1 00:00:38,001 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: Hey friends, it's Kelly from Life Audio. We just launched 2 00:00:41,501 --> 00:00:45,181 Speaker 1: something new. It's called The Good Word, our free weekly 3 00:00:45,241 --> 00:00:48,120 Speaker 1: newsletter built for people who want to go a little 4 00:00:48,161 --> 00:00:54,011 Speaker 1: deeper in their faith. Think devotionals, guided prayers, curated podcast recommendations, 5 00:00:54,191 --> 00:00:57,311 Speaker 1: and a little community all in one place. No ads, 6 00:00:57,651 --> 00:01:00,091 Speaker 1: just good content. This one means a lot to us. 7 00:01:00,491 --> 00:01:03,271 Speaker 1: We built The Good Word based on the audience survey 8 00:01:03,491 --> 00:01:05,671 Speaker 1: so many of you filled out a few months back. 9 00:01:05,971 --> 00:01:08,571 Speaker 1: You told us what you wanted and we listened. So 10 00:01:08,590 --> 00:01:11,560 Speaker 1: thank you truly for helping us shape this. Head to 11 00:01:11,580 --> 00:01:14,161 Speaker 1: the link in the show notes and join our community today. 12 00:01:14,481 --> 00:01:15,421 Speaker 1: We'd love to have you. 13 00:01:25,931 --> 00:01:30,011 Speaker 2: Thank you for listening to Your Nightly Scripture, a calming 14 00:01:30,071 --> 00:01:34,411 Speaker 2: scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day 15 00:01:34,881 --> 00:01:37,551 Speaker 2: with God's word in your mind and on your heart. 16 00:01:40,591 --> 00:01:43,851 Speaker 2: Right after this short word from our sponsors, we'll reflect 17 00:01:44,011 --> 00:01:58,171 Speaker 2: on tonight's scripture, Philippians chapter 2. Tonight's scripture reflection is 18 00:01:58,211 --> 00:02:03,021 Speaker 2: written by Amber Ginter and read by Carrie Eichberger. Philippians 19 00:02:03,081 --> 00:02:10,201 Speaker 2: chapter 2. Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being 20 00:02:10,281 --> 00:02:14,351 Speaker 2: united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if 21 00:02:14,511 --> 00:02:18,731 Speaker 2: any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 22 00:02:19,391 --> 00:02:23,770 Speaker 2: then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the 23 00:02:23,831 --> 00:02:27,391 Speaker 2: same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 24 00:02:28,211 --> 00:02:32,081 Speaker 2: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, 25 00:02:32,120 --> 00:02:36,321 Speaker 2: in humility, value others above yourselves. not looking to your 26 00:02:36,461 --> 00:02:39,221 Speaker 2: own interests, but each of you to the interests of 27 00:02:39,261 --> 00:02:43,361 Speaker 2: the others. In the relationships with one another, have the 28 00:02:43,401 --> 00:02:47,921 Speaker 2: same mindset as Christ Jesus, who being in very nature God, 29 00:02:48,341 --> 00:02:51,631 Speaker 2: did not consider equality with God something to be used 30 00:02:51,861 --> 00:02:55,611 Speaker 2: to his own advantage. Rather, he made himself nothing by 31 00:02:55,671 --> 00:02:58,831 Speaker 2: taking the very nature of a servant, being made in 32 00:02:58,891 --> 00:03:02,551 Speaker 2: human likeness, and being found in appearance as a man, 33 00:03:02,951 --> 00:03:07,020 Speaker 2: he humbled himself, by becoming obedient to death, even death 34 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:11,721 Speaker 2: on a cross. Therefore, God exalted him to the highest 35 00:03:11,781 --> 00:03:15,340 Speaker 2: place and gave him the name that is above every name, 36 00:03:15,901 --> 00:03:18,581 Speaker 2: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, 37 00:03:19,121 --> 00:03:22,441 Speaker 2: in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and 38 00:03:22,541 --> 00:03:26,161 Speaker 2: every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the 39 00:03:26,201 --> 00:03:30,870 Speaker 2: glory of God the Father. Therefore, my dear friends, as 40 00:03:30,931 --> 00:03:34,861 Speaker 2: you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, But now, 41 00:03:34,981 --> 