler who belonged to the Pharisees, they were watching him. Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he marked how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, "When you are invited by anyone to a marriage feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest a more eminent man than you be invited by him; and he who invited you both will come and say to you, `Give place to this man,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, `Friend, go up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Who wants to be last?

Isn't it only natural to desire respect and esteem from others? Jesus' parable of the guests invited to the marriage feast probes our motives for seeking honor and position. Self-promotion is most often achieved at the expense of others! Jesus' parable reinforces the teaching of Proverbs: Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great; for it is better to be told, "Come up here," than to be put lower in the presence of the prince (Proverbs 25:6-7).

True humility frees us to be our true selves as God sees us

What is true humility and why should we make it a characteristic mark of our life and action? True humility is not feeling bad about yourself, or having a low opinion of yourself, or thinking of yourself as inferior to others. True humility frees us from preoccupation with ourselves, whereas a low self-opinion tends to focus our attention on ourselves. Humility is truth in self-understanding and truth in action. Viewing ourselves truthfully, with sober judgment, means seeing ourselves the way God sees us (Psalm 139:1-4). A humble person makes a realistic assessment of himself or herself without illusion or pretense to be something he or she is not. The humble regard themselves neither smaller nor larger than they truly are.

True humility frees us to be our true selves and to avoid despair and pride. A humble person does not have to wear a mask or put on a facade in order to look good to others, especially to those who are not really familiar with that person. The humble are not swayed by accidentals, such as fame, reputation, success, or failure.

True humility frees us to love and serve selflessly for the good of others

Humility is the queen or foundation of all the other virtues because it enables us to view and judge ourselves correctly, the way God sees us. Humility leads to true self-knowledge, honesty, realism, strength, and dedication to give ourselves to something greater than ourselves. Humility frees us to love and serve others selflessly, for their sake, rather than our own. Paul the Apostles, gives us the  greatest example and model of humility in the person of Jesus Christ, who emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, ...who humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:7-8). The Lord Jesus gives grace to those who seek him humbly. Do you want to be a servant as Jesus served? 

Success! It's Not What You Think It Is

I Peter 5:5-11

Our society tells us that 'the early bird gets the worm.' And success is only achieved through our own efforts. You've certainly heard the expression "the harder he worked, the luckier he became." We nod sagely and say, yes, it's all about hard work. No one cares more about your success than you do.' 

And yet....and yet. Scripture offers a radically different view. In today's passage, Paul tells us to 'clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.' He also instructs us to 'humble yourselves under God's mighty hand.' And did I mention that scripture talks about suffering? A lot? (Be sure to read v. 10....and just google 'suffering in the Bible' and you will get pages and pages of verses to examine).

So what does an American Christian, steeped in the "pull yourselves up by your bootstraps" ethos, do? We open our Bibles, we ask God to show us how to live. And we 'cast all our anxiety on Him, because he cares for us.' (v. 7). We don't cast some of our anxiety on Him. We cast it all. And when we want to reel it back in to handle it ourselves, we confess our sin, and we give it back to him. Again. And again. And again....

Lord, I want to live for you. Help me to draw closer to you, and to cast all my cares on you. Amen.

A Lesson in Confession

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)

This verse is a stumbling block to me. 

Isn’t it enough that I confess my sins to God? I’m not Catholic, after all. I believe in salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, for as Romans 10:13 proclaims, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Why then need I confess my sins to others?

Consider that other alone: Scripture alone. The Bible - the whole Bible! - is the inspired word of God and the sole infallible rule of faith and practice. That includes James 5:16. Further, this is not about justification; it’s about sanctification. We do not confess our sins to each other so that we may be forgiven or justified; we confess our sins to each other so that we may be healed.

So why don’t I do it?

Because people would think less of me. Confident though I may be in God’s amazing grace and unconditional love, I don’t fully trust His church to mirror His character. I fear their haughty eyes and self-righteous condemnation. I desire their approval, their admiration even, so under a veil of righteousness I hide my sinful heart.

Who then do I aim to please - God or man? Who do I glorify - God or self?

