April 21st, 2024
For the church to seek the flourishing of cities. (Jer. 29:7)
it must engage in the four primary themes of Christ’s holistic mission as laid out in the Scriptures:
- Great
- Great
- Great
- Great
Philippians 2:1-4 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.
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THE PAUSE: 10 MINUTES WITH GOD
MONDAY | THINK ABOUT IT
PASSAGE: Philippians 2:1
PAUSE: In Christ, everything changes! At the top of that list is our relationship with fellow Christ followers. We transition from “me” to “we” from “mine” to “ours.” The thought of belonging to the community of believers should encourage us tremendously and change the way we think about church.
PRAYER: Our Father who lives in heaven, I praise Your name today. Help me realize that it is not my Father, but our Father who lives in heaven!
TUESDAY | TEAM UNITED
PASSAGE: Philippians 2:2
PAUSE: In Christ, we are one! We are all part of the same team, family, and community. The goal of our relationship with Christ Jesus is to be united. Unity is expressed best with our love for each other and thoughts about life!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for my selfish ways! I desire to unite with my fellow believers in how I think about You, life, and our church family.
WEDNESDAY | LET HUMILITY BE YOUR GUIDE
PASSAGE: Philippians 2:3
PAUSE: The Apostle Paul encouraged the Philippian church to be humble. He wanted them to think of themselves less and of others more often. If you find yourself centered on yourself, something is amiss. Take your eyes off yourself, start thinking about others, and find ways to encourage one another.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I desire to be humble. Forgive me for my selfish ways. Help me to consider others before I think about myself. Change my heart!
THURSDAY | THE WAY OF CHRIST
PASSAGE: Philippians 2:5
PAUSE: Every Christian has a choice. We can either follow the way of self or the way of Christ. The way of Christ is radically different. Christ was unselfish. He was humble, He was pure love, and He was authentic and genuine with others.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to think differently. Today, I desire to follow the way of Christ. Transform the way I feel about myself and others.
FRIDAY | GIVING UP EVERYTHING
PASSAGE: Philippians 2:7
PAUSE: Jesus emptied Himself of everything so that He could reveal His true nature. Yes, Jesus was fully divine and fully human, but He took on the role of servant and sacrificed Himself for all. As followers of Christ, we should be willing to give up whatever keeps us from being the humble servants we are to be.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be the atoning sacrifice for my sins. Today, I commit myself to serving others.