MONDAY: COMPASSION THAT ACTS
KEY PASSAGE
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
DEVOTIONAL
Compassion is not just a feeling you experience, it is a garment you put on.
Jesus is recorded to have had compassion towards people multiple times in the gospels. However, Jesus did not simply feel compassionate, He WAS compassion. Every moment of every day He embodied compassion.
Paul challenges the church in Colossae, and all believers, to clothe ourselves with compassion. Meaning we choose daily to put it on ourselves. If we do not decide to clothe ourselves in compassion, not only do we present the opportunity to rob people of experiencing Jesus out of our lives, but we also rob ourselves from being able to see people like Jesus does.
Compassion does not stay dormant, it is active.
Compassion moves. It steps in. It interrupts schedules. It notices pain. It feeds, comforts, advocates, forgives, and serves.
Feeling sorry costs us little. Acting compassionately costs something.
Jesus didn’t just feel compassion for the hungry, He fed them. He didn’t just feel compassion for the sick, He healed them. He didn’t just feel compassion for sinners, He transformed them.
Our mission as believers is not only to feel like Jesus did, but to do as Jesus did and does today. Clothing ourselves in compassion is how we can embody this mission.
CHALLENGE
Ask - Pray this prayer, “Lord, empower me to clothe myself with compassion today so I may see, feel, and do as you do.”
Allow - Open yourself up to opportunities to walk out this compassion. Look for those around you who may need to be met by compassion.
Act - Don’t leave your compassion dormant, act on it. Offer encouragement to someone in need, feed someone who may be hungry, pray for someone who may be hurting, etc.
TUESDAY: LIVING AN INTERRUPTIBLE LIFE
KEY PASSAGE
“While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples. Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment. When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. News of this spread through all that region.”
DEVOTIONAL
Jesus lived a life littered with interruptions, whether they were from his disciples constantly at His side asking questions, or thousands of people coming from surrounding cities to see and experience these miracles they had heard about.
We see Jesus get interrupted back to back in Matthew 9, but notice His response: Ready and willing. Jesus knew what He was sent here for, but He also loved people so much that serving them was His greatest joy.
We should follow Jesus’ example, because along the way we may experience miracles that were years in the making. Jesus is responding to the healing of the little girl, but also heals a woman who was suffering for 12 years along the way.
There are miracles God wants to do in your yes. There are people who need you to be willingly interrupted. Jesus was interrupted and went with a joyful heart, not because it was a part of the agenda, but because He came to serve.
CHALLENGE
Take time today to ask God to help you see people as Jesus saw them.
Maybe they are not interrupting to be a nuisance, they are interrupting because they need something.
And today when you are interrupted, have a joyful attitude, and serve with a ready and willing heart.
WEDNESDAY: SENT AS JESUS WAS SENT
KEY PASSAGE
As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
DEVOTIONAL
Jesus was sent to give Himself for this world. This was done on purpose and for a purpose. In life we can get discouraged by this world, the things happening around us that we can not control, and often this discouragement can lead us to inaction.
Jesus calls us to live a different life. He calls us to action. Serving others is one of the greatest joys of life. Through service we build connection, relationship, and ability to impact someone for their whole life.
The Greek word for “sent” is the word apostellō and this means: “to go to a place appointed.” When Jesus was sent, He was appointed by God the Father to come to earth; and as Jesus has sent us, we are appointed to go to all the world.
May this thought ring true in all of our hearts and souls as we live this life, aiming to best represent Jesus to the least and lost in the world.
You are appointed. You are not an accident. You are not a second choice. You are chosen. You are given authority for “such a time as this” to love the people around you including those who may feel the most left out and forgotten. Our opportunity to serve them will lead to Jesus being known.
CHALLENGE
Take a moment and write down the three places you spend most of your time (Work, school, home, sports fields, etc.)
Write down some things you will do to better represent Jesus in these places.
THURSDAY: EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT
KEY PASSAGE
“After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”
DEVOTIONAL
Did you know that in the same moment you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is your Lord and receive him as your Savior, you also receive the Holy Spirit? This is called immediate indwelling, when the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in you and marks you as a follower of Jesus.
It’s this simple: If you have Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit. He is the Helper, Comforter, and Advocate; the Spirit of Truth, Promise, and Revelation. This is the same Spirit who filled the early Church and who fills us as followers of Jesus today, and the Spirit is not stagnant within us. The filling of the Holy Spirit moves us to DO something, and to do it boldly.
