others first

Far too many people loose themselves in self-absorbed living and habits without thinking of other people.  It is when we lose ourselves in serving others that we will find our passion or purpose in life.  Serving others gives us a sense of worth.  It also helps us take our thoughts off of us and on to others.

The people we come in to contact with have needs.  Some of them are bigger than our needs.  By meeting needs we may just meet our own needs.  By connecting with people around us we will have a stronger and richer life.

Thinking of others first may be the first step to a better life for you.  Here are some thoughts that may point us in that direction:

Philippians 2:3 (MSG)

"Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead."  

Jesus said it.  He lived it as well.  It is a pretty simple way of loving a person.  Would you agree?  Many people have used this pattern: JOY --- Jesus, Others and You.  Here are just a few pieces of this important puzzle God put in front of us:

lift up your friend  (Eccl 4:10)

loves all the time   (Prov 17:17)

speak encouraging words to one another   (1 Thess 5:11)

build up one another  (1 Thess 5:11)

serve one another  (Gal 5:13)

confess your sins to each other  (James 5:16)

pray for one another   (James 5:16)

speak the truth in love  (Eph 4:15)

put on a heart of compassion  (Col 3:12)

sharpen one another  (Prov 27:17)

be good friends, devoted to one another  (Romans 12:10)

do not judge one another   (Romans 14:13)

welcome one another  (Romans 15:7)

accept one another  (Romans 15:7)

be courteous to one another  (Eph 5:21)

be content with second place  (Col 3:13)

forgive each other  (Col 3:13)

whoever wants to be great must become a servant  (Mark 10:43)

I learned the following definition of love a very long time ago and must be reminded often: Love gives to others without ever thinking what you might get back.

May our lives literally demonstrate the love of God to the people we come in contact with.

(NOTE: much of this e-devotion first appeared on my blog in May of 2006)