The Way Up Is Down: Humility Precedes Glory
The Way Up Is Down: Humility Precedes Glory
God has highly exalted Jesus because He went to the lowest place. In God’s kingdom, the way up is always down—when we humble ourselves, God lifts us up. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus as Lord, either now in grace or later in judgment.
Our lives are meant to be lived for the name and glory of Jesus, not our own. Only His name endures, and only His grace saves. When we choose humility, we trust that God will honor and exalt us in His perfect timing, just as He did with Christ.
James 4:10 (KJV): “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
Reflection: What is one area where you are seeking recognition or validation for yourself? How can you intentionally shift your focus to honoring Jesus’ name above your own today?
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link below:
https://www.mbcpb.org/media
God has highly exalted Jesus because He went to the lowest place. In God’s kingdom, the way up is always down—when we humble ourselves, God lifts us up. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus as Lord, either now in grace or later in judgment.
Our lives are meant to be lived for the name and glory of Jesus, not our own. Only His name endures, and only His grace saves. When we choose humility, we trust that God will honor and exalt us in His perfect timing, just as He did with Christ.
James 4:10 (KJV): “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
Reflection: What is one area where you are seeking recognition or validation for yourself? How can you intentionally shift your focus to honoring Jesus’ name above your own today?
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link below:
https://www.mbcpb.org/media
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January
The Essence of God's HolinessGuarding Against FamiliarityThe Transcendence of God's HolinessReflecting God's Holiness in Our LivesEmbracing the Fullness of WorshipTimeless Truths for Today's ChurchUnwavering Faith in AdversityThe Majesty of Jesus RevealedLoving Jesus and His ChurchThe Urgency of Salvation
February
Shifting Focus from Self to JesusPersevering Through Tribulations with Christ's StrengthWorshiping in Faith Amidst StrugglesServing the Church with Love and DedicationEngaging in Spiritual Warfare with AwarenessPerseverance Through Shared StrengthWorship Beyond CircumstancesBuilding the Church Through ServiceEmbracing Jesus' Priestly RoleLiving Fearlessly in His PresenceGod Places Us in Strategic LocationsGood Works as a Reflection of FaithHolding Fast to the TruthPerseverance in TrialsReturning to Our First LoveTruth and Love in HarmonyGuided by the SpiritChoosing Compassion Over ContemptThe Call to Personal RepentanceEmbracing Jesus as a Living Person
March
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April
Personal Responsibility in FaithThe Danger of RoutineRecognizing Modern IdolatryThe Mission Field at Our DoorstepFaithfulness Beyond CircumstancesReturning to the BasicsStrength in WeaknessAttentiveness to God's PrioritiesEndurance for Eternal RewardTrue Wealth Lies in Spiritual RichesThe Peril of Lukewarm FaithEmbracing Correction as an Act of LovePersonal Responsibility in FaithSharing in Christ's Sovereign RuleForgiveness Beyond GuiltResurrection and New BeginningsGrace Overcomes Sin's SeverityFulfillment Through ForgivenessJesus, Our MediatorJoy Anchored in Christ, Not CircumstancesThe Emptiness of Cultural PromisesThe Pitfall of Superficial Religion
May
Identity and Joy in ChristThe Communal Joy of the GospelLoneliness Is a Spiritual Wound Needing Divine HealingGrace and Peace Flow from Repentance and ForgivenessGospel Fellowship Unites Beyond All DifferencesChrist Redeems Our Painful MemoriesJoy Is a Settled Confidence in God’s GoodnessFaith Is Forged in the Fires of CrisisObedience Precedes the MiracleGod’s Ways Transcend Human LogicSelfless Faith Becomes a Channel for BlessingSurrendered Resources Become Miraculous ProvisionJoy Grows Through Gospel-Driven PartnershipFaithfulness in the Ordinary Matters Deeply to GodGod’s Transforming Work in You Is Unfinished but CertainReal Fellowship Means Sharing Both Grace and StruggleJoy Flourishes When We Lean on God in WeaknessFreedom’s Cost Echoes in Every Liberty We HoldRemembrance Guards the Heart of Our ValuesGod’s People Are Called to RememberLove That Crosses Every BoundaryThe Cross—Our Everlasting Memorial of Grace
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