For Reading and Meditation:      Philippians 2:1-13As we conclude our study of the phrase, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy", we ask ourselves: What would happen if we really put into practice this important principle? It would mean that we would look at everyone through Christian eyes. We would see sinners, not merely as the victims of sin and Satan, but as men and women who are to be pitied. We would see a fellow Christian who falls by the way, not as someone to come down on, but as someone to be lifted up. Far too many of us walk about with judgmental attitudes, and whenever anyone slips up, we either harangue them with a Bible text or wither them with a look of scorn. We have the philosophy of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Failure is met with derision and wrong is met with contempt. I have no hesitation in saying that such attitudes ought not to be found among the people of God. Wherever they are present, they will eat like acid into the soul. Being merciful means letting Christ have control of our lives so that His gentleness overcomes our vindictiveness, His kindness our unkindness, and His bigness our littleness. Are you a merciful person? Do you look upon those who have fallen with concern and compassion - or is your attitude one of contempt and scorn? Can you feel pity for those who have been duped by the world and the devil? If so, then - congratulations! You have passed the test and are on your way to experiencing spiritual health and happiness. Blessed indeed are those who are merciful - for they will obtain mercy.O my Father, with all my heart I cry out - help me to be a merciful person. Touch my whole being today by Your blessed Holy Spirit so that I might be changed into Your image. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.<div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>Luke 18:1-14</li><li>2 Corinthians 8:1-9</li><li>Hebrews 2:17-18</li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>How did Jesus show mercy?</li><li>How do you show mercy?</li></ul></div></div>

Let a little light into your soul every day with this wonderful devotional from English pastor Selwyn Hughes.

Every Day Light with Selwyn Hughes

"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (v. 4) 

For Reading and Meditation:      Colossians 1:15-27We spend one more day meditating on the text: "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." Today we ask ourselves: What did Jesus mean by the phrase, "for they will inherit the earth"? It means, so I believe, that when we develop the attitude of meekness, the whole universe is behind us. If, for example, we decide to manifest the attitude of anger and hostility rather than cultivating a meek and quiet spirit, then the anger and hostility becomes, as someone put it, "sand in the machinery of life". The universe has been made in a Christlike fashion. Our text for today shows that when God made the world, He made it to work in the way of Christ: "All things were created by him [Christ] and for him." Edison, the scientist, tried eleven hundred experiments, all of which turned out to be failures. Someone said to him: "You must feel that you have wasted your time." "Oh no," answered Edison, "I simply found out eleven hundred ways how not to do things." This is what is happening in the world right now - humanity is finding out how to live. People are discovering that there are some things which the universe will not approve and some things it will approve. The meek are those who have come to terms with reality and know that they cannot twist it to their own ends or make it approve of what cannot be approved. Whoever has the first word in this universe must always remember that the universe has the last word. The Christian who adopts the attitudes of his Master finds the universe backing him in everything he does. Father, thank You for reminding me that life works in one way only - Your way. When I live life as You designed it, then the whole universe works with me. I inherit all things - all that is Yours is mine. Blessed be Your Name for ever. Amen.<div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>Philippians 2:1-11</li><li>John 1:3</li><li>1 Corinthians 8:6</li><li>Hebrews 1:1-2</li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>How did Jesus demonstrate meekness?</li><li>How does this apply to you?</li></ul></div></div>

"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth ' all things were created by him and for him." (v. 16)

For Reading and Meditation:      James 3:1-18We continue meditating on the meaning of the word "meek" as used by Jesus in His third Beatitude. "Meekness," said one commentator, "is essentially a true view of oneself, expressing itself in attitude and conduct with respect to others." If that is so, then meekness involves two things: (1) our attitudes towards ourselves, and (2) our attitudes toward others. The meek person is so sure of himself that he does not need to demand anything for himself. He does not see his rights as something to be rigidly held on to, but follows the spirit of Jesus as outlined in Philippians 2:6-7: "Who, although being essentially one with God ' did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained; but stripped Himself of all privileges ' and was born a human being" (Amplified Bible). That is the place to which you and I must come if we are to understand the principle of meekness. The Christian who is meek will not be over-sensitive about himself, or defensive; he realises that he has no rights at all and delights to leave everything in the hands of God. When he is called upon to suffer unjustly, he remembers the Word of the Lord that says, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay" (Romans 12:19), and trusts God to work out the situation in His own time and in His own way. The poet Browning put the same truth in these words: "He who keeps one end in view makes all things serve." When that one end is the purpose of God, then indeed - all things serve. O Father, instil into me such a spirit of meekness that such things as anger, impatience, irritation, distrust, suspicion and unbelief die within me. Help me to see that only meekness must survive. For Jesus' sake. Amen.<div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>1 Peter 2:18-25</li><li>Matthew 11:29</li><li>Matthew 26:52</li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>What was Peter's exhortation?</li><li>Why was Jesus able to display meekness?</li></ul></div></div>

