Tag: humility

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Playing Favorites

Daily Reading

Genesis 43-45

Daily Thought

Jacob knew the sting of favoritism, “Isaac loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob” (Genesis 25:28). His father had preferred his firstborn brother. Favoritism produced pain and division, placing one child first above the others, yet, Jacob, when it was his turn, chose a son to favor, as well. Joseph may not have been his firstborn son, but he was the firstborn son of Rachel, the wife Jacob favored. Indeed, the sins of the father visit the children to the third and fourth generation (see Exodus 34:7). “Now Israel (Jacob) loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors” (Genesis 37:3). Of course this caused dissension, but even after the other sons disposed of Joseph (they sold him off as a slave), Jacob learned nothing. He promptly promoted Rachel’s second son, Benjamin, in Joseph’s stead and the favorite’s chair continued to be filled.

This pattern of primacy would be broken, at last, by way of humility. Judah, one of Joseph’s brothers, chose to be last instead of first. When Benjamin’s life appeared to be threatened, Judah offered his in exchange, “Please let me remain instead of Benjamin as a servant to my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers” (Genesis 44:33). Judah offered his life for the sake of his brother’s. True greatness is never first in line. Serving and sacrifice always get there before it.   

Joseph appears the hero of the last dozen chapters of Genesis, but God’s Son, the Servant King, would descend not through the favored line of Joseph, but through a different son, a servant. “Jesus…the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham” (Luke 3:33-34). Serving others is in God’s DNA.

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” ~Mark 10:45

Daily Prayer

My God, Your Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords, died on the cross in my place. I tend not to rule that way, but my Creator does. How pompous I am, the desire to be first reigns in my heart, yet the One who is truly First places Himself last, in the role of servant.

I have learned from Your Son, my Savior, that to be first I must be last. You shine through me when I love and serve others. May I be one who follows You downward, emptying my own pride, and replacing it with love and sacrifice.

Amen

Daily Question

What are some ways your family has made serving others part of your DNA?

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Pride

Daily Reading

Genesis 8-11

Daily Thought

Debbie and I were staring into the sun watching our 7-year-old’s soccer game. I had a hat, Debbie didn’t. She wished she had one, though, and thought she left one in the car, so I hiked to the car and looked and found no hat. Taking off my hat, I returned to the sidelines, and put it on her head. She thanked me for getting her hat, and did not notice I was missing mine. She never noticed. Finally, after the game, we walked to the car and I opened her door, and as she got in, I took my hat off her head and put it back on mine. Now she noticed. 

God favors us when we do what is good regardless of the glory, but I wanted the recognition and was willing to trade God’s blessing for it. It is a sin called pride.

After God rescued the family of Noah from the Flood, God repeated the command he had given first to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth” (Genesis 9:1). This was God’s plan for us, but again, we disobeyed. “Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth’” (Genesis 11:4). We learned nothing from the Flood.

God created humanity and commanded us to fill the earth and subdue it (Genesis 1:28; 9:1). He created us to worship Him and rule the world. But the people of Babel said, “No thanks. We’d rather stay in Babel and make a name for ourselves.” They wanted the recognition and they were willing to trade God’s favor for it. 

God made us in His image, reflecting His glory, but we prefer our own, and God’s image is dulled. We pay a terrible price for our pride.

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, God of glory, You are so very much worthy of my devotion and praise. I see Your handiwork in creation, I sense Your majesty in myself made in Your image. But most of all, I see You in Your Son, Jesus Christ. The authority of heaven blended with the humility of grace. Born in a manger, died on a cross, You rule on the throne of heaven.

May I follow You so closely that Your ways become mine. To be first, be last. To serve rather than be served. To be a praise giver, not a getter. To love You and others.

Amen

Daily Question

What is an area of pride in your life that you know God isn’t happy with, and what can you do about it?

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A Team Sport

Daily Reading

Philippians 1-4

Daily Thought

Paul begins his letter to the church in Philippi, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3-5). Paul found joy in his partnership with others and the purpose which bound them together. Paul understood what it means to be a team, “Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose” (Philippians 2:5). 

There was no better coach in basketball than John Wooden. He had the stars, but that’s not why he won. He understood the team and the game. “No UCLA basketball player’s number was retired while I was coach, not because there weren’t outstanding players, but because other fellows who played on our team also wore those numbers.” Wooden argued, “The star of our team is the team.”

