Thinking of Ourselves Less

 

Daily Reading:  Philippians 2 verses 1-11

"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."

                                                            Philippians 2:5-7

God calls you and I through the pen of the Apostle Paul to replace our “mind”, our thinking with the mind of Christ. It is Christ who exemplified humility by leaving heaven above to becoming a servant. The Creator came to serve the created.  Though Jesus Christ was fully God and remained fully God, He willingly humbled Himself to serve humanity as a man. That humility culminated with His sacrificed life on the cross. His humility and ultimate death weren’t weakness but an expression of perfect strength in submission to God’s will.

For us, following Christ means letting go of pride, position, and self-importance. We often spend our days striving for recognition self-adulation, and positions of power or authority. We seek to elevate ourselves above others, but the path of Christ described in Philippians 2 was downward—to serve rather than to be served. As we reflect on the humility of Christ, we should ask ourselves how we can adopt this mindset in our daily lives. Humility is not thinking less of ourselves but thinking of ourselves less.

Questions:

1. In what areas of your life are you tempted to seek recognition or status instead of serving others?
2. How can you adopt the servant attitude of Christ in your interactions with those around you?

Leaders Understand the Times

 

Daily Reading:  I Chronicles 12

“And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do;”

                                                                                                I Chronicles 12:32

             Pause and consider the groups of men that are mentioned in this chapter. Many capable men are listed. Some possess unique skills that are important and will be necessary for the nation of Israel going forward. However, men with skills and abilities need direction. Otherwise, those skills and abilities often get redirected to activities that have little to no impact. They get diverted to hobbies and personal endeavors or worse yet, those skills and abilities are set aside as men settle into passivity.

In 1 Chronicles 12:32, we learn about the men of Issachar, who "had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do." This verse speaks to the essence of effective leadership: the ability to discern the present moment and respond wisely. As men lead, it is imperative that we cultivate a deep understanding of the times in which we live.  Men with skills and abilities are waiting, whether they realize it or not, for someone who knows what needs to be done. 

Understanding the times involves awareness of both societal trends and spiritual conditions. These two areas are NOT detached from one another. To gain this insight, we can take several practical steps:

1. Engage in Continuous Learning: Stay informed about local and global issues through reading, listening to podcasts, or watching documentaries. Understanding current events enables us to address the needs of our communities effectively, but from a biblical foundation.
2. Pray for Wisdom: Make prayer a priority. (I Thessalonians 5:17) Ask God for insight into how these issues relate to His Word and how we can respond with grace and truth.
3. Connect with Others: Surround yourself with wise counsel (Proverbs 27:17). Engaging in conversations with mentors and peers can provide new perspectives and strengthen our understanding of the times.
4. Reflect on Scripture: Regularly and systematically study the Bible    (II Timothy 2:15), studying through passages that speak to current situations. Scripture is timeless and can offer guidance for navigating today’s challenges.

As leaders, our responsibility extends beyond understanding; we must also act decisively. Reflecting on our role, we should consider:

• What specific challenges in our home, community, and world require our leadership and action?
• How can we model biblical principles in our responses to these challenges?

By contemplating these questions, we position ourselves to lead effectively, grounded in the wisdom of God’s Word. May we be like the men of Issachar, equipped to lead with understanding in a complex world.

Contentment is Key

 

Daily Reading:  Daniel 3:23 – 30

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

                                             Philippians 4:11

               For Shadrach, Meshech, and Abed-nego everything worked out perfectly in their showdown with Nebuchadnezzar when they defied his draconian rule. Not only did they survive the fiery furnace completely unscathed, but their actions served as a powerful testimony to the king which caused him to recognize their faithfulness and more importantly their God. In the end, they even came out ahead by securing a promotion in Babylon.

