Devotions With Deanna

Philippians 2:1-8  

Walk in Humility and Have the Mind of Christ

Today is Good Friday, a day to remember our Lord Jesus Christ and His death on the cross.

It is a day to think deeply and carefully about the mind of Jesus Christ and the events leading up to His death and His resurrection. As you reflect on what Jesus did and what it means to you, I encourage you to also reflect on your personal journey with the Lord.

The opposite of humility is pride. Pride is defined as a high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc. King Nebuchadnezzar is an example of how damaging pride can be to a person’s spirit and mind. To get a good visual of the suffering of the King, read Daniel 5:18-21 in The Message Bible.

Hopefully, this is an adequate description of the consequences of pride that makes us not want to travel down that path. Pride is to be avoided, at all costs. Pride breeds disunity.

Humility, on the other hand, is to be sought after, at all costs. Humility creates unity. It is the path that Jesus Christ took and that He has for each one of us. According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary, humility is defined as a prominent Christian grace (Rom 12:3; 15:17,18; 1 Cor 3:5-7, 2 Cor 3:5; Phil 4:11-13). It is a state of mind well pleasing to God (1 Pet 3:4); it preserves the soul in tranquility (Psa 69:32,33), and makes us patient under trials (Job 1:22).

Paul encourages the Philippians to practice humility. To walk in that humility, you have to have the mind of Jesus Christ as stated in Philippians 2:5 (NKJV), “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”

Just because you are leader doesn’t mean you are immune to discouragement. One major indication that you have succumbed to discouragement is that you become unconcerned with your personal relationships.  And if you are discouraged, do not be embarrassed or ashamed. Today, I want to encourage you that you do not have to surrender to discouragement. You have the choice and power to flip your discouragement into encouragement.

Relationships are one of the main themes intertwined all throughout the bible beginning in Genesis through Revelation. We were made to be in relationship. God created us to be in relationship with Him and with each other.

In this short time, I just want focus on a small part in the Book of Hebrews. I would consider Hebrews to be a very encouraging book. The author of Hebrews does a great job of presenting an amazing picture of the supremacy of Jesus Christ, His Majesty, and His Ministry. However, he also gives five warnings about the danger of turning away from Christ: Danger of Neglect; Danger of Unbelief; Danger of Not Maturing; Danger of Drawing Back; and Danger of Refusing God.  Under the warning of the danger of drawing back, we read all about the heroes of the faith, the example of Christ’s endurance and an exhortation to endure God’s chastening. Growing in grace is when you can look beyond the process of God’s discipline and see the peaceable fruit of righteousness that comes later.

“Many believers are deeply grieved, because they do not at once feel that they have been profited by their afflictions. Well, you do not expect to see apples or plums on a tree which you have planted but a week. Only little children put their seeds into their flower-garden, and then expect to see them grow into plants in an hour.” (Spurgeon)

Are you discouraged? Have you become unconcerned with relationships? In Hebrews 12:14-17, we see 4 things that are needed to make things right again.

1. Pursue Peace: Pursue is an action word and it means to run after or pursue in order to catch. We are to pursue (go after) peace with all people. Make things right in your relationships with people within your circle. If you need to apologize and ask for forgiveness, go, and apologize and ask for forgiveness. If you need to forgive, go, and forgive.

2. Pursue Holiness: Make things right in your relationship with God. Leviticus 19:2, “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” As David Guzik’s commentary states, “Regarding holiness, we are told without which no will see the Lord. A lack of holiness is a critical obstacle to a close relationship with God.”

3. Pursue the Grace of God: Going after God’s grace will keep bitterness from coming up in your heart. Going after God’s grace will keep bitterness from spreading. Bitterness can come from holding on to pain and hurt of your past. When you focus on the grace of God, you can move past the pain and hurt and extend that grace God gives to you to others.

4. Pursue Pure Moral Behavior: Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” I love how The Message Bible reads, “Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God’s blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears.”

Life Application Questions

Are you discouraged?

Are your relationships suffering?

Are you willing to pursue peace, holiness, grace, and pure moral behavior?

As a leader, do you find it difficult to ask for help? Do you fear being seen as weak or incapable if you ask for help? Do you fear being vulnerable? More specifically, do you especially find it difficult to ask God for help?

According to various articles on Google, I discovered the strongest leaders don’t have an issue with asking for help, they know how to ask for help, and they are not afraid to ask for help. However, when approaching God for help, the strongest leader may find it very difficult. Fear and vulnerability can be stifling. Here is the key, God created you, He already knows your strengths AND your weaknesses. He also already knows what you need before you even ask.

