February 7, 2008
VERSE:
... the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and
breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a
living being.
-- Genesis 2:7
THOUGHT:
We are God's creation. He fashioned and formed our predecessors
out of the dust of the ground. He molded each of us and created
each of us in our mother's womb. Like Adam, God
fills us with his breath and blesses us with life. We are his
workmanship, his artistry, made to experience life in all its
fullness (John 10:10) and created to do his work in our world
(Ephesians 2:10).
PRAYER:
Thank you for my life, dear God. Please don't let anyone, or
anything, distract my heart from honoring you. Please do not let
the evil one distort my sense of being your creation. In Jesus'
name I pray. Amen.
VERSE:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in
humility consider others better than yourselves.
-- Philippians 2:3
THOUGHT:
Humility is recognizing who God has made us to be and using that
to serve and redeem others. Living in humility as Jesus did, we
don't just practice the golden rule, but we go one step better --
we treat others better than we would treat ourselves. Because we're
unworthy or unfit? No! Jesus was worthy and glorious, but he
counted others better than himself when he sacrificially gave
himself to redeem them. It's a high standard. It's a hard standard.
It is not for wimps. But it is ultimately glorious (hint, read down
through verses 9-10 and remember that the same type of reward will
be given to the faithful!).
PRAYER:
Almighty God, thank you for adopting me as your child and making
me holy and precious to you. Please help me to see myself as you
do, and then, as one of your precious children, empower me to serve
others in ways that help them see your glory. In Jesus' name I
pray. Amen.
