December 4th

I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death. Philippians 3:10

As our relationship deepens with Christ, we want to share more of His life with Him. This is also true of people who form a close relationship with each other. Love flourishes when we can share experiences, memories and beliefs. This also occurs when we share each other’s pain and sorrow. God uses these occurrences to build fellowship and community with each other.

When we love another person more deeply, it requires often some death to our self-centeredness. We die to ourselves and learn to be absolutely obedient to Father God as Christ did in His death. In dying to ourselves, we have a great opportunity to experience new life as we develop Christ’s attitude. As we also share in Christ’s sufferings, our love for our God and others deepens. As we acquire the mind of Christ in humility and obedience, Father God can trust us with His power to set others free from bondage and fear.