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Living Humbly — Francis Chan Christ’s Crazy Love Ministry

AUTHORITY & HUMILITY

Philippians 2 New Living Translation (NLT)

Have the Attitude of Christ

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Though he was God,[a]
    he did not think of equality with God
    as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges[b];
    he took the humble position of a slave[c]
    and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,[d]
    he humbled himself in obedience to God
    and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
    and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Isaiah 45 New Living Translation (NLT)

Cyrus, the Lord’s Chosen One

45 This is what the Lord says to Cyrus, his anointed one,
    whose right hand he will empower.

Before him, mighty kings will be paralyzed with fear.

Their fortress gates will be opened,

never to shut again.


This is what the Lord says:

“I will go before you, Cyrus,

    and level the mountains.[a]

I will smash down gates of bronze

    and cut through bars of iron.

And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness—

    secret riches.

I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord,

    the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.

“And why have I called you for this work?

    Why did I call you by name when you did not know me?

It is for the sake of Jacob my servant,

    Israel my chosen one.

I am the Lord;

    there is no other God.

I have equipped you for battle,

    though you don’t even know me,

so all the world from east to west

    will know there is no other God.

I am the Lord, and there is no other.

    I create the light and make the darkness.

I send good times and bad times.

    I, the Lord, am the one who does these things.

“Open up, O heavens,

    and pour out your righteousness.

Let the earth open wide

    so salvation and righteousness can sprout up together.

    I, the Lord, created them.

“What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator.

    Does a clay pot argue with its maker?

Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying,

    ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’

Does the pot exclaim,

    ‘How clumsy can you be?’

10 How terrible it would be if a newborn baby said to its father,

    ‘Why was I born?’

or if it said to its mother,

    ‘Why did you make me this way?’”

11 This is what the Lord says—

    the Holy One of Israel and your Creator:

“Do you question what I do for my children?

    Do you give me orders about the work of my hands?

12 I am the one who made the earth

    and created people to live on it.

With my hands I stretched out the heavens.

    All the stars are at my command.

13 I will raise up Cyrus to fulfill my righteous purpose,

    and I will guide his actions.

He will restore my city and free my captive people—

    without seeking a reward!

    I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”

references & reflections

[1] http://revchrisroth.blogspot.com/2017/10/the-humility-of-christ-phil-2.html
[2] http://t2womenintheword.blogspot.com/2017/09/a-lesson-in-humility-philippians-2.html
[3] https://www.slideshare.net/DavidTurner28/examples-of-humility-and-unity-phil-21930
[4]

Gifts of the Magi #3: Christ the King as a Baby Boy

The Birth of Jesus — Immanuel, Immaculate Conception

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

The Shepherds and Angels

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in highest heaven,
    and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.

References & Reflections

[1] https://biblehub.com/matthew/2-11.htm
[2] https://aleteia.org/2018/01/07/what-do-the-3-gifts-of-the-magi-symbolize/
[3] https://aleteia.org/2018/01/07/why-did-the-magi-bring-gifts-of-gold-frankincense-and-myrrh/
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_Magi
[5] https://reasonsforhopejesus.com/significance-of-the-three-kings-gifts/
[6] https://www.gotquestions.org/gold-frankincense-myrrh.html
[7] https://www.gotquestions.org/three-wise-men.html
[8] John 19:39 https://biblehub.com/commentaries/john/19-39.htm
[9]  Psalm 72:11
[10] https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Gifts-Meaning-Frankincense-Myrrh/dp/1462116442
[11] https://www.guidedspace.com/single-post/2017/10/07/The-Miracle-Prayer
[12] http://dustoffthebible.com/Blog-archive/2016/12/19/daily-bible-reading-devotional-isaiah-92-7-december-19-2106/
[13] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angels_We_Have_Heard_on_High
[14] https://www.reformedworship.org/article/september-1992/canticles-christmas-singing-songs-zechariah-mary-angels-and-simeon
[15] https://shop.spreadshirt.com/274423/baby+jesus+manger+scene-A5d89cf186bbdbb2e6a4883bb?productType=992

Isaiah 9:6 New Living Translation (NLT)

For a child is born to us,
    a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
    And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor,[a] Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Estate Blessings and Inheritance, Proverbs 3 #4

Wisdom Bestows Well-Being

33 The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
    but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34 He mocks proud mockers
    but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
35 The wise inherit honor,
    but fools get only shame.

Proverbs 3:33-35

#bless #home #estate #inheritance

Reference Humility Before Honor  James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5,
Commentary by Enduring Word