I must confess I have sought to please man that I might be glorified. This verse is a stumbling block to me because I have a pride problem. Pray for me so that I may be healed.

King of Righteousness

JANUARY 1                                                                                      

Scripture Reading
Read Jeremiah 23:1-6 and reflect on the passage.

Happy New Year beloved brothers and sisters in Christ! What a wonderful call to righteousness for 2018; I unpacked the word righteousness and related it to virtue, morality, and honor. I think to be righteous is to lean into the call to “tend” to the body of Christ “unafraid”. To me, tending to the body is to daily take a posture of service; to get down on my hands and knees, in complete humility, to wash my brothers’ and sisters’ feet. 

Luke 9:23 calls us to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. As a human I am entirely incapable to serve or love, until I pick up my cross- until I am walking beside the Righteous Branch, the Righteous King. I challenge you this New Year to walk this journey with me- to consistently lower yourself to serve the Church. This call to service looks like standing beside the person struggling with porn, walking unfaltering with the struggling teenage couple or doing a new mom’s laundry. I challenge you to wash the dirty, beautiful feet of the Church. To act as a vessel of righteousness, showing honor, grace, and mercy to the lost as well as the found.

QuestionsHow will you intentionally remember to humble yourself and then ACT on this call to service?In what capacity are you equipped and called to serve? What types of people or situations?

Prayer

Lord, help me to humble myself before You to lift my cross to serve and wash the feet of the Body of Christ!

                                                                                                                                    Hannah Gilliam

Praising God in the midst of all things

Job 1:21 (NIV)
²¹  and (Job) said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."


Praising God in the midst of pain and grief, must be one of the most difficult things to do, but oh, the rewards.  We find similar statements in the book of James. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds..." (James 1:2). How many of us think to consider the valley we are wading through, pure joy?  What does it take for us to praise God in all things?

It takes faith, and a mature understanding that God can work all things for good.  "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Genesis 50:20) Illness, death, broken families and relationships, we can praise God through all these situations.

Can you think of a situation that is breaking your heart, or has you questioning, "Why, God?" Turn that plea into a praise and thank God for His presence in your life. Thank Him for teaching you to turn to Him for healing and help in those times of trouble.

This may be one of the most difficult poses to take before God, one of humility and faith and love, while feeling trapped in our pain and heartache. But, what blessings will come from submission like this. Praise God from whom all blessings flow...


Job 1:18-22

Humility—Filled with Christ

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. (Luke 5:10, 11)

It is a curious grace to reach the empty end of ourselves. Like frustrated fishermen, we have cast enormous nets for our own glory only to be disappointed with our catch. Whether we’ve hauled in knowledge or wealth, fame or stature, advancement or achievement, none have measured up to our expectations. Dissatisfied, we drop our nets again and again in search for more and more until we realize and confess the futility and mockery of “it’s all about me.” In these precious times of truth so convicting, we relinquish our pride so unfulfilling. Yet what God empties He also fills. We are thus twice-humbled: deservedly brought low in the pride of our sinful nature, then graciously raised up as partakers in Christ’s divine nature. Is it any wonder, when called to follow Jesus, Peter and his friends left it all behind to follow Him? Doesn’t His love compel us to do the same?

Then how amazing the things are that God does through people who are humbled in their flesh and living boldly in the humility of Christ! Who but hearts awakened by grace rise to seek and to serve those they once distanced in indifference or contempt? Who releases grudges held against others but those who sigh in relief over their own forgiveness? Who speaks as ambassadors of the Kingdom of God but those He has liberated from fear? Who stands in prayer against the powers of darkness but the one who has overcome them in Christ? And only in the love and power of Christ’s sacrifice for us do we gratefully offer our life to Him.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time,” (1 Peter 5:6) wrote the older, wiser Peter. Humility is the nature of Christ, and when we examine ourselves in the light of One so great, we cannot help but give Him all glory, for it is rightfully His.

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9–11)

Click here to read today’s Scripture in James 4:1-10

Today’s post is an excerpt from Christ in Me. Copyright © 2016 Paul Nordman. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Click here to order a copy of Christ in Me by Paul Nordman.