"' By his good life let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom." (v. 13, RSV)

For Reading and Meditation: &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;John 13:1-38
What other teacher has taken the Ten Commandments and had the right to add another commandment to them? But this is precisely what Jesus did, as we see from our text today. "A new command I give you," He said. "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
The Old Testament and other religious writings enjoined loving one another. What was new was this: "As I have loved you." Our Lord's conduct - "as I have loved you" - produced a new code for the human race. Paul, writing to the Philippians, catches the spirit of it when he says: "Treat one another with the same spirit as you experience in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5, Moffatt). Here morality reaches its high-water mark. From the moment Jesus uttered the words that are occupying our attention, there came into human life something more than a code - there came a Character. Now, therefore, our code is a Character - the Character of Jesus.
When someone asks me if I believe in the Ten Commandments I say: "Yes, and very much more besides. I believe in Jesus." The Ten Commandments are an injunction - and a God-given one. But Jesus is an injunction plus an inspiration. To follow an injunction is to obey an imposed morality, but to follow a Person and do the things He does is an inspired morality. One is legalism, the other love. One binds you, the other frees you. One makes you feel trammelled, the other relaxed and spontaneous. Our code is not a commandment but a Character. One greater than the commandments is here.
O Christ, Your law lays upon me an injunction, but Your life entering into my life inspires me to live up to that injunction. It is this that makes Your yoke so easy. I am deeply, deeply grateful. Amen.
<div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around">
<div>
<div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0px;">
<li>John 15:1-17</li>
<li>James 2:8</li>
<li>Matthew 7:12</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0px;">
<li>What was the basis of Christ's love?</li>
<li>What is the basis of our being able to fulfill the Royal Law?</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you...

For Reading and Meditation:      Philippians 2:1-11We are reflecting on the fact that the Christian faith is not just a little better than other faiths but radically different. Religion is mankind's search for God; Christianity, however, is God's search for man. Therefore there are many religions, but only one gospel. Religion is the word become word; the gospel is the Word become flesh. The commentator William Barclay, when writing on the verse "And the Word became flesh" which we looked at yesterday, said that this phrase explains why John wrote his Gospel. John apparently could not get over the fact that God had become man in the Person of His Son, and he sustained that thought throughout the whole of his writings. Augustine, the great saint of the fourth and fifth centuries, remarked that in his pre-Christian days he had never read anything comparable to that phrase: "And the Word became flesh." One thing the ancient Greeks could never contemplate was that God could reveal Himself in bodily form. To the Greeks the body was a prison in which the soul was shackled, a tomb in which the spirit was confined. Plutarch, the wise old Greek, believed it was nothing short of blasphemy to expect God to involve Himself in the affairs of the world. Yet in the face of this, the highest thought of the New Testament world, the gospel unfolded the thrilling truth that the Son of God became the Son of Man in order that the sons of men might become sons of God. Could anything in heaven or earth be more wonderful than that? If so, I have yet to hear it. Blessed Lord Jesus, how can we thank You enough for taking on Yourself a human form and showing us what God is really like? For we could never have known unless we had seen. Having seen, it is sufficient. We want no other. Amen.<div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>1 John 4:1-2</li><li>Romans 1:1-4</li><li>Romans 8:1-4</li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>What does a true believer always acknowledge?</li><li>How did Paul put it?</li></ul></div></div>

"... but made himself nothing ... being made in human likeness ..." (v. 7)