Often, when our requests don’t get answered the way we think it should or not in a timely fashion (ha, by the way, God is always on time), we tend to draw false conclusions about God. “God does not love me. God is rejecting me. There is no joy in God’s will, so why ask. I must not have any faith.” Regardless of your view of God, He is approachable, and He is waiting for you to come to Him and ask for help.

Today, I want to share with you 3 ways to approach God and ask Him for help.

Let us look at Today’s Scripture References

Matthew 7:7-11

1 John 5:14-15

1. Approach and Ask Him Appropriately

A great example can be found in:  Luke 11:1-4

a. Recognize God’s authority. God is sovereign and reigns and rules over all of creation. He created you with a plan and purpose. God’s power and authority is to be respected and He deserves our reverence.

b. Approach God in humility. Humility is the opposite of pride. As a leader, you may request and sometimes demand others to meet needs in the business world. When approaching God, it’s best to remember the one who “needs” cannot demand of the One who “gives.” You can humbly go to Him and ask.

c. Ask according to His will. How do you know His will? By reading and studying His Word. Make it a priority to get to know Him, His character and His plan and purpose for your life, your family, and your business.

2. Approach and Ask Him Specifically

God is in the details. There are many things you can go to God and ask for help on. Such as physical, emotional, spiritual needs, times of suffering. Today, I just want to touch on:

Guidance in decisions -

Your day most likely consists of a great deal of quick decision making with no time to waste. To pause and ask God for help can seem impossible. I challenge you to take the necessary time to get to know God on a whole new level. Read and study His Word. When you have that intimate connection with God, the fear and intimidation of approaching Him and asking for guidance in important daily decisions has diminished. Ultimately, it is all about the relationship.

3. Approach and Ask Him Fervently

Luke 18:1-8 The Parable of the Persistent Widow

There are 3 requirements to remember when fervently asking God for help:

Today, I want to share with you 4 ways to be a “Barnabas” in the lives of those around you. Before I talk about Barnabas, I want to touch on what was happening in the early church before Barnabas enters the scene. Beginning in Acts 4, Peter and John were arrested by the Sadducees. There was some controversy over a miracle – the lame man’s healing accomplished in the name and power of Jesus. From Acts 4, we learn the early church’s response to persecution was prayer and the results were great grace and boldness, great power and unity. What a great lesson to learn from the early church – to prove the reality of our faith, instead of debating and arguing, go to prayer. Following the prayer for boldness – we see 6 things that took place. 1. All present experienced a supernatural fullness of the Holy Spirit. 2. All present experienced a supernatural boldness, a fearlessness to proclaim the Word of God. 3. All present experienced a supernatural unity, one heart and one soul. 4. All present experienced a supernatural submission. 5. All present experienced a supernatural fruitfulness; fruit was produced for God’s glory as they went out sharing and preaching about Jesus Christ. 6. All present experienced a supernatural generosity expressing a spirit of sacrifice and generosity to one another.Barnabas was a Levite, of the country of Cyprus and an early church leader with whom Paul could identify. Paul received prayers, counsel, guidance, and encouragement from Barnabas. From scripture and commentaries, we can see that Barnabas had exceptional spiritual qualities and an unshakable confidence in God.

1. Be a Giver – Barnabas was a generous giver. Church at Jerusalem – growing rapidly; new believers; early church voluntarily shares their belongings.

Acts 4:36-37

2. Be a Faithful Friend – It wasn’t until Barnabas took Saul and explained the change that had taken place in his life, that Saul was able to move freely in Jerusalem. It was too long ago that Saul hated and persecuted Christians. Barnabas takes a risk in associating with Saul.

Acts 9:26-27

3. Be an Encourager

Acts 11:22-26

Encouraged – verb imperfect tense – Barnabas repeatedly encouraged the Gentiles to persevere in their loyalty to God. He encouraged them to stay close to the Lord, whatever the cost.

Good Man – generous, tenderhearted, proven character, high moral standards, honorable, respectable, morally sound.

Full of the Holy Spirit – experienced the power of the Holy Spirit for witnessing and serving. Not driven by personal ambition or selfish desires.

Overflowed with Faith – strong convictions, settled confidence in God’s word.

4. Be Forgiving

Acts 15:36-41

Difference of opinion – the cause of the split between Barnabas and Paul. Paul leaned more towards being firm, while Barnabas leaned towards being tender. They go their separate ways. Barnabas chose to encourage Mark, his nephew, his sister’s son.

