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Nature Of A Servant

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Gratitude - Nature Of A Servant - Philippians 2:5-8 Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – Nature Of A Servant – Philippians 2:5-8 Growing As Disciples

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV)

Your Attitude

Oops. What do you mean by oops? I haven’t gotten this right. Tell me about it. I like to be the center of attention. I like to be the most important person in the room. So often, I think so much about myself and my thoughts that I can’t even hear what another person is saying. It’s like their lips are moving but no words are coming out. It’s hard to admit it, but on some level I must feel that I am more interesting than other people. It disgusts me to hear myself even say those words. How could I be so blind to my own pride? Who do I think that I am to secretly harbor such attitudes? My attitude really discourages me. What are you going to do about it? Realizing your self-centeredness is a really good place to be, don’t you think? Yes, but I do want to move on from here and make some changes in my life. Like what?

First of all I want to confess this sin of self-centeredness to you. I know that it is just the opposite of the attitude that you want me to have. How do you know that? You gave me a pretty good and clear example to follow. What example do you see in me? You had the right to every honor. You had the right to be treated with the highest respect. Yes, and you did not claim any rights. Instead you took on the form of a servant. You could have demanded to be served, but no, you chose to obediently serve others even to the point of suffering death on the cross. What do you suppose motivated my service? I think you were motivated by love for your Father and love for us. Yes, that is exactly right. Do you believe that I can change you and grow this same kind of love within you? Yes, I do.

You mentioned that you wanted to make some changes in your life. Yes, I did. That’s a good desire to have. I know that you want to be like me. I know that you want to serve me and others. Yes I do, that’s right. Do you really think that you are the one who can make these changes in your life? What do you mean? Do you really think you can develop a servant’s heart by your own efforts? I have been trying. How has your trying been working out? Not too well. I’ve mostly become just more aware of my failures. That’s left you discouraged and wanting to give up, hasn’t it? Yes, it has.

Would you like to take a different approach? Like what? Why don’t you try asking me to change you and give you a servant’s heart? You would do that for me? What do you think? I think I just asked a dumb question. I know that you will hear and answer my prayer asking for a servant’s heart. Very good, go ahead and ask me right now.

Lord, I want to have the same attitude that you had. You gave yourself fully. You laid down your life. Help me to humbly serve you and others however you desire and direct me. I am your servant. Use me however you see fit.  Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Identity – Philippians 2-5-8 – Nature Of A Servant – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                                                        Copying not permitted                                                                                    www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Your Attitude

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Transformation - Philippians 2:5-7- Your Attitude - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Transformation – Philippians 2:5-7- Your Attitude – Growing As Disciples

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:5-7 (NIV)

An Example

You have said that you want to be like me. You may not have that same thought after we are done talking today. Why is that? I did not lay claim to what was rightfully mine. I did not assert my own rights. I did not demand to be treated with honor and respect. I didn’t seek my own comfort. I did not pursue my own pleasure. I was not self-sufficient. I was not self-absorbed. I thought more about the needs of others than of my own. I did not seek my own will. I did not try to accomplish my own plans. I left the comfort of heaven to come into the world. I allowed myself to become a man. I went about doing my Father’s will. I went where my Father sent me. I did everything my Father asked of me. In everyway I lived to please Him.

I could have chosen a prideful self-seeking life. I did not. I made a choice to humble myself and serve the needs of others. It was not easy.  I experienced pain. I felt sorrow. I was rejected. I loved those who did not love me. I gave expecting nothing in return. I got little thanks. I received much abuse. It was a lonely path on which I walked. Who would want it? Who would follow it? This is where you can speak up.

You have set an example for me to follow. I want to walk on the same path on which you walked. I want to live the life that you lived. Your life had meaning. Your life had purpose. You lived to know and do your Father’s will. It brought you great joy to serve Him. You did the good works that He prepared in advance for you to do. You had no regrets. You made no retreats. You left nothing in reserve. You emptied yourself to humbly serve your Father by doing all that He asked of you. It cost you everything. But, knowing and doing your Father’s will was worth it all. You accomplished all that you were sent to do in this world for Him. You bore an abundance of fruit for His kingdom. You brought glory to His name. What could be better than that? Just as you did your Father’s will so I also want to do my Father’s will. I want no regrets. I will not retreat. I will leave nothing in reserve. Help me to know and do the Father’s will. Help me to serve like you served. Yes, I will.

Lord, I have had a “me first” attitude. I have thought that I was better than others. I have pridefully felt that others should serve me rather than me humbly serving them. Forgive me. I will take on your attitude. I will have your mind. I will joyfully serve others. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Transformation – Philippians 2-5-7 – Your Attitude – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com