For Reading and Meditation:      Hebrews 1:1-14The words of our text today point out that though God spoke in times past through prophets and sages (referring to the religion of Judaism), His final Word to this world is in His Son. That is our claim as Christians. Not that the Jewish religion contains nothing of value. God forbid! But it is not God's last Word to the men and women of His creation. No other world faith claims that its great teacher was God incarnate. Yet we claim for Christ just that - and also that as God He meets every human need. He comes to us where we are and He does the work. He can relieve any plight of the human soul, and He has the power to meet every human need. Every spiritually sensitive person is aware of the presence of guilt which arises from indwelling sin, and is aware too that he or she alone can do nothing to dissolve it. Christ atoned for sin and is able to forgive it. Every normal person also stands in awe of death, knowing it is impossible to escape it. But Christ has conquered death and has opened the way to eternal life. Christ's call is to all humanity. He does not differentiate between groups of people or races. He abides no barriers of class or creed. "Whosoever will may come" is His constant message. Devotees of other faiths regard Christians as intolerant when they cannot concede even by implication that there are any "gods" or prophets equal to Him. He is unique in His Person, His mission and in His finished work.O God, how can I express my gratitude that I have found the best, or rather that the Best has found me? May I lay hold of all that is in Jesus and reflect Him to the world, not in arrogance but in humility. Amen.<div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>Philippians 2:1-11</li><li>Ephesians 1:22</li><li>1 Corinthians 8:6</li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>Why has God exalted Christ?</li><li>What does Paul acknowledge? What is his conclusion?</li></ul></div></div>

"... he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things ..." (v. 2)

For Reading and Meditation:      Philippians 2:5-11We continue meditating on the importance of learning to think spiritually. It is sometimes interesting to listen to Christians discussing together both earthly and heavenly issues. Take politics, for example. When involved in a discussion on this subject, many Christians seem to put their Christianity on one side and bring out all the prejudices and worldly arguments which they have been accustomed to use over the years. What does this say to us? It reveals the great need we have to break with the idea that life can be viewed on two levels - the natural and the spiritual. The Christian must learn to view everything from a spiritual viewpoint or otherwise he will fall prey to the same problems that the psalmist had. The great preacher C.H. Spurgeon once told a group of theological students that after they entered the ministry they should not be surprised to find that people who prayed like angels in a church prayer meeting could act like devils in a church business meeting. Unfortunately the history of the Church proves his statement to be true. How can this happen? It's because in a prayer meeting people think spiritually, but in a business meeting they revert to their natural thinking, with all its prejudices and worldly assumptions. They have a party spirit within them and as soon as any one bumps against them - out it comes. Our Lord, as our text for today shows so clearly, saw everything from a spiritual point of view. This is why, in the hour of overwhelming testing, He was able to say: "Not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). My Father and my God, forgive me that so often my thinking is based on natural, rather than spiritual, perspectives. I think spiritually about some matters, but not all. Help me, dear Lord. In Jesus' Name. Amen.<div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>James 1:1-8</li><li>Matthew 6:22</li><li>1 Corinthians 2:16</li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>What makes us unstable?</li><li>What happens when we are single-minded?</li></ul></div></div>

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." (v. 5, NKJ) 

The key word in Philippians 2:1-30 is "others." The Lord Jesus lived for others. Paul lived for others. Timothy lived for others. Epaphroditus lived for others. We too should live for others.We are told to do this not only because it is right but also because it is for our own good. If it is sometimes costly to live for others, it is more costly not to do so.Our society is filled with people who live only for their own personal interests. Rather than keeping busy in serving others, they sit at home brooding. They think about every minor ache and pain and soon become confirmed hypochondriacs. In their loneliness they complain that no one takes an interest in them and soon they wallow in self-pity. The more time they have to think about themselves, the more depressed they become. Life becomes one great introspective horror of darkness. Soon they go off to the doctor and gulp enormous quantities of pills - pills that can never cure self-centeredness. Then they frequent the psychiatrist's couch to somehow find relief for their boredom and weariness with life.The best therapy for people like that is a life of service for others. There are shut-ins to be visited. There are senior citizens who need a friend. There are hospitals that welcome volunteer help. There are people who could be cheered by a letter or a card. There are missionaries who welcome news from home (and perhaps they could use a little greenery to brighten up the scenery). There are souls to be saved and Christians to be taught. In short there is no excuse for anyone to be bored. There is enough to do to fill one's life with productive activity. And in the very process of living for others, we widen our circle of friends, make our own lives more interesting, and find fulfilment and satisfaction. P.M. Derham said, "A heart that is full of compassion for others is less likely to be absorbed in its own sorrows and poisoned by its own self pity."Others, yes, Lord, others,Let this my motto be.Help me to live for othersThat I may live like Thee.