               The lesson to learn from these young men is not, “obey God and everything will work out perfectly”. Even they knew that was not the case. They had told Nebuchadnezzar God may or may not deliver them back in verses 17 and 18. God never promises us deliverance either and He certainly does not promise deliverance based on our performance although that is a delusion often pedaled in the name of Christianity. In truth, Romans 8:35 -39 teaches us that no matter what happens to us in this life, we already have the victory because nothing can separate us from God’s love found in Christ!

               In these men’s lives we can learn a lesson on the far-reaching effects of contentment. It was contentment that first affected them personally. They were perfectly content to entrust God with their life…or death.  It was out of their contentment that faithfulness was born in them. Their faithfulness would lead them to stand in boldness.  The boldness, born out of faithfulness, born out of contentment impacted all who witnessed it. Everyone saw that God was with them.  Ungodly men saw God at work in the details. Those ungodly witnesses recognized God! Even the ungodly cannot deny the truth all the time. In the end, the contentment of three men would have a dramatic impact on an entire culture. 

Your testimony, which should display contentment in Christ, will have an effect on yourself and others. None of us knows the impact our testimony will have and whose lives will be most affected, but let’s find out!      

 

Unhinged Man

 

Daily Reading:  Daniel 3:19 – 23

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

                                    Psalm 2:1

            The world never understands a man fully surrendered to God.  Sadly, often the church does not understand that man either.  At times even a man’s family falls into this same category. Paul reminds us in II Timothy 3:12, "Yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” We are not always prepared for where the persecution will come from. It will come from friend and foe alike in varying degrees of hostility.

            Nebuchadnezzar’s hostility manifested as sheer rage. The unwavering faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego infuriated Nebuchadnezzar. His ultimatum had been clear…bow or burn, and in that moment, these men of God did not even flinch. Their faithfulness exposed the limited power and unlimited pride of the king. His pride could not handle their defiance.

            Blinded by his rage, he began making unrealistic and unreasonable demands.  Seemingly unable to stop him, or maybe sharing his rage, men obeyed and heated the furnace seven times hotter than it was built to withstand. Scripture tells us pride goes before a fall. These men were baking in their own destruction, and they never saw it coming until it was too late!  Nebuchadnezzar’s wants and desires, driven by fury, and coupled with a seat of power destroyed the men around him…those closest to him.

When a man fully surrendered to God is forced to confront men in power who are not, the friction and pressure will most certainly produce heat. Just as the fire did not consume these three men, neither will our trials consume us! Let us be men who have the strength of our convictions when we face the pressure to bow to culture, temptation, fear, or anything that stands against the uncompromising authority of Scripture.

The Man Who Stands

 

Daily Reading:  Daniel 3:13 - 18

…Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

                                                                           Acts 4:19

               Make no mistake, men in power despise defiance by men who simply do not fall in line. They spurn those who would dare to stand up, to speak up, to speak out, or to ask questions.  They hold in contempt any man who would dare to take a stand. That contempt will manifest itself in various ways.  They will attempt character assassination, painting you as the problem or aggressor while they play the martyr.  They might force you out. They might lie to or about you. They may yell, scream, and create a scene in front of others. All are viable options for weak men to appear strong. That last method is the approach Nebuchadnezzar chose.

               The King was enraged by this betrayal of men under his power and demanded the offenders appear before him for questioning. This is an oft repeated process.  A man takes a stand. Leadership is offended.  A meeting is called to rehearse what they have heard and to execute severe punishment to ensure that no one would ever be so foolish as to stand up again. It is the way of the institution to retain power and control.  Have you ever witnessed this in the workplace or in politics? Has anyone ever heard of the Diet of Worms?  Whether you agree with the details of that event is irrelevant.  The pattern is clear and repeated throughout history. We should never be surprised when history repeats itself.

               What happens next in these moments is not about character, but about whether or not a man understands his identity?  So often in these moments, men back down.  They decide it is in their best interests or in the best interest of those they love to back down.  They decide the juice is not worth the squeeze, so they just sit down, shut up, and seek to be left alone. Sadly, this action will just embolden the institution against which the stand was taken. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood with boldness, knowing their lives were on the line and began by telling the king, “…we are not careful to answer thee in this matter”. They understood fully whom they served faithfully and did not concern themselves with the details.

