OUR DAILY BREAD: YOU FIRST

[cimi]

TUESDAY JANUARY 19


YOU FIRST

READ:
Philippians 2:8
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[Jesus] humbled
himself.
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Tibetan-born Sherpa Nawang Gombu and American Jim Whittaker reached the top of Mount Everest on May 1, 1963. As they approached the peak each considered the honor of being the first of the two to step to the summit. Whittaker motioned for Gombu to move ahead, but Gombu declined with a smile, saying, "You first Big Jim!" Finally, they decided to step to the summit at the same time.

Paul encouraged the Philippian believers to demonstrate this kind of humility. He said, "Let each of you look out not for his own interests, but also for the interests of others" (PHIL. 2:4 KIKJV). Selfishness and superiority can divide people, but humility unites us, since it is the quality of "being one in spirit and of one mind" (v.2).

When quarrels and disagreements occur, we can often diffuse them by giving up our right to be right. Humility calls us to show grace and gentleness when we would rather insist on our own way. "In humility value others above yourselves" (v.3).

Practicing humbly helps us to become more like Jesus who, for our sake "humbled himself by becoming obedient to death" (vv.7-8). Following in Jesus' footsteps means backing away from what is best for us and doing what is best for others.
_________Jennifer Benson Shuldt

******Jesus, You gave up Your life for me.
Help me to see each sacrifice I make as a reflection of Your humility.
In putting others first, let me honor You.
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Humility promotes unity.

***************************Today's Bible Reading __ Philippians 2:1-11************************
1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being
united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any
common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and
compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-
minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one
mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather,
in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your
own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same
mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality
with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather,
he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a
servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found
in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming
obedient to death_even death on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave
him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name
of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and
under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus
Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
The church at Philippi, established by Paul
during his second missionary journey (ACTS 16:6-40), was a growing
and faithful church that had actively supported Paul's ministry
(PHIL. 1:5; 4:15-19). In this thank-you letter, Paul encouraged the
Philippians to continue to grow nd mature in their faith even in
the midst of persecution (1:9-11, 25-30, 4:1). In today's reading Paul
describes what mature Christians look like. They are not selfish or
proud, but genuinely care for others (vv. 3-4). Presenting Christ as
their perfect model, Paul urged the believers to "have the same
mindset as Christ Jesus" (v.5)__to live as Jesus did with humility.
unquestioned obedience, and sacrificial service (vv.6-8). __Sim Kay Tee