With reverence, humor and skill, William MacDonald wove a daily devotional tapestry that challenges the reader to think deeply and Biblically, and apply God's Word to their lives.

Truths to Live By - One Day at a Time

"Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4 NASB)

One of the many noteworthy features of the Word of God is that it never isolates doctrine from duty. Take Philippians 2:1-13, for example. It is one of the classic passages in the New Testament on the doctrine of Christ. We learn there of His equality with God the Father, His self-emptying, His incarnation, His servanthood, His death and His subsequent glorification. But this is introduced, not as a doctrinal treatise, but as an appeal to the Philippians and to us to have the mind of Christ. If we live for others as He did, this will eliminate strife and vainglory. If we take the low place as He did, God will exalt us in due time. The passage is intensely practical.I often think of this when I read books on systematic theology. In these books the authors seek to gather together all that the Bible teaches on the doctrines of the faith, whether of God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, angels, man, sin, redemption, etc. While this has definite value, it can be very cold when isolated from godly living. A person can be intellectually proficient in the great doctrines and yet be sadly deficient as to his Christian character. If we study the Bible as God has given it to us, we never get a dichotomy between doctrine and duty. The two are always beautifully balanced and woven together.Perhaps the doctrinal subject that has been most divorced from our personal responsibility is prophecy. Too often it has been presented in such a way as to cater to curiosity. Sensational speculations concerning the identity of the Antichrist may draw the crowds but they don't develop holiness. Prophecy was never intended to tickle itching ears but rather to shape Christian character. George Peters lists 65 ways in which the Second Advent is calculated to affect our doctrine, duty and character; and I don't doubt that there are many more than that.The lesson for us is that we should never divorce theology from practical godliness. In our own personal study and in teaching the Word to others, we should emphasize Paul's exhortation to Timothy, "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine…"

"Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine." (1 Timothy 4:16)

Philippians 2:1-11"Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose." The people at Philippi had Paul's happiness in their keeping. They could give pain to his heart - or they could give him gladness. We all carry in our hands, in greater or less measure, the happiness of others. Children have power either to make their parents unhappy or to make them glad. A class has their teacher's happiness in their keeping - if they receive the lessons and live them out, they give the teacher deep joy. A few people gave Jesus comfort and gladness - by their love and kindness. We never can know what the Bethany family did for His pleasure. But the people in general, broke His heart. The scene of Jesus weeping over the city illustrates this. We should always try to give joy to our friends - and above all to Christ.Christians should live together in love. There can be no sadder sight than a quarreling church. With what pity that Jesus must look down upon the unseemly spectacle! One of the last prayers of Jesus for His disciples, was that they might live in unity. One of His last commandments to them - was that they should love one another as He had loved them - that is, patiently, helpfully, thoughtfully, unselfishly, faithfully, unto the uttermost. Wherever Christians are associated together, they should be of the same mind, of the same love, being of one accord.The secret of being of the same mind, being of one accord, is stated plainly: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit - but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests - but also to the interests of others." This happy result can be reached only by mutual yielding and giving up. It never can be attained by each one determining always to have his own way. No two people can be intimately associated and live in love, without cost to both. The secret of wedded happiness is in each counting the other better than himself. Sometimes there is a unity made in marriage by one being "head" and the other surrendering all rights - but that is not an accord of love; it is merely a unity produced by force - master and slave. The "one mind" comes through the desire of each to serve the other. So it is in all friendships. Friendship is always discipline. Two friends learn to live together in love - only by each thinking of the other, and forgetting self.There are other people besides ourselves in the world - and they live all about us. We are to think of their interests. We cannot step in any direction, without coming in contact with some of them. Now we must think of these others, and shape our life in reference to their interests as well as our own. We dare not go on treading as we like, picking up every beautiful thing we see, plucking every flower we find blooming anywhere. Other people have rights, and we must regard them. Besides, there is a law of love which bids us think of others before ourselves, "in honor preferring one another." We should have an interest in the prosperity, the success, and the happiness of all about us.This is not easy. The only way to fulfill its precepts, is to have in us the mind of Christ. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Christ's wonderful condescension, is the true type of every Christian life. Each in his own sphere should live over again, the marvelous story of condescension and humiliation.We are not merely to copy Christ in His acts - but we are to seek to have the mind and the spirit that was in Him. All true life must begin within. A new heart is the starting point. There is little use in a bad man changing his habits or manners - while his spirit remains bad. He is the same man still. The only true change is that which begins in the heart. "Create in me a clean heart, God; and renew a right spirit within me," is the prayer for those who wish to be Christians. If we have the mind that was in Christ, we shall have no trouble in getting the Christ like life. But how can we get the mind that was in Christ? Paul tells us everywhere in the words "Christ lives in me." We may have the very mind of Christ in us, His Spirit being the spirit that animates us. We have but to open our heart to Him, to be willing to be made like Him, to yield our being to Him. If Christ really rules and reigns in us - we have His mind swaying, influencing, directing and controlling us.The whole story of the condescension of Christ is in the words: "Who, existing in the form of God. .. emptied himself, taking the form of a servant." He was "in the form of God." He was God Himself. This was the starting point. It is this which made the condescension so wonderful. It is no humiliation for a man to be born. There is no special condescension even in the fact that Jesus was born in a stable and in poverty, and lived in a quiet village, working as a carpenter, and then went about the country teaching and doing good deeds, being misunderstood, and at last nailed to a cross. Other good men have been born in poverty, have worked as mechanics, have been persecuted, and have died as martyrs. If Jesus is only a man - there is no great condescension in all this. But when we look up and see Him in His divine glory, the eternal Son of God, and then think of what He did, we see the condescension!Queen Victoria, in her summer rambles in Scotland many years ago, went into the homes of the poorest people and sat down and talked with them. In one place she found a poor, crippled, old woman, and gave her money. She read a chapter of the Bible to a sick man, and then prayed by his bedside. If some female missionary had done these things, no one would have talked about condescension - but when the good queen did them - all the world was touched. So, while we read the gospel story - we must remember WHO it was that was born in a stable, cradled in a manger, did deeds of mercy in the land, and died on the cross! Then we shall understand the mind that was in Christ Jesus.When we recall, further, the OBJECT of this condescension, why He who was in the form of God took on Him "the form of a servant" among men - that it was to lift up the fallen sons of men and make them sons of God - then we get another thought of what it is to have this mind in us. It is to have love for others, love for the unlovely, a love strong enough to lead us to make the greatest sacrifices in order to do them good, to save them. If we would love as Christ loved - we must be ready to make the condescension and sacrifice He made.Christ "humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death." We should think of Jesus always as God's ideal man. How different His life from that of most men! They have their worldly ambitions. They want to make a name, to get rich, or to climb to power. Jesus was here to serve, to be a blessing to the world, to do good, to live out a life of love. He so devoted Himself to this great purpose, that He literally gave His life, going to a cross, in love for undeserving sinners!This is the true ideal of human life. We are to hold all that we have, and all that we are - at the service of Christ for our fellow men. But Christ was exalted after His humiliation. The exaltation was because of the humiliation. Service always has its reward. Those who empty out their life here - will find it again. No doubt the disciples of Jesus thought He had made a fearful mistake in giving up His life as He did. We can easily imagine them, during the days that the Master lay in the grave, saying one to another: "This is terrible - such a life to end on a cross! He was so young, too! If only He had been more prudent, and had thought of Himself a little more - He would not have met this fearful death! What a waste of precious life! What a blessing He would have been to the world - if only He had lived to a ripe old age!" But we know that no mistake was made - that His life was not wasted.In one of the old prophets we read of the Messiah, "He shall see of the travail of his soul - and shall be satisfied ." In the Epistle to the Hebrews we are told that for the joy set before Him - He endured the cross, despising the shame. Jesus knew that He was not wasting His life - but that glory would come out of His sacrifice, not only for Himself - but for His people. He humbled Himself to be a servant and to die on a cross - but He went from the cross - to the throne of the universe!The law of life is the same in its application to Christ's followers. Those who give themselves up to service and sacrifice in doing the Master's work - are preparing for themselves high places in glory.There is a legend of one who, when given money by a king for the building of a great palace, finding the people in sore need, spent the money in buying food for them. When the king came and found no palace he was very angry, and, sending for the builder, demanded an explanation. He then cast the builder into prison, saying, "Tomorrow you shall die, for you have been unfaithful." But that night the king, in a dream, saw a wonderful palace, surpassing all of earth's most splendid buildings. "What building is that?" he asked. "The Temple of Merciful Deeds, built for you by the Great Architect." Then the king understood that the spending of his money in service of love had erected for him inside the heavenly gates a palace of immortal beauty. Although only a legend, its teaching is true. In a life of sacrifice and service in this world, in Christ's name - we are laying up treasures in heaven which some day we shall have forever!