               The world and sadly, in many instances, the church will never understand godly men and will continuously seek to break their will, but the church and the world need godly men.  Men who know their identity in Christ and therefore stand up, speak out, and ask questions. Be that man!

                

Have You Been Tamed?

 

Daily Reading:  Daniel 3:8 – 12

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance.

                                             I Peter 1:14

               As a man of God, we must recognize that the world is continuously seeking our compliance to their standard rather than God’s. When we refuse, hostilities will ensue. It will never be a question of if, but when. We will face envy, accusations, and persecution. All these tactics serve to break us down until we fall in line. There is a great price to pay for firm resolve!

               Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced the fires of envy, accusations, and persecution before they ultimately faced the fires of the furnace. The attack was triggered because they refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue.  They had not made a scene and were not outspoken about their refusal. They simply refused to bow.  In a society where everyone submitted to the yoke of the world they stood out.  When the misstep was observed, the Chaldean’s resorted to accusations.  The Hebrew word translated accused in Daniel 3:8 is made up of two pictographs or symbols.  The first pictograph is a bent palm and represents the subduing of the will. The other symbol is a shepherd’s hook and signifies a yoke. Together, they imply, “tame for the yoke”.  What a snapshot of the way the world operates.  An unwavering goal of the world is to subdue all men until they are, “tame for the yoke.”

               To distance themselves further from men who had quite literally taken a stand, the accusers lavish praise at the feet of Nebuchadnezzar before reminding him of the exact wording of his decree by which all are bound.  We should never be surprised when the minions of the spirit of the age use the letter of the law to come after men who simply refuse to conform because they have chosen a higher standard. The universal standard of the world is comply or else.

               In our lives, we will face daily decisions where we must display firm resolve while the world seeks to subdue us.  In those moments of decision, we must remember that our strength and identity are found in Him alone and never in how the world sees us or defines us! We should also remember that the envy, accusations, and persecutions are a testament to the work of God in our lives.  We are no longer, “fashioning ourselves according to the former lusts” and the world has taken notice.

How to Destroy What is Good

 

Daily Reading:  Daniel 3:1 – 7

Pride Goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

                                                Proverbs 16:18

            The Colossus of Rhodes is considered one of the seven ancient wonders of the world.  It was built of bronze and towered 108 feet over the Harbor of Rhodes, serving as a tribute to the sun god Helios for a battle won.  For perspective, Nebuchadnezzar’s statue in Daniel 3 rose 90 feet over the plain of Dura (18 feet shorter), but it was built of gold! The shimmering statue could be seen for miles in all directions across the province of Babylon.

What would drive a man to seek such self-adulation? Several matters working in combination in Nebuchadnezzar’s life compelled him to erect a massive gold statue of himself; time and pride. Time has to be accounted for in his decision.  Daniel had told and interpreted his dream for him; a dream that contained a statue made of multiple elements and ultimately told of the king’s demise. Time marched on and Nebuchadnezzar would ultimately push back on the narrative of the dream by building and displaying his statue of gold to which he demanded worship.  It was sending a message to everyone of just how powerful and important he was. Time had dulled his memory to the absolute truth of his dream.

Left unchecked, time and pride are a devastatingly destructive combination.  These two elements, in the life of any man destroy everything they touch; family, relationships, work, character, and testimony. The subtlety of this combination is that man is seduced into believing it won’t happen to him.

Our options could not stand in starker contrast.  We either choose to have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5), or we choose a path of pride. One path leads to honor and glory for God and looks out for the interests of others (Colossians 3:12 –14).  The other path brings dishonor to God and is a destructive force we cannot contain (Proverbs 16:18).  Choose wisely, for time will tell.