Jesus’ humility shown through His baptism

26 December 

Scripture Reading

Read Matthew 3:13-17 and reflect on the passage.

Why in the world is Jesus standing in a long line of people waiting to be baptized by a crazy man shouting repent? Believe it or not, this was the very time He had been waiting for, the time when people were more aware of their sin and their need for God than ever before. In being willing to be baptized, He would come to identify with the very ones He came to save.

Many thought John was the one, but he clearly understood his role and knew there was One coming after him who would be greater. He allowed himself to be surpassed. Jesus who was washed clean in the Jordan was the greater One, the Messiah, yet He was willing to assume a position of subservience as He submitted himself to a baptism of repentance by John. He humbled himself and appeared lesser.

Humility in this day and age—when the focus seems more on self—appears all but non-existent. John and Jesus were able to humbly step aside to let God accomplish His call in them. When the cry is to get our own way, we would do well to seek first God’s purpose and plan.

Questions

1.      How is Jesus revealing Himself to you in ways that ask you to step back so that He may be exalted in your life?

2.      Recalling your own baptism, how is the Glory of God being revealed through humble acts of word and deed in and through you?

Prayer

Humble our hearts Oh Lord, that we may be set free from all that keeps us from Your plan and purpose for our lives. Amen.

—Patti Morlock

Search My Heart

Philippians 2: 1-11 is one of my favorite passages in scripture. My bible is filled with notes on this page. I love how it lists benefits we receive being a follower of Christ; encouragement, fellowship, tenderness and compassion.  I experience these wonderful benefits most, when I am around other believers.

The passage immediately gives us a challenge. God doesn’t want us to only stay around situations where we only experience these benefits. We are called to take those benefits and serve others.  As a Christian this shouldn't be a surprise.  We hear and read that our job is to serve.  But, this is where a lot of us struggle.

I think there are three kinds of Christians when it comes to serving others.  

1. The one who “gets” it.  Serving seems to flow from them.  It is who they are. They give of themselves freely.
2. The one who serves but it just doesn’t seem or feel natural.  They serve because they know it is what God wants.
3. The one who leaves serving to others.  They will give their money and donate items to their church or community outreach projects, but they think they are not gifted to serve.

No matter where you may fall, I believe we can all check our heart with regards to serving. If you relate to the third example, let me encourage you. I have not read anywhere in the bible where serving others is only for those naturally gifted to do so.

God has called you to serve!  Philippians 2: 5-7 tells us, “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus...he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant…”

I think the rub comes with, WHO and HOW do we serve…

WHO do we serve?  Paul says in Philippians, “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit...consider others better than yourself.”  

If we have a hard time serving, we have possibly put ourselves in a higher position than the one we are called to serve. Is there a particular group of people or even a singular person, you think you're better than? I know this is a hard question, but spend some time honestly searching your heart.  Take time to pray about it, asking God to reveal the truth.

When you see who it is you put “below” yourself, THIS is WHO you should serve.

So, HOW should we serve? Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”

In humility.  This is hard.  The easiest way to serve in humility is when we've been humbled. It can feel very humbling when we realize we put ourselves before so many others.  This is a good place to start. It will take HUMILITY and faith, and when you are not sure you can do it, remember; Jesus did it for you.

God Most High

Genesis 14:18-19 (NIV)
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High,
and he blessed Abram, saying,

"Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth. Creator of heaven and earth.
And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand."

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
The first temptation for this writer when praying about what God wanted written on these verses, was to address the mystery of Melchizedek. I must admit I did do a little research and was fascinated by some of what I read, but, this text isn't about the enigmatic person of Melchizedek. The readings this week are all about God Most High.

God delivered Abram's enemies into his hands and Abram returned as conqueror. Kings turned out to celebrate Abram's return and the king of Sodom was among them as was Melchizedek the king of Salem, a priest of God Most High.

Abram was God's servant and he gave God the honor and glory for the victories he and his armies enjoyed. We all need to practice this type of humility. When God fights for us and gives us triumphs we must point to Him and not to ourselves. My accomplishments in this life are not because of who I am, but because of whose I am.

