Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Thursday, June 7, 2018

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-06-07-2018

This is devotional thought number 52 in our devotional series titled, “The Gospel According to Paul.”

“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? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 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. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:1–8, NLT).
The life of those belonging to Christ is practical. How many times have you heard people say that we need to “make” the Bible practical? While I understand people’s point, the reality is that all God’s words are practical in their own right, as long as each reader is submitted to the same God who gave the Word. Today’s Scripture focus is a perfect case in point. Let’s take a brief look.
Paul said that if there is anything encouraging, strengthening, consoling, or powerful about belonging to Christ, there is a natural outgrowth of that reality. Are you compassionate? Are you loving? Are you living in unity with others who also claim to belong to Christ? Do you believe you are on the same team and work together to share the peace of God with others so they can be saved? Are you humble? Are you selfless and care nothing about “impressing” others with how great (you think) you are? Do you help those who need you the most? Do you have the same principled mindset and lifestyle Jesus modeled in the plan of salvation? Even though Jesus was worthy of worship, honor, and praise; He was equal to God our Father in every way, He did not let that stop Him from helping those who needed Him most. He humbled Himself to servanthood, became a dependant human being, and allowed wicked people to murder Him so you and I could be saved. How much more practical can it get?
The message of Christ is that everyone who surrenders their will to Him will live as servants to all within the sphere of our influence. We do not consider ourselves to be so high and mighty that we ignore the felt and spiritual needs of others. Jesus paved the way and showed the perfect example of One who lived His life on purpose. He was ever on assignment to accomplish God’s will in helping others in whatever way possible, and lead them to a lasting relationship with their Creator. That’s practical.

I’m not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, are you?—L. David Harris (www.LDavidHarris.com)