A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.
Home About Us Archives Free email subscription
Listen to these
messages
Text only for
printing
<Previous
Message
Next
Message
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:3-5).
As
part of our chaplain responsibilities we make regular calls to the
companies we serve to visit with the employees at work. This is to
build relationships, show interest, express care and make ourselves available to anyone who might have a personal need. But we
also make calls to the employees or their immediate family members when admitted to hospitals and nursing homes. I
once stopped by to see the father of an employee who had dealt with Parkinson's
disease for several years. I had visited him a number of times over the
course of several years as the disease was slowly progressing.
He had a very hard time expressing himself so I had to often ask, "Would you say that again?" attempting to understand what he was saying. Any of you who've had these kind of experiences know how wearying this can be, both for the one speaking and the one listening.
But something came out of that visit that was incredibly encouraging and instructive to me. He laboriously asked me how my health was since I had just come through surgery. Then he further inquired, "How's your daughter?" Here's a man dealing with such severe impairment that every thought he tries to convey is a painstaking effort, and yet he was able to recall the health needs of my daughter. He hadn't even met her but learned about some health problems she was dealing with through the Daily Encouragement posts. I prayed with him and left feeling strengthened by his most generous expression of care. (He has since departed to be with the Lord.)
"Each of you should look not only to your own interests." Paul isn't suggesting some unrealistic goal in this passage. It's natural to look out for one's own interests. Rather than a selfish attitude it's a responsible one that leads us to take care of our health, finances and so forth and make prudent plans for the future. The important words in this portion are "not only".
In addition to caring for our own needs we are to look out for "the interests of others".
This verse is a call for believers not to be so self-absorbed that they
fail to see others in need or fail to respond to their need when it's
within their ability to do so. It's easy to rattle off,
"I'm really concerned about ________". It's quite another thing to
demonstrate that care.
There's such a tendency in human nature to focus on our own interests. I found the daily text so forthright in acknowledging that we will look out for our own interests. However the tendency is to focus on our own needs to the exclusion of the needs of others.
This is especially acute when we are dealing with a very serious situation in our own lives and that's what made my elderly friend's expression of care so touching. "Our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."
The apostle Paul goes on to describe how Christ demonstrated this attitude using the very powerful teaching of kenosis; how Christ emptied Himself or made Himself nothing (Philippians 2:5ff). The fundamental teaching of the Christmas story is God looking out for the interests of the human race.
Today I encourage each of you to express care for others in fulfilling God's call. Our primary motive in doing so is that we are following Christ's example.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father,
we are all recipients of the kindnesses of others who lay aside their
own interests; who give generously of their time and resources to
assist us in our hour of need. An even greater blessing results when we
are the one who extends ourselves to those in need. Jesus knew of our
greatest need and laid aside His throne in heaven for the footstool of
earth. He didn't consider equality with You to be more important
than our need for salvation but deferred to our need above His own
interests. Help us to follow His supreme example as we look to the
interests of others in the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Yesterday Brooksyne and Ester decorated our home and made Christmas cookies. Ester also had some fun with our pets!
Our dog Roxie or should I say Reindeer Roxie! Ester and Brooksyne thought she might just qualify to be in the reindeer line-up with these bright red antlers. After all, Rudolph got to lead because of his bright red nose! However we don't think Roxie was amused.
Our cat Dottie was rejected on the basis of her head just not being big enough to support antlers, but we love her anyway.
"Christmas Shoes" Video This song has a touching message of giving and service. This is a version directed by a man with some interesting visual effects but the song is sung by New Song.
"We Are The Reason" Video We first heard David Meece sing this song at a "Fishnet" Christian festival near Front Royal, Virginia in the late seventies.
Each year we share several online resources that we have used over the years and that may be a blessing to families and churches during this Christmas season. As we find additional material that we believe will be a blessing we will add it to this list as well.
"In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services many years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling.
"When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune.
Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family:
John 1:1-18 pdf
"O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf
My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. This is the poem that Brooksyne read and wrote about in this message.
Christmas Knowledge Test
We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down).
Are you Christmas shopping online?
Daily
Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com. Any orders
placed
to
Christian Book Distributers using this link
or any specific product link to
a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our
Daily
Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank
you for considering using these links when purchasing online through
CBD! Tip:
If you are regular CBD customer consider bookmarking this link and using it whenever you
shop.
Looking for a very special Christmas gift for your parents?
Here's an idea! "The Best Gift You Can Ever Give Your Parents"
Looking for a very special Christmas gift for your children?
Here's an idea! "The Blessing"
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
The Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, MO
A great seasonal childhood Christmas memory was our family trip to see the Christmas lights at the Country Club Plaza.
A great seasonal childhood Christmas memory was our family trip to see the Christmas lights at the Country Club Plaza.
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:3-5).
As
part of our chaplain responsibilities we make regular calls to the
companies we serve to visit with the employees at work. This is to
build relationships, show interest, express care and make ourselves available to anyone who might have a personal need. But we
also make calls to the employees or their immediate family members when admitted to hospitals and nursing homes. I
once stopped by to see the father of an employee who had dealt with Parkinson's
disease for several years. I had visited him a number of times over the
course of several years as the disease was slowly progressing. He had a very hard time expressing himself so I had to often ask, "Would you say that again?" attempting to understand what he was saying. Any of you who've had these kind of experiences know how wearying this can be, both for the one speaking and the one listening.
But something came out of that visit that was incredibly encouraging and instructive to me. He laboriously asked me how my health was since I had just come through surgery. Then he further inquired, "How's your daughter?" Here's a man dealing with such severe impairment that every thought he tries to convey is a painstaking effort, and yet he was able to recall the health needs of my daughter. He hadn't even met her but learned about some health problems she was dealing with through the Daily Encouragement posts. I prayed with him and left feeling strengthened by his most generous expression of care. (He has since departed to be with the Lord.)