00:03:38,001 Speaker 2: much more in my absence, continue to work out your 42 00:03:38,061 --> 00:03:41,381 Speaker 2: salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who 43 00:03:41,461 --> 00:03:44,801 Speaker 2: works in you to will and to act in order 44 00:03:44,861 --> 00:03:49,551 Speaker 2: to fulfill His good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 45 00:03:50,071 --> 00:03:53,211 Speaker 2: so that you may become blameless and pure, children of 46 00:03:53,271 --> 00:03:57,591 Speaker 2: God without fault in a worked and crooked generation. Then 47 00:03:57,631 --> 00:04:00,131 Speaker 2: you will shine among them like stars in the sky 48 00:04:00,611 --> 00:04:03,321 Speaker 2: as you hold firmly to the word of life. And 49 00:04:03,381 --> 00:04:05,611 Speaker 2: then I will be able to boast on the day 50 00:04:05,651 --> 00:04:08,731 Speaker 2: of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 51 00:04:09,531 --> 00:04:11,431 Speaker 2: But even if I am being poured out like a 52 00:04:11,491 --> 00:04:15,191 Speaker 2: drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, 53 00:04:15,771 --> 00:04:18,711 Speaker 2: I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So 54 00:04:18,770 --> 00:04:21,931 Speaker 2: you too should be glad and rejoice with me. I 55 00:04:22,031 --> 00:04:24,931 Speaker 2: hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you 56 00:04:25,010 --> 00:04:28,171 Speaker 2: soon that I also may be cheered when I receive 57 00:04:28,221 --> 00:04:31,181 Speaker 2: news about you. I have no one else like him. 58 00:04:31,651 --> 00:04:35,311 Speaker 2: who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone 59 00:04:35,351 --> 00:04:39,021 Speaker 2: looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 60 00:04:39,941 --> 00:04:43,481 Speaker 2: But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as 61 00:04:43,561 --> 00:04:46,081 Speaker 2: a son with his father, he has served with me 62 00:04:46,140 --> 00:04:49,581 Speaker 2: in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to 63 00:04:49,661 --> 00:04:51,591 Speaker 2: send him as soon as I see how things go 64 00:04:51,630 --> 00:04:54,151 Speaker 2: with me, and I am confident in the Lord that 65 00:04:54,251 --> 00:04:57,210 Speaker 2: I myself will come soon. But I think it is 66 00:04:57,291 --> 00:05:01,631 Speaker 2: necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker 67 00:05:01,711 --> 00:05:05,440 Speaker 2: and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you 68 00:05:05,461 --> 00:05:07,880 Speaker 2: have sent to take care of my needs. For he 69 00:05:07,961 --> 00:05:11,041 Speaker 2: longs for all of you and is distressed because you 70 00:05:11,101 --> 00:05:15,681 Speaker 2: heard he was ill. Indeed, he was ill and almost died. 71 00:05:16,321 --> 00:05:19,601 Speaker 2: But God had mercy on him, and not on him only, 72 00:05:19,651 --> 00:05:24,411 Speaker 2: but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore, 73 00:05:24,571 --> 00:05:27,131 Speaker 2: I am all the more eager to send him, so 74 00:05:27,151 --> 00:05:29,771 Speaker 2: that when you see him again, you may be glad. 75 00:05:30,161 --> 00:05:34,351 Speaker 2: and I may have less anxiety. So then, welcome him 76 00:05:34,471 --> 00:05:37,671 Speaker 2: in the Lord with great joy and honor people like 77 00:05:37,731 --> 00:05:40,710 Speaker 2: him because he almost died for the work of Christ. 78 00:05:41,371 --> 00:05:44,011 Speaker 2: He risked his life to make up for the help 79 00:05:44,071 --> 00:05:52,361 Speaker 2: you yourselves could not give me. I was frustrated. No, honestly, 80 00:05:52,380 --> 00:05:56,621 Speaker 2: I was beyond mad. Tired of those around me getting 81 00:05:56,661 --> 00:06:00,251 Speaker 2: what I worked so hard to achieve. Not only that, 82 00:06:00,811 --> 00:06:06,291 Speaker 2: but I was exhausted by insecurity and self-protection, attempting to 83 00:06:06,331 --> 00:06:10,991 Speaker 2: defend and prove myself, seeking validation in all the wrong places. 