Thursday, June 1, 2017

Day 1 - Others First-- The Example of Jesus Christ

Team-- Welcome to Day 1 of our pre-trip devotions! These devotions will post each day for the next 31 days. You can share your insights by commenting at the bottom of the post.

Scripture:  Philippians 2:1-11 (KJV)
1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Several years ago I came across the video below, John 3:16 - The Story of Love. It's a parable of sorts telling the story of the close relationship between a bridge operator and his young son and the fateful day when both try to head off an impending rail disaster. A steam train full of hundreds of passengers are unaware of the danger as they head towards an open drawbridge. Like any illustration, it ought not be taken too literally, but this video does give us a picture of the "mind (attitude), which was also in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5)




Jesus went to the extreme to save us. Part of the mission trip experience is getting out of our comfort zone. What is one thing on the mission trip that will push you out of your comfort zone? 


5 comments:

Mike Miller said...

We read Philippians 2:3-11 this morning together as a family. The two big "outside the comfort zones" our family shares is the expected high temperatures and unfamiliar foods. I think it hit home for us that if Jesus was willing to humble Himself going to the cross for us, we we can be hot, tired and hungry for a week so kids at the church we're serving and enjoy a week of VBS and learn about Jesus!

Matt Boyer said...

When we did our family devotion today, Madisyn's response was that their food may be different than what our food is here, McKenzie's response was wearing a skirt everyday due the different culture and Aimee and I are on the same page with the heat. Praying for peace for each team member as each one of us will be out of our comfort zones while serving!

Keith Moore said...

Verse one is Awesome - explaining the Joy one can have by obeying God. I am thankful for all of the Teams willingness to go to a foreign land and Serve the King of kings and Lord of lords. Blessings...

Keith Moore said...

That would be verse one of Psalm 1:1...

Donna Jones said...

The heat will be my biggest challenge on this trip. I am reminded by Philippians 2:14. "Do everything without grumbling or complaining" My prayer is that I can remember that when the heat starts to bother me. Jesus suffered much more than heat as He died for me. The heat is the least I can do for Him.