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others,” wrote Paul (Philippians 2:3-4). Wooden would agree, “A player who makes the team great is more valuable than a great player.” Christianity is a team sport. Our joy in following Jesus is found through our partnership with the team, the church, “being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” (Philippians 2:2), and the purpose of the game, “to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:11). 

“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians 2:5

Daily Prayer

God, Your ways are so beyond me. You are holy and good and just and righteous. I am a sinner, yet You came for me. My world does not work that way. Yours does. In my world, I chase what matters to me. In Your world, You chase… me! And everyone else!! You are the one who pursues, who seeks us and saves us, and You left everything to do it.

What kind of love is that? It’s a love I want more than anything in the world. It is Your love that compels me to leave everything and follow You. I can truly love others because You first loved me. 

Amen

Daily Question

Who are you helping to become better?

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But

Daily Reading

2Chronicles 25-27

Daily Thought

It is sad when you hear something good, then it’s followed by a “but.” Three chapters, three kings in a row, each began well, “but.” King Joash “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest (2Chronicles 24:2), but then Jehoiada died, “and they abandoned the house of the Lord” (2Chronicles 24:18). King Amaziah, “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet (same as a “but”) not with a whole heart” (2Chronicles 25:2). 

The third one is King Uzziah who “set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah” (2Chronicles 26:5). Zechariah instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as Uzziah sought the Lord, he prospered. Uzziah’s name means “My strength is the Lord,” and from that strength came success. Enemies were conquered, the army grew strong, the walls of the city were fortified, the land was replenished and the people were well fed. Uzziah’s name became famous among the nations, “but (there’s that word) when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction” (2Chronicles 26:16). Uzziah’s strength became himself and his name lost its meaning. 

Humanity’s first sin is pride, to be like God, without first knowing what God is like. Jesus Christ, the King of kings, “being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped; rather, he made himself nothing” (Philippians 2:6-7). Jesus chose the path of humility. He said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). And when faced with the ultimate cross, Jesus said, “Not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). That’s where your “but” belongs.

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, may I be a reflection of You in this world, which means may I live like Jesus. In humility, I will serve others, considering them before myself. Keep reminding me that You are my strength. I too easily forget. Restore me, O God, when I fail, but even more, guard my heart when I succeed.

When I reflect on Your wonder and glory, I love better. The terrible temptation of pride is overcome by worship because I remember my Creator. May all that I do lift people’s eyes toward You, that You may be praised by all.

Amen

Daily Question

The greatest commandment is “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27). Do you?

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The Deadlier Disease

Daily Reading

2Kings 4-5

Daily Thought

Naaman was commander of the army of Aram and showed up at the door of the prophet Elisha with power–horses and chariots, silver and gold. He also showed up with leprosy. Naaman thought himself a great man and should be treated as such. God, however, is not impressed with power and Elisha, the prophet of God, instead treated the leper, not the great man, “Go, wash yourself in the river.” Naaman went away angry. Naaman was a hero and expected a hero’s cure, something flashy in keeping with his stature. “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper” (2Kings 5:11). 

Naaman thought his problem was leprosy. Elisha treated a deadlier disease called pride.

A Roman centurion, a great man and mighty warrior, showed up at the door of Jesus with his servant who was paralyzed and suffering. Said the centurion, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:8). God is not impressed with power, but delights in humility and faith. Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment (Matthew 8:13).

I come to God to fix my problems, my illnesses, my finances, my enemies. Instead, God treats the deadlier disease, my pride, my greed, my lust. That’s the miracle. 

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, why do I try to impress You with what I can do? As if I can bring anything to You that You need. You created all things, You own the cattle on a thousand hills. It’s not because You have any need that You delight in my company. You simply delight in my company. I don’t understand that, but I’m thrilled.

God, thank you for healing my heart. I bring nothing to You except my faith, my devotion, my obedience, and my love.

Amen

Daily Question

How do you know what you should pray for?

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The Question

Daily Reading

Luke 17-18

Daily Thought

The Pharisees were held in high regard by the people. They were thought to be very religious and very righteous, and the Pharisees, themselves, agreed with this assessment. Tax collectors, on the other hand, were despised by the Jews, and deservedly so. They sold out to the oppressive Romans, collected taxes from their fellow Jews, and got rich by collecting more than was due. 

