Examples that inspire us

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Living with joy”

Our Bible verse for today: “Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Examples that inspire us”

I find it interesting that in this letter of joy Paul placed so much emphasis on the virtues of humility and service. It must be that Paul believed that humble service to others would be a source of joy for us. I think maybe he was on to something.

In his book, “The Fine Art of Friendship” author Ted Engstrom tells the story of a man who was in an accident and became paralyzed from the neck down. From that point on his wife had to do everything for him, including getting him out of bed, dressing him, feeding him, combing his hair, and everything else.

As the man was approaching his death, he had a friend record a letter he wanted to leave for his children to make sure they understood what a wonderful, humble, and sacrificial wife their mother had been to him during all those years of his disability. To illustrate that, he told them the story of one night when he wanted to take her out for a romantic dinner. To prepare for their night out she gave him a shower, shaved him, brushed his teeth for him, dressed him, combed his hair, put him in his wheelchair, got him into the car, loaded the wheelchair into the car, drove to the restaurant, unloaded the wheelchair, got him out of the car and into the wheelchair, wheeled him into the restaurant, and got him settled at the table.

When the food came, she fed him. At the end of the meal she paid the bill, got him back into the car, loaded the wheelchair, drove home, got the wheelchair out of the car, got him out of the car and into the house, undressed him, and helped him into bed. Then, as she was turning out the light she bent over and kissed him and thanked him for taking her out on such a wonderful date night.

That was a wife being Jesus to her husband and that’s what Paul was describing in Philippians 2:5. Paul was saying “Be like that!” We are to be like Jesus. We are to be like that wife being kike Jesus to her husband. We are to adopt the humble attitude of a servant and we should be glad to do so. By His example Jesus Himself turned the notion of greatness on its head. In Matthew 20:26 He said “The greatest among you will be the servant of all.”

That kind of humility and servant-heart comes from the Holy Spirit within us. When we consider the example of Jesus, and the examples of other Christians who have learned to be like Jesus, we’re inspired, and we ask the Holy Spirit to make us like that too.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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