A unique type of devotional from the writings of James Russell Miller, published between 1908 and 1913.

Devotional Hours Within the Bible

Philippians 2:1-11

Christ's Humility and Exaltation

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God
 as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. (Philippians 2:5-7 NLT)




We have got to draw a very broad distinction 
between doing a lot of things, as we think "for the Lord," rushing about and 
being busy and organizing and conducting and speaking and preaching and taking 
meetings and classes and all this, and we call this "Christian service." We have 
got to draw a very broad line of difference between that and real service to the 
Lord. Real service to the Lord is the emancipation of a people from this world 
for Him and the formation of that people according to Christ for a heavenly 
vocation, and a heavenly vocation now, not afterwards. 
You can test your service by this: the measure 
of the emancipation of the people who come under your hands and the measure of 
the formation of Christ that is going on. These are things which are service. 
And then you will discover that, whereas the other line of things with all the 
movement and activity and feverish and excited work does not call for very much 
patience of this kind. It does not call for much real self-emptying, no, it does 
not call for a great deal of meekness: rather I think it ministers to the 
opposite. It makes us self-important. It makes us proud. It makes us 
self-sufficient. It makes us self-assertive. It makes us jealous for our 
position and our ministry, and resentful if it is interfered with. Yes, 
Christian work does that with many. The true service can be tested by these 
things, and the true servant can be tested by the measure of those virtues of 
Christ: utterly selfless, self-empty.

This devotional contains short daily portions from a selection of Mr. Austin-Sparks' messages. In his own words, “Perhaps this is just like a window opened into heaven. If you get the right window you can see quite a lot. You can see great things and you can see far things. But the best that I can hope is that this has just opened a window, and that as you look through it you are seeing one thing - how superior is Jesus Christ to all else, and how superior is the dispensation into which we have come, and how superior are all the resources at our disposal to all that ever was before!” Open Windows messages have been selected and compiled by Austin-Sparks.Net from the works of T. Austin-Sparks. In some cases they appear in abridged form. The introductory verse and its associated Bible version have been selected by the editor and did not always appear within the original message.

Open Windows

The Cross and the Way of Life - Chapter 7

 The Cross Way of Life 

I [Moses] stood between the Lord and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the Lord; for you were afraid. § There is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth. § Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. § Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

Daily Light on the Daily Path or Daily Light is a Christian daily devotional scripture reading published by Bagster & Sons about 1875. It has been reprinted continually since then. It consists of brief groupings of scripture passages which speak to prominent Biblical themes—two themes (morning and evening) for each day of the year. It appends no commentary, but simply allows scripture to speak for itself.

Morning Daily Light

 I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren. 

Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who … made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant. § Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. § He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled … Jesus wept. § Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. All of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 

They had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” § Be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who … made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men … Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.

Evening Daily Light

 One star differs from another star in glory. 

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. § Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. He who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. § Christ… suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps. § Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.

 Do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them. 

For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell. • Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. § Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation. Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head. All things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

 Our Lord Jesus Christ . . . though He was rich, yet for your sakes . . . became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. 

Indeed a greater than Solomon is here. § Prince of Peace. Scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. § Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. § The love of Christ … passes knowledge. Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. § In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. § The unsearchable riches of Christ. § Of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.

 God gave Solomon … largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. 

