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“Attitude Towards Truth Is Triumphing Under Deliverer's Emancipation! (A.T.T.I.T.U.D.E)”

Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher

SCRIPTURE:
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (Philippians 2:5-7, NIV)

APPROACH QUESTION:
How do you describe your attitude?

OBSERVATIONS:
I asked myself what is there to know about Jesus in these verses?
I looked for answers in the verses and came up with these: 
1. Jesus being in very nature God.
2. Jesus did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.
3. Jesus made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.
4. Jesus being made in human likeness.
5. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

INTERPRETATIONS:
I asked myself what does it mean when it states, “Jesus being in very nature God?”
What came to my mind is that this verse confirmed to me that Jesus is God. Since He is God, He has existed from the beginning and all things were made by Him and through Him. In Him was the Light of life and the darkness could never extinguish it.

Since He is God, I know He is the Author of our lives. That is awesome to know that Jesus is the Author of my Life and yours too!

As an Author, He knows exactly what He has put in me and how I am made of. He knows the beginning of my life and the ending of my life. He also knows everything about me during the time span between those two. Since He has the copyright to me, no one can claim me as their own except the Lord Himself! I belong to the Lord! (Verses in Psalm 139 explain this much better)

If anyone tries to take credit for His creation of me, they are committing plagiarism. Sadly, in this world many continue to do that by not acknowledging the Author’s work in a human beings life but instead attributing that life to evolution. How sad! I did not come from no ape but was  created in my mother's womb by the Author of Life! You too!

I asked myself what does it mean that, “Jesus did not consider equality with God something to be grasped”?
What came to my mind is that Jesus did not let his high position influence things for his own benefit even though He is God. He did not grasp on to his position of power and dictate how things ought to be. On the contrary, He does something that is so mind boggling. He made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant. That is so amazing that Jesus would do that. Pastor Josh reminds me this is the way husbands ought to love their wives by being a servant to them. Help me Jesus!

I asked myself what does it mean that “Jesus made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant"?
 It reminded me of how Paul started his letter in Philippians 1: "Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,…”

Jesus made Himself nothing claiming no rights but instead came to serve humanity. He came to seek and save the lost. That is so wonderful to know that the God of the Universe took time to be with the people He created and decided to serve them. There are no words to describe it! Especially knowing that He was made in human likeness is that much more exciting.

I asked myself what does it mean to be made in human likeness?
What came to my mind is Jesus came in human likeness to be able to relate to us what we go through. He served as a human being on earth though He is God. He experienced sorrow, joy, laughter, pain, and even death as He related to us. But everything Jesus did He did it for you and me friend.  He was tempted by somebody He loved and used to have good  fellowship with in  Heaven! That somebody was an Angel called Lucifer who fell from heaven, taking 1/3 of the angels with him and roams the earth in different capacities waiting to have evil fellowship now with people in his demonic way.  One day he approached Jesus and tempted Jesus 3 times with physical, psychological, and power based temptations. Jesus did not give in but claimed Scripture and threw it at Satan and defeated temptation. So Jesus understands what we go through when we are tempted. He wants to help us!

He was betrayed by a close friend, He used to have fellowship with on the earth. That somebody was Judas Iscariot who betrayed him for money. One day he approached Jesus with a band of soldiers and betrayed him with a kiss, a kiss. Jesus was in pain! So Jesus understands when we are betrayed and feels our pain. He wants to help us!

These are only 2 examples and there are many more how Jesus being made in human likeness understands what we go through and wants to help us. The difference is that He did not sin!

IMPLICATIONS:
I asked myself what are the implications for my own life?
The purpose of today's devotional study is to learn: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (Philippians 2:5-7, NIV)

Recently, I shared with Pastor Josh and Pastor Mike specifically what our family is going through but the fact remains whether I like it or not, my attitude should be an imitation of Christ rather than imitation of Satan. It is not easy but thanks be to God that we don't have to do it alone. Jesus will help us have the attitude, He wants us to have. Thank you Jesus! Whomever, I come in contact with, I should have the attitude of humility than pride. It is pride that allures us into the definition of success the world's way. Where I am, I should be happy in the Lord if I am doing His will.

That is a challenge but I know He who did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness will understand what I go through and will help me. He will help you too friend! You and I can have the attitude of Jesus in our lives because He will help us. Yes, He will.

