Reflect Him
Today's Scripture:
Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:].
Philippians 2:5, AMP.
Philippians 2:5, AMP.
Today's Word:
When you reflect something, you are exhibiting its likeness. You are displaying its characteristics. Like a mirror, the Bible tells us that we should reflect the character and likeness of Jesus. We should have His same attitude.
That may sound like a pretty tall order; after all, Jesus was the Son of God. But remember, when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we become sons and daughters of the Most High God, too. We become empowered by the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. That means we have the same spirit of humility, the same strength, the same love, the same power on the inside. We are empowered to follow His example and do what He did. When Jesus walked the earth, the scripture says He went around doing good and bringing healing to others physically, spiritually and emotionally. That’s what we should be doing, too.
Notice this verse starts by saying, “Let…” In other words, we have to invite God into our attitude and actions. Choose today to invite Him to work in you. Reflect Him in your attitude and actions, bring good to others, and reap an abundant harvest of blessing in every area of your life.
Prayer for Today:
Father, I invite You to dwell in my thoughts, heart and attitude. I choose to follow Your example and bring good to others. Help me to be a pure reflection of Your love in everything I do in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
***
Serve Out of Design, Not Duty
Most people these days are moving so fast that they don’t have time to listen to their heart any more.
The Bible says that God wants you to listen to your heart. He wants you to look at what you’re made to do, and then you’ll know what he wants you to do. But you’ve got to slow down.
Alabama used to sing this song: “I’m in a hurry to get things done. I rush and rush until life’s no fun. All I really got to do is live and die, but I’m in a hurry and don’t know why. Can’t be late. I leave in plenty of time, shaking hands with the clock. I can’t stop. I’m on a roll, and I’m ready to rock. I hear a voice that says I’m running behind. I better pick up my pace. It’s a race, and there ain’t no room for someone in second place.”
That describes most people today in America. They’re speeding with no direction. But God wants you to slow down and listen to your heart. Romans 12:3 says, “Be honest in your estimate of yourselves” (NLT). What I suggest you do is get alone with God and ask these questions: “What do I love to do? What do I dream of doing? What fascinates me? What can I talk about, think about, and study all day and not get bored? Where have I been most effective in my life?”
I once baptized an 80-year-old woman after a service at Saddleback Church. She wanted to be a small group host. That’s pretty cool — an 80-year-old small group host! She said, “I just wish I learned years ago that we serve God out of our design, not out of duty.”
I wish everybody could learn that truth. That’s what SHAPE — your spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences — is all about. We serve God out of our design and the way he shaped us. We serve God not out of duty but because we love him. Because when you do what he wired you to do, it brings glory to him.
That’s the way to live. Don’t serve God out of force or design or guilt. Serve him out of delight and gratitude. Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you’ve been given — in other words, what God put you on Earth to do.
Talk It Over
14 hours ago
by Rick Warren
“Be honest in your estimate of yourselves.” (Romans 12:3 NLT)
The Bible says that God wants you to listen to your heart. He wants you to look at what you’re made to do, and then you’ll know what he wants you to do. But you’ve got to slow down.
Alabama used to sing this song: “I’m in a hurry to get things done. I rush and rush until life’s no fun. All I really got to do is live and die, but I’m in a hurry and don’t know why. Can’t be late. I leave in plenty of time, shaking hands with the clock. I can’t stop. I’m on a roll, and I’m ready to rock. I hear a voice that says I’m running behind. I better pick up my pace. It’s a race, and there ain’t no room for someone in second place.”
That describes most people today in America. They’re speeding with no direction. But God wants you to slow down and listen to your heart. Romans 12:3 says, “Be honest in your estimate of yourselves” (NLT). What I suggest you do is get alone with God and ask these questions: “What do I love to do? What do I dream of doing? What fascinates me? What can I talk about, think about, and study all day and not get bored? Where have I been most effective in my life?”
I once baptized an 80-year-old woman after a service at Saddleback Church. She wanted to be a small group host. That’s pretty cool — an 80-year-old small group host! She said, “I just wish I learned years ago that we serve God out of our design, not out of duty.”
I wish everybody could learn that truth. That’s what SHAPE — your spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences — is all about. We serve God out of our design and the way he shaped us. We serve God not out of duty but because we love him. Because when you do what he wired you to do, it brings glory to him.
That’s the way to live. Don’t serve God out of force or design or guilt. Serve him out of delight and gratitude. Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you’ve been given — in other words, what God put you on Earth to do.
Talk It Over
- What has been your motivation to serve in ministry?
- How did that motivation affect your attitude toward ministry?
No comments:
Post a Comment