Daily Devotions – Philippians 2

This morning as I was doing my daily devotions on my Bible App, You Version (which you can download for free here) I was rereading Philippians 2.

I have been sitting in Philippians now for the past couple of months, gleaning pearls of wisdom from Paul, on the way in which we should live as Christians.

In Philippians 2:3 he says;

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

As I sit here in Kathmandu, Nepal contemplating this verse I wonder how much we value others above ourselves.

Drivers slow down for dogs, cows & other animals that cross the road but have no time for follow human beings, blaring their horns & shaking their hands @ passers-by who look as if they are to busy to give anyone the time of day. Forcing their way past people on their motorbikes and in their cars, giving people a nudge to get out of the way…

Going into restaurants & cafe’s people are more interested in there online presence, or the person on the other end of the phone than they are in communicating with the person in front of them.

Admittedly some would argue that they are communicating, but not necessarily to the people that they are with in person.

In the Western world or even in New Zealand are we any different?

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

I think that if we are to truly value others, then in the first instance we need to acknowledge them – so the question for today and the remainder of this week is, who are you going to recognize? Who are you going to value by holding a conversation with them (even if you don’t understand a single word they are saying, you can still nod and show that you are at least trying to listen and understand.)

As Christians we need to “act in such a manner that you are living proof of a loving God.”

You never know, you may just brighten the day of that someone who you took the time to value by acknowledging them or you may even get the opportunity to have a faith conversation!

Nameste

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Sold Out for Jesus

This mornings introductory reading came from the book entitled “Sold Out for Jesus” written by G. John White and refers to the passage in 1 Timothy 2:1-7 (I used The Message version).

“Sold Out for Jesus” is a book of 366 perennial daily thought provoking nuggets on 12 vital themes of the Christian Life.

God wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth

This is the fundamental desire of God.

‘God wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth that we’ve learned…’ 1 Timothy 2:4 (MSG)

Some say “What is the meaning of life?” I say “this is it!” Everything else that happens on earth is secondary to this. This is the great ‘plan’ of God. This is the whole reason for Calvary, for Bethlehem, for Moriah, for putting the angel to guard the way to the Tree of Life. There is no “greater plan!” – there is no other “Grand Design” – this is it!! Plan A – there is no Plan B!!

Until we, like the Apostle Paul, grasp this truth we shall, forever, be “looking in the wrong place” and trying to achieve something which is at best only secondary to the real plan, purpose and heart’s desire of God.

Why is it God’s No. 1 plan? Because He loves His Son so much He planned to have millions upon millions more of “them”. He sees every new baby with the potential of being “like Jesus” – not only in heaven but on earth too. God looks at you and expects you to be like Jesus – someone He loves to talk with, walk with and be with. He sees phenomenal potential in you. Isn’t that terrific? Doesn’t that thrill your heart and soul?

Well, He sees your neighbours in exactly the same “light”, in just the same way. God wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. He will do all He can to make sure that happens – and that is one reason you are living next door to and opposite your neighbours. That’s why you have the job you have and mix with the people you mix with at work and at sport . You are part of that plan of God’s, that they should be saved.

We either run with the plan or thwart the Will of God.

What are you doing about it?

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Bibles in demand

The following article, entitled “Bibles in demand” written by Janette Gellatly, appeared in the Southland Express on Thursday 26 June featuring Ann Heather who has been doing the Positive Lifestyle Programme in the Invercargill Prison.

CELEBRATE Recovery Bibles are so popular at the Invercargill Prison that keeping up with requests is proving a challenge.

Positive Lifestyle Programme volunteer Ann Heather, from The Salvation Army, said the bibles were designed for people who were dealing with addiction issues.

Addiction came in many forms, Mrs Heather said, from an inability to stop shopping, excessive use of electronic games or the more familiar smoking, drugs and alcohol.

Similar to the 12 steps to recovery programme, the bibles included eight recovery principles and accompanying Christ-centred 12-steps, she said.

The 10 week Positive Lifestyle Programme was available inside the prison, as well as for groups and individuals on the outside.

“The programme is not just for prisoners, we also have people who self-refer.”

