Wednesday, March 18, 2020

To Be Like Jesus

Philippians 2: 1-5

(1) Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 
(2) make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 

(3) Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 
(4) do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 
(5) Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus. 

WWJD, What Would Jesus Do? What would Jesus think? What attitude would Jesus have on "this" matter I'm facing?

Can I think like Jesus? Can I fill my heart with what fills His heart? Can I live my life among the people in my little world as Jesus would live with these people?

Am I encouraged in my belonging to Christ? Do I have any comfort in His love? Am I aware of being friends, having fellowship, with His Spirit? Is my heart tender or sympathetic toward others, even when I don't agree with their views or lifestyles? 

Father, You are my Provider of everything I need to be like Your Son, My Lord, Christ Jesus. Your great mercy in not giving me the wrath I deserve, having put it all on Jesus on the Cross; Your great grace, cleansing me and giving me all the abundance of Your riches in glory that Jesus deserves and earned for me.

You are now my Daddy (Abba), my good Father. You want only the best for me, so You will train me, discipline me, teach me, lead me and guide me. I put my hand in Yours, but even if I pull away, You will hold my hand firmly, as the good Parent Your are. You will never allow me to get away from You into the path of a speeding truck bearing down on me. You will never allow me to pull away over the edge of a cliff. Your light of Truth illumines each step I take, just as my car headlights light the road before me but not the entire journey. 

I trust You, Father, to keep me on Your narrow path, avoiding all the boulders and potholes and away from the ditches on the right hand and on the left. I don't know what lies around that corner I see up ahead, but I know You do, You have planned out what You want to accomplish in my life, and I don't want to miss any of the details of the good You want for me. 

Keep on keeping on with me, Father, molding me and shaping me, teaching me and disciplining me, making me into the very image of Your dear Son, Who is the image of the Father. You are God, God Almighty, and You are building Yourself a family. Thank You for including me in Your family, Dad. 

And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!