DEVOTIONS

Monday, July 25 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3) Motivation matters.  The motivation behind what you do or don’t do is very important.  Can you do the right thing for the wrong reasons?  Yes.  Just like you can do the wrong thing for the right reasons.  Every action you take is motivated by something.  Today, check out your motivation.  Why do you do what you do?  If you find that you are doing what you are doing out of “selfish ambition or vain conceit”, change your motivation.      

Tuesday, July 26 – “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” (Proverbs 16:9) Planning is good.  Just as long as you know that it’s God who gives you the possibility to plan.  The possibility to be more than you are today.  The possibility to take as many steps as you like.  God has no intention of robbing you of the possibility of planning.  Just never forget that it’s God that has given you that possibility in the first place.  As you are planning, thank God for the possibility of planning. 

Wednesday, July 27 – “Live in harmony with one another.  Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited.” (Romans 12:16) Conceited means “excessively proud of oneself”.  Reality is that there are haves and have nots.  There are people of high position and people of low position.  Acknowledging this reality isn’t conceited.  How you live into this reality could be conceited.  Looking down on others.  Treating others as less important, less valuable or less human is conceited.  What about you?  Are you conceited? 

Thursday, July 28 – “It is better for him to say to you, ‘Come up here,’ than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.” (Proverbs 25:7) Always put yourself into a position where you can be lifted up.  Don’t try to be the most important person in the room.  For there is a good chance that you’re not.  When you think too much of yourself and you are trying to make others think more of you, you run the risk of being humiliated.  Conversely, if you place yourself in a lowly position – back of the line, furthest table at the banquet – the only thing that can happen is that you are lifted up.  Allow others to acknowledge you.  Don’t live your life always acknowledging yourself. 

Friday, July 29 – “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12) There is a fine line between self-love and loving oneself.  Self-love is exalting yourself above others.  Self-love is the pursuit of being seen, praised, honored and cherished.  Not because of who you really are, but because of who you want everyone to think you really are.  Loving oneself is being content with who you are and where you are.  Loving oneself is the pursuit of humility, grace, compassion and kindness.  Not because of who you want everyone to think you really are, but because it is really who you are. 

Saturday, July 30 – “For they loved human praise more than praise from God.” (John 12:43) Only you can answer this question: Which do you love more, human praise or praise from God?  In other words, do you do what you do in order to receive praise from people?  Or do you do what you do in order to receive praise from God?  From whence does your motivation come?  This is your question for the weekend.  No guilt.  No shame.  No condemnation.  Just you getting real with yourself and with God.  Allowing God to meet you right where you are.  Allowing God to walk with you.  And allowing God to transform you from the inside out.