Aiming for N O T H I N G...w h a t???

Last night, Dr. K taught us about VIM.

Remember what it stands for???

V=Vision, I=Intentions and M=Means.

When it comes to renovating our hearts…we are intentionally learning to be Christ like on the inside, through the power of the Holy Spirit to make the outside produce radical goodness.

Er, um…or something like that (I don’t have my notes with me today!).

Anyway, remember how we talked about self-worship verses self-denial? Well, I found this excellent devotional on Planet Wisdom and thought I’d share it with you! Hey! You can even log into this site and subscribe to daily devotionals from Planet Wisdom…which I JUST did! Wouldn’t that be cool if we were all reading the same email devotional and then jabbered on and on about it? I thought so too! Without further ado…or endless blabbering from me…read on:

1/29/07 Devotional posted on http://www.planetwisdom.com/devotional/

“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!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place . . .”

--Philippians 2:5-9

Imagine your school guidance counselor -- or your dad -- sitting you down to talk about your future and saying, “I just want you to know I really believe in you. You have so much potential. My hope is that you’ll really make nothing of your life. I think if you focus and stay on track, you’ll be one of the best nothings ever! Don’t settle for anything less than being less than everyone else.”

Um, what?

That’s exactly what Paul is saying to his good friends in the local church in the Roman sea port colony of Philippi. In the few verses before this one, he explained that one thing that makes for divided, frustrated churches is that everyone is looking out for themselves. He told them to walk into church with no agenda except to help to make everyone else successful. He commanded them to develop a “me last” philosophy.

What a lousy inspirational poster that would make! But Paul said if we call ourselves Christ-followers, we might as well become Christ-like thinkers. And what was Jesus’ attitude? He “made himself nothing.”

Notice four quick things.

1) Jesus was NOT nothing. He was “in very nature God.” He is God in His DNA, to the very core of His being. He deserved to be treated like the creator of the universe. You’re not nothing, either. You’re made in God’s image. As a believer, you’re a child of His. You absolutely deserve to be treated with respect, kindness, love.

2) Jesus gave up His right to be treated like Someone, and chose instead to become a servant of everyone. Jesus-followers give up the right to demand respect, kindness, love. Instead, we choose to treat others that way.

3) Jesus didn’t serve others because they deserved it. They did not. We did not. “Death” did not deserve to be obeyed by Jesus. He volunteered. Your parents. Your friends. Your teachers. None of them always deserve your respect, kindness, love, or obedience. So why give it to them?

4) Jesus trusted that the Father would lift Him up and honor Him when the time is right. We obey, honor, respect, love others who don’t deserve it or give it back . . . because we trust God to take care of us when the time is right. Because He deserves to be obeyed and honored.So get out there and really make nothing of yourself this week. It’s the only life worth living.
--------------
Hey! Me again…maybe we could form a “Nothings” club??? Any takers? Hello? Anyone out there?

I love you all!
Dogledanjii!