September 24

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…He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name… Philippians 2:8-9

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🔊 Many people seek authority and power in different realms, but God seeks out those who are able to bear authority. How God must long to find people who will be of the character and mind that can bear His authority! The only qualification that God seeks is someone who will resist the temptation to advance their own ends or promote their own name. When God finds someone who will resist the temptation to self-advancement, He will confer upon that person gifts and authority that will glorify Him and bless that individual. When seeking God’s will, we need to concentrate our focus on fulfilling God’s ways in our conduct, and leave it for God to fulfil His will in demonstrating the power of the kingdom. The way up is down; the way of authority is the way of serving and self-denial. God’s ways are always bafflingly simple, and we often see mystery where there is none, and forget that the greatest mystery is God’s love and mercy in ever choosing weak human beings to display His greatness and splendour. Jesus chose the way of self-emptying; He chose this way every time. We must make our choice, and we will be put in situations where that choice will be so clear. It is then that we either go the way that leads to the manifestation of the Kingdom of God, or else the glory will be veiled by a brief moment of praise from our fellow human beings. The measure of our life is not in the wine we drink, but the wine we pour out as an offering to God.