The run on bibles began when an inmate saw the bible Mrs Heather used at the prison and asked for a copy.

“The guys had seen (Mrs Heather’s husband) Bruce’s bible and asked if they could have some.”

She had already given two bibles away and had “ear-marked” another two to give to people, she said.

Recently the Invercargill Christian Centre (ICC), on Leet St, donated money to buy 10 recovery bibles, Mrs Heather said.

ICC Pastor Ian Wright, who had also been involved with ministry in the prison since he arrived in Invercargill 25 years ago, said “if we can help we will”.

He said the recovery bible was specifically designed with testaments from everyday people, and was based on the principles which Alcoholics Anonymous used.

“It is a really good bible… at the beginning of every book, (such as Genesis and Exodus) there is a run-down about what the book is about.”

Pastor Wright is also part of a ministry group who visited the prison twice a year [note: should have read month], he said.

The Salvation Army Invercargill holds a Recovery style meeting each week at 105 Tay Street, Invercargill from 6:30pm on Sunday evenings which is open to anyone that has addiction issues be that: gambling, drugs, alcohol, pornography, chocolate, shopping etc.

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The Bible App For Kids

I received this via email the other day and thought it would be a great app to promote via my blog for those of you that have young children.

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Happy Thanksgiving
The Bible App for Kids is here!
Help your kids fall in love with God’s Word.

 

4600 E. 2nd St. | Edmond, OK 73034 US
© LifeChurch.tv

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The Faithlife Study Bible

The Faithlife Study Bible is the world’s largest, most advanced study Bible. With three layers of study notes, over 400 photos, videos, and infographics, the ever-expanding Lexham Bible Dictionary, and much more.

The Faithlife Study Bible is the ideal tool for digging deeper into Scripture and integrates seamlessly with Faithlife groups that you can create so that your Christian community get get into the Word. You can explore the Bible’s passages, create group reading plans, and share notes with your Faithlife groups. 

“If the Word of God nourishes the soul, trains the mind, and is used by the Spirit to transform our lives, then what a priority it should be for those of us who trust in Christ to devour the revealed word of God. Logos has removed every obstacle imaginable with the Faithlife Study Bible. The commentaries, videos, articles, maps, and graphs take you as deep as you want to go while being easy to navigate. The Faithlife Study Bible is a steroid shot in the arm of reading the Bible through in a year.”—Matt Chandler

The developers of Faithlife are giving away 2.5 million copies of the Faithlife Study Bible! It’s available on your iPhone, iPad, Android device, or Kindle Fire, or online at Bible.Faithlife.com. All you have to do is download the app on your mobile device and create your account. Once you have the FSB app, share it with all your friends—dig deeper, together. 

If you’d like to be part of a Faithlife group in Invercargill then drop me a line or leave a comment…

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Experience the Bible like never before with Glo…

Glo is an interactive Bible that brings the text of the Scripture to life through HD video, high-res images, zoomable maps, 360-degree virtual tours, customizable Bible reading plans, on a natural user interface which has fast and easy visual navigation on Mac, PC, iPad and iPhone.

Glo is the 2010 Bible of the Year, taking out the Christian Book Award, according to the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Out of five finalists, Glo was the only interactive digital Bible featured in the Bible category.

Glo provides simple, intuitive ways to browse its biblical content through 5 main lenses:

The Bible – The content of the Bible in its natural order – canonically. Quickly drill down to a chapter faster than a paper Bible – within 2 clicks through a natural-feeling zoomable interface.

Atlas – See where the major stories of the Bible happened on an atlas along with map overlays, tours, photos and expert video. Navigate with the zoomable, pan-able online-maps style interface.

Timeline – Display the content of the Bible chronologically. See where the events happened in context with one another through the zoomable interface.

Media – Browse biblical content by media type, including our vast collection of videos, virtual realities, photos and much more

Topical – Find biblical content by topic, person, place or thing through the zoomable interface which addresses major life questions of the Christian faith.

To download a FREE copy of the 2010 Bible of the Year including the Full NIV translation click on the image above 🙂

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