Christ Church Daily Devotion Nov 26 2023

In today's Daily Devotion, we read from Philippians chapter 2, verses 5-11. It talks about having the same mindset as Jesus, who humbled himself and sacrificed himself. God exalted him because of this. It emphasizes sacrificial love and humility. It also mentions that every knee should bow to Jesus, emphasizing the importance of personal choice in serving him. The passage concludes with a prayer to Jesus, expressing gratitude and commitment. Welcome to Christ Church's Daily Devotion for November 26, 2023. Today we will be reading from Philippians chapter 2, verses 5 through 11. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Jesus Christ, who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage. Rather he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant. Being made in human likeness and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that is, at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord. To the glory of God the Father. This is one of my favorite chapters in all of the Bible, along with the first four verses of this chapter. As the writer offers this poetic refrain of what Jesus did, I take particular note of why God exalted him to be the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name. It was because he was willing to humble himself and even sacrifice himself. That is what God's kingdom is all about. Sacrificial love. And with that kind of love comes a humility that values others above self and does not look to one's self-interest, but to the interests of others. To acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord of your life is to pledge to learn to live by this kingdom way, to follow his example of sacrificial love. I also note in verse 10 the word should, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. Three major versions of the Bible, King James, NIV, and NRSV, all have the word should. I think it is the word most fitting, rather than will or shall, to what this passage is teaching. God is not one to force, God invites us, God offers, but God gives each person the free will to choose for themselves which kingdoms they will serve and who will be the ruler of their life. In the end, God will make it clear to everyone that because of what Jesus did, he is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. But whether he rules your life or not, well, you have to decide. One of the Spanish songs in our UMC hymnal is titled, Oh Jesus, My King and My Sovereign. The words were written by Vincent Mendoza in 1920. The last verse is a prayer to Jesus. May it be your prayer as well. Oh Lord, tell me what could I give you for all your great goodness to me. Would this be enough, serve and love you, committing my whole to thee? If so, then accept my devotion, to you only now I surrender. I'm happy today, life's joy came to stay through you.