Humility Month Day 21: Apart from Jesus We Can Do Nothing

Posted on August 21, 2024 by Pastor Jesse

Jesus told his disciples that apart from him, they could do nothing. Is that really true? For many, it’s hard to believe. This is the day the Lord has made. Let us agree to rejoice in this day. I invite you to get a Bible – in print or electronic – and start working through all or part of the prayers, scripture reading, questions, and devotional reading below. May the Lord bless you as you do so. And may the Spirit of God work in each of us to shape us to be a little more like Jesus, today.

— Praise God with Me: (1)
O God of all power and majesty, you created the heavens and stretched them out.
You formed the earth and all that comes from it.
You give the breath of life to all who walk on the face of the earth.
Jesus, you conquered sin and death and now reign victorious.
You are Lord; glory is due your name. The former things have come to pass;
we now await the new things you will bring through the Holy Spirit.
We rejoice to be gathered in your name.
Alleluia! Accept our praises and petitions. Amen.

— Let us read and reflect on Scripture:
Come Holy Spirit, help us to hear your still, small voice as we read your word:
John 15:1-17 – Part of the passage is provided here for those who don’t have a Bible handy.
4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

— Answer these four questions:
What does this passage say about God?
What does this passage say about people?
As a result of this reading, what is one step God is inviting you to take?
Who is one person you will tell about that step today?

— With a Heart of Prayer, Let us Respond: (2)
Holy God, you revealed to the disciples the everlasting glory of Jesus Christ.
Grant us, who have not seen and yet believe, the gift of your Holy Spirit,
that we may boldly live the gospel and shine with your transforming glory
as people changed and changing through the redeeming presence of our Savior. Amen.

— Let’s Gather Wisdom from One Who Walked with Christ before us: (3)
The bearers of Jesus’ word receive a final word of promise for their work. They are now Christ’s fellow-workers, and will be like him in all things. Thus, they are to meet those to whom they are sent as if they were Christ himself. When they are welcomed into a house, Christ enters with them. They are bearers of his presence. They bring with them the most precious gift in the world, the gift of Jesus Christ. And with him they bring God the Father, and that means indeed forgiveness and salvation, life and bliss. That is the reward and fruit of their toil and suffering.

— Receive this blessing as we begin this day: (4)
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence
without fault and with great joy—
to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power, and authority,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!
Amen.

Sources:
(1) From The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.
(2) From The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.
(3) From The Cost of Dicipleship, Deitrich Bonhoeffer
(4) From Jude 24-25, NIV as found in The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.

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Humility Month Day 20: Washing Feet

Posted on August 20, 2024 by Pastor Jesse

Foot washing: who would want that job? Jesus takes that role and tells his disciples to do that for one another. What a humble role! But the King of Kings chooses this role. What does this mean for those stuck in humble conditions? This is the day the Lord has made. Let us agree to rejoice in this day. I invite you to get a Bible – in print or electronic – and start working through all or part of the prayers, scripture reading, questions, and devotional reading below. May the Lord bless you as you do so. And may the Spirit of God work in each of us to shape us to be a little more like Jesus, today.

— Praise God with Me: (1)
O God, you summon the day to dawn, you teach the morning to waken the earth.
For you the valleys shall sing for joy, the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
For you the kings of the earth shall bow, the poor and the persecuted shall shout for joy.
Your love and mercy shall last forever, fresh as the morning, sure as the sunrise.
Great is your name. Great is your love. Amen.

— Let us read and reflect on Scripture:
Come Holy Spirit, help us to hear your still, small voice as we read your word:
John 13:1-17 – Part of the passage is provided here for those who don’t have a Bible handy.
1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end…4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him… “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

— Answer these four questions:
What does this passage say about God?
What does this passage say about people?
As a result of this reading, what is one step God is inviting you to take?
Who is one person you will tell about that step today?

— With a Heart of Prayer, Let us Respond: (2)
Jesus: King of all, Servant of all, Master, Lord,
Shape our minds and hearts to know that we are serving you.
Be glorified in our service and our serving.
Pour out your Spirit on those who receive our service,
That through our service they are brought closer to fullness of life,
And are drawn further into your kingdom. Amen.

