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Day 140 Philippians 2:1 Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name, which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. 17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me. 19 I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. 23 Therefore, I hope to send him at once as soon as I see how it goes with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I will also come shortly. 25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; 26 since he was longing for you and was distressed because you had heard he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore, I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me. People seek out those who think and act the same as they do, like-minded in every way. You see it everywhere. People protest for their rights, and for the rights of others. They let people know how they feel about certain things. It doesn't matter if what they protest for is for people or animals. Nor does it matter if they protest for good or bad things, as long as everyone stands with them in the protest. Paul told the Philippians they were to be like-minded, not to protest for their rights, but to have the mind of Christ. He told them not to think about themselves more highly than they should, but to consider others as better than they were. Paul told them when they did so, it made him glad, and he rejoiced with them in their attitude with one another. He commended them for their faithfulness to each other and for the cause for Christ. When he heard how sorrowful they were about Epaphroditus, he sent him to them to show them God healed him so he could live and work among them. In everything they did, Paul rejoiced because they worked together for the gospel. How often do you as Christians work in harmony with one another? Christians talk about being in one accord, like-minded with Christ Jesus. You can recite the verses about Jesus and His lowly estate among the people while He lived and walked among them, but you don’t live as He lived. You want to have the higher positions in the body. You want everyone to know what YOU did and how you did it. You don’t esteem others better than yourselves. When the body of Christ comes together as Paul indicated they should then the body of Christ will live in harmony with each other, and the gospel of Jesus Christ will accomplish more for His kingdom than it does today. Satan works against the body of Christ to bring disputes and dishonor to the body. When you realize who manipulates you in your purpose, repent and put on the humbleness of Jesus Christ. Walk in His Spirit and you will find the body coming together like never before because you are working with each other and not tearing each other down. Then you will rejoice in the work God gave you to do. Gladness will fill each heart and Satan will cower away in defeat because you work together for the cause of Christ Jesus. When was the last time you worked together in the cause of Christ? Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. When you do heaven will rejoice and be glad because you are working together and not separate from one another. Let’s pray: Father, give me the mind of Christ. Help me to work with the body and not against it for my own purpose. Let me esteem others more highly than myself for the furtherance of Your gospel to gain souls for Your kingdom. Let me rejoice and be glad in the work I do for You because I work with and not against the body of Christ. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 3 December 2023 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.