Renée here. Here’s just a few things that God seemed to be highlighting today. Today seemed to bring up lots of questions. (Oh yes, a reminder I address God personally in these devo. times as Lord, God, You, Your...)
From verse 1: Look at what we get as Christians. Thanks God! Wow God!
· united with Christ
· comfort from Your love
· fellowship with Your very Spirit
· tenderness
· compassion
Lord, thank You for these things. It’s amazing I can have them. Sometimes it’s hard to receive them or see them. Help me be able to carry this powerful reality with me each day.
You show me tenderness and compassion through the kindness of others. Keep my eyes open to it today.
Bloggers – How do you see God giving you the above things (perhaps through others)?
From verse 2 “being like-minded” & verse 5 “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus”
What’s it mean to be like-minded with Christ?
Phew – what a high calling – that even in mind and attitude I’d be like You. I know the power for this comes from above, from You. Continue to make me more like You, even in my mind and attitude.
How do I still see people through the wrong lenses instead of with Your (God’s) eyes?
How do I still put myself ahead of others?
How do I still put my own interests, own agenda ahead of others?
What’s it look like to put others and Your agenda first?
How can I better use all You’ve given me to serve others and Your Kingdom?
I read a quote that was a good humility check the other day: Would I be praying this intensely for today’s service (or project at work) if someone else, not me, was teaching/leading it?
Today Lord, help me be like-minded with Christ in the people I encounter and treat them as You would treat them. Help me look to others interests and ideas first, especially in relationships and especially in those I work with.
Bloggers – How come humility seems so counter-cultural and hard at times?
Does Philippians 2 help us understand the difference between humility and being a doormat?
7 comments:
Humility sure doesn't come naturally to me. I see the world through my eyes, feel with my senses and understand with my mind. I think humility just might be a choice. Not an easy one. Jesus made a choice ... "and being found in appearance as a man he humbled himself and became obedient to death ..." Humility seems to be an act of the will, a surrender and the unyielding work of God. For me ... a lifelong process!!!!!
Paul is echoing what Jesus said in John 17:20-23. I believe that unity is one of the greatest needs of the church today, me included. As we become closer to Christ we become closer to each other.
I think that our apparent lack of humility is a sign of our insecurity. We feel the need to distinguish ourself in some way. This brings us back to the issue of unity. Instead of striving for unity with Christ and others we strive to distinguish ourselves.
PS Thanks to Rob, Renee and the others for doing this. Let`s not give up too soon. This is a fantastic platform for going deeper.
Humility clashes in a culture that "looks out for number one". Everyday we're bombarded with messages telling us what we should like like, what we should desire, what can get us ahead in life, what makes us attractive to other people...etc. We're programed by the world to want to fit in. Christ teaches us to stand out and shine like stars...that takes humility. I believe we should look out for Number One...and that's Christ. I try to practice humility by seeing Christ in or around someone. It can take away the sharpness in my tone or the judgement in my voice if I remember that they were created by the same God I was therfore worthy of love and respect. EVERYTHING God makes is beautiful!
These are such great comments! Thanks everyone for sharing. We also had a submission come in by phone, Jean White, one of the many Saints in our church encouraged us to read Philippians 2 from the Living Bible, saying it is really powerful. Thanks everyone,
Rob
Verse 1 really stood out for me as I read today- comfort from His love, encouragement from being united with Christ... these words filled me with such thankfulness for the way God works in our lives-even if it is in a way that we wouldn't have chosen ourselves. I feel blessed beyond measure for the way God has given me and my family comfort and encouragement over the past month. He has used our wonderful Main St. family in so many ways- people praying for healing and peace, people sharing special bible verses/devotions for encouragement, and people helping with everyday practical things like meals and childcare.
I just pray that, even through our difficult times, that God would open my eyes to the ways that He would use me to bring others closer to Him. I pray that He would continue to work in me for His good purpose!
So, I have always taken verse 5 out of context. I still like the idea but it isn't supported here - which is where I thought it came from. In researching it I ran into an interesting line in "hearing God" by Dallas Willard - "sometimes we get caught up in trying to glorify God by praising what He can do, and we lose sight of the practical point of what He actually does do."
Bev Steeves
I have often read that "like minded" to mean as Christians we should be like minded or agree with each other..what a relief to have now understood that I need to be Like Minded to Christ--so much easier with His spirit within--thank you for a fresh insight to an old verse
Post a Comment