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If there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and
mercy, fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal.
Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider the other as more important than yourself. Each of you
should look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of the other. Make your own attitude that of
Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own
advantage. Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He
had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death.
Live your lives in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. It is God who is working in you, enabling you both to will
and to act for His good purpose. Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure,
children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the
world. Hold firmly the message of life. Make it your goal to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the
fellowship of His sufferings. For I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to
completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you can
determine what really matters and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness
that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. And do this one thing: forget what is behind and reach
forward to what is ahead, pursue as your goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made
known to God. He will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. And the peace of God,
which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally children, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is commendable – if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise – dwell on these things.
Remember, you can do all things through Him who strengthens you. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you both.
Amen.
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