<blockquote>
I have been crucified with Christ" (<a id="verse_1632879679966265" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Galatians/2/20">Gal. 2:20</a>, ASV).
</blockquote>The Cross is the height of paradox; it is at once God's greatest agony, and His eternal glory. For the growing believer it means daily crucifixion, and at the same time freedom from the penalty and the power of sin and self. "But may it never be mine to boast of anything but the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world!" (<a id="verse_1632879679313060" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Galatians/6/14">Gal. 6:14</a>, Wms.)."We need to enter deeply into the truth that Christ the Beloved Son of the Father could not return to the glory of Heaven until He had first given Himself over to death. As this great principle opens up to us, it will help us to understand how in our life, and in our fellowship with the Lord Jesus, it is impossible for us to share the fulness of His life until we have first in very deed surrendered ourselves every day as having died to sin and the world.""Many believers appear to think that when once they have claimed Christ's death in the fellowship of the Cross, and have counted themselves crucified with Him, they may now consider it as past and done with. They do not as yet understand that it is in the crucified Christ, and in the fellowship of His death, that they are to abide daily and unceasingly. The fellowship of the Cross is to be the life of a daily walk - His taking the form of a servant, His humbling Himself and becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross; this mind that was in the Lord Jesus is to be the disposition that marks our daily life.""Have this mind [attitude] in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (<a id="verse_1632879679711268" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Philippians/2/5">Phil. 2:5</a>, ASV).

A 365 day devotional that will help you in your Christian growth and walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.  This devotional is a collection of quotes from some of the best authors in the realm of Christian growth that has been organized by Miles J Stanford.  This devotional study is divided into 12 sections each containing 31 daily portions.

None but the Hungry Heart

 The Cross For Self 

<blockquote>
Love suffereth long, and is kind" (<a id="verse_1632879959543393" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/1-Corinthians/13/4">1 Cor. 13:4</a>).
</blockquote>The price of leadership remains high and hard; it may be cheap and easy for the dictator, for the hireling, but never for the shepherd. The dictator dominates; the hireling flees; but the good shepherd loves his sheep and is loved by them. He lays down his life for the sheep. True spiritual leadership involves this principle: "Death working in me works life in you" (<a id="verse_1632879959634081" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/2-Corinthians/4/12">2 Cor. 4:12</a>, Cony.)."It is the quality of leadership that they can bear to be sat on, absorb shocks, act as a buffer, bear being much plagued. Moses put up with the complaints and the waywardness and revolt of the people. He pursued a steady course, enduring as seeing Him who is invisible. The wear and tear and the continual friction and trials which come to the servants of God are a great test of character." -F.M."Bridge the gaps! A bridge means something - generally a life laid down. The very simplest bridge, a plank thrown across a stream, was once part of a tree standing erect, sapping life from the earth, and beautifying all the area around it. Now it is dead, but perhaps saves other lives; anyway it helps to make others useful, and is content to push others on, unnoticed, unthanked. Seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not,' just be a bridge. It is so simple. See that others are placed on the right track with God through the Lord Jesus. When they get there, they will not thank you, will never look back probably at the bridge; but the Great Architect will know and love and care." -E.W."Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (<a id="verse_1632879959479761" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Philippians/2/5">Phil. 2:5</a>)

 Cost Of Leadership 

<blockquote>
Let the same disposition be in you which was in Christ Jesus." "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh is at rest from sin" (<a id="verse_1632880039825619" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Philippians/2/5">Phil. 2:5</a>, Wey; <a id="verse_1632880039429413" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/1-Peter/4/1">1 Pet. 4:1</a>m).
</blockquote>Too late! Too late! If we seek to deal with sin by reckoning at the moment it becomes an issue. Our stand and attitude from the beginning of each day is to be a settled matter as we rest in our risen Lord Jesus: the death of the Cross separates me from the enslavement of sin and self, and I continually abide in my new life, Christ Jesus. My life is "hid with Christ in God" (<a id="verse_1632880039856918" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Colossians/3/3">Col. 3:3</a>)."The reckoning believer is to meet every proposal of self-gratification armed with the mind to suffer in the flesh. Sin is the gratification of self, but he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from the domination of sin.'"If you allow yourself to entertain a suggestion of self-gratification - if you consider it, and give it a place in your mind - you are defeated. You have laid aside your armor, and will fall an easy prey to the foe. But there will be no response to the suggestion or temptation if you stand armed with the mind to suffer in the flesh. That which is proposed to you is exactly opposite to what you are set for. It is suggested that you should be pleased and gratified in the very thing in which you are fully minded to suffer. You are now in conflict with sin - not going along with it; you suffer in the flesh, and have ceased from the practice of sin." -C.A.C."So that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living by [his] human appetites and desires but [he lives] for what God wills" (<a id="verse_1632880039984340" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/1-Peter/4/2">1 Pet. 4:2</a>, Amp.).

