Friday, December 19, 2014

December 20, 2014

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation and took the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Philippians 2:5-8

In this season where you become focused on what you will be getting or obsessing on whether others will like what they're getting, Paul writes to the Church at Philippi and calls them to focus on what was given to them.

And further, God calls them to remember what the One Who was given TO them gave up FOR them!

This portion of Scripture details that everything you and I want, Jesus HAD and GAVE up in order to give Himself for us!

We want to be like God. He WAS like God and gave it up! And He gave it up to make it possible for you and me to actually become like God in our spirits!

Jesus had power, position, prominence, popularity, prosperity, and protection in the PRESENCE OF GOD! 

Who wouldn't want that?! Who wouldn't aspire to that?!

He had it all and gave it up to come as a vulnerable humble human servant!

Something else we aspire to is Heaven!

Everyone wants to go to Heaven! (maybe not today, but someday)

Well, Jesus was IN Heaven and He left it! He left it to make it possible for you and me to be able to get there!

One reason we want to go to Heaven is in order to live forever. Well, Jesus, Who had never known anything BUT eternity left eternity to subject Himself to the constraints of time, space and schedules for the express purpose of helping you live forever!

He had it all, everything you and I wish we could have and He gave it all up! And He gave it up to struggle in the flesh of a man so He could identify with our struggles. He gave it up to show what a servant looks like. And, He gave it all up so He could suffer and die.

Why did He give up ALL these wonderful things that we so desperately desire? We gave them up so that some day He could give them all to you!

Will you receive His gift?

Will you confess your sins and turn from your sin and trust Him to be your Savior?