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” – James 2:26
Just like the Red Letter Way journey starts with BEING and moves into actionable steps, our relationship with the Spirit is the same. As the Spirit works in our lives over time in a multitude of ways, each completed work in us leads us to a bold, God-glorifying action.
CHALLENGE
How has the Holy Spirit been working in you? Is he helping, comforting, or advocating for you? Is he speaking truth into your life? Is he revealing knowledge or wisdom to you?
Write down the ways you notice the Holy Spirit working in your life.
You might notice the Holy Spirit prompting you to respond with action. Sharing your faith… Forgiving someone who wronged you… Confessing sinful behavior… Encouraging a friend… Purchasing someone’s meal… Helping a coworker with a project… Meeting your neighbor… Talking to that parent at the sporting event… Asking a classmate out for coffee…
Write down what you feel prompted to do.
What is your primary emotion in moving in an act of faith? Excitement… joy… fear… frustration… eagerness… procrastination… Be honest with God about how you feel.
Write down a completed version of this sentence: “Today, filled with the Spirit, I will boldly __________ .”
FRIDAY: DEVOTED TO DO WHAT IS GOOD
KEY PASSAGE
“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.”
DEVOTIONAL
Your salvation allows you to do good. Now that Jesus has cleansed you and led you out of the chaos of sin and selfishness, what is he leading you to do? Christians are here to do good work, to be good, and to show goodness to those around us. Verse 8 sums this up saying that believers should be “careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.”
That we should be “careful” suggests that doing good does not come naturally to us, that our impulses and emotions may take us in the opposite direction if we are not careful. The word “devote” brings to mind a daily decision and practice to do good. As Christians we order our lives based on doing good in the world. Our goals, our actions and our words are for good, and we should be careful not to be distracted from this. Being and doing good is not easy. It’s not any easier because we are saved by Jesus. We are saved by grace, filled with the Spirit, and we now have this task to do.
We can trust that when we are led by God, having been saved by His grace and made heirs of His eternal kingdom, to do the good work he has given us to do, that it will be “excellent and profitable for everyone.” This is the “trustworthy saying” Paul gives us in Titus 3, and now that we are saved, we should live a life that goes and does good in the name of Jesus.
CHALLENGE
We have spent these 4 weeks reading devotions on Serving. Now let’s devote our lives to doing good, serving each other, serving the stranger, and serving the Lord.
Create a daily practice that continues beyond these readings to seek the Lord on what, where, and how you can be and do good in your life.
MONDAY: GOD SEES FAITHFUL SERVICE
KEY PASSAGE
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”
DEVOTIONAL
When you are discouraged it is easy to feel that your work is forgotten. You may feel like no one notices the good things you do. You may even feel like God has forgotten. It is normal to feel discouraged at times, but we should never allow our feelings to discourage us from continuing faithfully in the work God has given us to do; and we shouldn’t allow our feelings to distort our view of God.
It is God’s nature to be just. He would be denying His nature if he forgot our work for Him. God is just, therefore He justly sees our faithful service. God sees us and remembers when we do what is right, when we act faithfully, and serve others in love.
The problem is, sometimes we do things in hopes we will be seen and applauded by other people. We all want to be seen, but who do you most want to be seen by? Do you want the approval of your peers, friends, colleagues, or family more than you want the approval of your Heavenly Father? Our longing to be seen sometimes muddies the water, making it difficult to see clearly.
We get off track when we rely on the attention and applause of other people, and the results are often discouraging. You can rely on the attention of God, who justly sees the work you do, faithfully for Him.
Don’t be discouraged. Remain faithful. Continue to work diligently for the Lord, and know that He sees you.
CHALLENGE
Maybe today is a fresh start.
Consider the value of chasing recognition from anyone other than Him.
Allow God to check the motives of your heart.
If you feel tension pulling towards recognition or applause, simply release it.
Find relief today in the grace of God who knows you and sees your love for Him when you serve.
TUESDAY: ETERNAL REWARD
KEY PASSAGE
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
DEVOTIONAL
Notice how this Scripture starts with “therefore,” meaning we need context to what was said before this. After many chapters of instruction to the Church on many details– how to worship, teach, disagree, use spiritual gifts, marry, settle lawsuits, handle immorality, choose holidays, etc.-- the letter turns to a reminder of the gospel that holds all these new believers together:
“By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you… that Christ died for our sins.” (v.2-3)
Then we are reminded why it matters that Jesus arose from the dead: the resurrection of Christ assigns immense value to everything we do on earth. What we sow here reaps eternal reward.
