Today's Verse: Philippians 2:5-8

Monday, April 28, 2014

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"Lord, humble us gently." That is one of my friends' favorite prayer requests. I like it, too. I want to be humbled, but not humiliated. Thank God, however, Jesus was willing to be humbled, but not gently humbled. He humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! I hate that he went through such agony. I grieve that his self-emptying humility was stark, brutal, drastic, humiliating, and outrageous. Jesus' self-sacrificing love challenges me to have this same attitude as Christ Jesus! Jesus' example challenges me to examine what I am willing to give up and endure to forgive those who have wounded me. I am humbled by Jesus' love for me, so I ask myself what I am willing to do to serve those and reach others who are lost?

My Prayer...

God, you are all-powerful, and yet you emptied yourself to redeem me. May I be more selfless in my attitude and treatment of others, more like Jesus has been with me. Dear ^LORD,^ I need an infusion, a special empowering of the Holy Spirit, so I can be humble and live before others with the same self-emptying "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" as the Spirit transforms to be more like my Savior.* In Christ Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

* Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Corinthians 3:18.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

70 Related Resources by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of Philippians 2:5-8 — Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, April 28, 2014

A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
"Jesus asked [the official with the sick son], "Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?""
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
"How constantly our Master used the title, the "Son of man!" If he had chosen, he might always have spoken of himself as the Son of God, the..."
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
"The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness. The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in..."
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
"Dear Father, who loves to dwell with man, Thank you for dwelling within our spirits, for making us your holy temple! Help us not to be deceived or to..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.