“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you”…
And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35, NKJV). The twelve disciples of Jesus were a mix of backgrounds and personalities. Under other circumstances, it’s quite possible some of…
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“I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me” (Psalm 51:3 in the New International Version of the Holy Bible). I think all of us remember being asked by our parents to apologize for hurting someone or doing something wrong. Sometimes it was said under our breath and without conviction but we managed to mumble the words, “I’m sorry.” Have you ever apologized to God without really meaning it? God requires an attitude of penitence like, David, the writer of this Psalm describes. It’s the kind of apology or repentance that comes from deep down in your heart where only God can see it. This plea for God’s mercy was a big first step for David who had committed the terrible sins of adultery, lying and murder (see 2 Samuel 11-12). What makes this prayer acceptable to God was David’s complete honesty about his sin. He saw his mistakes clearly and admitted the seriousness of his offense against God. Inner honesty like that gets God’s attention and His pardon.
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Prayer: Lord, I come before you today in complete humility. I must confess that I find it hard to be honest about my sins. My heart resists acknowledging my wrong doing. Help me to be willing to throw myself upon Your mercy confessing all of my faults and failures. Cleanse me, O Lord! In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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Devotion by: Julie Long
“And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.” I Samuel 18:14.
As we read the account of David’s life after he had slain Goliath, we see why he was called a man after God’s own heart. David, no doubt, was completely aware that he had been chosen to be the next king, yet he submitted himself to Saul and obeyed him.
Saul plotted to have him slain by the Philistines, and even by his own son Jonathan. But, in all instances, God provided a way of escape. Saul lied to David by promising to him his oldest daughter as wife, and when he later gave him the younger daughter it was meant to trap him. Through it all, David remained humble and obedient to Saul.
Eventually, David had to flee from Saul, but even in his time of exile, he still was submitted, even giving up a couple of chances to kill Saul. He was submitted to God and loyal to the one who God had anointed. He was willing to wait for God’s timing to fulfill His plan. In due time, God gave him the kingdom.
How often we get impatient and are not willing to wait for God to work out His plans for our life. Like David, we must be faithful, and trust God for His timing.
Prayer: Lord, may we live each day faithful to you, and trusting your guidance and direction.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible). We live in a world of self absorbed people! Many are of the opinion that the world revolves around them. Look on social media at the selfies posted every day. Selfies are fine and…
“He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree” (Luke 1:51-52 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible).
Pride has no value. It gives a false sense of self-importance that exists only in the imagination of the heart. When God was looking for a human vessel to accomplish His will, He bypassed all of the high profile candidates and chose a humble young woman who was “powerless” in the eyes of society. God demonstrated that His favor rested upon those who followed Him in spite of the world. Though God handpicked her from all of the women on the face of the earth, Mary did not claim any glory from it.
Prayer: Lord, You value faithfulness, trust, and obedience above everything. Teach me these essential qualities and help me to never claim glory for myself. Amen.
Devotion by Julie Long