Humble Yourselves

Philippians 2:5-11 KJV; Humble yourself and follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

Too Much Negative Social Media?

2 Thessalonians 3:10-14 KJV: Spending more time gossiping on social media than being productive?

Ill-gotten Riches And Reputations

Proverbs 22:1 KJV Ill-gotten riches and reputations are nothing compared to a good name.

Do Not Gossip

Proverbs 25:8-10 KJV; Gossip will only ruin your own reputation!

Called To Love

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8 KJV)

We are called to love one another even as Jesus loves us. Because of what Jesus has done for us we are of the mind to follow in his footsteps, humbling ourselves, putting the welfare of others before our own. We care for the sick. We care for the hungry. We care for the homeless. We care for those who have lost their jobs and cannot care for themselves or their families adequately. We care for those who are disabled. We care for the elderly. We care for the young. We care for the persecuted and for those who are unjustly accused. 

We do not fear. We step up and care for those who are in any need because that's what Jesus did and does. If Jesus truly abides in us then we will be of like mind with him; putting the welfare of others before our own.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Follow And Serve As Jesus Serves

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

                                                                          (Philippians 2:1-8 KJV) 

It is not easy! A war often wages within our very beings. Although we may desire to be more Christ-like, we find ourselves looking after our own interests rather than the interest of others even to the detriment of others. This world offers a lot of enticements and encouragement to be all that we can be for ourselves. But, that is not the way of the cross. That is not the path that Jesus took.

Jesus, who being in very nature God, was willing to humble himself, even to death on the cross for our sakes. He took on the nature of a servant putting our lives before his. Likewise, St. Paul reminds us that being united with Christ we are to humble ourselves and to serve one another with like minds. We are to love one another.

It is not easy, this following in the footsteps of Jesus. Our egos often get in the way. But, for his sake and for the sake of all our brothers and sisters in Christ, we ask God to help and guide us to love as He loves.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Appearances Can Be Deceiving

He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny.  Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. (Mark 12:41-43 NIV)

Appearances can be deceiving. One of the easiest pets I've ever cared for is Izzy, a bearded dragon. You do not have to worry about leaving them alone in the house. They do not make a mess. They do not whine or cry or bark or make any noise that will disturb the neighbors. They also enjoy being held. Izzy is waiting for me most mornings when I get up; his beard usually black as he anxiously waits for me to give him some attention. But, bearded dragons are not for everyone. Some people simply do not like them because of how they look and because they crawl on their bellies like snakes. And... anything snake or serpent-like really doesn't have too good of a reputation.

We often jump to unfair judgments based on appearances. It is not just lizards we jump to conclusions about; but, people, as well, by their outward appearances. But, when Jesus came, he turned all that around. It was the widow who put but two copper pennies into the offering that Jesus said had given more than the rest. (Mark 12:41-43) Tax collectors and other various sinners were chosen by Jesus as his dinner companions. (Matthew 9:10-12) He healed gentiles and even lepers; physically touching, at times, those who were thought by others too unclean to be touched. (Mark 7:24-30; Luke 7:21-23) And... who were the first to be called by Jesus? Fishermen! (Luke 5:1-11) He called mere fishermen, or at least they were mere in the eyes of many of the day. Have you any clue what a man or woman who makes their living fishing looks and smells like after a long day or night out on the boat? Jesus does not call anyone because they look good on the outside or even because they act so good. He calls whom he will call to follow him.

Appearances can be deceiving. There are those who smile on the outside and are happy, happy, happy whenever you are around. But, on the inside are like empty tombs. There are others whose appearance on the outside might look to be most ferocious; but, within them dwells the love of God.

Appearances can be deceiving. Do not judge one another by appearances. Take the time to look more deeply into the person or the matter.

God's Peace - Pr. J