Tag Archives: and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

He Who Is Greatest

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The Virtuous Life - Day 220 - Matthew 23-11-12 - He Who Is Greatest - Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 220 – Matthew 23-11-12 – He Who Is Greatest – Growing As Disciples

But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.  And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12 (NKJV)

True Greatness

How would you define true greatness? What will you do to live a life that could truly be called great? Sometimes, I have wondered if desiring to live a life that could be called great is desire that is pleasing to you. Do you think I want you to live a life that isn’t great? Do you think I want you to live a life that would be called average or maybe even below average? Well, that sounds ridiculous. I’m glad that you think so. I’m sure that defining greatness is the key. It is. The world defines greatness in a way that I am certain is at odds with your definition of greatness. How so? The world’s definition of greatness is not rooted in humility. The world’s definition of greatness is not centered in serving others. The world’s definition of greatness revolves around rising above others. It is rooted and centered in a prideful desire to get ahead, and be better, and have more than others. If you are rich, the world would call you great. If you are powerful, the world would call you great. If you did something spectacular and especially noteworthy, the world would call you great. The world would never regard humbly serving others as being great. The world would never regard quietly loving others as expressed by humble acts of service as being great. Greatness according to the world is rising above others to be served by them. It is never following your example of humbly and selflessly loving others with no thought of return. True greatness never expects to be paid back. True greatness loves and gives sacrificially because it is following your example. True greatness does what is pleasing to you. True greatness stores up treasure in heaven with you. The efforts of true greatness bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I want to live a life that is truly great. I want to follow your example. I want to think as you thought. I want to speak as you spoke. I want to act as you acted. I will humble myself as I serve you and others. That will be true greatness. Thank you, Lord

Lord, you have given me an example to follow. You have shown me what it means to humbly serve others. I will follow your example. I want to live a great life of humbly serving others. I want to bear lots of fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Amen

Key Question…  What will you do if you want to live a life that could be called great?

Living It Out…  Follow the Lord’s example and live a great life of humbly serving others.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that you will live a great life as you follow the Lord’s example of humbly serving others.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are currently engaged in humbly serving others.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you exhibit true greatness by humbly serving others.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

The Virtuous Life – Day 220 – Matthew 23-11-12 – He Who Is Greatest – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                                Copying not permitted                                           www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Take The Lowest Place

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Take The Lowest Place- Luke 14:7-14 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Take The Lowest Place- Luke 14:7-14 – Growing As Disciples

But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:10-11 (NIV)

You Go First

This is probably not your favorite verse, is it? No, not really. Why is that? The topic hits pretty close to home. What do you mean by that? I know that I battle pride. Yes, you do. It’s good that you understand that this verse is not really about where you sit at a table. Yes, I know that choosing where to sit is just one indication of the condition of my heart. What are others? I was afraid you might ask that. Actually, I was certain that you were going to ask that. It’s a question that makes you a little uncomfortable, doesn’t it? Yes, it does. Why do you think that is? It’s hard to honestly take a look at my pride. What’s hard about it? I know it’s there within me, just lurking below the surface. It’s pretty disgusting. I’d rather not have it. I’d rather it go away. Do you think that it will go away if you deny that it exists? No, I’m sure that it won’t. Do you think that your pride can be dealt with if we talk about it together? Yes, I suppose that it can. Let’s do that then. Alright, I’m game.

