Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.

Hi, Pastor Bob here. Welcome back to the Men of Valor podcast. The verse for today is Galatians chapter 2 verse 20. It states, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”

"My default setting was always...me!"

Success, number one, achievement - were goals that the world taught most of us. In sports, we learned: If you win, you get a trophy. (You actually had to win in my days to get a trophy.) And along with the trophy, you got recognition!

Man, I can identify with those apostles at the Last Supper arguing, “Who's the best?” We did that all through grade school, high school, college, work, sports, grades, sales bonuses - me, me, me! Without saying it, I always wanted to see if I did better than others. I learned ‘Success and prosper, and people will treat you well. They’ll serve you before they serve others - and you will be highly thought of through life.’ The song in the seventies by Whitney Houston, “The Greatest Love of All,” says, “The greatest love is to love yourself.” That was an easy one for me, and perhaps it is for you?

Just two simple tests for you - if you think you're over that “me” setting: Who do you look for first when you're in a group picture? Or, how many of your sentences start with the words “me” or “I?” They sure often did for me, and I notice they do for many many people.

As the Holy Spirit started to touch me through the Word, and I would read things in Matthew like Jesus saying, “Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.” And He would say, “Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant.” And again He would say, “Whoever humbles himself as this child - he's the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” And then, after washing the disciples feet instead of them washing the Son of God’s feet, Jesus said, “If I then, the Lord and teacher, washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet.” As the Word came alive and continued to grace me, He gradually opened my eyes to the truth! Jesus said, “The greatest love is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength, and to love your neighbor as you love yourself.” I spent most of my life thinking the greatest love I could have was for me!

"The default page of “me”... thankfully started to switch as I cried for God, and He graced me and continues to transform me..."

I encourage you to read the Word for yourself. See what it says about pleasing the Father God and serving others. If it was all about prosperity, comfort and health for self, the apostle Paul, man he really missed it!

"...ask the Lord today to change your default setting if it is set to “you” - and change it to God and to others."

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word. We thank You for showing us just how important love for You, our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, and love for others is to You. Thank You for demonstrating humility and servanthood during Your days on earth Lord Jesus. We ask that You touch each one of us today - that You’d become our default page for everything, every day in our lives. What an amazing God we serve. God bless.