Using Moment-by-Moment Dependence on God To Make A Difference

In summary of Philippians 2:4 it says, “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

Bottom Line:
Forget about yourself long enough to lend a helping hand to others.

What this means to me:
I need to learn and practice looking beyond myself and my own interests in order to show concern for others and to lend them a helping hand.  This means I need to mature my thinking beyond a selfish child.  God commands me "Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too." (Philippians 2:4 TLB)  This is a challenge, a difficult mental shift mainly because I’m naturally self-absorbed.  Our culture promotes this (advertising encourages us to think of ourselves) it’s all around us and the way most people live their lives.   The only way I can possibly make a mental switch is through a “moment-by-moment” dependence on God.   It is fortunate for me that he doesn’t leave me to struggle on my own about this; God has given me the Holy Spirit who dwells within me.  One way I can learn and practice is to ask the Holy Spirit to help me think of the spiritual needs of unbelievers I come in contact with.  I can say, “Father help me to understand what is keeping this person from knowing you."   I can then work on determining where they are in their spiritual journey and help bring them a step closer to knowing Christ.  I can adopt Paul’s mindset, "don't think about what would be good for me but about what would be good for many people so that they might be saved."   With this in mind, I will work on thinking and taking a different approach in the relationships I encounter today.