Saturday, January 29, 2011

Daniel Fast Day Thirteen

Philippians 2:
5 Let the same mind be in you that wasa in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
7 but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
8 he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.

Remember yesterday...sacrifice and humility begin by taking your eyes off of yourself and looking to bless, serve, and help others.

v. 5 "Your attitude" is how other translations put it...not LIKE Jesus' Not CLOSE TO Jesus'...THE SAME AS JESUS' (What's that like you might ask?)

v.6 Didn't exploit or grasp for power or authority. (But that's so un-American!?)

v.7-8 Emptied Himself...All the power Jesus had over Creation, over others, He relinquished for the cross. He chose to get low.

He took on Human Form (Low)
He became a slave (Lower)
He became obedient to death (Lower Still)
Even death on a cross (Lowest)

Every time we jockey for position, favor and recognition we seek to elevate ourselves. But our minds (and attitudes) need flipped. What does it mean to follow Jesus? It means to empty yourself...to become like the Eucharist...broken and poured out for the world...not for your own fame...but for HIS.

We are entering the final week of the fast and the prayer from the beginning day of this thing was John 3:30...He must increase BUT I must decrease. Let that be true over this last week. Get low.

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