Humility is the Soil Where Unshakable Joy Grows
Humility is the Soil Where Unshakable Joy Grows
Humility does not come naturally to us, but it is the foundation for a life of unshakable joy. As we adopt the mind of Christ by serving, obeying, and laying down our rights, we discover a joy that circumstances cannot take away. This joy is rooted in knowing that God is at work in us, and that our lives, however ordinary or sacrificial, are pleasing to Him.
Choosing humility means letting go of our need to be first, to be right, or to be recognized. It means trusting that God sees and values our obedience, even when no one else does. As we walk in humility, we find freedom from comparison and competition, and we experience the deep, abiding joy that comes from living for God’s glory rather than our own.
James 4:6-10 (KJV): “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
Reflection: What is one area where you are tempted to assert your own rights or seek recognition? How can you choose humility in that area today, trusting God to honor your obedience?
To listen to the sermon that correspond with this devotion, click the link below:
https://www.mbcpb.org/media
Humility does not come naturally to us, but it is the foundation for a life of unshakable joy. As we adopt the mind of Christ by serving, obeying, and laying down our rights, we discover a joy that circumstances cannot take away. This joy is rooted in knowing that God is at work in us, and that our lives, however ordinary or sacrificial, are pleasing to Him.
Choosing humility means letting go of our need to be first, to be right, or to be recognized. It means trusting that God sees and values our obedience, even when no one else does. As we walk in humility, we find freedom from comparison and competition, and we experience the deep, abiding joy that comes from living for God’s glory rather than our own.
James 4:6-10 (KJV): “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
Reflection: What is one area where you are tempted to assert your own rights or seek recognition? How can you choose humility in that area today, trusting God to honor your obedience?
To listen to the sermon that correspond with this devotion, click the link below:
https://www.mbcpb.org/media
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Archive
2025
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
Faithfulness Amidst TrialsBeauty Through SufferingThe Cost of CompromiseThe Promise of Eternal LifeLiving SacrificiallyThe Subtle Drift of CompromiseRecognizing the Reality of Spiritual WarfareSteadfast Faith in the Face of PersecutionGuarding Against Worldly InfluenceThe Timeless Truth of ScriptureFaithfulness Amidst AdversityNo Justification for SinThe Perils of CompromiseThe Urgency of RepentanceEmbracing a New Identity in ChristDiscernment in ToleranceRecognizing Christ's AuthorityAvoiding the Pitfall of CompromiseEmbracing the Call to RepentanceThe Promise of Eternal RewardSpiritual Vitality Over Religious Activity
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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