“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.” Philippians 2:3-4
Maybe you have heard the popular phrase, "If you' re not first, you' re last." Unfortunately, selfishness permeates many cultures, and has absolutely invaded the western attitude and mindset. This attitude, however, is completely unbiblical. Can you imagine what would have happen if Jesus had come to this earth, and as He grew up in His humanity, never considered another soul? What if He had lived life on this earth thinking only of Himself, not willing to share or sacrifice for the sake of others? As Jesus followers, we are encouraged and instructed to honor others by considering them more important than ourselves. Today, how can you show someone that they are more important than you?
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“…Pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16
What is prayer? Prayer is merely a person speaking to God about what God has already thought of. Clyde Cranford explained, "The prayer that starts in heaven gets back to heaven." This is the effective prayer that God answers. We are commanded to pray for each other in order for healing to occur, and God says that prayer will be answered as we draw close to Him. Scripture says that we are righteous because Jesus is, and that our prayer is effective because He thought of it. What does it mean to pray what God desires? How can you pray more effectively for those around you? “For you were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13
The United States of America is known all over the world as the "land of the free." The principle of freedom, in fact, is part of the bedrock that America is built upon, and the citizens of this land are given immense freedoms to pursue their dreams and desires. Similarly, but in an even deeper way, in Christ you have been given complete freedom, along with a set of new desires that influence your daily decisions and behaviors. This freedom has many consequences, but one of those consequences is an attitude of love toward others. Jesus followers desire to serve others in the community around them as family. How can you serve someone today in an attitude of love? “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Many people today are turning their attention to personal fitness and healthy living as a long-term strategy, and, among some people marathon running is even becoming very popular. If you're a marathon runner or you've even just thought about running a marathon, you've probably already learned that, as you near the end of the 26.2-mile journey, your legs ache, your throat burns, and it sometimes seems like your whole body is crying out for you to just stop. And that's when you don't have to be a marathon runner to know that this is precisely the time when the encouragement of friends and fans can help push you through the pain and to the finish line. In the same way, as Christians, we are to encourage one another in our journeys. A timely encouraging word for a fellow brother or sister in Christ can make the difference between their finishing the race that God has given to them, or their collapsing, exhausted, along the way. Look around you today and think about how you can be ready to offer up an encouraging word to someone today who might be struggling in their own race. “I myself am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.” Romans 15:14
There is an old five-step leadership concept that goes like this: 1) I do, you watch. 2) I do, you help. 3) You do, I help. 4) You do, I watch. 5) You do, someone else watches. This is a powerful and simple formula for discipleship. All throughout God's Word, there is this idea of discipling -- literally teaching or admonishing others towards something. As a Jesus follower, there will always be people in your life who might not be as far down the road as you are, and who will be looking for someone to walk with them and teach them. If you are a father of a teenager, for instance, who is the father of a toddler with whom you can walk, and pour into? As a woman who has walked through struggle and trial in her marriage, who is a woman around you who is struggling in her marriage, and who would jump at the chance to spend time with someone who's been there? You don't need a Bible college degree or a desk at the church to disciple people. The Holy Spirit in you has enabled you to disciple! Who are you walking with and discipling right now? Who is discipling you? |
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June 2018
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