Humility takes the focus off of us and our deeds, so that when people look at us they will see what God has accomplished in our lives.
Genesis 14:17-24

Twice-humbled

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.”  So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.  Luke 5:10b-11

It is a curious grace to reach the empty end of ourselves.  Like frustrated fishermen, we have cast enormous nets for our own glory only to be disappointed with our catch.  Whether we’ve hauled in knowledge or wealth, fame or stature, advancement or achievement, none have measured up to our expectations.  Dissatisfied, we drop our nets again and again in search for more and more, until we realize and confess the futility and mockery of “it’s all about me.”  And in these precious times of truth so convicting, we relinquish our pride so unfulfilling. 

Yet what God empties he also fills.  We are thus twice-humbled: deservedly brought low in the pride of our sinful nature, and graciously raised up as partakers in Christ’s divine nature.  Is it any wonder when called to follow Jesus, Peter and his friends left it all behind to follow him?  And doesn’t his love compel us to do the same?

Then how amazing the things God does through people humbled in their flesh and living boldly in the humility of Christ!  For, who but the heart awakened by grace rises to seek and to serve those once distanced in indifference or contempt?  Who releases grudges held against others but those who sigh in relief over their own sins forgiven?  Who lives as ambassadors of the Kingdom of God but those he has liberated from fear?  Who stands in prayer against the powers of darkness but the one who has overcome them in Christ?  And only in the love and power of Christ’s sacrifice do we sacrifice our life, in turn, for him.  

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time,” wrote Peter (1 Peter 5:6).  He’d seen it modeled somewhere before ... 

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance of a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! 

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:5-11 

Matthew 25:31-46

The Next Step – Serve

I couldn't have been more humbled when I received this hand-made bench that now has a home on my deck, on the last day of the school year. I was walking away after twenty five years of working with an amazing group of adults and children at my middle school. 

In ways I felt like, "Hey, they got it!" They noticed I went out of my way to serve others, and I am a follower of Christ. That had been my mission field for many years. Then I thought, "Wait a minute, this isn't the end, it is just the beginning!" One of the reasons I am ending this journey is to embark on another one. The need is never ending, and service is just part of the story. 

In Matthew 25:31-46 we read the story of the Son of Man coming in Glory to separate the righteous from the unrighteous. How those who served others will reap the benefits of eternal life, and those who did not going away to eternal punishment. 

We don't like speaking of hell, but it is mentioned in many of the books of the bible. As I serve others and think of how I can do more, it is not because if I don't I may go to hell. I serve others because it's the right thing to do. It is following the word of the Lord. 

Jesus came to serve people, with humility. Because he was human, he surely felt uneasy and threatened at times, but he knew what we also know about what awaits us after this life. So being out of our comfort zone as Jesus often was is part of the mission. 

Today many of us are too busy to take the time for others in need. Well, we need to MAKE time. It may mean giving up other activities, or rearranging schedules to accommodate others, but that's how others know we care. They need to know how much we care before they will open up to us and trust enough to allow us into their heart.

We freely give gifts of money and material things on special occasions, but consider the difference it will make when we give the gift of the Savior. It's free and will last FOREVER. 

Read/Listen to Matthew 25:31-46

Pride goes before the fall

Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 

"Oh, Lord, it's hard to be humble..." If you remember this song from 1980 by Mac Davis, you are dating yourself as am I.  I went to You-Tube just to listen to the rest of the words and maybe take a short trip down memory lane. The journey did take me back to a different time, a different place, thirty-three years ago. At that time or season of my life, humility was not a strong suit.

What I find interesting is during those years of living for myself, not really thinking about anyone outside my husband and children, how very unhappy I was. Pride does not make pleasure. Thinking highly of myself and living selfishly will not provide joy or meaning to one's life. Selfishness can ruin a family but genuine humility can build it up.

The moment we stop treating others with contempt or as worthless beings, things change. There really is joy in serving others; there is pleasure in caring for someone. When I learned how to listen to someone else's troubles I realized God could use me. Once I got past the ill-conceived notion that I was the end-all-be-all, I was able to relate to others, to share my experience, strength and hope with them.

