One Another?

Sunday, January 5, 2025

Good morning, Lord

Father in Heaven, I seek You first-Your peace-Your knowledge and discernment. Build my trust. I take up my cross and follow...In Jesus' name...

Verse of the Day: Isaiah 1:16-17

16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean: remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, 17 learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.

Memory verse: Psalm 139:23–24 (ESV)

23  Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24  And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Today's reading:  Genesis 13-15 Matthew 5:1-26

One Another?

God has recorded for us around 50 times in the New Testament commands for 'one anothers'.

Here a just a few:

Romans 12:16 "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight."

Romans 15:7 "Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."

1 Peter 4:9 "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling."

As a pastor, I have one verse that puts me in my place.

Philippians 2:3 "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves."

As I stand and look over our small family on Sundays, I must treasure the words of each of them more than my own. Am I good at this? I am getting closer...but have much work to do. But this is what the scripture says. I must 'count others more significant' than myself.

This is our question for today. In this past year, have I counted others more significant than myself or am I still the smartest one in the room or somewhere in between?

I am not speaking of an 'inferiority complex' which means that self is still the center of one's universe.

No-I am speaking of a God breathed command where God tells us to think we are no better than anyone else and more than that-others needs are greater than mine.

Yes, I feel the great wind of reluctance from the human nature out there to buy into this-but also hear God say, "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Loving those who aggravate you the most is a command from God and counting them more significant than yourself is, too.

I have so much soul work to do-but the Holy Spirit has all I need. I must surrender and obey.

...because He loves me...

Father in Heaven,

Your name is great over all. I surrender all to know as much of Your kingdom as I can and to obey as You command. Give me Your strength to lift others up today. Lead me away from judging others.

Father of all understanding,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen