Bless You O’ Lovers of God,                             April 1, 2012

   In the natural order that the bulletins come, if you looked at the front of today’s bulletin you will see a crown of thorns against a background of palm branches. Underneath is the inscription “Humbled and OBEDIENT”; followed by the scripture reference of Philippians 2:8. The scripture reference of Philippians 2:8 is right in the middle of a passage of scripture from Philippians 2:1 to Philippians 2:16 which says this to us. It is urging us to love one another like Christ has loved the Church. And because Christ Jesus did “humble” Himself and was “OBEDIENT”, then God is right in EXALTING HIM. “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (verse 8)And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”, (Phil. 2:1-16). This picture of what Jesus has done FOR us is telling us of what and how we are to be to each other. So many times we go through “humbling” experiences. They are never pleasant. God did it with Jesus and He does it with us too. But afterward, if we are humble and obedient God will do wonders and we will be exalted also. “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body”(James 3:2). Love and forgive each other. God
bless you. We love you.

Pastor Lyle, Sister Jean, and your BJWC Church Leadership