But God had to humble me, had to teach me how to look not only to my own interests, but also to the interests of others. It is much easier to live in a world where I don't have to live up to my own prideful ambitions; where I can be real and recognize this wisdom of living life with an unassuming posture. It is then God will lift us up.

Philippians 2:1-11

Humble by Nature

Humility: the quality or state of not thinking you are better than other people

Philippians 2:4-5 (NIV)  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Jesus took the nature of a servant; His attitude was always one of loving by serving.  Remember the meal shared with his disciples, His final meal on earth, where He washed the feet of these men.   After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:5 (NIV) This was an act of supreme humility which was a natural outpouring of Jesus' love.

What does humility look like in my life?  Can it be seen easily?  Christ was willing to give up his rights as God and King by humbling himself.  The cross was meekness at its finest.  Jesus loved us so much he endured the humiliation of desertion, derision, and death.

Living a humble existence puts you before me. How do I do this?  This type of living can be as simple as letting the man in the grocery line with one or two items step in front of me.  Or, it can be a bit more challenging endeavor when we allow someone to have the final say in an argument while listening intently to their point.

Humility is the opposite of supercilious, (don't you love that word?). Humility and love go hand in hand; it is an outpouring of love that says, "You are more important than I."


Philippians 2

The Story - Chapter 1 - Genesis 4

Relationships can be tricky.  We are all different; our looks, family history, and environment all help to make us who we are. Our childhood circumstances had much to do with the way we view life and deal with people. We act like we do because of the influences we encountered along the way.  We tend to reflect the ideals and standards of those we grew up with.

People are capable of amazing acts of heroism but we are also able to commit horrendous acts of violence.  We saw both in action on September 11th.  The story of Cain and Abel is one we have all heard many times, and it is so sad to think murder could have happened so early in the history of the world.

A big part of handling our relationships is knowing how and when to admit we are wrong.  Because of the sin of Adam and Eve we will struggle with sin and therefore in our relationships.  We will make mistakes but there is always an opportunity to make things right with those we have wronged. We don’t know what Cain did to displease God, but we do know that God gave him a chance to make it right.

“God spoke to Cain: "Why this tantrum? Why the sulking? If you do well, won't you be accepted? And if you don't do well, sin is lying in wait for you, ready to pounce; it's out to get you, you've got to master it." (Genesis 4:6-7 MSG)

Cain refused to listen to God. It would seem he could not bear to admit his wrong doing.  Pride got in the way.  Pride is a factor in our sinful lives today.  Our pride gets in the way when we need to make amends to someone we have wronged. Prideful behavior isolates us from others, from healthy and loving relationships.  Pride is another word for arrogance.  An arrogant heart is a cold heart and can only be warmed at the hearth of humility.

Read Genesis 4 here

Listen to Genesis 4 here

Philippians 2:1-11

This verse is encouraging us to behave like Jesus did.  Before acting, or acting out, think about those bracelets that were so popular a few short years ago.  The jewelry with the letters, WWJD inscribed on them for all to see, held a message we should consider.  When I am perplexed and not sure what to do in a situation I will often bring these words to mind.  Then I ask myself, "What Would Jesus Do," and I am forced to pause for a moment or two and truly contemplate the puzzle before me.

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5)

The humility and selflessness Jesus exemplified is worth striving for.  In fact, that is what we do every time we open our Bible, read a few passages, and then do our best to apply them to our lives. While we cannot duplicate His ministry we can display the same attitude.

When I am practicing humility, I am looking at you as better than me.  It is never the other way around. I am ready, willing and even anxious to serve you.  This is a foreign concept in this world of selfish lifestyles and material possessiveness. As Christians we know how fulfilling this existence is, how good we feel about everything in life when we invest in someone else.  Jesus invested it all for us, now we are being called to 'have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.'  

Can you think of a way you could begin today?  It can be as simple as inviting your elderly next door neighbor over for lunch.

