Today’s Podcast
Today’s Scriptures
Today’s Bible reading plans include:
Ready – Philippians 2:1-18
Set – 1 Kings 12; Philippians 2
Go! – 1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10-11; Philippians 2
Philippians 2:1-18
1 If you find any comfort from being in the Anointed, if His love brings you some encouragement, if you experience true companionship with the Spirit, if His tenderness and mercy fill your heart; then, brothers and sisters, 2 here is one thing that would complete my joy—come together as one in mind and spirit and purpose, sharing in the same love. 3 Don’t let selfishness and prideful agendas take over. Embrace true humility, and lift your heads to extend love to others. 4 Get beyond yourselves and protecting your own interests; be sincere, and secure your neighbors’ interests first.5 In other words, adopt the mind-set of Jesus the Anointed. Live with His attitude in your hearts. Remember:
6 Though He was in the form of God,
He chose not to cling to equality with God;
7 But He poured Himself out to fill a vessel brand new;
a servant in form
and a man indeed.
The very likeness of humanity,
8 He humbled Himself,
obedient to death—
a merciless death on the cross!
9 So God raised Him up to the highest place
and gave Him the name above all.
10 So when His name is called,
every knee will bow,
in heaven, on earth, and below.
11 And every tongue will confess
“Jesus, the Anointed One, is Lord,”
to the glory of God our Father!12 So now, my beloved, obey as you have always done, not only when I am with you, but even more so when I can’t be. Continue to work out your salvation, with great fear and trembling, 13 because God is energizing you so that you will desire and do what always pleases Him.
14 Do all things without complaining or bickering with each other, 15 so you will be found innocent and blameless; you are God’s children called to live without a single stain on your reputations among this perverted and crooked generation. Shine like stars across the land. 16 Cling to the word of life so that on the day of judgment when the Anointed One returns I may have reason to rejoice, because it will be plain that I didn’t turn from His mission nor did I work in vain. 17 Even if my lifeblood is to be poured out like wine as a sacrifice of your faith, I have great reason to celebrate with all of you. 18 And for the same reason, you can be glad and celebrate with me.
Today’s Devotional
From today’s background scripture God might say:
It might seem I’m always talking to you about selfishness, but that’s the essence of sin, the opposite of perfect love. My love in you thinks about other’s interests ahead of your own. It doesn’t mean you ignore your own needs, but it meets their needs before your wants. It looks after your brothers and sisters. It demonstrates the kind of love I demonstrated toward you.
Paul puts it in terms of having the mindset of Christ – Me incarnate. When I came to you in the flesh, I showed you how to love. I showed you what love really means. It means putting others ahead of yourself even if it means dying. I let you put Me on a cross to show you how much I love you. I died to pay the penalty for your sins to demonstrate My love for you.
When you demonstrate love as a church, as a fellowship of believers, My spirit will guide you into directions that unify you toward goals that build My kingdom. When your selfish desires are replaced by My desires and you seek My kingdom instead of your interests, you’ll find yourself empowered to do My work in extraordinary ways.
So how do you get rid of those selfish motives, those selfish desires? Let Me take control. Die to self and let Me reign in your life. Fill your mind and soul with Me. Be mindful of what you let come into your life and spend time with Me. Spend time in My word and pray. Talk with Me about your day, your interests, your troubles, your desires. I will take them and give you other things to think about.
I will replace your troubles and your burdens with other burdens. I will replace your burdens with interests in others. I will give you tasks in My priorities instead of yours. I will begin to help you see others the way I see them and help you focus less on yourself and more on others. I will help you love.
Let Me help you adopt My mind-set. Let Me transform you by renewing your mind. Let Me make you over again by giving Me charge over your life. It’s easy to do. Just say yes to Me.
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved. In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.