“When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’” (v.54)
Before we meet Jesus, we live by earthly intentions– what do I want, need, desire, dream of and long for? How do I get what I want and enjoy it now?
Once we meet Jesus, earthly intentions are clothed in eternal ones. We see life through a new lens, which is: death does not erase our impact. What we do and who we become lasts forever. And in Jesus, death leads to victory instead of destruction. The letter concludes with this:
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (v.58)
CHALLENGE
So, brother or sister, are you standing firm or are you easily moved?
Are you fully focused on life with Jesus or are you distracted by fleeting earthly desires?
Do you act knowing what you do matters forever or are you acting on instant gratification?
Allow God to hold a mirror to your heart to help you see what he sees– the good and the bad (don’t worry, he can handle it). Write these things down, then hold them up like you are looking in a mirror.
Meditate on (repeat in your mind) this truth as you go about your day: “I matter to God because God matters to me. I matter today because today matters forever.” Notice how this repetition of thought forms the actions you take today.
WEDNESDAY: SERVING WITHOUT ANY EXPECTATION OF RETURN
KEY PASSAGE
Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
DEVOTIONAL
Think of the phrase, “return the favor.” There is an idea in our culture of doing someone a favor in expectation of a return. The definition of “favor” is an “act of kindness beyond what is due or usual.” A favor is something beyond what is earned or deserved, yet we often think that it should be repaid. This points to a transactional tendency in our nature. Jesus points us to a different way of thinking.
In Luke 14:12-14 Jesus speaks to a prominent Pharisee who hosts a dinner to which only the most wealthy and respected inner-circle of people were invited. Imagine Jesus’ sorrow as he looked around the table and thought of all of the people who were not welcome there. Think of his sorrow as he considered the host’s motives for inviting his guests. Jesus tells the Pharisee to see things from an eternal perspective.
Sure, friends, family, rich neighbors, and those in the same social circle as you will feel obliged to repay you for your hospitality in this life. But if you show hospitality to those who have no means to pay you back and simply host people out of kindness, expecting nothing in return, you will be repaid with an eternal reward.
God showed us favor by sending His son to pay for our sins. There is no way to return the favor. He gave to us freely not because we were worthy, deserving, or in any position to do anything in return. As we learn to serve one another, we must keep a heavenly perspective. There is a great banquet to which everyone is invited: rich, poor, able-bodied, disabled, influential, forgotten. Everyone has a seat at the table. What would your life look like if you saw things this way?
CHALLENGE
Jesus tells us to serve people who don’t expect it, expecting nothing in return.
Make a list of people who you spend most of your time with. Who do you feel you owe something to? Who do you feel owes something to you?
Pray and ask God to help you see things like He does.
Ask Him for an opportunity to expand your circle and to bless someone you wouldn’t expect to repay you.
THURSDAY: FAITHFUL SERVICE IN SECRET
KEY PASSAGE
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven… your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
DEVOTIONAL
Here, Jesus warns us of our tendency to desire affirmation from people and from God. The religious leaders would often exchange their desire for God with a desire for approval of, status above, power over, and affection from people. And if we are honest, this is a universal tension among believers.
Every single human being possesses the fundamental need to be seen, known, and loved. We all need these three things to live a functional, joyful, relational, full life.
Life experience teaches you to meet the “seen, known, and loved” need with obedience, performance, achievement, loudness, cultural conformity, and applause. But in the Christian life, you must trust God to meet your “seen, known, and loved” need solely with himself.
Jesus asks to meet with you in the secret place and keep it just that– secret. He does this because he is after your heart. And your heart is instructed by your ego (your sense of self). And your ego is formed by the affirmation and rejection you experience. The secret place is where your worldly ego dies by allowing God to be your source of affirmation. Which means God defines your ego– your sense of self– and your identity! And it is only when you know who you are in Christ that you know how to live a life for him, which is a life serving God and others.
CHALLENGE
Have you been in the secret place lately? If not, take 10 minutes to be there.
What is God confronting you with in the secret place? Maybe he revealed negative thought patterns, limiting beliefs, or sinful behaviors. Remember, he brings this to mind because he is teaching you to see the identity he has for you, not to shame you.