How does pride show itself in your life? I can think of a bunch of ways. Let’s hear a few. Frequently, I have to be right. I must win the argument. I like to debate. So, in a debate or argument, I gather all the arguments I have so that I can win. How do you feel at the end of the debate when you’ve won? It feels very unsatisfying to win debates or arguments. Most often I regret having the debate or argument at all. I know that it is possible to win the argument or debate and loose relationally at the same time. Why is that? Debate losers think debate winners are jerks and a lot of the time they are. Right. You don’t want that. No, I don’t. How else has pride been showing itself in your life? I talk too much. I need to make my opinion known. I frequently interrupt others. I listen very poorly and I certainly don’t pick up on the feelings of others very well. I hate to say this, but I like to be the center of attention. Yes, I’ve noticed that. Is there one more way that pride has been showing itself in your life? Yes, I don’t want or need help. I’m self-sufficient. Do you really believe that? No, not at all. I just live and act as if I don’t need help. Do you think that asking for help shows some kind of weakness? I’m not even sure why I don’t ask for help. I know that I am weak. I know that I need help. Right now for example, I need all your help to set aside my pride to live the life of humility you desire for me. So, you’re confessing sin and asking for my help? Yes, I am. That’s very good. How about starting with what this parable suggests? What’s that? Let others always go first in all things. That includes far more than choosing a seat at the table. I want you to regularly ask me a question. What’s that? Ask me how you can serve others and let them go first. When should I ask that? When do you think? I think I should ask you that question all the time. Why is that? Because, I really do need your help all the time. Yes, you do. So, I’m asking for it. That’s very good.

Lord, thank you that you love, accept and recognize me. Help me to know in my heart that I am special to you. Help me to express your love and acceptance to others, as I humble myself, so they can be recognized and honored as being special to you as well. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Parable – Luke 14-7-11 – Take The Lowest Place – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                                                        Copying not permitted                                                                                    www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

The Pharisee And The Tax Collector

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Parables - The Pharisee And The Tax Collector - Luke 18:13-14 - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Parables – The Pharisee And The Tax Collector – Luke 18:13-14 – Growing As Disciples

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:13-14 (NIV)

Humble Yourself

Be careful. About what? I think you already know. But, let’s talk about it. Don’t think too highly of yourself. In what ways? In every way. I created you. You are the work of my hands. All that you have and all that you are comes from me. You have not made yourself. Everything you have is a gift from me. I know that. Yes, I know that you do. But, it is a trap and a trick of the devil to make you think of yourself more highly than you ought to. I want you to guard against this attitude becoming a part of your thinking. I will watch out. A sure sign that you are in trouble is if you have begun to look down on other people. Have you been doing this at all? I suppose maybe I have. If I have it wouldn’t have been a deliberate attitude or choice that I made. I’m not denying that some part of me has been proud and maybe even feeling a little superior. I know that I am not superior to anyone at all. I am a sinner desperately in need of forgiveness, just like everyone else. It’s very good that you realize and acknowledge this. I have something to say about your prideful attitude not being a deliberate choice. What’s that? Pride is very deceptive. It slinks and slithers in slowly like a snake. If you aren’t very careful, you won’t even notice it. That’s why I pointed out a sure sign of pride being a superior attitude toward other people. You can always monitor your pride by asking me, “how is my attitude toward other people?” If you have a problem, I will show it to you. Are there any other signs of pride you want to point out to me? I’m glad that you asked that. Yes, there are two more I want you to think about. I’m listening.

When you trust yourself and not me, that is also a sign that pride has a strong grip on you. If you are wise in your own eyes, what need will you have of me? I don’t ever want to have that attitude. How will I know if I’m in trouble on this point? Monitor how you make your decisions. Are you bringing your questions to me and asking me for help? If you’re not then you have wandered into pride filled independence that will get you into trouble. If this is where you find yourself, stop and return to me and ask for my help and guidance. I will. What else do you want me to consider?

When you have begun to think that you are not a sinner or have no sins you need to confess to me, then pride has overtaken you. You are a sinner and you will have sins you need to confess. There is no reason to deny this to yourself or before me. I want you to have a heart that is always ready, willing, and able to confess your sins to me. You and I don’t want any unconfessed sin to hinder our relationship or your ministry for me. You’re so right about that. I don’t want to hide from you because of pride and sin. What do you suggest that I do? When we meet together daily, ask me if there is any sin that you need to confess. If there is, I will help you to see it so that you can confess it and be forgiven, cleansed and free of it. Will you do this? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, there is no doubt about it. I am a sinner. I haven’t sinned just a little bit. No, I am completely unrighteous. I am confessing and turning from all my sins to follow you. Thank you for forgiving and cleansing me of all my sin.  Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Parables – Luke 18-13-14 – Pharisee And Tax Collector – 4 Page Study Discipleship Devotional  Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                                                                     Copying not permitted                                            www.GrowingAsDisciples.com