 Previously Prepared 

<blockquote>
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (<a id="verse_1632880456965152" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Philippians/2/5">Phil. 2:5</a>).
</blockquote>Just whose side are we on? The enemy who would occupy us with ourselves, or the Comforter who would occupy us with the risen Lord Jesus? The spirit of death, or the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus? "Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are whom ye obey, whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" (<a id="verse_1632880456174950" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Romans/6/16">Rom. 6:16</a>)."If we have only learned the Lord at our own side, the tendency is to be occupied with ourselves, or to seek to be an object of consideration; whereas if we have been led by the Spirit to His side, His interests and concerns will singularly occupy us.""The natural inclination is to make oneself the center of everything passing, how it pains or cheers oneself, even musing on oneself as if one were the one solitary object for the sunshine or the cloud to rest on. If I am a hero, or a martyr to myself, I look at and regard divine things as they suit my thinking about myself, and not as answering to what He is thinking of me. I am confining the Lord to myself instead of rising up and seeing myself lost in Him, and then following Him in all the greatness and blessedness of His work and ways down here." -J.B.S."We may love as Jonathan, and follow as Ruth, but until we know that we are united to the Lord Jesus Christ in glory, we will not be free enough from our own interests, to take up His.""[Who] made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant" (<a id="verse_1632880456645567" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Philippians/2/7">Phil. 2:7</a>).

 Christo-centric 

<blockquote>
That I may know Him. . . being made conformable unto His death" (<a id="verse_1632880787694217" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Philippians/3/10">Phil. 3:10</a>).
</blockquote>The life that emerges from death is administered by a loving, nail-pierced hand."As with the seed that is buried once for all, but then disintegrated through a gradual process that sets free the new life, even so does our Father deal with our old nature by delivering it to death with the Lord Jesus once for all, and then bringing about its mortifying in detail through the circumstances of daily life, until the power of the old man has lost its hold on us." -L.T."We are going to have to learn death in order to know life. Redemption must be known first, and the ultimate effect will be death to sin, to selfishness; and all this is very trying. One might be tempted to say, All this trial comes upon me because I have not been redeemed. Not so; it is just because you are redeemed. We may seek to avoid the bitter waters of Marah, but our Father will bring us to them. He intends to break down what is of the old man, and then, in His own good time, He will pour in that which sweetens all."But because God has brought me to Himself, He is putting His finger on everything that hinders complete dependence upon Him, or my soul's full enjoyment of Himself. So count it not strange, though it be a fiery trial which is to try you; for the Father will have you drink of the very thing (death) that redeemed you." -J.N.D."Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (<a id="verse_1632880787254922" href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Philippians/2/5">Phil. 2:5</a>).

 The Hand Of Life 

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: <poetry> 6 <poetry>Who, being in very nature God, <indent>did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;</indent> </poetry>

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:<cr>1</cr> <pb/><poetry>

Philippians 2:5

Who, being in very nature<ft>1</ft> God,<cr>1</cr> <indent>did not consider equality with God<cr>2</cr> something to be used to his own advantage;</indent>

Philippians 2:6

 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:    6 Who, being in very nature  God,   did not consider equality with God   something to be used to his own advantage; 

From Wikipedia: 

The New International Version (NIV) is an English translation of the Bible first published in 1978 by Biblica (formerly the International Bible Society). The NIV was published to meet the need for a modern translation done by Bible scholars using the earliest, highest quality manuscripts available. Of equal importance was that the Bible be expressed in broadly understood modern English.

The NIV is published by Zondervan in the United States and Hodder & Stoughton in the UK. The NIV was updated in 1984 and 2011 and has become one of the most popular and best-selling modern translations.

OT: Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia; additional sources;
NT: UBS Greek New Testament; Novum Testamentum Graece; additional sources;

New International Version

 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:   Who, being in very nature God,  did not consider equality with God  something to be used to his own advantage; 

Philippians 2:5-6

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: <poetry> <poetry>Who, being in very nature God, <indent>did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;</indent> </poetry>

 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:    Who, being in very nature  God,   did not consider equality with God   something to be used to his own advantage; 

Bible Verse of the Day

November 1, 2019

Philippians 2:5-6 NIV

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