Who does God bring to mind in the secret place? Maybe it’s someone you love, like your spouse, child, or best friend. Or maybe it’s someone you struggle to know how to love– a disgruntled co-worker, a needy neighbor, an offensive friend, an argumentative family member. Remember that a life spent with Jesus is a life spent serving others.
Whoever God brings to mind, take initiative to serve them today, knowing that God affirms your act of service even if this person never will.
FRIDAY: LIVING TO PLEASE GOD
KEY PASSAGE
“Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.”
DEVOTIONAL
“We aim to please!” is a common phrase used in customer service. It is a way of saying “we’re happy to help and we’re willing to do whatever it takes to assure the customer is satisfied”. There is a goal in mind: to please the customer. It would be silly to think of God as a customer, but as Christians, we have a goal. We aim to please Him. Everything we do in this life should be aimed at pleasing the Father.
2 Corinthians 5:6 brings up the fact that we are still living in this world, that we are “at home in the body” and therefore, “away from the Lord.” We aren’t living in the presence of God yet, but in faith, we know that day is coming (vs.7-8). So what should we do while we are still here? We set for ourselves the goal of pleasing God, no matter where we are, “whether we are at home in the body or away from it.”
The problem is it is so easy to spend our time pleasing someone else. While we are “here” it is so much easier to chase validation and approval from people who are also “here.” How much of what you do is to please other people? Is your goal to please people? We should be God-pleasers, not people-pleasers. God’s will is perfect. So, the good news is if we aim to please God, it will end up being what’s best for people as well.
We make it our goal to please Him because what we do in this life matters to God. Our actions extend beyond our life, into eternity with Him. We will always serve God. He will always be worthy of our service, even after our lives end, when we are in His presence forever.
CHALLENGE
Sometimes it takes time to readjust and make God your focus.
Take a few deep breaths.
Allow God to examine your heart.
Pray and ask Him if there are any goals, mindsets, or patterns that have aimed you away from Him.
Who are the people that you are regularly feeling pressure to please?
Bring these names to the Lord and ask Him to help you reframe the way you serve them.
MONDAY: LOVE THAT MOVES
KEY PASSAGE
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead”
DEVOTIONAL
Maybe you have heard the saying “Don’t just talk the talk, walk the walk”. This can apply to so many areas of our lives, including marriage and friendship. I can tell my spouse all day that I love them, but if that love never moves me to action, the marriage will suffer. I can tell someone they are my best friend and mean the world to me, but if I never check in or make time for them, they would question the sincerity of our friendship.
This Scripture is not telling us that we can work our way to heaven or that faith in Jesus is based on works. Rather, it teaches that true love for and faith in Jesus should be accompanied by real genuine action. We should be moved into action: to pray, to serve, to give, to forgive, to love. If we claim faith in Christ but there is no fruit to show for it, our faith is simply lifeless.
Maybe you are feeling like your faith is lifeless or stale. It could be because action has yet to follow your faith. As you allow your faith to move you into action, you will see it grow stronger. Your faith will become vibrant, alive, and full of purpose!
CHALLENGE
I once heard a pastor say “Preach the Gospel, and when necessary, use words”. Consider how you could Preach the Gospel this week with your actions. This could be joining a serve team at church, or volunteering time to a compassion ministry in the community. This could also be giving someone some extra time on the phone today, or paying for the meal behind you in a drive-thru line. Ask God to show you how to LIVE out your faith, and watch Him build your faith in the process!
TUESDAY: WILLING TO DO THE SMALL THINGS
KEY PASSAGE
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving”
DEVOTIONAL
Sometimes we can get so caught up in what we want to be doing, that we miss the unique opportunity in what we are doing right now. Most of life is spent in the mundane, in-between moments. Yet, it is here that we can learn to see God regularly and serve Him mightily.
As a follower of Jesus, the attitude we take is that no matter what we do, we do it unto the Lord. That means whether I am running a business, stocking shelves, or anything else in-between, I do it FOR the Lord because He has blessed me with the place I find myself in.
Too often, we think we need something more from Jesus to experience joy, when the real gift He has for us is joy in the everyday, right here and right now. So, we serve Him with all we have, no matter what we find ourselves doing.
