Daily Bread_November 11, 2013

Title: How to Have the Attitude of a Servant?

Text:

Philippians 2:5-11 (HCSB)
⁵ Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus,
⁶ who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage.
⁷ Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form,
⁸ He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross.
⁹ For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that 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 every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Observation:

We only have to look to Jesus to answer the question posed in our title for today's meditation. The way to be elevated is to focus on others, and not solely on our self; that's what Jesus did. Are you willing to follow in the footsteps of Jesus?

Our attitude determines our altitude. It's amazing how far a good attitude will take you in life; it will profit you in all of your important relationships.

So let's look up to Jesus, and then reach out to those around us. Make a daily practice of adding value to the important people in your circle of influence.

Be a leader; take the initiative and love others first. Then you will experience the truth of the following verse from the Bible.

Acts 20:35 (HCSB)
³⁵ In every way I've shown you that by laboring like this, it is necessary to help the weak and to keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, for He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Yes, and this is the reason why it is more blessed to give than to receive. When we give we use a shovel, and God uses a wheelbarrow in giving back to us. I remember a pastor using that illustration years ago. It has stuck with me because it is the truth.

Philippians 4:17 (NLT)
¹⁷ I don't say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, I pray that You would stir our hearts until we are convinced of the truth that it is more blessed to give than to receive. In the name of Him who showed us the example, Jesus, our Savior, and the Lord of the lives of those who believe in Him. Amen.

 

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Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

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