Philippians 2:5-11
Think of yourselves the way
Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t
think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that
status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the
privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human!
Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly
humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a
selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and
the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.
Because of that
obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or
anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even
those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus
Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the
glorious honor of God the Father.
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
I saw this quote
Facebook…”Don't worry about what I'm doing. Worry about why you're
worried about what I'm doing.” The author was un-cited. As I read this
scripture passage, I was struck by a couple of thoughts. I’m reading
Marjorie Holmes’ book, Three From Galilee*, a fictional novel based on
the lives of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Through this account, the reader
is able to see Jesus as a real person…a little boy very much like our
nephews Timothy and Nathan…or a precocious pre-teen like our nephew
Chase.
I am still reading the book, so I do not know whether
this story concludes before Jesus becomes a man. But the point is that
even in this fictional depiction, Jesus took on the very ordinary life
of a young boy. He played and worked alongside Joseph, did chores for
His mother, and was very much an “ordinary” boy. Jesus set aside His
“position” and became 100% human!
Okay, so what does this mean for us? It means that Jesus KNOWS what it’s like to be us…I mean, He really
knows! He understands what we have gone through – and what is ahead
for us, because He lived much of it! He endured things that – hopefully
– none of us will ever have to experience…torture, unimaginable
ridicule, and the most heinous of deaths. Jesus gets us!
Again
I thought about this quote…and how we are often consumed with what
others are thinking and/or how they are acting. We are so worried about
what he did or she said – and WHY – and in doing so, we elevate
ourselves to a level of superiority that is unmerited. If Jesus Christ
humbled Himself and didn’t “play the Son of God card” as a general
rule…what right do we have to judge others and act all high and mighty?
The bottom line is that we do not know what is in another person’s
heart…we have no clue what demons they battle, how well they slept last
night, or what is going on behind the closed doors of their abode. But
God does.
So we must trust God to judge…to rule…to “fix
people”…and we must concentrate on our own relationship with Him and
doing what WE are supposed to do. We must look at Jesus’ model and learn
His ways. We must humbly interact with others and serve God with
faithful obedience…and He will bless us in ways we cannot begin to
imagine.
Where is God in these everyday situations? Sometimes,
it is hard to see His presence in many people and circumstances of our
everyday living. But I assure you…God is with us! Just as surely as He
operated through the human Jesus, God is with us, each and every minute
of the day. We can allow Him room to work…or we can muddy
the waters with our meddling. Which will you choose?
©2015 Debbie Robus
*http://www.amazon.com/Three-From-Galilee-Young-Nazareth/dp/0425205509
Showing posts with label submitting to authority of Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label submitting to authority of Jesus. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for July 4, 2013
Isaiah 32:1,17
Look, a righteous king is coming! And honest princes will rule under him.
And this righteousness will bring peace. Yes, it will bring quietness and confidence forever.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A Facebook friend posted a link to a recent video of a preacher in Tulsa County, Oklahoma…having what was labeled a “hissy fit” before his congregation. In the 3-minute-plus tirade, this man walked out into the congregation and “woke up” a man he deemed to be sleeping during the sermon, berated another young man and his fiancée for their lifestyle and told them that there was no way he would marry them, and singled out a church member who ran the video booth and publicly humiliated him by name. During his rant, he said, “I’m important... I'm somebody...if you loved me and you submitted to me, you'd know what my heart is and my message is - and you wouldn't go about establishing your own kingdom...”
Somehow, I feel like Isaiah 32:1 and 17 must be missing completely from his Bible! Neither he nor any other pastor is the proprietor of the Kingdom of Heaven. While we are to respect our pastors, we are to submit to the authority of Righteous King… not his/hers. And here’s the real heartbreaker about this man’s outburst… my Facebook friend’s comment was, “Oh yes…this draws me to the church!” Can you hear the sarcasm in her voice?
Do you see that in less than four minutes, this man did more to harm the Kingdom of Heaven than he could ever imagine? He shrouded his diatribe in comments like, “I love you,” and expressions of concern for the eternal future of those he was reprimanding and criticizing by name. But any loving intentions or concern were lost completely, in my book. I commented to my friend and told her that nothing like this had ever happened in any church I’ve attended, and I do not believe this man’s actions were scriptural. They certainly did nothing to bring about the peace and quietness of a life in Christ!
Today, we are celebrating our nation’s independence. We are waving the flag, shooting fireworks and reveling in the freedoms we enjoy… including the freedoms of speech and religion. By these rights, this pastor can say whatever he pleases… even from the pulpit. But this doesn’t mean that what he says is righteous or produces peace and confidence in the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ… and our salvation through His sacrifices on the cross.
