(Philippians 2:1-18) Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. 18 You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.
Reminder:
"praying effectively" involves knowing God's will. When we pray in His will (in His name), He
may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like,
or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!
It is God's will:
- that we are all of the same mind, united in spirit, intent on one purpose: living out and sharing the gospel message, all to the praise and glory of our Lord and Savior (2:2)
- that we all use agape love as our motive in everything we say and do (2:2)
- that we do nothing out of selfishness or empty conceit, even if it is doing a good deed (2:3)
- that we are humble (2:3)
- that we regard others more important than ourselves (2:3)
- that we do not just look out for our own interests, but we consider the interests of others (2:4)
- that we take on the Christ-like attitude of being an obedient bond-servant (2:5-8)
- that we do not take our salvation for granted, but with a fearful respect for God, desire to understand and grow in the Lord's strength and guidance (2:12-13)
- that we do all things without complaining or arguing (2:14-15)
- that we rejoice in the Lord and share our joy with others (2:17-18)
Today's prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for making salvation possible! And thank You for being our perfect example! Help us desire to be more like You in all things.
Guide Your children in unity. May we not complain or argue, but realize that when we look to You and allow the Holy Spirit to move in us - we will put aside our preferences and be considerate of each other.
Guide our desires to be focused on Your will. May we desire to serve You and others - because of Your love! And may our joy in You spill out to those around us. Amen.
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