Update: We still have not been able to communicate with any of Isabella’s family on the island of Dominica. Thank you all for your prayers. We will continue to believe God and reach out until we get them. Yesterday hurricane Maria caused massive destruction on Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and all throughout the Caribbean. In Mexico they are still pulling people out of the rubble caused by the earthquake. This is time for the church to be the light of the world. Don’t look down, LOOK UP! And help others to LOOK UP as well! God is still God. He still loves everyone everywhere. Let’s share God’s love and His hope with the world in such a time as this. Don’t fill your heart with negative news. Don’t just go around repeating what the news is saying. Spend time hearing from heaven and tell people what heaven is saying! That’s would Jesus would do if He were here. He is not. But you are, and you are JUST LIKE JESUS, in this world! Never forget it!
Today we continue our series, “As Jesus Is”, under the banner of the overall series for the year, “Supernatural Manifestation.” We have been looking at 1 John 4:16,17 for a couple of months now. I have been adding other passages to it. We already looked at John 14 and John 17. Today we will add Philippians 2 to the list. Let’s take a look at our two passages.
The Apostle John said:
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
(1 John 4:16, 17 KJV)
The Apostle Paul said:
“Think about what we have in Christ: the encouragement he has brought us, the comfort of his love, our sharing in his Spirit, and the mercy and kindness he has shown us. If you enjoy these blessings, then do what will make my joy complete: Agree with each other, and show your love for each other. Be united in your goals and in the way you think. In whatever you do, don’t let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble, and honor others more than yourselves. Don’t be interested only in your own life, but care about the lives of others too.
In your life together, think the way Christ Jesus thought. He was like God in every way, but he did not think that his being equal with God was something to use for his own benefit. Instead, he gave up everything, even his place with God. He accepted the role of a servant, appearing in human form.
During his life as a man, he humbled himself by being fully obedient to God, even when that caused his death—death on a cross. So God raised him up to the most important place and gave him the name that is greater than any other name.”
(Philippians 2:1-9 ERV)
So what does this mean to you today? I will share a few things, as I seek to introduce this passage to you.
- The statement, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,” was made in the middle of a passage about remaining humble and being a blessing one-to-another. Seeing yourself “As Jesus is,” is not about seeing yourself as better than anyone else. It is about humbling yourself to point where you can accept all Jesus called you to be, so you can BE a blessing to others.
- When you have the mind of Christ, you don’t look down on anyone. You honor others, you esteem them above yourself, and you seek to see them the way God sees them.
- When you have the mind of Christ, you are genuinely concerned for others and you go out of your way to BE a blessing to them. We certainly need this mindset right now, with everything going on in the world.
- Putting on the mind of Christ and seeing yourself “As Jesus is, in this world,” is actually not about any selfish desire to profit or gain. It is simply about becoming the man/woman God called you to be, so you can leave the mark in this world you were born to make.
- When you put on the mind of Christ you live every day focused on becoming a conduit of God’s love and power. God’s love will show people that you love them just the way they are. God’s power will help realize that they don’t have to stay the way they are. God has given YOU the power to effectuate real change in people’s lives. When people came in contact with Jesus, their lives were changed. When people come in contact with you today, their lives should be changed as well. Enter this day as an agent of Godly change in this world.
I will stop here for today.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. I put on the mind of Christ. I see myself like He saw Himself… as ONE with You! This perspective does not cause me to look down on anyone. On the contrary, this perspective helps me to see people the way You do. I see them through Your lens. I feel for them with You heart. I reach out to them in Your love. And I offer them a better way through Your power. I am an agent of change on this planet! Because as Jesus is, so am I, in this world! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