Jesus told a parable comparing these two. “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector’” (Luke 18:11). 

The question, however, is not, “Am I as good as my neighbor?” The Pharisee was. In fact, he was better, “I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get” (Luke 18:12). So the Pharisee, when he prayed, asked for nothing, and that is what he got. 

Jesus continued, “But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’” (Luke 18:13). 

The real question is, “Am I as good as God?” The tax collector is not–not even close. Neither, by the way, is the Pharisee–not even close. The tax collector, however, would rather count on God being good than he being good, and when he prayed, asked for something, for mercy, and that is what he got.

Daily Prayer

Jesus, I live in a world that too often competes and compares, rather than love and lift up. Keep me from pride. Give me humility like You. I mean, You are God, and yet You think of others more than Yourself and sacrificed Your life fully for our sake. May I learn to love others like You do, rather than learning to serve self like the world does.

Jesus, be merciful to me, a sinner. Thank You for Your love, Your salvation.

Amen

Daily Question

What are some of the things you pray about the most?

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The Greatest

Daily Reading

Luke 14-16

Daily Thought

Nolan Ryan, an outstanding baseball player, let his talent speak for itself. Rickey Henderson, also outstanding, did not. On May 1, 1991, Henderson stole a base for the 939th time, becoming baseball’s all-time stolen base leader. Rickey stopped the game, tore third base from the ground and held it high over his head like the Wimbleton trophy before the cheering crowd. This was his day! After the game, standing beside his friend, his mentor, and the man who prior to this day held the record, Rickey announced to the world, “Lou Brock was the best base-stealer in his time. But today, I’m the greatest of all time.”

Jesus noticed who sat where as he had dinner with a bunch of religious leaders, so he told a parable. 

“When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place.” ~Luke 14:8-9

Unfortunately (for Rickey), on that same day, 44-year old Nolan Ryan threw his 7th no-hitter, three more than second place and the oldest pitcher to throw one, After the game, Nolan Ryan quietly showered and went home. The next morning, Rickey did make the front page of the sports section, but below the fold, because above the fold, the large headline read, “Nolan Ryan Steals the Thunder.” Ryan, taking the humble seat, was exalted.

“But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” ~Luke 14:10-11

Take the most humble seat and you will find yourself sitting next to Jesus.

Daily Prayer

Awesome God, Jesus, Your Son, left His seat in heaven and took the lowest place on earth, the cross. The place I belonged. And yet, in that low place, His is the Name above every name, King of kings, Lord of lords, and every knee shall bow. 

What is amazing is that I do not need to steal Your glory. You made me in Your image, and because of the work of Your Son, I am heir to your riches. I did nothing to deserve it, but through Your grace, I am a child of God. Make me more like You, Jesus. Empty my pride. May I live to lift others up high enough to see how wonderful You are.

Amen

Daily Question

Whose opinions do you care about most?

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Peace on Earth

Daily Reading

Luke 2-3

Daily Thought

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not…” ~Luke 2:8-10 

The angels said, “Fear not,” not because they are not terrifying. They are! And not because we should not fear them. We should. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” said Solomon the wisest (Proverbs 9:10). Fear is not merely respect, but appreciation, a terrifying appreciation of God’s overwhelming majesty, his awesome power, and something even more, his wonderful goodness–and how much we fall short, how much we are outside, even at war, with his goodness. We rightfully fear the fulness of God’s majesty, his power, his justice, and his goodness, so, Jesus comes in humility to a little town of Bethlehem, to a manger, to shepherds in a field.

The angel of the Lord said, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:10-12).  God chose shepherds in the field, not kings in their palace, because kings would consider it their due. Shepherds have no illusions to their own power or majesty or position. It is only in humility that a baby in a manger will be recognized as Savior of the world. God chooses shepherds to show us the Savior.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” ~Luke 2:13-14

Peace is not something found in this world, it finds us from heaven. This is the beauty of Christmas, God finding favor in shepherds and an unwed mother and her husband-to-be and wise men from the east who kneel before their Savior. Peace comes when you fear God, and nothing else. 

Daily Prayer

Almighty God, like King David, I am amazed that you pay attention to me. That You would come to us, not in Your majesty, but in humility. I did not find You because I look in the wrong places, not Bethlehem, not a manger, so You found me in humility. You brought me to my knees and I would stay there, but You lifted me up and now I stand before You and for You. 