Now if the Lord Jesus wanted me to be a doctor, lawyer, software engineer, etc for Him and I decide not to do that then my attitude will still be wrong.

Jesus has been victorious over Satan's temptations which came in three forms: Physical comfort based, Power/Prestige based, and Purpose based. I do struggle in these areas too but I know Jesus can help me overcome Satan's temptations in my own life because He who had no sin understands the weaknesses I can face and is there to help me when I yield to Him. Thank you Jesus. So, I need to let Jesus govern my attitude so in all aspects my attitude is that of Jesus Christ. Help me Lord.

I am reminded from Galatians that when we 'Walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh!' Thank you Jesus!

I can have a servant attitude which is the right attitude because of Jesus Christ.

Jesus promises, "I will instruct you and guide you along the best pathway of life, says the Lord; I will advise you and watch your progress!" (Psalm 32:8)

Wow! Also, Psalm 139 ministered to me so much! Thank you so much Lord Jesus for your promises to claim! Amen!

I ASK YOU NOW:
I ask you now dear friend, how do you match Jesus’ A.T.T.I.T.U.D.E in life?
The truth is there is only one attitude worth striving for and it is the attitude of Jesus. I saw how short I come each day to match Jesus' attitude. I am glad Jesus reminded me  of the book I read called, "Lord, Change My Attitude: Before It's Too Late". Here ATTITUDES of CRITICALNESS, REBELLION, COMPLAINING, COVETOUSNESS, & DOUBT are addressed. I went through this book with Edwin, when he mentored me. The principles in that book still come to mind even to this day. I learned we need to replace those attitudes with THANKFULNESS, SUBMISSION, CONTENTMENT, LOVE, AND TRUST as I ask Jesus for His help to match His attitude. I talk to my precious wife Chandraleela about this book often.

Jesus being God could have expected so much as a LEADER but instead Jesus became a SERVANT to serve. Jesus made me see that being a servant to other people where I serve in love is more important than aspiring to be a leader first. There was a time in my life, without having a servant attitude, as a leader I had become narcissistic, domineering, judgmental, prideful, etc thinking life revolved around me and my own ideas. In the process, it is the followers who suffered. Instead of being a servant to lead the flock, I was a leader who succumbed the flock at times. There were moments I did serve well but overall I lost the meaning of servant leadership and my attitude became my downfall in two different ministry positions.

It is a good thing that Pastor Josh and I are going through the book 'Spiritual Leadership' by Oswald Sanders. I mainly wanted to go over this book so I can be a servant-leader to my precious wife Chandraleela more and more each day. Pastor Josh reminds me this is the way husbands ought to love their wives by being a servant to them. Help me Jesus!

Oh how different Jesus' attitude is compared to mine. I know I don't need a title of leadership to have a servant's heart and serve. What I need is Jesus to help me become more like Him. I am still flabbergasted to know the kind of servant Jesus is. I am so touched by Jesus' attitude.  Thank you Jesus!

Jesus' attitude was for my sake to serve me and save me. Thank you so much Jesus. I know I will also learn the benefits of Jesus' attitude in my own life. Thank you Jesus.  I want my attitude to reflect Christ and so should you. If Jesus became a servant to serve though He is a leader, I should not expect anything more. I should be a servant and I can be a servant by the Lord's grace working in me. Praise the Lord. You too can! For only attitude towards truth is triumphing under Deliverer's emancipation!

It is exciting to know how Jesus lived His life and how He set example after example for us to follow and match. He is the best matchmaker! I believe our attitude can be like Christ, as we take our lessons from the Master Himself and give ourselves to Him for His help wanting to imitate Christ.

I know it won’t be easy to be a servant when the world emphasizes success in ‘me, self, I, individualistic, and power concepts’ but the Good News is when we have Jesus in us, we won’t be trying to live a life of servant hood on our own but we will be allowing Jesus to work in us and through us. Elder Calvin, taught us from John 15 regarding the world and our place in this world as Christians. Campus minister Jesse led our table in discussion regarding the world, hatred, and how we should react as Christians.

Even when we are tempted by the allures of the world's successes, temptations, etc, Jesus in His love will not abandon us. Elder Calvin asked a very potent question for us to ponder after facilitating from John 15: 'Is it okay for Christians to be watching 'Game of Thrones'?