Because of this man Barnabas – Paul may have never been accepted in the Jerusalem church and Mark may have not continued serving the Lord. In addition, we now have 13 epistles written by Paul and one Gospel written by Mark.

Life Application Questions

Are you willing to be a “Barnabas” to someone? Are you willing to give generously, be a faithful friend, a committed encourager, and a forgiving person?

1. Do you want to experience the supernatural fullness of the Holy Spirit? 2. A supernatural boldness, a fearlessness to proclaim the Word of God? 3. A supernatural unity, one heart and one soul? 4. A supernatural submission? 5. A supernatural fruitfulness; fruit was produced for God’s glory as they went out sharing and preaching about Jesus Christ? 6. A supernatural generosity expressing a spirit of sacrifice and generosity to one another?

Closing Prayer – Acts 4:24-30

Today’s Scripture References

Accountable to God – Romans 14:10-12 “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” So, then each of us shall give account of himself to God.”

Accountable to Each Other – James 5:16 “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

Accountability Gives You Strength – Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron,

Accountability Gives You Protection – Hebrews 13:17 “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”

Biblical Examples of Accountability

1 Timothy 1:1-2 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Saviour and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope, to Timothy, my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.”

2 Timothy 1:1-2 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Titus 1:4-5, “To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.”

Not only grace, but mercy and peace were obviously important to Paul as we see in his greetings to Timothy and Titus, his sons in the faith. Timothy and Titus were young pastors and Paul had the responsibility of leading them. My bible suggested that Paul wrote 1 Timothy as a reference manual for leadership so that Timothy will have effective guidance for his work during Paul’s absence in Macedonia. Paul wrote 2 Timothy as an encouragement to faithfully endure and carry on the work that Paul must relinquish. Paul wrote Titus to give him strength and exhort him to firmly exercise his authority over the church at Crete. Basically, Titus is the conduct manual for church living.

What a great example Paul has set for us. His letters to Timothy and Titus are letters of encouragement to grow in their own faith as they are examples to others.

As I continue with the theme of growing in grace, today I want to share the 4th reason growing in grace is important for your soul (your mind, will, and emotions). “Growth in grace” pleases God. I love the analogy of the gardener that has been faithful in attending to their garden including watering, feeding, and yes weeding. Just like any gardener would know, it is a joyful occasion when the plants are growing, flourishing, and bearing fruit. On the flip side, it is disappointing to see the plants not growing, malnourished, and overcome with weeds. The same goes for our Christian walk with the Lord, He takes pleasure in all His children, especially when they are growing in grace and bearing fruit for the Kingdom. Growing in grace requires us to tend to our spiritual growth, nourishment, and pulling the weeds out, removing the sin. Let’s look at two suggested ways to begin pleasing the Lord – prayer and encouragement.

Today’s Scripture Reference

John 15:1 – “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.”

John 15:8 – “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, so you will be My disciples.”

1st Suggested Way to Please God – Prayer

Colossians 1:9-14

Paul’s Prayer for the Colossians – Here Paul is expressing his concern that the Colossians come to a deeper understanding of the person and power of Christ. Paul prays that the Colossians would know the will of God, be able to apply the will of God to their lives, and then walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him.

If want to grow in Grace and please the Lord, let’s join Paul and pray this prayer over ourselves and those we lead.

We also see from Paul’s Prayer for the Colossians, four characteristics of a worthy walk:

1. Living a life marked by the fruit of good works.

2. Growing in knowledge of God by studying His word.

3. Strengthened by God for Endurance.

4. Having gratitude for God’s work of salvation.

2nd Suggested Way to Please God – Receive and Give Encouragement to Continue Growing

In 1 Thessalonians, we see how Paul is writing to this young church to encourage them in their newfound faith, to increase in their love for one another, and to rejoice, pray, and give thanks always. In Chapter 4:1:12, Paul gives them directions for growth to continue progressing and walking in a manner that pleases God. He wanted to remind them of his previous teaching on sexual and social matters. These young Thessalonian believers lacked the moral upbringing from the Mosaic Law provided in the Jewish community.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12  TPT: The Passion Translation - “Directions for Growth”

Life Application Questions

1. In Paul’s Prayer for the Colossians, which four characteristics of a worthy walk would you like to work on:

- To live a life marked by the fruit of good works.

- To grow in knowledge of God by studying His word.

- To operate out of God’s strength for increased endurance.

- To have a gratitude for God’s work of salvation in your life.

2. Who do you know that could benefit from prayer just like Paul prayed for the Colossians?

3. Who do you know that needs some encouragement to keep going, to keep increasing in areas that Paul encouraged the Thessalonians?

