From:
Date: February 10, 2020
Subject: It's February 10; Good Morning Union

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“Each of you should look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”          Philippians 2:4

Welcome back! Hope you had a nice break. I’ve been continuing through Paul’s letter to the Philippians and continue to be blessed by his wisdom and counsel. Chapter 2 begins with a series of “any” statements; “If you have ANY:

            Encouragement

            Comfort

            Fellowship

            Tenderness

            Compassion…”

My first ah-ha was, I don’t have to have it ALL to make a difference in someone else’s life. If I have ANYTHING, which I do (and so do you!) then I can make a difference for Jesus. Paul told the believers in Philippi that if they had ANY of the qualities listed above that they would “make his joy complete,” by blessing him and others in the same way he had been doing for them.

Everything I have, no matter to what degree or quantity I have “it,” I can use to bless others. And then a sort of summary statement of what this could look like. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit….” Whatever I have, if I am using it solely to build myself and my resources then I need to rethink my priorities. Paul continues, “but in humility consider others better than yourself.” I know what’s coming in the next verses so I already know what I’ll be writing on tomorrow morning. But for now my challenge is, what do I have? What am I doing with it? Who am I seeking to bless with the “any” thing I have? Paul’s advice- use “anything” I have to bring joy to others and I will be fulfilling the role of a follower of Jesus. Thus my first text: “look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.”
 

Have a great day blessing someone with “however much” you have,

Pastor Rich

 

Quote for the day:      "When I talk to managers I get the feeling that they are important.
When I talk to leaders I get the feeling that I am important."

 

PS        Wisconsin and Illinois summer camp directors will be on campus today through Wednesday morning looking for camp staff to be a part of their ministry teams. Stop by Ortner and see them if you’re interested.