What do you think and why?

Time after time the Lord has used my loving wife Chandraleela to show concern for me in times of crisis. We need the Lord to work in both of our lives to have the attitude of Christ towards those we have conflict with. Help us Jesus!

Before being married, I cannot count the times how the Lord has used my mommy to biblically counsel me, etc. Thank you Lord. I cannot forget the times before marriage and after marriage how the Lord has used Pastor Hugo and Edwin, to keep my attitude in check. Thank you so much Jesus! Pastor Hugo took me through the book, 'Making of a Leader' to know what kind of attitude that I need to have and display as learned in Philippians 2:5-7.

Friend, Jesus created us and knows how and who can help us the best. What we need to do is obey and follow having faith in Jesus fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith so we can have the attitude of Christ! Praise the Lord!

God's Word promises us in Psalm 32 that Jesus will be our Hiding Place to keep us from trouble, surrounding us with sounds of victory. Jesus will also instruct us and guide us along the best pathway for our lives. Jesus will advise us and watch our progress.  It is wonderful to claim these promises and act on them.

You and I can do that in Christ when Christ rules us, for then our attitude will become like Christ's for we would have yielded to the Loving Master and His ways.

It starts with acknowledging our own weaknesses and sinfulness before an all awesome Holy God who will not let sin enter into His presence. But the Good News is that Jesus became a servant for us to bring us to the Father by His sacrificial death on the cross to pay our ransom. Jesus did that to call us His very own when we turn our lives over to Him and accept His free gift of grace. It is His grace that justifies us and also saves us sanctifying our lives daily! Thank you Jesus! Let us turn to the Lord Jesus with our lives and match Jesus' attitude with His help. May you know that you can imitate the Author of Life as He will work in you! Amen!

"Attitude Towards Truth Is Triumphing Under Deliverer's Emancipation!" (A.T.T.I.T.U.D.E)/"How do you match Jesus' A.T.T.I.T.U.D.E in life?"

PRAYER:
Dear Jesus, thank you so much for being the Author of my Life. You know everything about me and you know what you put in me, for you created me and authored me. Thank you Jesus for that means a lot to me! I belong to you and no one can snatch me away from you even though people try to plagiarize and give credit to false sources such as apes and evolutionists for creating me. Forgive us Lord when we do not seek you with our whole heart. It is so awesome to know that you are God and there is no other. Not only that Jesus, for me you became a tiny baby and became a human being to live on earth and serve humanity. Yet, you did not forget where you came from and who you are. Thank you for your miracles and how much you understand what we go through. You understand when we are tempted and betrayed. You understand when we take a loss of a loved one. You understand so much and want to offer yourself for us in our life. Thank you Jesus! You have showed me an attitude I should strive for and it starts with you. Oh help me Lord Jesus. Thank you so much Jesus. Thank you that you are God and yet did not use that to force people to follow you but instead became a servant. I love you Lord.I want my attitude to reflect your lifestyle but I need your help so much for I cannot do it on my own. Forgive me and help me Lord. Thank you so much! Help me overcome the enemy! Thanks so much Jesus. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

Please pray this prayer to receive the Lord Jesus into your life or to rededicate your life to the Lord.

PRAYER:
Dear Jesus, I heard that you became my sacrificial Lamb of God to save me from my sins. Thank you for shedding your blood for me and coming back to life to save me. I turn to you now. At this moment Lord, I confess to you all my sins and am so sorry for them Lord. I repent of my sins and ask you to help me overcome them for I cannot on my own strength. Cleanse me with your cleansing blood and I will be clean again. Wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Come into my heart Jesus. Please make my heart your home. I believe only you can justify me by your grace. Live in me Jesus and I will live for you and I will serve you the rest of the days of my life as you begin your sanctification by your grace in my life. Thank you Jesus for coming into my heart! Thank you Jesus for making my heart your home and living in me! I acknowledge you as my Lord and Personal Savior. Thank you for being my Lord and Personal Savior. Thank you that you have heard my prayer and that you have answered me. Thank you for being part of my life now and giving me a new beginning. Thank you for my Salvation. Thank you no matter how I am feeling inside, you have saved me. I love you Jesus and want to live for you. Help me to find fellowship with other believers and most of all to have daily fellowship walking with you through your Word and talking to you. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

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