Page 23 - Living Light - A Message of Joy!

THIS WEEK’S BIBLE INSIGHTS ARE BY:
Anne Coles and are based on Philippians 2:1-11 (NIV)
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE ON THIS WEEK’S MAJOR THEME:
Colossians 1
1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another,6 have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to
be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Sunday December 24 - All together now! ...one in spirit and of one mind. Philippians 2:2
Today, Christmas Eve, is the big preparation day for Christmas: frantic last-minute shopping (men in the house), wrapping paper and sellotape searching (children), turkey stuffing (head cook) and then, to cap it all, family gathering. Maybe it all sounds fun, but in our house, at any rate, it is usually a tried and tested recipe for stress and fallout! It’s well-known that families and marriages, far from experiencing the cosy comfort depicted on the Christmas cards, fall out with each other at this time of year. It seems that the church at Philippi had its disagreements too, and so Paul was writing to them to address this.
First, he reminds them that as undeserving individuals they have received encouragement, comfort, tenderness and compassion in their relationship with the Lord Jesus (v 1), so he urges them to give what they have received. This is the best gift we can give our loved ones at Christmas!
Secondly, he says that their unity will give him the greatest joy. My heart melts when I see my little grandchildren playing well together, sharing beloved toys and talking kindly to each other – which doesn’t always happen! But imagine how you can bring joy to your heavenly Father’s heart as you do everything today to keep the peace, share and care! That’s a gift that you can give to God!
Lord Jesus, thank you for your love and care for me. Please help me to share that with those around me today. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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