Good Morning,
"If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if His love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care-then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourself long enough to lend a helping hand. Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then, died a selfless obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion." (Phil. 2:1-8) Selfless means having little or no concern for self or seeking the well being or advantage for the others and regard for the others welfare. Verse eight in the KJV, says, "And being found and fashioned as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Humble means to reign in the estimation of oneself; and make low in their feelings and importance. Obedient implies submissive and compliant to the rightful restraint, control or command of authority; to fit ones conduct to and perform as directed; to perform or behave as directed often without question or attempt at independent decision. This is how Christ obeyed the Father, without independent decision. He had little or no concern for Himself, all the way to the cross. Jesus did this as a man, he set aside the privileges of deity, remember He said that He could have called twelve legion of angels, yet He didn't. (Mtt.26:53) This Christmas season I charge you as children of God to meditate on choosing and preferring others above yourself. Putting ourselves aside is a tall order, yet God's Word did not stutter in His command. We must put this into practice in our daily lives, but especially in the Household of the Believers. Once we learn how to die daily of ourselves being seated on the throne, we will find the 'real' life that is worth living. Aren't you weary of manipulating, scheming, play-acting and constantly brain-storming ideas on how to 'have it your way?' "Let your love be sincere (a real thing) hate what is evil (loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness) but hold fast to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another."(Romans 12:9-10) Prefer means to value more highly, to choose to place forward or place before. So, make a choice, choose to place someone in your church, your home, your sphere of loved ones, before you. Once you begin to put this into practice it will be easier. Don't worry about people taking advantage of you, (they will, it's human nature), God will place you on high. Listen, "Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you." (I Peter 5:6) Prefer God's Word first and simply obey Him and don't be self-seeking. Secondly, choose to value more highly and place before you the brethren, this will help you to keep you in the right place in your estimation.
Finally, "Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that. (Ephes. 5:1-2) What are you holding back for? Give everything of yourself, don't be cautious in your loving, someone needs your extravagant Christ-love. Don't love while looking for something from everyone else, love freely just as Christ loved you. That is what Christmas is about, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.." extravagant love that gave and keeps on giving. Enjoy your Christmas and give the gift of 'you', you are really the blessing. God's best and highest be to you and your family. See you after Christmas. Remember we are growing up in Christ!
"Put yourself aside and help others get ahead"
Love,
Pastor D.
Daughters of Z 
Lady Debra, this is an awesome Word. There is no better way to begin again than to become a brand new you. It was and is the hardest of my Christ-Lessons. I remember the day I was crying and praying “I’m going to love people no matter how much it hurts”.
I truly believe this is one of the reasons so many Christians are desperately miserable. The things that have been preached to us year in and out seem to be elusive and just out of reach.
I read in either Exodus or Leviticus where GOD said “I am a Jealous GOD and My Name is Jealous”. These are some strong Words. Can you imagine if a man said that? This basically tells me that anyone or anything that we seek, run after, chase, love, desire, want, need, crave, long for, hope for, reach for or have-to-have more than Him will definitely be a problem or cause a problem between Him and us.
Thanks for your words of wisdom.
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