rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Philippians 2:7-8 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/php.2.7-8.NIV
“Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn’t, and doesn’t, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn’t been so weak, we wouldn’t have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.”
Romans 5:6-8 MSG
www.bible.com/111/jhn.14.6.niv
“Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going; so how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “ I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
John 14:5-6 AMP
“So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.”
James 4:7-10 MSG
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/eph.4.31-32.NIV
www.bible.com/111/jhn.13.14.niv
This story is a perfect example of what Jesus was talking about when he said, “ you also should wash one another feet.”
Putting the needs of others before yourself is living a life of giving of your time and/or monetary items. How many people can you help by washing their feet today?
US Marine Captain Donald Cook (1934-1967) deployed to Southeast Asia in 1964 with the 3rd Marine Division and was assigned to Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) as an advisor to a South Vietnamese Marine battalion until he was wounded and captured near the village of Binh Gia.
He was the first Marine captured during the Vietnam War. North Vietnamese soldiers would later parade him through the streets. During his three-year captivity he put the needs of the other prisoners ahead of his own, by giving them his needed medicine as his health deteriorated.
He refused to stray even the slightest from the code of conduct which earned him the respect of the other prisoners. Rather than negotiate for his release or better treatment, he frustrated attempts by the NVA to break his steadfast determination. His injuries were probably from being hit repeatedly in the head with the butt of a rifle. He would later die of malaria.
www.bible.com/111/mrk.16.15.niv
“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
Mark 16:15-16 ESV
www.bible.com/111/jas.1.12.niv
“When people are tempted and still continue strong, they should be happy. After they have proved their faith, God will reward them with life forever. God promised this to all those who love him. When people are tempted, they should not say, “God is tempting me.” Evil cannot tempt God, and God himself does not tempt anyone. But people are tempted when their own evil desire leads them away and traps them. This desire leads to sin, and then the sin grows and brings death.”
James 1:12-15 NCV
www.bible.com/105/isa.66.13.ncv
“I will comfort you as a mother comforts her child. You will be comforted in Jerusalem.””
Isaiah 66:13 NCV
www.bible.com/111/rom.5.8.niv
www.bible.com/97/jas.4.7.msg
Are U Up for the Challenge?