Devotion:
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Read Philippians 2:1-7 .
Read Philippians 2:1-7 (King James Version) 1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: One of my responsibilities at a church that I served a few years ago was to post an inspirational message on the sign in front of the church each week. One week I posted, “God loves you and we do too.” But something about that message bugged me every time I looked at it. So, after a couple of days, I changed the sign to read, “God loves you and we’re trying.” When I was challenged about the sign (after expressing thanks that someone actually read it) I replied that I felt it reflected truth in advertising. As John Wesley might put it, we are going on toward perfection, but we’re not there yet. As Paul describes how Jesus’ love led him to pour everything he had into loving us, even by death on a cross, he provides an example of who God is. God’s love for us is something that we can refuse but not escape… and we can do absolutely nothing to change that. As the song by Stewart Townsend asks, “How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure, that He should give His only Son to make a wretch (us) his treasure.” God’s love for us is unwavering and unchanging. As we move deeper into discipleship, we can begin to emulate that love toward others.
Personal Worship Option:
Pray: Gracious God, help us to love as you love, and as we move closer to loving others as you love us, let us be filled with your grace and glory that we may share you with everyone that we meet. Amen.
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