Read Philippians 2:1-11 here

Listen to Philippians 2:1-11 here

Philippians 2:1-11

Many of us experience the joy of having a younger brother or sister.  It is not unusual for the younger sibling to want to hang out with the older one.  It is also not unusual for that little brother or sister to imitate the actions of the one they are looking up to.  Often they will try to copy a hair style or a mannerism.

It is likely when you would complain about this 'stalker' to your parents they say, "He/She just want to be like you.  It is a compliment," or "imitation is the truest form of flattery."  As we get older and wiser, we might change our mind about those who copy us; we might look forward to mentoring someone and help them along in life.  As we mature, the way we look at things in life matures too.

I love how the Message Bible puts it:
If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—
then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Philippians 2:1-2 (MSG)

When we were kids, we didn't look at the situation as a compliment so much, but as a bother or an invasion of privacy. But, our lesson today is encouraging us to be imitators, to follow Jesus' lead and live a life of humility as He did.  We are encouraged to be united with one another, working and serving on an equal plain; side-by-side.


Read Philippians 2:1-11 here.

Listen to Philippians 2:1-11 here

Phillipians 2:1-11 (Reaching Out By Looking Out)

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only at your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."

The Christmas season is upon us, and with that comes many opportunities to reach out. Drop a few coins or dollars into the red kettle, or wrap up a shoe box for those who will be spending their Christmas in the shelter. These are all noble gestures indeed, as God does call us to give to the needy numerous times in the bible. I believe this passage though, speaks of our every day lives. It reaches out to us, and reminds us of God's message to reach out to others during the holidays, and also the other eleven months of the year. Not just with canned goods and trinkets, but with our hearts.

This whole concept reminds me of going on a diet. Years back when my weight was far beyond what was comfortable, I went on diet after diet. Nothing worked long term, it was temporary success at best. Then I attended a Weight Watchers meeting. There I had my belief confirmed, they said, "Diets don't work." I said "AMEN to that! They taught us about lifestyle changes and constant awareness of our eating habits and overall behaviors. It's about changing your thinking and adjusting your actions based on an established program. It's about long term contentment. It's about a promise that if you follow the plan, life will not be easy, but it will be better....and in the end, you win big time! Maintaining a daily diet of humility and obedience, hmmmm, I guess that's what they mean by WWJD.

Be Humble - Acts 20:13-27

Humility has been a real issue for me over the years. Before my walk with Jesus I was constantly looking for the approval of others and I found this practice was one of prideful self-service. By putting myself down I was providing opportunity for others to build me up. There is not much humility in that exercise.

Walking around with head hung low, waiting for someone to ask, "what's wrong?", is once again putting the focus on me. We learned yesterday of the importance of encouragement, but dealing with someone with low self-esteem requires a new approach. I found that someone who showed me my good points, was the best medicine. Many of us grew up without positive reinforcement and are lacking in the ability to think we have value - hence we build up a wall of false pride.

I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. …However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. (Acts 20:19-20,24)

Paul served Jesus and His people with humility and confidence. I love the verse in John 3:30 "He must become greater; I must become less." As I learn the only way to truly serve God and His people is with humility, I am loving life and I feel empowered and confident.
Read the Acts 20:13-27 text here.

Acts 3:12-4:4

When life is going well, when things just seem to fall into place and I am happy and content I seldom give God the glory.  For some reason, when there is little strife in my daily life and I can face each day without worry or regret I forget to thank God.  Humility disappears and I give all the credit to myself.

When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? (Acts 3:12)

After healing a man crippled since birth, the people who knew him were amazed.  Peter used this time to point the crowd to Jesus.  He did not hesitate to give all the glory and credit to Jesus.  Peter's humility is admirable for he recognized from where and from whom his power to heal came. Peter could easily have taken a bow at this moment, could have grabbed glory for himself and set himself up as someone he wasn't.  Peter reminds the followers that day that Jesus, the one they killed, healed the man. 

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. (Acts 3:13)

Jesus, the author of life, is the one who heals, who causes my life to go smoothly, and who blesses me with abundance and joy.  I must remember this and give glory where glory is due.

Read Acts 3:12-4:4 here.