– Scripture:

              Rejoicing Together

Do everything readily and cheerfully; no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society.

                       Philippians 2:14 MSG

– Reflection:

What I’m getting at, friends, is that you should keep doing what you’ve done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I’m separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure. Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I’ll have reasonable cause to be proud of you on the day Christ returns. You’ll be living proof that I didn’t go to all this work for nothing. Even if I am executed here and now, I’ll rejoice in being an element in the offering of your faith that you make on Christ’s altar, a part of your rejoicing. But turnabout’s fair play—you must join me in my rejoicing. Whatever you do, don’t feel sorry for me.

Where do we go from here?

Follow the scripture above, and rejoice with one another. Each time something significant happens, sharing that with your close groups and others is okay for those who really are followers of Christ and understand all of the work and emotion that went into your win or your win for your group over a community event that went flawlessly. Those people will rejoice with you; for everyone else, it doesn’t matter what they think. You did that work for the Kingdom period.

Our Prayer for Today

 Father, thank you for giving milestones to rejoice over. Loving us enough to allow us the ability to share in the vision that you have for the world and our piece of it. It is always an honor and a pleasure to do the work of the Kingdom for the Kingdom. Amen

 – Scripture:

                Gotta Get Humble

If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart if you care then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

                          Philippians 2:1–4 MSG

Key Verse – Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

 – Reflection:

Let’s first get straight on what “getting humble” is not. It’s not trying to think poorly of ourselves or denigrating ourselves or anything like that. It involves taking the focus off ourselves. Getting humble is checking our tendency to think of ourselves as better than others or more important, valuable, worthy of time, mindshare, or respect. Getting humble is shutting down our tendency to “size people up” and position them on some scale based on money, title, education, where they live, whatever. Being humble means recognizing all people as the careful works of God, equally worthy of love and sacrifice.

Where do we go from here?

Practice getting humble. Choose something this week: initiate a conversation and listen way more than you talk; serve in a way that you actually have no interest, or is difficult (unpleasant, even); help someone anonymously; give someone the credit they deserve (even if you deserve some too).

Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank you for keeping us in a space where we are able to be humble and helpful to our community. It is in our best regard to help others to become more, so that the community then town, then the city is stronger and able to lift you up GOD in praise. I am thankful for being under your covenant (umbrella). Amen

 – Scripture:

                Be Continually Connected

But those who want the best for me, Let them have the last word—a glad shout! and say, over and over and over, “God is great everything works together for good for his servant.” I’ll tell the world how great and good you are, I’ll shout Hallelujah all day, every day.

                          Psalm 35:27–28 MSG

 – Reflection:

Earlier at the beginning of my walk with Christ, I always thought it was senseless to say over an injury or a bad day that GOD has my back and nothing this world can do is ever going to change that; however, now that I am further along in my walk, I am noticing the change in my thought process just having said these words and others up to this point. We can say it is a distraction, a mind trick technique, whatever; it works.  I am here to vouch for the presence of our Lord and Savior; he has our back.

Where do we go from here?

How many of you who read these prayer scriptures are taking the time to declare how good GOD has been to you? Before the change happens in your life, do you speak strength and life over the situation, or when GOD has given you the hand up deny his presence and take the credit for yourself? It’s time to honor GOD when you wake in the morning, throughout the day, and when you lie down at night. Staying in his presence will take the thoughts of what you are going through away from your present.

Our Prayer for Today

Jesus, I come to you for those who have not fully accepted you into their hearts. Allow me to be the bringer of souls to you. It has been you at the head of my life, so me being the example is okay with me if you will allow me to honor you in this way. Those who want to believe but just don’t have the ability to lie down about their current day-to-day struggles will eventually come to you. When they do, you will be lifted up; allow the blessings that come from these prayers to help them with their day and allow them relief. With the grace you have given me, we are honored to be in your presence. Amen.

 – Scripture:

Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses.

                      1 Timothy 6:12 MSG

 – Reflection:

Some of the difficulties we complain about, the challenges we don’t like, are meant to prepare us for greater presence, greater influence, and greater opportunities. Quit telling yourself, “It’s too hard. They did me wrong. I can’t put up with this.” Instead of trying to pray away all the things that make you uncomfortable, pray away the people who get on your nerves, pray away the delays, try a different approach, and say, “God, help me to keep a good attitude during these challenges.

Where do we go from here?

You can handle every difficulty through Christ. You have been armed with strength for every battle. Dig in and stand firm in your faith. Keep a song of praise, and keep being your best. You have the grace you need for every situation.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank You for the abundance of grace You give me to go through every difficulty and challenge I face. Help me to fight the good fight through Christ Jesus and to overcome what has overcome me. I will stay in faith and be my best. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.