Dear Praying Friends,
As I was driving to my home north of town recently, I noticed a tiny plane up in the air. At the model airplane event center that is on my path home, I could see many cars gathered as model airplane enthusiasts enjoyed their hobby. A thought crossed my mind: “What would it take for that model airplane to be knocked down from the heights?” A simple gust of wind could do that. It got me thinking about what could take me down when I get too “high” on my own accomplishments. God warns us that pride goes before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18) This week, let’s keep praying SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE SURRENDER ALL. And let’s add to our prayers a desire for humble hearts to hear Him. Blessings, Gina
Monday, August 21, 2023: Read Ezekiel 31:3, 9-11
Prayer Pointer: The essence of Gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less. ~Tim Keller
Prayer “Starter”: Lord, thank You for showing me how easy it is for pride to slip into my thinking and my heart. You have blessed me with so many beautiful blessings but I know that I can begin to take credit for these good things. Forgive me, Lord, and truly help me by the power of the Holy Spirit to stay in a humble place before You. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE SURRENDER ALL!
Think/Journal/Apply: How can I give God praise today?
As you have time: for further thought from Greatness, Humility, Servanthood by John Piper…watch the sermon here.
- Humility is glad that God gets all the credit for choosing us so that we boast only in him and not man.
- Humility happily admits that everything we have is a free gift from God, so that we can’t boast in it.
- Humility is glad to affirm that God sovereignly governs our heartbeats and safe arrivals, or non-arrivals.
- The root of Christian humility is the gospel that Christ died for our sins. That’s how sinful I was. That’s how dependent I am.
- Humility gives itself away in serving everyone, rather than seeking to be served.
- And humility is glad to affirm that this service is true greatness.
Tuesday, August 22, 2023: Read Psalm 126:5-6
Prayer Pointer: We may see tears as a bad thing or even a sign of weakness. But Psalm 126:5-6 shows us that weeping “produces”. When the Lord takes me into a time of weeping, I have come to expect the “songs of joy” that will follow. Sometimes my seasons of weeping last a while, but I have found that God carries me in every season.~ Gina
Prayer “Starter” Part 1: Set your timer on your phone for two minutes, pray “Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening.” and then sit in silence with Him. You may want to take note if you hear Him say something that you need to remember.
Prayer “Starter” Part 2: Lord, thank You for this moment of silence with You. It feels so wonderful to slow down for even just a moment to be in Your presence. Holy Spirit, please prompt me today and in the days ahead to pause and wait upon the Lord. Also, please teach me about the spiritual seasons that You lead me through. Help me to see each “season” with Your understanding so that I can rightly discern what You want me to do in every situation. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE SURRENDER ALL!
Think/Journal/Apply: Can you recall a recent season of weeping? What was the outcome and what did you learn?
As you have time: Worship Song for Today: Psalm 126
Wednesday, August 23, 2023: Read Revelation 21:6,7
Prayer Pointer: The Name Alpha and Omega represents God as the Beginning and the End. The noted historian, H.G. Wells, made a list of the ten greatest men of history and number one on that list was Jesus Christ. Jesus doesn’t belong on that list. He doesn’t belong on anybody’s list. He is Jesus the First and the Last. ~ Names of God Found in the Bible, Love Worth Finding Ministries
Prayer “Starter”: Lord, today I worship You as the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. You know about every day that You have created for my life. Help me to live today with an awareness of Your Greatness. And then help me to do that again tomorrow and the day after that until You return or You take me home to Heaven. Your greatness is indescribable and I’m doing my best today to express my love to You. Thank You for accepting this humble offering! (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE SURRENDER ALL!
Think/Journal/Apply: Do you have questions about Jesus as Alpha and Omega? Use your questions for a continuing conversation with Him.
As you have time: Here are some other scriptures to consider about Jesus as Alpha and Omega. Revelation 1:8, Revelation 1:17-18, Isaiah 44:6
Thursday, August 24, 2023: Read Psalm 40:1-3
Prayer Pointer: We spoke about weeping on Tuesday of this week in Psalm 126:5-6. Psalm 40:1-3 also displays a time of great difficulty. But again, in v. 3 we see that “breakthrough” place where the new song appears. I will say this again for whoever needs to hear this today…Weeping and difficulty can bring you into a greater knowledge of God’s love. Will you let them? ~Gina
Prayer “Starter”: Lord, thank You for the reminder again today that difficulty can bring forth a greater knowledge of Your Goodness. I present all of my difficulties, my tears, my struggles to You today. Help me in the midst of these things, to keep worshipping You even with tears streaming down my face. You are GOOD! I trust You! (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE SURRENDER ALL!
Think/Journal/Apply: Make a list of struggles that you are currently facing and then present each one to the Lord. You make want to do this on a page separate from your journal and then destroy the page as an act of faith after you pray.
As you have time: Worship Song for Today: O God Our Help in Ages Past Gina’s note: This hymn deeply ministered to me and I encourage you to listen and to soak in the truths contained here.
Friday, August 25, 2023: Read James 4:6-10
Prayer Pointer: “Sin seeks to enter, grace shuts the door; sin tries to get the mastery, but grace, which is stronger than sin, resists, and will not permit it. Sin gets us down at times, and puts its foot on our neck; grace comes to the rescue… Sin comes up like Noah’s flood, but grace rides over the tops of the mountains like the ark.” ~Charles Spurgeon
Prayer “Starter”: Lord, thank You for this reminder in James that grace only comes to the humble. Please help me, in the power of Your Holy Spirit, to remain in a humble stance before You. As You bless me, I see how easy it is to cross over into pride. I want to exalt You and You alone today. Please help me! (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE SURRENDER ALL!
Think/journal/apply: Grace and pride are enemies. Talk to the Lord about places where you are vulnerable to pride. Continue the conversation asking for the Holy Spirit to refine these areas.
As you have time: “Genuine humility, as with true faith, is not self-help or a life hack, but a response to divine initiative and help.” ~David Mathis Read more in his article, How Do I Humble Myself?
Saturday & Sunday, August 26 & 27, 2023: Choose one of the scripture passages from this week’s posts to read again.
Take time this weekend for real rest. Ask the Lord to teach you what the real Sabbath looks like and feels like. I encourage you to gather with others in the House of the Lord for worship. Have a restful weekend!
Check back Monday, August 28th for new posts. They will post at midnight on that day. Blessings to all!
Rhythms of Grace 