At our AWANA meeting last night we had what we call Council Time, which is just a little Biblical talk to end
our time together. One of our leaders was speaking and he told the kids that as we go through life, we need to
“think like Jesus”. I was sitting next to a 9 year old buddy of mine and he leaned over to me and whispered to
me “Pastor Joe…how do I think like Jesus?” I looked at him and thought…that is a great question! I thought
about that and remembered a favorite scripture of mine. It comes from a letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to a
church in the city of Philippi. He too said, “In your life together, think the way Christ Jesus thought.” So, I
read beyond that to see how the Bible suggested we think like Jesus. It says that even though he was God…he
didn’t hold on to his equality with God as something to use for his benefit. As a matter of fact, he gave up
everything. And that included his heavenly privileges. And instead became a servant. And he did that by
coming to us in human form…which was a huge step down! He humbled himself like he wanted us to do. And
walked the walk that we do every day in his obedience to God. And that led him to die a criminal’s death on the
cross, so that you and I could live with God forever. So, that’s what I’m going to explain to my 4th grade buddy.
This is how Jesus thought and how he acted. And now we have the chance to do the same thing…to not focus
on our rights, but to sacrifice for the sake of others and to be willing to humble ourselves as though we were
being a servant to others. And then we can honor God by doing the best we can to obey him…to really love
God and to love those around us. And to be willing to suffer loss in our lives so that others can come to know
him, love him and have the opportunity to receive him as Savior and Lord into their lives. And when I share
this with my little buddy, I’m going to let him know that I’m right there with him in this journey of learning
how to think like Jesus in my everyday life. And that I’m glad that he and I can do this together!
Here’s our Bible verse for today…
Philippians 2:5-8 ERV In your life together, think the way Christ Jesus thought. (6) He was like God in every way, but he did not think that his being equal with God was something to use for his own benefit. (7) Instead, he gave up everything, even his place with God. He accepted the role of a servant, appearing in human form. During his life as a man, (8) he humbled himself by being fully obedient to God, even when that caused his death—death on a cross.
Remember I’m praying for you…
With love, PJ
Here’s our Bible verse for today…
Philippians 2:5-8 ERV In your life together, think the way Christ Jesus thought. (6) He was like God in every way, but he did not think that his being equal with God was something to use for his own benefit. (7) Instead, he gave up everything, even his place with God. He accepted the role of a servant, appearing in human form. During his life as a man, (8) he humbled himself by being fully obedient to God, even when that caused his death—death on a cross.
Remember I’m praying for you…
With love, PJ