A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST'S ATTITUDE

We are living in a world that is suffering from an 

overdose of self-esteem.  The pride of mankind

is damaging our relationships with each other.

Admittedly, as we watch these proud peacocks

running around trying to portray the image of;

an important business man or an intellectual

or a super model or a big bad biker or just

a good old boy or even a super saint - we 

scoff at them - to ourselves.  And might even

laugh out loud when they trip and fall.

God tells us that there will be a time when this

will all be brought down.  I confess, I'm looking

forward to it.

"Human pride will be brought down,

and human arrogance will be 

humbled.

Only the LORD will be exalted

on that day of judgment."

(Isaiah 2:11 NLT)

But as a Christian or a disciple of Jesus Christ 

what is to be my attitude?

The apostle Paul tells us;

"You must have the same attitude that Christ

Jesus had.

Though he was God,

he did not think of equality with God

as something to cling to.

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;

he took the humble position of a slave

and was born as a human being.

When he appeared in human form

he humbled himself in obedience to God

and died a criminal's death on a cross.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of

highest honor

and gave him the name above all other

names,

that at the name of Jesus every knee 

should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under

the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ

is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father." 

(Philippians 2:5 - 11 NLT)

Notice, 

the very creator of the universe, Jesus Christ

himself;

1. Voluntarily humbled himself.

2. He suffered for it.

3. And is now be exalted for it.

We are to have the same attitude.

Look how the apostle Peter addresses

the issue;

"So humble yourselves under the mighty power

of God, and at the right time he will lift you up

in honor.  Give all your worries and cares to 

God, for he care about you."   

(1Peter 5:6,7 NLT)

I love that.
If I humble myself,
at the right time God will lift me up in honor
and in the meantime - I am to give him ALL
of my worries and cares.

TRUE ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT

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We live in a day and an age when simply waking

up in the morning is enough to put us in a bad mood.

Nations are at each others throats.  Politicians all seem

to be crooked.  There are problems at; work, in the 

family, with dumb people, our bodies are giving us

problems, and even nature it's self is often on a 

destructive rampage.

It is no wonder that people try to escape through

alcohol, drugs, recreation, and other excesses.

Most of these are destructive to us and do not 

really solve the problems.  We still have a bad

attitude toward life or other people.

But there is something that does work.

Not only does it work, but it is good for

us.

"The most effective attitude

adjustment therapy is time

alone with God." 

Yes, you read that right.

Not time with the physiologist, nor the

pastor, nor a listening friend and not 

even a lover - BUT GOD HIM SELF.

God sent us this message:

"Give all your worries and cares 

to God, for he cares about you."

(1 Peter 5:7 NLT)

If you go to God and give him all your

worries and cares - what do you think

that is going to do to your attitude?

How.

"For there is only one God and one 

Mediator who can reconcile God and

humanity - the man Christ Jesus."

(1Timothy 2:5 NLT)

Get into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

He loved you enough to die for you.  The

Holy Bible tells you about it.  Let the Bible 

talk to you.  And you talk to God by prayer.

Even Jesus spent time with God the Father.

"But Jesus Himself would often slip away

to the wilderness and pray."

(Luke 5:16 NASB)

If even Jesus Christ needed to spend time
with God the father, you and I need to so
much more.

You will be surprised what spending time
with God himself every day will do for
your attitude toward life it's self.

ATTITUDE

WRECKED BY ATTITUDE

Several thousand years ago, even before your were born,

there was a king in Judea named Amaziah.  Now Amaziah

was unique in this respect:

"He did what was pleasing to the LORD,

but did it reluctantly."

(2 Chronicles 25:2 TEV)

His attitude in serving God was just like your attitude,

and my attitude, about speed limits.  If we observe them at

all, IT IS RELUCTANTLY.

That is the way Amaziah served God.  Just because he had to.

Not because he wanted to. And if you will read his life's story 

you will see this got him into a lot of trouble and he was 

eventually assassinated.  He was wrecked, totaled out.

In contrast, there later came another king with another 

funny name, "Hezekiah".   Hezekiah reigned over the same

nation that Amaziah did, for the same length of time.

But his attitude was different.

"King Hezekiah did what was right and what was

pleasing to the LORD his God.  He was successful,

because everything he did for the Temple or in

observance of the Law, he did in a spirit of complete

loyalty and devotion to his God."

(2 Chronicles 31:20-21 TEV)

Hezekiah, "Succeeded in everything he did,..."
(Chapter 32:30)

Hezekiah had a reign of prosperity and success because
of his love for God.

Yes, just like you and me, Hezekiah messed up some,
but he had a life that was blessed by God because of
his devotion to God.

Is life going like you want?
Check your devotion to God.