Thanks for joining us on this journey of building a consistent habit of reading our Bibles every day. The Bible reading plan we are using this year can be found here: One Year Bible or here on the Bible app. As always, if you miss a day, don’t feel compelled to go back and catch up. Just skip it and start back on today’s date. I am reading the NLT this year, but feel free to use whatever version you prefer. Now here are some thoughts from today’s readings:
But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
– Matthew 23:12
What a powerful truth! The problem is, this verse by itself isn’t very practical. Many people post their favorite verses on social media, their wall, or on a bracelet or something but never stop to ask how the verse changes their lives. We should never just read the Bible and feel inspired. We should always ask the question, “Yes this inspires me, but to do what?” Humble yourself? What does that even mean? How do you humble yourself?
Jesus gave us the answer in the verse right before it. “The greatest among you must be a servant“. Serving others is the path to humility. Recognizing God has a great plan for someone else’s life and helping them reach it is true humility. The more you serve, the more you humble yourself, especially when you do the tasks no one else wants to do. Then, well, you’ll see what this verse says happens to the man or woman who humbles themselves (hint: it’s the very last word of the verse).
Who can you serve this week? Is there someone out of the ordinary you can serve?