Today’s Scripture Reference

3 John1:1-2 – “The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”

Quality of Life – How is your quality of life? In therapy, the top 3 questions that are asked are, “Are you exercising?” “Are you eating healthy?” and “How is your sleeping habits?” Only you would know the answer to these questions. The focus is to have a balanced quality of life. And only you would know what is out of balance.

Commitment in line with God’s Word – How is your commitment to God? I just finished a fantastic bible study on Revelation through Community Bible Study. And I am reminded of Jesus’ message to the church in Laodicia in Revelation 3:14-22. Read scripture.

How committed are you? Only you would know your commitment level and whether or not you are lukewarm.

Dedication in line with God’s Word – How much time do you dedicate to reading and meditating on God’s word? Have you dedicated your life, both home life and work life to the Lord? God wants all of us, not just our home and church life. His desire is for you to dedicate your work, your business to Him. Only you would know what you have dedicated to the Lord and what you have not.

Action in line with God’s Word – Are you ready to be used by God in ALL areas of your life, not just at home and church. Are you ready to be used by God to those you lead in your work life? There are people in your life that God has placed under your leadership that only you can speak to. People are hurting. People need people. And are you ready to be used by God to meet these people where they are and lead them to have a healthy and prosperous soul? Only you would know that answer.

Leaders are on a tight schedule and must be creative when it comes time to reading and meditating on God’s Word. Devotions with Deanna was created as one of the solutions to support busy leaders. My prayer is that you will be inspired to become a person after God’s own heart and your strength will be renewed.

As I continue with the theme of growing in grace, today I will be going over one of the five reasons growing in grace is important for your soul (your mind, will, and emotions). Not only will you personally benefit from your growth in grace, but you will ultimately influence those around you to grow and mature in grace.

Influence is defined as the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself.

The question to ask yourself is, do you want to have a good or bad influence on those you lead? Your influence on others for good will depend greatly on what they see in you. I want to share with you 3 tips on how to achieve a godly influence.

Today’s Scripture Reference

Know the Way - 1 Peter 1:13-16 - Imitate Christ

Show the Way - 1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1 - Imitate Me

Go the Way – Ephesians 5:1-2 - Take Action

Today’s Scripture Reference

Psalm 51:10-15 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You. Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, The God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness, O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise.”

1. Be Receptive

2. Be Persistent

3. Be Content

Closing Prayer

Father God, I desire to be ambitious in my faith, to aim high, to go after all that You have for me. Help me to be receptive to You as I come to you in faith asking for forgiveness of my sins and show me the steps in changing my ways. Help me to be persistent in going to you about all things. Help me be content in all things. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Growing in grace is the increasing degree, size, strength, energy, and power of repentance, faith, love, humility, zeal, and courage which the Holy Spirit plants in a believer’s heart. As we go through different seasons of our lives, the growth of grace can and will change by becoming stronger, weaker, or staying dormant. As Christians, we are called to grow in grace as we see here in these scriptures that encourage growth:

1 Thessalonians 3:12 – “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,”

1 Thessalonians 4:1 – “Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;”

1 Thessalonians 4:10 – “and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more;”

1 Thessalonians 1:3 – “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,”

Colossians 1:10 – “that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

2 Corinthians 10:15 – “not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere,”

Ephesians 4:15 – “but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—"

Philippians 1:9 – “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,”

1 Peter 2:2 – “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow [a]thereby,”

5 Reasons Growing in Grace is Important for Your Soul

1. “Growth in grace” is the best evidence of spiritual health and prosperity. In a child, or a flower, or a tree, we are all aware that when there is no growth there is something wrong.

2. “Growth in grace “is one way to be content and joyful in our faith. God has linked together our comfort and our increase in holiness. He has graciously made it our interest to press on and aim high in our Christianity.

3. “Growth in grace” is one secret of usefulness to others. Our influence on others for good depends greatly on what they see in us.

4. “Growth in grace” pleases God. A gardener loves to see the plants on which he has labored over flourishing and bearing fruit. It cannot but disappoint and grieve him to see them stunted and standing still. The Lord takes pleasure in all His people, but especially in those that are growing in grace.

John 15:1 – “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.”

John 15:8 – “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, so you will be My disciples.”

5. “Growth in grace” is not only a thing possible, but a thing for which believers are accountable.

II. How is your growth in grace measured?

1. By increased humility.

2. By increased faith and love towards our Lord Jesus Christ.

3. By increased holiness of life and conversation.

4. By increased spirituality of taste and mind.

5. By increase of charity.

6. By increased zeal and diligence in trying to do good to souls.