selfish

Paul defines serving in Philippians 2:3-4. He says,

DON’T be selfish

DON’T live to try and make a good impression on others
DON’T think only about your own interests, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing

DON’T think that you are better than other people, be humble

I think Paul’s definition is interesting. Instead of telling people to do, do, do, having a what’s in it for me attitude, we’re told instead, don’t, don’t, don’t. Reinforcing others before ourselves. Reinforcing that we will experience joy through serving. Through sacrifice and humbling ourselves. As we bless others, we are being blessed in ways we would never have thought possible.

HERE’S AN EXAMPLE MY FRIEND, SARAH (NOT HER REAL NAME), SHARED WITH ME —

Sarah began bringing over meals to Pam (not her real name), who was diagnosed with cancer. Pam shared with Sarah how much her efforts meant to her and her family. She’s receiving healthy food, aiding in her recovery, as well as quality time with Sarah.

As a result of Sarah’s willingness to give her time to Pam, she has also been blessed. She’s learned to prepare delicious looking, and tasting, vegan food. She’s also found a confidant who has prayed with, and for her, as she’s going through her own emotionally difficult trials.

Although Sarah and Pam’s pain/suffering, are different, both woman have been blessed by each other in ways they could never have imagined. They may never have connected in this way if it weren’t for the pain/suffering each woman is experiencing.

Sarah put her own issues aside to care for her friend. And in her opinion, has been blessed far more than she’s been a blessing. And I bet if I talked to Pam she’d have the opposite response – Sarah has been far more of a blessing to her, than she’s blessed Sarah.

Isn’t following God’s ways interesting? 🙂

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In the last two posts, we learned that we can experience joy in suffering, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-mF, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-no.

As we begin to look at experiencing joy in serving, we see that suffering and joy are sometimes connected. Pain/suffering is something God promises to go through with us, Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. – Psalm 23:4

We have an opportunity to serve and bless others, and in turn be blessed. Allow God to use your pain/suffering to make a difference in someone’s life.

2 Corinthians 1:4 —-

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In my last post “I Just Wanna Be Happy!!” – (Part 3), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kn, I ended with these 3 questions:

Have you ever heard of making a New Year’s Resolution? A promise that you make to yourself to start doing something good, or to stop doing something bad on the first day of the year.
Have you ever heard of the concept – exercising mindfulness? Meaning to pay attention “on purpose” – Jon Kabat-Zinn
Have you ever heard this verse from the Bible? “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. – Isaiah 55:8

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WHAT DO THESE SEEMINGLY, RANDOM, QUESTIONS HAVE TO DO WITH GOD’S WAY TO JOY?

1. A New Year’s Resolution.

Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. – Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (The whole passage can be read at, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+30:11-20)

It seems to me that our first step is to make a choice – God’s Way or the World’s Way.

But DON’T wait until January 1st, make a choice today!! Follow God as the Lord, the leader, of your life.

2. Mindfulness.

Many people go through life by way of their habits. Some good and some not so good. When I think of mindfulness, I think of becoming consciously aware of the choices/decisions I’m making.

Do I go to church on Sunday because I’ve always gone to church on Sunday?

Do I have dessert after every meal, just because?

Do I watch movies because the critics say it’s “good”, and put it up for an Academy Award?

When I actively engage my mind vs. operating on habits, I’m consciously and actively retraining myself and my mind. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think... – Romans 12:2

Instead of simply reacting, I am now choosing to respond.

In response to circumstances or situations, is my knee-jerk reaction – How will this benefit me? If that is your answer, that’s GREAT!! Why? Because you have just made a mindful evaluation.
You stopped for moment, even if it was just for a split second, to recognize what was driving your thoughts/actions – me or them, them or me…

Every time we bring awareness to our reactions, we increase our chances of forming habits that we desire, verses unconsciously adopting our parents, friends, co-workers, fellow students, TV personalities, etc. ways of reacting.

Maybe what they do is good, or not-so-good. Either way, you now have a way to evaluate your responses, instead of leaving them up to chance or habit.

3. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. – Isaiah 55:8

This verse puts “my way of thinking” into perspective.

I, “the pot”, don’t completely understand every Biblical concept, idea, or God’s mode of operation. Nor, do I have the ability to know how my choices will affect myself and others. Only God, “the potter”, does.

I’m reminded that if I did have all the answers, I would have no need for God. All my relationships would be perfect, or at least my version of perfect, and in theory I’d live happily-ever-after.

Unfortunately, I have all to often acted or spoken too soon, wishing I could have a do-over.

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IN CONCLUSION:

We will experience joy when we invite God, and His Word to soften, and reshape our hearts.

Everything that God guides us to “do” in His Word, is for the purpose of growing our relationship with Him, and with others.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Luke 10:27

Additionally, God’s desire is to give us a rich and satisfying life. – John 10:10

GOD’S WAY TO JOY ==>> BE OTHER-CENTERED

REMEMBER: We can trust God. He always has our best interest in mind.

If God is for us, who can be against us? – Romans 8:31

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SEE ALSO: “I Just Wanna Be Happy!!”

(Part 1), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kK,

(Part 2), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kY,

(Part 3), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kn

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If you would like to receive notifications when new posts are published, click on the FOLLOW button in the sidebar. Or if you are viewing from your mobile device, scroll down the page and you’ll see the FOLLOW blog via email button 🙂
It you are viewing with the mobile version, scroll down to the bottom of this page for additional info and pics 🙂
Take a look at the other tabs in the menu for encouragement and inspiration as you continue to BUILD A FOUNDATION!!