MERRY CHRISTMAS! Let This Mind Be In You!

Psalm 8:1

My Shepherd has been speaking to me about how He elevated mankind in His incarnation into human flesh. He laid me down in Philippians 2:5-11.

“Being in the form of GOD,” He “made himself of no reputation,” “took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men.” In that fashion, He “humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross”  (Philippians 2:6-8).

God created man in His image and after His likeness, with some differences: man could sin, and man could die (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:16-17). Man fell in sin, defiled the image, and brought sin and death into the world (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12).

God made Himself in the likeness of men so that He Who knew no sin could be made to be sin, and die for us (2 Corinthians 5:21; see Hebrews 2:17; see Romans 5:8). This is His Christmas (Christ-Sent) gift! (John 3:16).

He gave this “gift” a name, incarnate GOD, God made flesh, the man in whose image He became, and that Name is JESUS (Matthew 1:21-25). JESUS! The name our Father chose for GOD, Who created the man, and then became man to elevate man to restore the image of God in man and complete the mission: He made us joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).

Along the still waters, I reflected on the wonderful truth. Creator God became created man that He might make created man like the Creator Who made him. “Wherefore, God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of JESUS (God made in the likeness of man) every knee shall 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” (Philippians 2:10-11).

I heard the Shepherd calling me to come down into the valley and meet with Him there. He pointed to my cross and said, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). He took His cross to save you! Take yours to serve Him: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). He said, Do this, and you too will glorify the Father in My Name!

At the table, He anointed my head with His oil, filled my cup with His grace, and said, “Come, follow Me.”

Merry Christmas!

Praying for revival! 🙏