— Let’s Gather Wisdom from One Who Walked with Christ before us: (3)
Where a God who is totally purposive and totally foreseeing acts upon a Nature which is totally interlocked, there can be no accidents or loose ends… Nothing is ‘merely a by-product’ of anything else. All results are intended from the first. What is subservient from one point of view is the main purpose from another. No thing or event is first or highest in a sense which forbids it to be also last and lowest. The partner who bows to Man in one movement of the dance receives Man’s reverence in another. To be high or central means to abdicate continually: to be low means to be raised: all good masters are servants; God washes the feet of men.

— Receive this blessing as we begin this day: (4)
May the God of hope fill you
with all joy and peace in believing
so that you may abound in hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sources:
(1) From The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.
(2) From The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.
(3) From Miracles, CS Lewis
(4) From Romans 15:13 as found in The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.

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Humility Month Day 19: Humble Yourself or Be Humbled

Posted on August 19, 2024 by Pastor Jesse

Pride is nothing new. People like to be respected and endorsed in social situations. But if we aren’t careful, our pride can lead to being humiliated by others. Jesus gives good advice for avoiding that. This is the day the Lord has made. Even if you are dealing with humiliation, let us agree to somehow rejoice in this day. I invite you to get a Bible – in print or electronic – and start working through all or part of the prayers, scripture reading, questions, and devotional reading below. May the Lord bless you as you do so. And may the Spirit of God work in each of us to shape us to be a little more like Jesus, today.

— Praise God with Me: (1)
Mighty God,
we do not yet see the glory you plan for all humankind, but in faith we do see Jesus.
We thank you for the humility and holiness in which he lived and died.
We praise you that he freed us from our sin,
that he comforts and strengthens us through our struggles,
and that he gives us courage to follow him.
For this, we now join with all creation and shout for joy:
Holy, holy, holy are you, Lord! Amen.

— Let us read and reflect on Scripture:
Come Holy Spirit, help us to hear your still, small voice as we read your word:
Luke 14:7-11
7 When he [Jesus] noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 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 the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

— Answer these four questions:
What does this passage say about God?
What does this passage say about people?
As a result of this reading, what is one step God is inviting you to take?
Who is one person you will tell about that step today?

— With a Heart of Prayer, Let us Respond: (2)
Gracious God, we give our best, lest in gaining the world we lose life itself.
As a covenant people, we seek to witness to your will and way.
Help us to know more clearly how to be faithful with the wealth entrusted to our care.
As we contribute to the needs of your people, we present ourselves as living sacrifices.
Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

— Let’s Gather Wisdom from One Who Walked with Christ before us: (3)
Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call ‘humble’ nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him. If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. He will not be thinking about himself at all.
If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realise that one is proud. And a biggish step, too. At least, nothing whatever can be done before it. If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.

— Receive this blessing as we begin this day: (4)
May the Christ who walks on wounded feet walk with you on the road.
May the Christ who serves with wounded hands stretch out your hands to serve.
May the Christ who loves with a wounded heart open your hearts to love.
May you see the face of Christ in everyone you meet,
and may everyone you meet see the face of Christ in you. Amen.

Sources:
(1) From The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.
(2) From The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.
(3) From Mere Christianity, CS Lewis
(4) From The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.

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Humility Month Day 18: Giving It All

Posted on August 18, 2024 by Pastor Jesse

Money means a lot in this world. Jesus warned us that it competes with God. But generosity and sacrifice can deliver us from the idol’s appeal. This is the day the Lord has made. Even if this day brings poverty, let us somehow rejoice in this day. I invite you to get a Bible – in print or electronic – and start working through all or part of the prayers, scripture reading, questions, and devotional reading below. May the Lord bless you as you do so. And may the Spirit of God work in each of us to shape us to be a little more like Jesus, today.

— Praise God with Me: (1)
Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power,
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.
Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. Amen.

— Let us read and reflect on Scripture:
Come Holy Spirit, help us to hear your still, small voice as we read your word:
Mark 12:41-44
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.
42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

— Answer these four questions:
What does this passage say about God?
What does this passage say about people?
As a result of this reading, what is one step God is inviting you to take?
Who is one person you will tell about that step today?