"Each of you should look not only to your own interests." Paul isn't suggesting some unrealistic goal in this passage. It's natural to look out for one's own interests. Rather than a selfish attitude it's a responsible one that leads us to take care of our health, finances and so forth and make prudent plans for the future. The important words in this portion are "not only".
In addition to caring for our own needs we are to look out for "the interests of others".
This verse is a call for believers not to be so self-absorbed that they
fail to see others in need or fail to respond to their need when it's
within their ability to do so. It's easy to rattle off,
"I'm really concerned about ________". It's quite another thing to
demonstrate that care.There's such a tendency in human nature to focus on our own interests. I found the daily text so forthright in acknowledging that we will look out for our own interests. However the tendency is to focus on our own needs to the exclusion of the needs of others.
This is especially acute when we are dealing with a very serious situation in our own lives and that's what made my elderly friend's expression of care so touching. "Our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."
The apostle Paul goes on to describe how Christ demonstrated this attitude using the very powerful teaching of kenosis; how Christ emptied Himself or made Himself nothing (Philippians 2:5ff). The fundamental teaching of the Christmas story is God looking out for the interests of the human race.
Today I encourage each of you to express care for others in fulfilling God's call. Our primary motive in doing so is that we are following Christ's example.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father,
we are all recipients of the kindnesses of others who lay aside their
own interests; who give generously of their time and resources to
assist us in our hour of need. An even greater blessing results when we
are the one who extends ourselves to those in need. Jesus knew of our
greatest need and laid aside His throne in heaven for the footstool of
earth. He didn't consider equality with You to be more important
than our need for salvation but deferred to our need above His own
interests. Help us to follow His supreme example as we look to the
interests of others in the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.Yesterday Brooksyne and Ester decorated our home and made Christmas cookies. Ester also had some fun with our pets!
Our dog Roxie or should I say Reindeer Roxie! Ester and Brooksyne thought she might just qualify to be in the reindeer line-up with these bright red antlers. After all, Rudolph got to lead because of his bright red nose! However we don't think Roxie was amused.
Our cat Dottie was rejected on the basis of her head just not being big enough to support antlers, but we love her anyway.
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
Click on the link to open and play.
(In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)
Click on the link to open and play.
(In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)
"One Day" Video
This is a wonderful old hymn by J. Wibur Chapman written over 100
years ago. But the tune
and arrangement is a
contemporized rendition by Jeff Johnson, but thankfully the powerful lyrics are not
altered. (For this version it's been renamed "Glorious Day".) This song goes through the life of Christ from His birth
to His second coming. The first verse of the song is most related to today's message.
One day when Heaven was filled with His praises,
One day when sin was as black as could be,
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin,
Dwelt among men, my Example is He!
One day when sin was as black as could be,
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin,
Dwelt among men, my Example is He!
"Christmas Shoes" Video This song has a touching message of giving and service. This is a version directed by a man with some interesting visual effects but the song is sung by New Song.
"We Are The Reason" Video We first heard David Meece sing this song at a "Fishnet" Christian festival near Front Royal, Virginia in the late seventies.
Resources
for
Christmas Celebrations
Christmas Celebrations
(We will leave these resources posted below our daily messages through Christmas)
Each year we share several online resources that we have used over the years and that may be a blessing to families and churches during this Christmas season. As we find additional material that we believe will be a blessing we will add it to this list as well.
"In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services many years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling.
"When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune.
Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family:
John 1:1-18 pdf
"O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf
My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. This is the poem that Brooksyne read and wrote about in this message.
Christmas Knowledge Test
We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down).
Are you Christmas shopping online?
Daily
Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com. Any orders
placed
to
Christian Book Distributers using this link
or any specific product link to
a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our
Daily
Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank
you for considering using these links when purchasing online through
CBD! Tip:
If you are regular CBD customer consider bookmarking this link and using it whenever you
shop. Looking for a very special Christmas gift for your parents?
Here's an idea! "The Best Gift You Can Ever Give Your Parents"
Looking for a very special Christmas gift for your children?
Here's an idea! "The Blessing"
Permissions:
Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on
Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided
that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the
cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not
protect or restrict it. I do request that you keep the contact,
copyright and subscription information intact.
Text only version for printing: To make a text only version for printing (without photos or any of the supplemental materials)
1) Open the basic text editor that comes with all computers (known as wordpad, textpad, etc.) You can also use a program like Word and select paste text only.
2) Select and copy the text from the portion of the message you want to print.
3) Paste into the text pad. (The photos won't show up but you will have a brief text description of the photo which you can delete or just ignore.)
4) Format if you desire (change font, increase or decrease size, etc.)
5) Print!
Text only version for printing: To make a text only version for printing (without photos or any of the supplemental materials)
1) Open the basic text editor that comes with all computers (known as wordpad, textpad, etc.) You can also use a program like Word and select paste text only.
2) Select and copy the text from the portion of the message you want to print.
3) Paste into the text pad. (The photos won't show up but you will have a brief text description of the photo which you can delete or just ignore.)
4) Format if you desire (change font, increase or decrease size, etc.)
5) Print!
Scripture
references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version.
© 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD
BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation,
New King James
Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the
King
James Version.
Personal
Mission Statement:
"I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ
I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord.
My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and
to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
Daily
Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com
©
Copyright 2010
Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
Home
www.dailyencouragement.net
Contact us
New feature:
I am
not much for publishing website statistics but sure enjoy geography.
When I saw this widget that counts visitors by nation and
state I thought it would be interesting to some of our readers. I
installed the international widget 4/16/10 and the state widget
4/19/10 (thus the disparity in US state totals). This widget only counts visits to the main page and daily
archive."Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation"