MONDAY: A NEW DEFINITION OF GREATNESS
KEY PASSAGE
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
DEVOTIONAL
Children tend to mimic the example of the people that they spend the most amount of time with. They pick up every word, phrase, facial expression and action that is made. The example is then replicated. As Christ followers, our example is Jesus. We are called to replicate the example He set for us.
The King and Savior that was prophesied was misunderstood by the Jews. They believed that He would come as a powerful military leader who would save Israel from Roman rule and restore Israel’s independence. But, Jesus’ life began in a lowly, humble position - born in a manger, in a cave, not an infant king born into a strong and lavish kingdom. His entire life demonstrated humility that eventually led to “taking the nature of a servant, humbling himself and was obedient to death on a cross” (Philippians 2:6-8) for all of humanity.
From a cultural standpoint, this example seems wild! Culture tells us to serve ourselves—to value our interests, fight for the higher position, seek out the platform and attention of others. Jesus had every right to hold onto power, status, and glory but he laid it all down for the sake of others. Humility seems like a position of weakness, but it is actually a position of incredible strength. The posture of humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less. This is the posture that God honors. A posture
that is not filled with self-centered ambition, but a posture of humble, quiet obedience.
As we take the posture of humility in every area of our lives, our love for others grows
CHALLENGE
Ways to Grow in Humility:
Remember the example of Jesus
Practice Gratitude
Ask for accountability
Intentionally look for ways to quietly serve others.
Ask God for a humble heart.
Which of these do you sense God is leading you to implement into your daily life?
TUESDAY: SECURE IDENTITY FREES US TO SERVE
KEY PASSAGE
“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
DEVOTIONAL
As Christ followers we have been given a new identity in Christ—the position of sonship, but many of us are living as slaves. There are two things that the apostle Paul is contrasting in this passage that deals with identity. First, is the position of a slave who lives rooted in fear wondering if anything they do will ever be enough. The second position is that of a child (a son or a daughter) who lives rooted in the assurance of belonging and full acceptance. Many of us live in the posture of fear—fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear that no matter what we do it will never be enough.
But, the Spirit of God that lives in each of us as a Christ follower is here to remind us today that you are a child of God! The gospel transforms our identity from slave to son or daughter. The Holy Spirit removes the fear of rejection and replaces it with the assurance of your position as His child. You are deeply and securely loved by God!
When we live from the secure position of “I am a child of God” we can begin to reflect His character in the way we live and serve others.
CHALLENGE
“Abba” is an intimate word for “Father” or “Daddy”. When you cry out to your Heavenly Father by saying “Abba” you are expressing the depth of your relationship with Him. It is communicating your dependence, closeness, and trust in Him.
Do you have that kind of relationship with God today? Are you living from a place of fear or from a place of full acceptance and belonging? Talk with Him today...start with “Abba”....
WEDNESDAY: FORMED INTO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST
KEY PASSAGE
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
DEVOTIONAL
The apostle Paul takes us to a funeral service in Galatians 2:20. He is communicating that the process of becoming more like Christ requires death - death to our personal will, old patterns, and the person we were before we met Jesus. In Christ, we have been given new life. Jesus changes everything.
Being formed into the image of Christ does not require that you try harder to change, but it requires a deeper yielding and surrendering to God’s will. It’s much like a potter with a mound of clay. The clay has no power in and of itself to change; it must yield to the potter’s hands to be molded into its greater purpose. It is the same way for us as the children of God.
Spiritual formation does not happen overnight. It is a gradual process where we must yield to God, allowing Him to remove what does not align with His character and refine what does. As we spend time with God, the Holy Spirit begins to reshape us from the inside out. He reshapes our desires, attitudes, and actions.
So, what is the evidence of a transformed life? Fruit! Galatians 5:22 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self- control.” We cannot produce this fruit on our own. But as we stay connected to Christ and surrender to God’s work in our lives, He produces the fruit! Humility will begin to replace pride. We will choose forgiveness over resentment. Our love for others will be sacrificial instead of self-serving. We will choose to trust God rather than try to control. This is the evidence of Christ living in us!
CHALLENGE
What area of my life is God reshaping right now?
Am I resistant to any part of this process?
Take some time in prayer to yield that area of your life to God so that He can work.
THURSDAY: LIVING FROM APPROVAL, NOT FOR IT
KEY PASSAGE
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
DEVOTIONAL
The most subtle, yet intoxicating, trap we find ourselves in is the pursuit of approval. Whether we like it or not, we are vulnerable to the opinions and perspectives of other people. If we are not careful and are not secure in our identity, we can allow those things to shape what we believe about our worth.
Everywhere we look there is always something more to obtain. More applause, likes, affirmation, or validation to receive from people, often, at the expense of our performance. In fact, sometimes we can even find ourselves becoming more relaxed in our convictions–and the truth we claim–in order to gain approval from others.
Yet, the Gospel message is quite clear on this point: we don’t live for approval; in Christ, we live from approval.
Paul understood that you cannot simultaneously be mastered by people’s opinions while also being surrendered to God’s purpose. Approval does not get developed; in Christ, approval has been deposited. Jesus died and rose again so that we can be found as sons and daughters of God. Not by merit, but by a miracle. In Christ, our identity is secure, and it is not contingent on the opinions of others.
CHALLENGE
SEE - Take notice of times where you feel anxious about other people’s opinions of you.
SAY - In those moments, ask yourself: “does this mean more to me than God’s approval of me?”
SURRENDER - Pray simply: “God, I choose to be reminded of who I am in you: Called, Chosen, Approved, Enough, Loved Fully. There is nothing that can change that, certainly not the opinions or approval of others.”
FRIDAY: CHOSEN FOR A DIFFERENT WAY OF LIFE
KEY PASSAGE
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
DEVOTIONAL
Did you know you have been chosen to be set apart? The word “Holy” means distinct, set apart, or removed from the masses. This does not necessarily mean outcast, but it does mean distinguishable.
For many of us, we can find it easy to want to blend in and settle for a faith that meshes well with society. However, Paul tells us in Romans 12:2 not to conform to the patterns of this world, but to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. How are our minds renewed? By remembering what we have been called into and chosen for through Christ.
We are called and chosen to be light in the darkness, salt in a thirsty world, and hope in a hopeless culture. We are ultimately called and chosen to live set apart. We do this by not being against the world, but by being for the world. So much so that we invite others into a way of life that goes against the grain of culture and leads to true, abundant life: the way of Jesus.
Being chosen means being different.
Not different for the sake of superiority.
Not different in order to isolate ourselves.
But different in purpose, character, hope, and allegiance.
We no longer mirror the culture’s values. We forgive when bitterness feels justified. We pursue purity when compromise is easier. We live generously when selfishness is normal.
Ultimately, we are called, as a chosen people, to reflect God’s nature - set apart for His purpose.
CHALLENGE
REFLECT: Write down three declarations about who you are in Christ from this passage.
RETAIN: Pray this prayer: “Lord, would I be eager to cling to these truths every day, in every space, to be a light to all people.”
RESPOND: Notice moments where you can be bold in your faith this week. Share your testimony, pray for someone, redirect a conversation that may cause you to fall into the ways of the world, etc.