84 00:06:11,931 --> 00:06:16,611 Speaker 2: Choosing the mind of Christ, especially when we are facing comparisons, 85 00:06:17,091 --> 00:06:23,531 Speaker 2: difficult relationships, pride, or struggles with self-worth, isn't easy. Our 86 00:06:23,630 --> 00:06:30,281 Speaker 2: natural mindset often centers and thrives on survival, recognition, and control. 87 00:06:31,141 --> 00:06:35,361 Speaker 2: But is that what Paul describes in Philippians 2? Probably not. 88 00:06:35,380 --> 00:06:39,831 Speaker 2: In Philippians 2, Paul calls the believers to adopt the 89 00:06:39,871 --> 00:06:44,411 Speaker 2: mindset of Christ. Jesus had all authority, yet He chose 90 00:06:44,491 --> 00:06:48,731 Speaker 2: a life of humility and servanthood because He knew that 91 00:06:48,751 --> 00:06:52,121 Speaker 2: what was ahead would be better than anything He left behind. 92 00:06:53,221 --> 00:06:56,481 Speaker 2: Unlike many in the world around Him, Jesus didn't cling 93 00:06:56,521 --> 00:07:00,861 Speaker 2: to status or security. He willingly humbled himself, and his 94 00:07:00,940 --> 00:07:06,741 Speaker 2: obedience ultimately led to sacrifice. There's a misconception today that 95 00:07:06,801 --> 00:07:12,131 Speaker 2: humility is self-hatred or making oneself invisible. Both couldn't be 96 00:07:12,171 --> 00:07:16,031 Speaker 2: further from the truth. The mind of Christ doesn't mean 97 00:07:16,331 --> 00:07:21,111 Speaker 2: thinking less of yourself, but rather finding your security and 98 00:07:21,171 --> 00:07:25,891 Speaker 2: identity in Christ alone. It's allowing us to love others 99 00:07:26,011 --> 00:07:31,231 Speaker 2: freely and without comparing ourselves to them. Anxiety and insecurity 100 00:07:31,611 --> 00:07:35,571 Speaker 2: will continue to tempt us toward these inclinations of comparison 101 00:07:35,611 --> 00:07:42,311 Speaker 2: and self-protection. But Jesus models surrender, steadiness, and obedience rooted 102 00:07:42,371 --> 00:07:47,911 Speaker 2: in trust. Her success doesn't equate to your failure. Choosing 103 00:07:47,961 --> 00:07:52,041 Speaker 2: this mindset daily is difficult, and we won't do it perfectly. 104 00:07:52,801 --> 00:07:57,031 Speaker 2: But over time, God can shape our heart and produce 105 00:07:57,211 --> 00:08:01,991 Speaker 2: real strength. Strength that looks gentler and more humble than 106 00:08:02,031 --> 00:08:08,241 Speaker 2: the world. Strength that makes peace, compassion, and healthy relationships 107 00:08:08,321 --> 00:08:13,901 Speaker 2: a priority. What mindset have you been carrying lately? Confess 108 00:08:13,941 --> 00:08:17,791 Speaker 2: it to God and remind yourself of this truth. I 109 00:08:17,861 --> 00:08:22,831 Speaker 2: must operate from my identity in Christ and not in security. 110 00:08:26,911 --> 00:08:30,511 Speaker 2: Dear God, tonight I release the pressure to prove myself. 111 00:08:31,311 --> 00:08:34,431 Speaker 2: You gave your life so that I would be set free, 112 00:08:35,131 --> 00:08:38,271 Speaker 2: but also to show me that my worth isn't earned 113 00:08:38,331 --> 00:08:42,531 Speaker 2: by what I do. Please renew my mind and shape 114 00:08:42,611 --> 00:08:47,731 Speaker 2: my heart to look more like you. I love you, Jesus. Amen. 115 00:08:49,361 --> 00:08:52,701 Speaker 2: How did tonight's scripture speak to you? Share your thoughts 116 00:08:52,901 --> 00:08:54,901 Speaker 2: in the Your Nightly Scripture Forum discussions. 117 00:09:03,511 --> 00:09:08,991 Speaker 3: Thank you for listening to Your Nightly Scripture. Tonight's scripture 118 00:09:09,431 --> 00:09:13,721 Speaker 3: was read from the New International Version by Biblica, all 119 00:09:13,801 --> 00:09:20,461 Speaker 3: rights reserved. If tonight's episode blessed you, be sure to 120 00:09:20,541 --> 00:09:25,401 Speaker 3: follow the show on Apple Podcasts so your next nightly 121 00:09:25,441 --> 00:09:31,211 Speaker 3: scripture is ready when you are. Your Nightly Scripture is 122 00:09:31,251 --> 00:09:36,351 Speaker 3: a production of Thank you, and we'll see you tomorrow night.