Manna for Your Morning

“But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” — Mark 10:43-45 (NLT) Yeshua told his disciples that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But, He says, it is to be different among His followers. (See Mark 10:42-43) Philippians 2:3-4 (NASB1995) says: Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. May we continually strive to serve others. We are blessed to be a blessing to others. 

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. — 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT) God is the Father of compassion. He comforts us in all our trials and tribulation. He encourages those who are discouraged and lifts up those with heavy hearts. Psalm 94:19 (NLT) says, when doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. When you face troubles of any kind and anxious thoughts multiply, let our heavenly Father be your comforter. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another... Romans 15:5 (NKJV)

Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?” — Romans 15:1 (MSG) Even though our society is concerned about what is convenient, what we learned in school of ministry last night is that any area of strength we have is to be used to serve others. You will find true joy when you keep your eyes on Jesus and Others instead of yourself.

The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped . ( Proverbs 11:25 MSG) We are blessed to be a blessing to others. But God is so good, that even as we bless others He blesses us even more. For whatever we sow, that we will also reap (Galatians 6:7 NKJV). A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed (Proverbs  11:25  NIV). Let us focus on blessing and refreshing others and trust God to take care of us!

 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being. — 1 Corinthians 10:24 (NKJV) Don’t buy into the hype of the iPhone, iPad, iPod and other iProducts. It’s not all about you. The “I” should  not  be first. You will experience true JOY in life when you put J esus first, O thers (spouse, children, neighbor, enemy) second, and then Y ourself. Instead of being a self-seeker, looking out for your own interests, be a God-seeker, seeking to do His will and no good thing will He withhold (Psalm 84:11).

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. — Philippians 2:3-4 (NKJV) In the world, people put themselves first and insist on having things their own way. Selfish ambition and vain conceit are often rewarded. However, in the family of God, we are to follow the ways of our heavenly Father. His ways are higher. In God's house, we humble ourselves and value others, just as Jesus sacrificed His life for us. Let us forget ourselves long enough to lend a helping hand (Philippians 2:4, The Message).

Love... is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. — 1 Corinthians 13:5 (AMP) God’s love in us, is other-focused. Love cares more for others than for self. (1 Corinthians 13:5 , The Message). As imitators of our heavenly Father, let us do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, (Philippians 2:3).