December 15, 2023
Topic: THE BIRTH OF JESUS: LESSON ON HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE –
Avoid Living by Assumptions
Text: Philippians 2: 5-11
Memory Verse: When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in
obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. (Philippians 2:8 NLT
NIV)
I was shocked recently to discover one day to an event I had planned several weeks ahead to attend that I was completely wrong on specific protocol details despite having committed all requirements to heart. How many times have we lived our lives in our own small world of “Mr. know all” and mind of self-righteousness? How many times have we operated in daily default without yielding to the instructions in the master’s manual and allowing his Holy Spirit to direct us? No day or activity in our lives should commence without submitting them to our Father and creator of the universe.
It is like operating an equipment without carefully going through the manufacturer’s manual or how would we like to enter a vehicle or an aircraft where the pilot and flight engineers have not carried out all the listed checks before operating and embarking on a journey? The bible tells us in Proverbs 3:5-6 to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take”.
Our text instructs us to have the same mindset as Jesus, be humble to our God and maker and obey His commands. In Isaiah 55:8-9, The Lord declares that his ways and thoughts are not like ours; only by diligently seeking Him can we be in the right. In Psalm 119:9-11, a young man seeking to cleanse his ways and take heed to God resolved to pray and hide (memorize) the word of God in his heart so as not to sin against God.
David charged Solomon his son in 1 Chronicles 28:9 “And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever”.
Consider this:
What new or additional methods can I use to study and memorize the word of God?
Prayer: Precious Lord please strengthen my resolve to walk in the knowledge and obedience of your word led by your Spirit.