ESTEEM OTHERS
Today’s Reading: Philippians 2
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Looking over the ruins of ancient Philippi. They comprise roughly one square kilometre.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Philippians 2:1a, 3
THEREFORE…Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
The word, “therefore” appears six times in this reading. It could be written, “Because of the preceding statement, we do as follows:” (1) We do as verse three tells us because we “believe in Him” (Jesus), and because “we suffer for His sake” (Philippians 1:29).
(2) “Therefore” (verse 9), because of Christ’s humility in voluntarily restricting the use of His attributes as “God-with-us,” living as a human being, we humble ourselves and in “lowliness of mind,” we “esteem others better than ourselves.”
(3) “Therefore,” because God has exalted Jesus and “given Him a Name which is above every other Name,” we seek to live in unity with our brothers and sisters in Him, so that we “may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (verse 15).
Paul states his case around that word, “therefore.” We may want to read the second chapter again, checking out the statements before and after that key word, “therefore.”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, You are God, therefore, I pray that I will be granted the grace to live in humility and in unity with fellow believers. Grant that I may shine as a light in the world, “holding fast the word of life.” In Your strong Name I ask these mercies, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
As I’ve read and reread Philippians 2, I can’t help but think of those I know and hold in high esteem (verse 29). Bob Johnson, son of Leah whom I mentioned yesterday, is such a person to me. His picture was in the hall of my high school and listed below his name were the honours he had received. Bob could have entered any university of his choice and had great worldly success, but he chose to study for the Christian ministry. By the summer of 1952, Bob had graduated from his theological studies and was establishing a new congregation. His brother, Wallace, my classmate, and I traveled on weekends to help Bob, singing and playing our trumpets on the street corner in preparation for Bob to preach. He was still single then and did not have money to buy a bed. We slept on the floor. It was on one of those weekends that I began to pray, “Lord Jesus, would You do me the honour of calling me into the full-time Christian ministry?” I’m sure it was because of the sacrifice I saw in Bob’s life. I hold Bob and many others in high esteem. Thank you, Bob, for being like these men in our reading. I sincerely want to be such a man also.
Yours, in Christ’s love and service,
David
Philippi…the remains of an ancient Greek temple are in the foreground with the ruins of an early church in the distance.
The remnants of an ancient home or market in Philippi.
Behind your thoughts and words, you stand in high esteem in my life, David Mainse. Everyone certainly needs a “Bob” in their lives! Our Lords strength and blessings, to all!
Amen!
Amen to your prayer today David! God is granting us the grace to live in unity right here, right now on your blog. Thank you and Bless you. Praise God!
Lord I lift up to you all on this blog. Let us shine brightly in this world and hold fast the word of life! In Jesus’ Holy Name Amen!!
Amen
Amen, I also hold you in high esteem Rev David .
Amen!! I hold you in high esteem Rev David!
Amen! I am in agreement with Kathie let us be a shining light for you JESUS.
Yes, amen to your prayer, David, and thanks for sharing that inspirational message. Just a snippet from Streams in the Desert; also so inspiring, today:
“Think not, O soul of man, that Abraham’s was a unique and solitary experience. It is simply a specimen and pattern of God’s dealings with all souls who are prepared to obey Him at whatever cost. After thou hast patiently endured, thou shalt receive the promise. The moment of supreme sacrifice shall be the moment of supreme and rapturous blessing. God’s river, which is full of water, shall burst its banks, and pour upon thee a tide of wealth and grace. There is nothing, indeed, which God will not do for a man who dares to step out upon what seems to be the mist; though as he puts down his foot he finds a rock beneath him.” —F. B. Meyer
AMAZING WORSHIP MUSIC!!! Amen Saints!!!
Great Are You Lord from All Sons and Daughters Live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHz0w-HG4iU
Thank you for today’s devotional. Philippians is my favorite book!
Read you’re blog everyday to Billy. We just love it. We thank God for the amazing ministry He has given to you and your family. The pictures of the places in the bible…e.g places, pagen temples, etc. really bring the bible alive. I thank God for the love of Christ and devotion that radiates from you and NormaJean. You have inspired us to go forward in our older years and to serve God with complete surrender. God bless you for your faithfulness . Billy and Mina
Thank you for sharing your beginnings in the ministry David. Stirs up remembrances in all of us and makes us appreciate our salvation and callings more. “And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee…”(Deut. 8:2).
I just love that scripture, Ger! Amen!!
Once again, Pastor David, thank you as you humbly bring forth your words of wisdom both in prayer and encouragement through this blog.
Thank you for those tremendous pictures Rev. Reynold!
Amen! Kathie.
I agree amen to your prayer David Beverly that worship song is Amazing I love it.
Glorious day to all! I’m meeting my friend Audrey today for our first prayer date in over a decade! I’m going to suggest “What a friend we have in Jesus” as an opening song to our session.
“What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!”
Lord God Guide us in heartfelt fervent prayer for Your cause!
Thy Kingdom Come
Thy Will Be Done!
In Jesus’Glorious Name Amen!!
Amen Kathie!!
I remember studying the work “therefore”, the explanation was so simple for me:
God has done this, or that, ..now THEREFORE we need to do this, or that…
I remember one of my children did something that was very nice, she cleaned the entire house while I was away for the day….
I was pleasantly surprised and her words were : well, you cook our meals, make lunches, drive us wheve ever we need to be so….I thought I would do this to show my appreciation! WONDERFUL!
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, …..THEREFORE…..
amen
should read “word”
AMAZING song indeed Beverlee! SO moving!! Thanks again.