Bible League: Living His Word "The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."Status in the Kingdom of God is different than status in the kingdom of darkness. In the kingdom of darkness, on the one hand, having a high status means that one is served by others. In the Kingdom of God, on the other hand, having a high status means that one serves others. The life of Jesus Christ is the perfect example of status in the Kingdom of God. Although He had the highest status, "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) and "though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant" (Philippians 2:6-7). Those in the kingdom of darkness that have high status, exalt themselves, and are served by others pay a penalty for their affectations. They will be humbled. God does not sit idly by while the proud lift themselves up above everyone else. Rather, "God opposes the proud" (James 4:6). The proud are guilty of reversing the proper order of status in society. Instead of serving others, they demand service from others. Since they have violated God's ordained order, He opposes them and brings them down. Jesus spoke the words of our verses for today in reference to the scribes and Pharisees, whose prideful religious system was brought down completely with the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Those in the Kingdom of God that have high status yet humble themselves by being of service to others are rewarded for their service. They will be exalted. God does not overlook the service of the humble to everyone else. Rather, He "gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). The humble uphold the proper order of status in society. Instead of lifting themselves up, they look for ways to serve others. Since they have upheld God's ordained order, He exalts them and lifts them up. Thus Jesus, unlike the scribes and Pharisees who were brought down from their self-exaltation, was exalted by being lifted up and seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2). Today, take stock of the status you have achieved in the Kingdom of God – and then determine if you have allowed it to go to your head. Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading2 Chronicles 26, 27, 28 2 Chronicles 26 -- Uzziah Follows in Judah, Prospers, Undone by Pride NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 2 Chronicles 27 -- Jotham Succeeds Uzziah in Judah NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 2 Chronicles 28 -- Ahaz Follows Jotham in Judah, Compromises with Assyria NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading John 17 John 17 -- Jesus Prays for Himself, His Disciples and all Believers NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.”Insight Some self-professed athletes can “talk” a great game, but that tells you nothing about their athletic skills. And not everyone who talks about heaven belongs to God's kingdom. Jesus is more concerned about our walk than our talk. He wants us to do right, not just say the right words. Challenge Your house (which represents your life) will withstand the storms of life only if you do what is right instead of just talking about it. What you do cannot be separated from what you believe. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon 1 Chronicles 5:22 There fell down many slain, because the war was of God.Warrior, fighting under the banner of the Lord Jesus, observe this verse with holy joy, for as it was in the days of old so is it now, if the war be of God the victory is sure. The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh could barely muster five and forty thousand fighting men, and yet in their war with the Hagarites, they slew "men, an hundred thousand," "for they cried to God in the battle, and he was entreated of them, because they put their trust in him." The Lord saveth not by many nor by few; it is ours to go forth in Jehovah's name if we be but a handful of men, for the Lord of Hosts is with us for our Captain. They did not neglect buckler, and sword, and bow, neither did they place their trust in these weapons; we must use all fitting means, but our confidence must rest in the Lord alone, for he is the sword and the shield of his people. The great reason of their extraordinary success lay in the fact that "the war was of God." Beloved, in fighting with sin without and within, with error doctrinal or practical, with spiritual wickedness in high places or low places, with devils and the devil's allies, you are waging Jehovah's war, and unless he himself can be worsted, you need not fear defeat. Quail not before superior numbers, shrink not from difficulties or impossibilities, flinch not at wounds or death, smite with the two-edged sword of the Spirit, and the slain shall lie in heaps. The battle is the Lord's and he will deliver his enemies into our hands. With steadfast foot, strong hand, dauntless heart, and flaming zeal, rush to the conflict, and the hosts of evil shall fly like chaff before the gale. Stand up! stand up for Jesus! The strife will not be long; This day the noise of battle, The next the victor's song: To him that overcometh, A crown of life shall be; He with the King of glory Shall reign eternally. Daily Light on the Daily Path Genesis 39:3 Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand.Psalm 128:1,2 A Song of Ascents. How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. • When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you. Psalm 37:3,4 Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. • Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Matthew 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 2 Chronicles 26:5 He continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God prospered him. Deuteronomy 8:11,17 "Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today; • "Otherwise, you may say in your heart, 'My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.' 1 Chronicles 22:18 "Is not the LORD your God with you? And has He not given you rest on every side? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the LORD and before His people. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
Click for Video Devotionals     |