And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 2:8  —-also read Matthew 20:26-28

Imagine discovering that God’s will for your life was to leave everything familiar to go and minister to the slaves in a foreign country by becoming a slave yourself. What would your reaction be?

While most of us would shrink back in fear and find every reason not to go, two Moravian missionaries did exactly the opposite. They offered themselves up for such a calling and said, “We will go and be slaves on the plantations and work and toil under the lash to get right beside the poor slaves and instruct them.” So they became slaves in order to bring the message of hope and salvation to those who were captive.

In the same way, Christ Jesus, who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and perfect, willingly lowered Himself to human form, lived in an utterly imperfect world, and unjustly carried a cross on His back to the place where He would give His life for a sinful and rebellious people that He loved beyond measure.

As you go about your day, let Jesus’ ultimate example of humility inspire you to “walk humbly with thy God” (Micah 6:8).                              —-from Turning Point

But God said to him, “Fool! This night your soul will be required of thee; then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?” So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Luke 12:20-21  (also read Philippians 3:7-8)

In recent years, lots of people have been forced to decide what is most valuable to them. There have been hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, and Ike that battered the American Gulf Coast states. Then there were the massive 2008 floods in the Midwest, and the unusually severe 2007 Southern California wildfires. In each case, hundreds of thousands of people were forced to abandon their homes, taking their most valuable possessions with them.

What would you take if you were given two hours to evacuate your home and flee an impending disaster? Most people take things they don’t use every day: family pictures, personal and family records and legal documents, heirlooms and items of value. Many things that we think we can’t live without (TV, music, sports equipment) would be left behind. It behooves us not to decide what’s most important just in times of crisis, but every day. And we need to invest God’s resources in that which is most important, as well.

Only two things will last for eternity: the souls of people and the Word of God. Investing in both now is the best way to lay up treasures in heaven. (from Turning Point)

The limit of giving is to be the limit of our ability to give. (C. S. Lewis)

 Love is more than a feeling;  it’s a commitment, a covenant.  Love is not merely an emotion;  it involves action, seeking the best for another.  If we love Jesus, we endeavor to do what pleases Him.  When a husband or wife declares, “I love you,” that should mean, “I really want to do all I can for your greatest good and satisfaction.”

The outworking of that love is a 24/7 task;  personal dedication to that task involves emotion, but it is much more than merely emotion.  Love in action is well set forth in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  Love is giving.  “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand” (John 3:35).

Another component of real love is doing right because it is right.  Such is expected of the one loving:  “If ye love me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).  And:  “He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21).

For Christians this love is also manifested by the love we show for fellow believers;  it is  a testimony to the power of the Gospel in our lives:  “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34-35).

Such genuine love comes only from the Lord God.  “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us.  God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:16).  We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).  To have this real love means we must first accept God’s love, that is, to take His only begotten Son Jesus, as our only Savior to deliver from our sin, death, and hell. By God’s grace, may each of you know this genuine wonderful love.   (Dr. Warren Vanhetloo)