Sheep and Goats – The Presidential Prayer Team

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. – Philippians 2:3

How have you been treating Jesus lately? You might answer that you have treated Him well: praying, reading your Bible, and worshiping at church a couple of times a week. But then think of the passage where Jesus describes Judgment Day when the sheep are separated from the goats. He made the point that how you treat “the least” is how you treat Him. With this in mind, how have you been treating Jesus lately?

Today’s verse says to count others as more significant than yourself. This may seem like an impossible task. Sometimes it may be all you can do to daily care for yourself and your family. However, responsibility is not the issue. No one can be responsible for everyone on the planet. “Count,” in this instance, means to regard. Whenever you interact with others treat them as though they are more important than you are. Treat them with the kindness and consideration you would like to have. Intercede for them as you would your loved ones. When the opportunity arises to meet a need you are able to fill, do so.

Jesus died for everyone. Every individual has value. Jesus said that the Father cares for birds and fields, will He not care for you? (Luke 12:24, 28). When you interact with others, remind yourself that Jesus thought they were worth dying for. “While we were still sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). As you pray for the country, remember the lost and those who are trapped in sin. Pray that they will receive Jesus as their Savior and be released from what has taken them captive. Pray for grace to count others as more significant than yourself.

Today’s Verse: Philippians 2:3

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Matthew 25:31-46

³¹“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. ³²Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. ³⁴Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ³⁵For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ³⁶I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ ³⁷Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? ³⁸And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? ³⁹And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ ⁴⁰And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

⁴¹“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴²For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, ⁴³I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ ⁴⁴Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ ⁴⁵Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ ⁴⁶And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”