Thank You for the peace that passes any earthly understanding. I look forward to that day when You come again in full majesty, and peace returns to its eternal place in this world. I love You, Jesus. 

Amen

Daily Question

Do you fear God? Should you? What does it mean: to fear God?

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The Path of God

Daily Reading

Micah 1-7

Daily Thought

Micah, like ever so many prophets of God before and after him, called out God’s word to God’s people, “Hear, you people, all of you; pay attention, O earth, and all that is in it” (Micah 1:2). It was a message of judgment, a message repeated as often as needed, which is why there are seventeen books of the prophets in the Hebrew Bible. The prophets rebuked the people and the people rebuked the prophets, “One should not preach of such things; disgrace will not overtake us” (Micah 2:6). 

Actually, it will, and it did–the Assyrians destroyed Israel in 722 BC, the Babylonians took Judah into captivity in 586 BC. “Hear this, you heads of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who detest justice and make crooked all that is straight” (Micah 3:9)–you had it coming. 

But every prophet of judgment brings a prospect of hope, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths” (Micah 4:2). Micah urged the people of God to take hold of the heart of God.

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel” (Micah 5:2). 

When God considered Christmas, when God thought about entering into our world, sending his Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, he made an amazing decision about the home of his birth. It was not to be a palace, fit for a king. It was not to be a mansion, worthy of his glory. It was not to be a temple or a church, a place you might expect to find God. God’s choice of a home for Christmas was a cold manger in a dirty stable in a little town called Bethlehem. 

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” ~Micah 6:8

To walk with God is to walk in justice and kindness and humility for that is the path he chooses.

Daily Prayer

Lord God, let me never take life for granted. May I never forget that each day is a gift from You and rejoice and be glad in it. May I store up treasures in Your Kingdom, may I be heavenly minded, may my first love always be You and may I always walk humbly, display kindness, pursue justice, fully showing your love to others. 

Then truly will I have life and life to the full. Then truly will I eat, drink, and be glad.

Amen

Daily Question

In what ways has God made you into a different and better person?

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The Tide Came In

Daily Reading

Ezekiel 25-27

Daily Thought

God now prophecies, not against Judah, but against the nations surrounding her, for they took pleasure in her pain, yet shared her guilt. The climactic judgment is against Tyre, for she prided herself most of all. 

“O Tyre, you have said,
‘I am perfect in beauty.’
Your borders are in the heart of the seas;
your builders made perfect your beauty.” ~Ezekiel 27:3-4

There is a story told of the wisdom of King Canute of England. When entering a room, the flattery began. “Your highness, there is nothing you cannot do,” sang one. “Great Canute, you are the monarch of all,” fawned another. “Nothing in this world dares to disobey you.  The world bows before you, and gives you honor.” 

The king answered. “In that case, bring me my chair, and we will go down to the sea.  Put it right at the water’s edge.”

“Sea,” cried Canute, “I command you to come no further! Waves, stop your rolling!  Surf, stop your pounding! Do not dare touch my feet!” He waited a moment, quietly, and a tiny wave rushed up the sand and lapped at his feet.  Another wave swept forward and curled around the king’s feet. The tide came in, just as tides always do. The water rose higher and higher. It came up around the king’s chair, and wet not only his feet, but also his robe.

“Well, my friends,” Canute said, “it seems I do not have quite so much power as you would have me believe. My men, there is only one King who is all-powerful; and it is he who rules the sea, and holds the ocean in the hollow of his hand. It is he whom you ought to praise and serve above all others.”

“Therefore thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Tyre, and will bring up many nations against you, as the sea brings up its waves” (Ezekiel 26:3). Tyre, a seafaring port on the coast of Phoenicia, boasted of her ship building and sea trade. But a ship serves the sea and the sea serves at the pleasure of God.

And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” ~Mark 4:39, 41

Daily Prayer

God, You are God and I am not. That’s one of the smartest things I can say. “I did it my way,” one of the dumbest. I am not in charge and the universe does not revolve around me. Sometimes I act like it does. I am sorry.

Almighty God, You are the center of my universe, my King of kings, my Lord and Savior. To live for Your pleasure is to live life to its fullest because it is what I was created to do.

Amen

Daily Question

Is it okay to be proud of your accomplishments? Why or why not?