Why wait for joy when it is available today? Whatever you find yourself doing, even if it seems small, it is still significant work. Ultimately, it is not done for people, but for God. So work well today, because you work for Jesus!
CHALLENGE
Whatever your work is today - whether you are an on-the-clock employee, a stay-at-home mom, or the caretaker of a family member - take a moment before you begin to sit and breathe. Remind yourself that you work for Jesus. Ask Him to help you view your work in this way, and to help you execute your work in this way. Take a moment in the middle of your work today to pause, and thank Him for the work He has given you!
WEDNESDAY: HUMILITY IN ACTION
KEY PASSAGE
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
DEVOTIONAL
The word “devoted” here, speaks of a kind of affection found in close family relationships; it is the mutual love of a mother, father, brother, sister, or child. It is a kindred love. So, our devotion to one another as fellow believers ought to be demonstrated in this way. We honor one another because we are family in Christ. Family that runs even deeper than blood relation, one rooted in our heavenly home.
We are also called to maintain our “zeal” - to fan the flame of our faith, earnestly and diligently serving God. So when you serve, how do you do it? What is your posture? Do you serve out of duty, or because you don’t want to disappoint someone? Maybe it is to check a spiritual box or earn some brownie points with God? Scripture shows that our posture in service ought to come from a place of humility. It is humility in action. We serve one another because we see each other as true family in Christ. Yes, family can be messy and uncomfortable at times, but family takes care of each other. So we seek to honor our family in Christ. We keep the “why” in front of us, helping us to not serve out of ritual but out of true excitement and passion for God.
CHALLENGE
Are you serving in church? Maybe you have been serving for a long time in the same place and it feels like a thoughtless ritual now. Maybe you have never served in the church. Consider what the Lord would have you do now. Is it time to start serving? Is it time to step up into a new or different role? Spend some quiet time in prayer today and ask God to speak to you about serving. Trust that He is leading you.
THURSDAY: USING WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN
KEY PASSAGE
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
DEVOTIONAL
When we come to faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit takes residence within us. Each of us is then given what Scripture calls the Gifts of the Spirit. Romans 12:4-8 tells us we all have different gifts - such as encouragement, teaching, giving, prophesying, mercy and more. If you believe in and follow Jesus, YOU have been given spiritual gifts!
Our Scripture today tells us we are to use these gifts to serve others “as faithful stewards of God’s grace.” These gifts are not for us, they are for others. We were given them to build the kingdom of God, and to care for one another. We are to be good stewards of this, meaning we are to take good care of what has been graciously given to us.
How many of us have given someone a very thoughtful gift, only to see it go unused? Or maybe we have been the person to never use a great gift that was given to us. God desires that we actively use the gifts He has given us, not tuck them away under the bed or in the attic. So the question is: what gifts have you been given, and how are you using them?
CHALLENGE
Grab a pen and paper and find a quiet space. Jot down what you think your Spiritual gifts may be. This doesn’t have to be intimidating. Simply start by asking yourself these questions below. Don’t put pressure on yourself, this is simply an exercise to help you start thinking. Most importantly, invite God into this moment with you.
What am I passionate about, what sets my heart on fire?
What breaks my heart?
Since following Jesus, what has He nudged me to do?
What do others say they see in me?
FRIDAY: CONSISTENCY OVER CONVENIENCE
KEY PASSAGE
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
DEVOTIONAL
Serving others can be exemplified by looking at the results in Galatians 6:9-10. A farmer who is working a field does not stop working once the seed is scattered. He must nurture and care for the field consistently. The farmer has built up habits and routines to make sure the seed that was spread will grow into a harvest. If the farmer relied on how he felt, working the field would not be his first choice, because it is hard, inconvenient work.
Serving others is similar. It also requires effort and willingness to be inconvenienced. When we serve others, it may start off as feeling uncomfortable. The important thing to remember is that consistency is key.
Consistency builds familiarity and familiarity can lead to comfort. What may start as something that feels out of place will quickly become second nature when it is done consistently. Jesus set the example for us: serving is not optional in the kingdom of God, it is mandatory. Serving others not only helps expand the kingdom, it expands our capacity to love others.
CHALLENGE
One way to help expand your capacity in anything is to repeat it often. Growth requires repetition. In what ways can you challenge yourself to serve on a more consistent basis this month? It can be with your family, your friends, your small group, or even getting plugged in consistently on a Serve Team at church.
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.