THINK BEYOND YOURSELF – Pastor Chris
Saturday, March 6, 2021
Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand (Philippians 2:3-4 MSG).
1 Timothy 2:1-4 says, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” It’s our responsibility to change the world through prayer, ministry and protagonism. That’s what you have to do. Otherwise, you haven’t lived.
In Nehemiah 4:14, as the children of Israel began to build the wall of Jerusalem and prepared to defend it, Nehemiah said to the people, “…fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” He didn’t say, “Fight for yourselves.” And the word “houses” there doesn’t mean buildings; he was referring to clans, whole families, like you’d say, “The house of Joseph.” He was calling out the champion spirit in them.
Champions don’t fight for themselves; they fight for others. That’s what we read in our theme verse; it says, “Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage.” When you pray, it shouldn’t always be about your business, your family or things related to you; it should be for a greater cause. Think beyond yourself.
There’re many who are going through a lot of hurt for whom we must pray. The Bible says of the Lord Jesus that He’s touched with the feeling of our infirmities (Hebrews 4:15). Be moved by the conditions of the sinners and others who are suffering around you. Let the plight of the poor, the sick, and the downtrodden stir compassion in you to intercede for them and cause a change in their lives today. We’re to continue in intercession for the nations, leaders, and peoples of the world, especially in these last days.
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PRAYER:
Thank you blessed Father, for the opportunity to stand in the gap for others, to cause a change in their lives and circumstances. I pray for those destined to receive salvation today all around the world, that the light of the glorious Gospel will shine in their hearts, dispelling the darkness, translating them into the liberty of the sons of God, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
1 Timothy 2:1-4 AMPC First of all, then, I admonish and urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men, 2 For kings and all who are in positions of authority or high responsibility, that [outwardly] we may pass a quiet and undisturbed life [and inwardly] a peaceable one in all godliness and reverence and seriousness in every way. 3 For such [praying] is good and right, and [it is] pleasing and acceptable to God our Savior, 4 Who wishes all men to be saved and [increasingly] to perceive and recognize and discern and know precisely and correctly the [divine] Truth.
Ezekiel 33:7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING:
1-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Mark 11:27-12:1-17 & Numbers 18-19
2-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Matthew 20:24-34 & Exodus 15
