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Our second daily activity is to Appreciate People. It’s harder than ever to see others which makes it very easy for us to focus on ourselves. Think of ways to value others and their interests above ourselves and our jobs or desires. The things we do for others, because we follow Jesus last forever.
Philippians 2:3-8 “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Our “stuff” won’t travel with us to heaven. Eternal treasure must have something to do with the people who join us there. Jesus came to seek and to save us. He laid aside his glory and majesty to come as a humble baby. He went on to live in submission to his parents, learn, grow up, teach, serve, suffer, and die for us. Everything he did was for us. People were important to Jesus. Ask God to make others a treasure: everyone we meet and everyone he brings to our mind.
If you think about it, you most enjoy being with people who enjoy being with you. Our friends appreciate us, so we appreciate them. Why not appreciate some new people today? Enjoy them and express an interest in them. Get to know them better. These people could be your friends forever. God loves them. Even if you don’t, try to love them. Send a text or an email. Think about and appreciate the qualities God most enjoys about them. God enjoys his creation, including the people you don’t enjoy. Rather than judge people today, try to learn more about them and find ways to enjoy them.
Today, ask God to make you aware of someone you regularly see, but you don’t know their name. Do you know the name of your mail carrier or the people at your dry cleaners? Make a point to see this person in the next 24 hours and ask their name. Get to know a little more about them. Make it a point to pray for them as you leave. Say their name to yourself over and over again until you remember it. And then, comment below and tell us about the experience. Let God make you aware of new people to appreciate every day!
Lord, please change my heart. Give me an appreciation for the people I meet. Help me focus on them. Please direct me to others who need a friend, and use my interaction with them so they may see you and draw closer to you. Give me an idea of who I can serve today and what I can do. Use me to make someone else a winner today.
These items are reminders for this mission trip and beyond. You already know this stuff, but we feel better repeating it anyway.
We have been and will continue praying for you. We’re excited to see Jesus work through you in the lives of your friends.
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