“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie                                 

http://www.harvest.org/devotional/daily-devotions/home.ht   

“Homily Grits Devotional”   http://www.homilygrits.com

Philippians 2:3-4…  Let nothing be done through selfishambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let eachesteem others better than himself. ⁴ Leteach of you lookout not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (NKJV)

Jesus gives us His 2 greatest commandments, in…Matthew 22:37-40… Jesussaid to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your Godwithall your heart, withall your soul, andwithall your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatcommandment. ³⁹ And the second is likeit: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ Onthese two commandmentshangall the Law and the Prophets.”  (NKJV)

Indeed…to become a redeemed child of God, we must turn from our sinful ways to Christ with “all” of our heart, mind, and soul…after first being drawn in by God (John 6:44)…  We must repent of our sins with a contrite heart…seeking Jesus Christ to become our personal Lord and Savior…  By God’s grace, through saving faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9), our lifetime of sins will be forgiven, as Christ’s righteousness is imputed into the new believer…2 Corinthians 5:21…   (See note at the end for more on God’s grace through saving faith alone in Christ)

Jesus tells us that His second most important commandment is to love those around us as we love ourselves…and that if we can obey both of these 2 commandments…everything else will fall into place in the life of the believer…  (“Onthese two commandmentshangall the Law and the Prophets.”)

The apostle Paul goes a step further in the opening scripture, and tells believer to “esteem others better than himself”, as they “Let nothing be done through selfishambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind”… 

The Lord must be first in our lives, with the Holy Spirit in total control of what we say and do…or we will have little chance in our own flesh to “esteem others better than” ourselves…  And the ultimate test thatthe Holy Spirit is in control of the life of a Spirit filled Christian (Ephesians 5:18-20), will be validated when they can respond with love at all times (whenever it is possible…Romans 12:18)…even to someone who is screaming in their face with rage…

My friends, this supernatural power of the Holy Spirit, working in the life of a Christian who is living as a true disciple of Jesus Christ, is God’s grace in action…  It is only by His power, as we remain totally and humbly submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit…that Christ in us (Colossians 1:27) will be able to overcome Satan, with his temptations to sin (1 John 4:4)…and our own carnal flesh that will be constantly trying to bring us down…

On a personal note, it has only been in recent years, that I have been reasonably successful at submitting to the wants and needs of my wife, over my own personal desires…  It’s not easy to be able to “esteem others better than” ourselves…  But I am here to tell you that life between married couples will be drastically improved, if one of you will remain humbled with the constant desire to please your spouse before you please yourself… 

I am reminded about a day’s writing, where I wrote…“First Priority in a Relationship”, last year …which can be found by going to www.Godsmanforever.com and typing 11/08/2013 into the search window…   It focuses on the need for a believer to make their first priority in dating, be that the person they want to go out with is also be a believer…  The Bible is very clear with the apostle Paul’s warning, that we as believers are not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers, in…2 Corinthians 6:14… 

I believe it’s worth repeating the following portion of that day’s writing, which speaks of the glorious benefits of a “Christ Centered Relationship”…

I watched 3 videos done by Francis Chan and his wife Lisa, which were dedicated to explaining the importance of a “Christ Centered Relationship”…  I urge each and every reader looking for the right possible mate, that is not yet married…to watch all three of these videos, to see how absolutely beautiful a relationship can be…when both the husband and the wife have Christ at the center of everything they say and do…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihRmM0aVADU&feature=em-subs_digest-vrecs  (Part 1)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gankzqrIipQ   (Part 2 – go to minute 14 mark)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3YNawuuizM  (Part 3) 

If you are a believer that is trying to live a life that will be pleasing to the Lord…He must be first and foremost at the very center of your life…   Living a “Christ Centered Life”, it will be easy to “esteem others better than” ourselves, as the Lord and His will is left in control of our lives…Proverbs 3:5-6…

Heavenly Father, help all of us to understand and abide in the truth from Your Word, which will set us free from Satan’s bondage to sin, and our own lustful desires of the flesh…John 8:31-32…  Help us Lord, to live in Your revealed will and Your ways…  I pray for this fullness of Christ, and the abundant life it will bring to all of our lives, in Jesus’ most precious name and for His sake…Amen…

Blessings in Christ,  bruce r mills

P.S. Here is a link for this most important days writing, about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, after first being drawn in by God…John 6:44…   https://godsmanforever.wordpress.com/2013/07/11/gods-group-thoughts-for-7112013-the-truth-about-sin/