Good morning! Today we are beginning the second chapter of Philippians, where Apostle Paul continued on from chapter one focusing in on character – the attitude of Christ. Join me as we read verses 1-4.

Bible Verse – Philippians 2:1-4 NLT

“¹ Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?  ² Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

³ Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. ⁴ Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

Reflection

I was intrigued by the questions Paul asked the church of Philippi. So much so, that I want to answer the questions by stating them as facts:

• Since there is encouragement from belonging to Christ.

• Since there is comfort from his love.

• Since there is fellowship together in the Spirit.

• Since your hearts are tender and compassionate

Then sisters and brothers, let’s live in unity with one another. Agreeing wholeheartedly with each other in the things of the Lord, loving one another despite physical differences, and working together with one mind and purpose to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Sisters and brothers, there is no greater change agent than the Holy Spirit at work within us. We can make every attempt to transform our ways, but the real change occurs when we humbly submit our lives and our whole self to Christ and let the Holy Spirit have its way in us.

I recall a time in my life when I did things for the optics of others. If I did this, then I will show them. If I was successful in this, they would respect me. The challenges to compete with what others thought about me or what I thought they would think of me, drove my accomplishments more than my desire for Christ.

As Christ began to do a greater work within me, the opinions and the need for accolades from others began to lessen. My heart began to focus on Christ and His call on my life right where I was, right where I am today, and Lord willing wherever He plans to lead me in the future.

Sisters and brothers, what is the Lord calling you to do today? Where is the Lord leading you as you surrender your will to His?

Since there is encouragement from belonging to Christ. Since there is comfort from his love. Since there is fellowship together in the Spirit. Since your hearts are tender and compassionate. Are you ready to be transformed?

Questions to ponder:

• Are there areas in your life where you are selfish (don’t include times when self-care is necessary)?

• Are you still trying to impress others? How can you be humble in that area?

• How can you begin to think of others instead of only for yourself/your family?

Prayer

Father God thank you for your endless mercy and patience with us. Thank you for your son Jesus who made a way for us to be transformed – to be a new creation, that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17). Thank you for Your Holy Spirit who counsels and comforts us. Lord, begin right now, change and transform us to be more like you. Lord, lead us and strengthen us to be your faithful servants in this large mission field. Lord, we don’t know all of your plans for our lives but we are confident with your Holy Spirit as our guide that we will accomplish all things you have planned for us. So today, we say yes, Lord and amen to the call you have on our lives. We are your servants and we trust it will be as You planned – a plan for good, and not of evil. To give us a future and a hope. In Jesus name we pray amen.

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