Putting Others First
Saturday, June 24, 2017
Putting Others First
Scripture:
Mark 9:33-37 (Matthew 18:1-5, Luke 22:24-30)
Who Is the Greatest?
33 Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?”34 But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. 35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.”
Mark 10:14-15
But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Philippians 2:3-7
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Romans 12:10
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
1 Peter 2:2
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation
Psalm 131:2
But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Devotional:
This morning, as I read the Word, I think of my husband. He is such a quiet, calm example of what it means to serve humbly and without a show. He knows how to serve, and in most cases I am the recipient of that heart. I, too desire to be fully humble and serve others. I love that I get to feel the delight of my husband’s servant’s heart toward me, and know the joy of being preferred this way. I want to give that same gift to others.
I do recognize that the servant’s heart isn’t fully cultivated in me. I, like most of us, also like to be appreciated for what I do. In my world being the mommy of my small children has changed my idea of servanthood. Most of the time, what I do isn’t truly appreciated. Maybe that is good for me. The reminder of the need to be humble and to put others first as we serve is a good reminder and redirect. To approach motherhood as my opportunity to cultivate kingdom wholeness for my children and to create a safe atmosphere for them and for my husband puts them before my own desires. Even my time is not my own.
For this short time, I have these little children in my midst. One version of the above scriptures states, “suffer the little children.” I am called to embrace this childhood time in my home, and I am called to serve as their mother as one who trains in righteousness, provides shelter and nourishment, and lets God work out who He wants me to be in front of them so they know how to do that themselves.
Prayer:
Father, I ask today that as the parent to my strong willed child(ren), You would enrich my heart to desire to serve my family humbly. If I have a tendency toward selfishness, please grow me another step away from this so that I can have the heart of putting others first. Help me to teach my child(ren) also to move away from selfishness into preferring others. This is not easy in a self-centered world, so as we swim upstream give me understanding of how to encourage my children to choose the narrow path instead of the broad.
Intercession:
In your journal (phone, book, computer), add to your list or pray over your existing prayer request list. Today is a good day to start if you haven’t gotten to! Note praise reports. Spend time in the presence of God lifting up each need and receive guidance from Him.
Lord, I thank You for this time with You today. I give my family and our times to You.
In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.
Putting Others First
Scripture:
Mark 9:33-37 (Matthew 18:1-5, Luke 22:24-30)
Who Is the Greatest?
33 Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?”34 But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. 35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.”
Mark 10:14-15
But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Philippians 2:3-7
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Romans 12:10
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
1 Peter 2:2
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation
Psalm 131:2
But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Devotional:
This morning, as I read the Word, I think of my husband. He is such a quiet, calm example of what it means to serve humbly and without a show. He knows how to serve, and in most cases I am the recipient of that heart. I, too desire to be fully humble and serve others. I love that I get to feel the delight of my husband’s servant’s heart toward me, and know the joy of being preferred this way. I want to give that same gift to others.
I do recognize that the servant’s heart isn’t fully cultivated in me. I, like most of us, also like to be appreciated for what I do. In my world being the mommy of my small children has changed my idea of servanthood. Most of the time, what I do isn’t truly appreciated. Maybe that is good for me. The reminder of the need to be humble and to put others first as we serve is a good reminder and redirect. To approach motherhood as my opportunity to cultivate kingdom wholeness for my children and to create a safe atmosphere for them and for my husband puts them before my own desires. Even my time is not my own.
For this short time, I have these little children in my midst. One version of the above scriptures states, “suffer the little children.” I am called to embrace this childhood time in my home, and I am called to serve as their mother as one who trains in righteousness, provides shelter and nourishment, and lets God work out who He wants me to be in front of them so they know how to do that themselves.
Prayer:
Father, I ask today that as the parent to my strong willed child(ren), You would enrich my heart to desire to serve my family humbly. If I have a tendency toward selfishness, please grow me another step away from this so that I can have the heart of putting others first. Help me to teach my child(ren) also to move away from selfishness into preferring others. This is not easy in a self-centered world, so as we swim upstream give me understanding of how to encourage my children to choose the narrow path instead of the broad.
Intercession:
In your journal (phone, book, computer), add to your list or pray over your existing prayer request list. Today is a good day to start if you haven’t gotten to! Note praise reports. Spend time in the presence of God lifting up each need and receive guidance from Him.
Lord, I thank You for this time with You today. I give my family and our times to You.
In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.
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