While you are marking the holiday with fun, food, and fireworks, stop and take a look at your Christian conduct. Ask yourself… “Am I an ambassador for the Righteous King… the Honest Prince who brings peace, quiet and confidence? Are my words and actions pleasing to God – reverential and respectful of His sovereignty? Do they help to spread the GOOD NEWS… or do they make others question whether a life in Christ is something they want for themselves?”
In the middle of what I considered a vicious attack on his parishioners, this pastor noted that he and his wife could get into her Buick Enclave and head on down the road to find another church… if these members didn’t want to submit to his methods. I have to admit… I kinda hope they sent him packing! This is not who and what Christ is calling us to be.
Each July 4th, we hear sad reports of how just one careless spark from fireworks causes physical harm and/or destruction. Our words and actions are no different. We serve a Righteous King… and we should let others know it! We serve an honest Prince of Peace. Do others see Him when they look at us? Are you careful with your discipleship? Do you consider how others will perceive what you project? Are your words and actions helping - or hurting – Jesus’ message? There are sparks that ignite beautiful fireworks… and sparks that can start a firestorm. Which ones are you igniting as a Christian? How you answer makes all the difference! Have a safe – and peaceful – Fourth of July!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Look, a righteous king is coming! And honest princes will rule under him.
And this righteousness will bring peace. Yes, it will bring quietness and confidence forever.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A Facebook friend posted a link to a recent video of a preacher in Tulsa County, Oklahoma…having what was labeled a “hissy fit” before his congregation. In the 3-minute-plus tirade, this man walked out into the congregation and “woke up” a man he deemed to be sleeping during the sermon, berated another young man and his fiancée for their lifestyle and told them that there was no way he would marry them, and singled out a church member who ran the video booth and publicly humiliated him by name. During his rant, he said, “I’m important... I'm somebody...if you loved me and you submitted to me, you'd know what my heart is and my message is - and you wouldn't go about establishing your own kingdom...”
Somehow, I feel like Isaiah 32:1 and 17 must be missing completely from his Bible! Neither he nor any other pastor is the proprietor of the Kingdom of Heaven. While we are to respect our pastors, we are to submit to the authority of Righteous King… not his/hers. And here’s the real heartbreaker about this man’s outburst… my Facebook friend’s comment was, “Oh yes…this draws me to the church!” Can you hear the sarcasm in her voice?
Do you see that in less than four minutes, this man did more to harm the Kingdom of Heaven than he could ever imagine? He shrouded his diatribe in comments like, “I love you,” and expressions of concern for the eternal future of those he was reprimanding and criticizing by name. But any loving intentions or concern were lost completely, in my book. I commented to my friend and told her that nothing like this had ever happened in any church I’ve attended, and I do not believe this man’s actions were scriptural. They certainly did nothing to bring about the peace and quietness of a life in Christ!
Today, we are celebrating our nation’s independence. We are waving the flag, shooting fireworks and reveling in the freedoms we enjoy… including the freedoms of speech and religion. By these rights, this pastor can say whatever he pleases… even from the pulpit. But this doesn’t mean that what he says is righteous or produces peace and confidence in the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ… and our salvation through His sacrifices on the cross.
While you are marking the holiday with fun, food, and fireworks, stop and take a look at your Christian conduct. Ask yourself… “Am I an ambassador for the Righteous King… the Honest Prince who brings peace, quiet and confidence? Are my words and actions pleasing to God – reverential and respectful of His sovereignty? Do they help to spread the GOOD NEWS… or do they make others question whether a life in Christ is something they want for themselves?”
In the middle of what I considered a vicious attack on his parishioners, this pastor noted that he and his wife could get into her Buick Enclave and head on down the road to find another church… if these members didn’t want to submit to his methods. I have to admit… I kinda hope they sent him packing! This is not who and what Christ is calling us to be.
Each July 4th, we hear sad reports of how just one careless spark from fireworks causes physical harm and/or destruction. Our words and actions are no different. We serve a Righteous King… and we should let others know it! We serve an honest Prince of Peace. Do others see Him when they look at us? Are you careful with your discipleship? Do you consider how others will perceive what you project? Are your words and actions helping - or hurting – Jesus’ message? There are sparks that ignite beautiful fireworks… and sparks that can start a firestorm. Which ones are you igniting as a Christian? How you answer makes all the difference! Have a safe – and peaceful – Fourth of July!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)