READY FOR A CHANGE?

Searching for encouragement or comfort?
Need tenderness or compassion?
Want to enjoy fellowship with God’s Spirit?

God’s Word says these things are within our reach.
How can we attain what so many would love to experience?
Salvation is not something that can be earned – it is a free gift,
however it requires something on our part:
– We have to confess our sins,
express a desire to change,
believe that Jesus is the Son of God
who was crucified for our sins
and was resurrected to be with God again.
When we do these things
then are given God’s free gift of salvation.

Now, what do we need to do to experience encouragement,
comfort, tenderness and compassion?
We can find the answers in God’s Word
in Philippians 2:1-4.

“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,
 if any comfort from his love,
 if any common sharing in the Spirit,
 if any tenderness and compassion,
 then make my joy complete by being like-minded,
 having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
 Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus”

The scriptures are clear:
We need to consider others ahead of ourselves,
set aside any selfishness,
and develop the same mindset of Jesus Christ.
What is His mindset?
A humble mind that is not selfish and values others.
An attitude that is full of love, compassion and kindness.
Developing this kind of ‘consistent’ mindset is not easy;
it requires a conscious effort on the part of believers.
It means we have to take the light off of ourselves
and allow others to “shine” as we encourage them.
Rather than boasting about what we have, or what we have done,
we start asking questions of others and give them a chance
to talk about themselves and what is going on in their lives.
Love has the capability of doing that;
selfishness does not have that ability.
When we develop a mindset more like Jesus,
then we bless others and we in turn are blessed.

Change often requires leaving our comfort zone,
but it is worth the effort.
Remember, “a rut can be a grave with both ends kicked out”.