— With a Heart of Prayer, Let us Respond: (2)
Gracious God, we give our best, lest in gaining the world we lose life itself.
As a covenant people, we seek to witness to your will and way.
Help us to know more clearly how to be faithful with the wealth entrusted to our care.
As we contribute to the needs of your people, we present ourselves as living sacrifices.
Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

— Let’s Gather Wisdom from One Who Walked with Christ before us: (3)
Earthly goods are given to be used, not to be collected. In the wilderness, God gave Israel the manna every day, and they had no need to worry about food and drink. Indeed, if they kept any of the manna over until the next day, it went bad. In the same way, the disciple must receive his portion from God every day. If he stores it up as a permanent possession, he spoils not only the gift, but himself as well, for he sets his heart on his accumulated wealth, and makes it a barrier between himself and God. Where our treasure is, there is our trust, our security, our consolation, and our God. Hoarding is idolatry.
Earthly possessions dazzle our eyes and delude us into thinking that they can provide security and freedom from anxiety. Yet all the time they are the very source of our anxiety. If our hearts are set on them, our reward is an anxiety whose burden is intolerable. Anxiety creates its own treasures and they in turn beget further care. When we seek for security in possessions we are trying to drive out care with care, and the net result is the precise opposite of our anticipations. The fetters which bind us to our possessions prove to be cares themselves.

— Let Us Pray Together as We Begin Our Day: (4)
You are disciple(s) of Jesus Christ.
Live in love, as Christ loved us
and gave himself for us.
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing;
give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
The peace of God, which passes all understanding,
keep your heart and your mind in
Christ Jesus.
Amen.

Sources:
(1) From The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.
(2) From The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.
(3) From The Cost of Discipleship, Deitrich Bonhoeffer
(4) From The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.

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Humility Month Day 17: Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus

Posted on August 17, 2024 by Pastor Jesse

In this world people reject suffering. But in God’s Kingdom suffering is transformed. This is the day the Lord has made. Even if this day brings suffering, let us rejoice in this day. I invite you to get a Bible – in print or electronic – and start working through all or part of the prayers, scripture reading, questions, and devotional reading below. May the Lord bless you as you do so. And may the Spirit of God work in each of us to shape us to be a little more like Jesus, today.


— Praise God with Me: (1)
O Christ, who forsook no one but was forsaken by the closest of friends,
and who committed no crime yet was sentenced to a criminal’s death,
we enter your presence in awe and adoration.
On a day like this, centuries ago, you could have saved your life,
but you refused to betray the purpose for which you had been born.
You had come into the world to love God and neighbor as yourself,
and when that love required you to shoulder a cross,
you summoned the strength to bear it.
Today, O Christ, teach us its meaning once again
and help us to take up our cross and follow you. Amen.

— Let’s Read This Scripture:
Come Holy Spirit, help us to hear your still, small voice as we read your word:
Luke 9:18-27

— Answer these four questions:
What does this passage say about God?
What does this passage say about people?
As a result of this reading, what is one step God is inviting you to take?
Who is one person you will tell about that step today?

— With a Heart of Prayer, Let us Respond: (2)
Today, let us remember our baptism:
Do you not know that all of us
who have been baptized into Christ Jesus
were baptized into his death?
Therefore, we have been buried with him by baptism into death,
so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead
by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

— Let’s Gather Wisdom from One Who Walked with Christ before us: (3)
I think that for many of us, when Christ has enabled us to overcome one or two sins that were an obvious nuisance, are inclined to feel (though we do not put it into words) that we are now good enough. He has done all we wanted Him to do, and we should be obliged if He would now leave us alone. As we say, “I never expected to be a saint, I only wanted to be an ordinary chap.” And we imagine when we say this that we are being humble.
But this is the fatal mistake. Of course, we never wanted, and never asked to be made into the sort of creatures He is going to make us into. But the question is not what we intended ourselves to be, but what He intended us to be when He made us. He is the inventor; we are only the machine. He is the painter; we are only the picture… We may be content to remain what we call ‘ordinary people’: but He is determined to carry out a quite different plan. To shrink back from that plan is not humility; it is laziness and cowardice. To submit to it is not conceit or megalomania; it is obedience.

— Let Us Pray Together as We Begin Our Day: (4)
May God, who gives us a new vision of life through the cross,
enlighten our understanding, inflame our affections,
and enable us to walk the way of the cross.
And may the love of God—the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit—
surround us as we seek to discern that love. Amen.

Sources:
(1) From The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources with original edits.
(2) Romans 6:3-4 NRSV as found in The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.
(3) From Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis.
(4) From The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.

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