Dear Daily Message Readers,
READ: Philippians 2:3-8
Philippians 2:4 (NIV) "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Throughout the New Testament we are plainly told time and tim again that if we want to be like Christ, we need to be emulate His servant's heart (Matthew 20:25-28, Mark 10:43-45, and Philippians 2:7). But why on earth would we want to give up our comforts and needs to serve someone else? Let me tell you why: It is because that is what we are called to do as people who follow Christ. Let's take a look at Philippians 2, which shows us exactly how we are to honor God:
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
Those verses should make the idea of servanthood a little clearer, for we can see that Jesus came from His perfect heaven to dwell among men and serve us. That is quite an incredible thought, isn't it? I believe so!
So what are some fresh, practical ways you can serve others with? How about serving the people you live with or near? Maybe it means giving them the respect they are due. Instead of merely saying Hello or How are you?, you can talk with them and listen to them.
On the other hand, you can try looking for a place that is a little outside your comfort zone. Perhaps it is at an orphanage, a food kitchen, or a homeless shelter. Regardless of the location, consider a place in your area where you would not normally find yourself. What a great influence you could have on someone who may not otherwise know anything about God! Be Christ to him or her. Point to Jesus. Be a servant.
Before you go off to do another fun activity or another item on your to-do-list, ask the Lord how you can be a Christ-like to those around you.
Faith Lesson: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vai conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." -- Philippians 2:3
In Christ,
Darin Smith
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To subscribe to the Daily Message please send a blank email to UICDevotions-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
READ: Philippians 2:3-8
Philippians 2:4 (NIV) "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Throughout the New Testament we are plainly told time and tim again that if we want to be like Christ, we need to be emulate His servant's heart (Matthew 20:25-28, Mark 10:43-45, and Philippians 2:7). But why on earth would we want to give up our comforts and needs to serve someone else? Let me tell you why: It is because that is what we are called to do as people who follow Christ. Let's take a look at Philippians 2, which shows us exactly how we are to honor God:
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
Those verses should make the idea of servanthood a little clearer, for we can see that Jesus came from His perfect heaven to dwell among men and serve us. That is quite an incredible thought, isn't it? I believe so!
So what are some fresh, practical ways you can serve others with? How about serving the people you live with or near? Maybe it means giving them the respect they are due. Instead of merely saying Hello or How are you?, you can talk with them and listen to them.
On the other hand, you can try looking for a place that is a little outside your comfort zone. Perhaps it is at an orphanage, a food kitchen, or a homeless shelter. Regardless of the location, consider a place in your area where you would not normally find yourself. What a great influence you could have on someone who may not otherwise know anything about God! Be Christ to him or her. Point to Jesus. Be a servant.
Before you go off to do another fun activity or another item on your to-do-list, ask the Lord how you can be a Christ-like to those around you.
Faith Lesson: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vai conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." -- Philippians 2:3
In Christ,
Darin Smith
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To subscribe to the Daily Message please send a blank email to UICDevotions-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
