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.