Weekly Encouragement from
Sunday's Sermon
Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on Sunday's Sermon.
The Strength of Humility: A 5-Day Devotional Journey
Day 1: Recognizing God's Greatness
Reading: Psalm 8:3-9
Devotional:
David's words remind us that true humility begins with recognizing who God is. When we consider the vastness of creation—the heavens, moon, and stars—we're confronted with our Creator's magnificence. Yet remarkably, this same God is mindful of us. He hasn't created us as worthless beings, but as masterpieces "crowned with glory and honor." The bigger God becomes in our perspective, the more significant we realize we are as His creation. Today, spend time observing creation around you. Let God's greatness inform your identity rather than the opinions of others. When you make God bigger, you don't become smaller in worth—you become properly positioned to receive His love and purpose.
Reflection Question: How does viewing yourself as God's intentional creation change the way you see your worth today?
---
Day 2: The Power of Dependence
Reading: John 3:22-30
Devotional:
John the Baptist understood a profound truth: "He must become greater; I must become less." This wasn't self-deprecation but proper positioning. John recognized that his significance came from his dependence on God, not from the crowds following him. When Jesus' ministry began attracting more people, John didn't compete—he celebrated. His joy was complete because he understood his role. True strength doesn't come from self-sufficiency but from total dependence on God. Like Samuel Morse, who said "our dependence is first on God, then on each other," we discover that humility isn't weakness—it's the pathway to divine strength. Today, identify one area where you're trying to maintain control and surrender it to God's capable hands.
Reflection Question: What achievement or recognition are you clinging to that needs to be released to God's glory?
---
Day 3: Created with Purpose
Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10
Devotional:
You are God's workmanship, His masterpiece, created for good works He prepared beforehand. Understanding who you are requires first understanding who God is. Paul reminds us that we were once dead in our sins, but God's rich mercy made us alive in Christ. This dual reality—our sinful state and God's redemptive love—keeps us humble yet confident. We're not worthless, nor are we self-sufficient. We're dependent creatures with divine purpose. Like those dilapidated chairs transformed into something beautiful, God sees potential where others see brokenness. Your Creator looks at you and declares, "You are beautiful. You are of such worth to me." Let this truth anchor your identity today, regardless of past failures or present struggles.
Reflection Question: How does knowing you're created for specific good works change your perspective on your daily activities?
---
Day 4: Living for God's Glory
Reading: Matthew 5:13-16
Devotional:
Jesus calls us to let our light shine so others will see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. This is the "why" of our existence—to bring honor to our Creator. When we live with humility, serving others without seeking recognition, we reveal God's character to a watching world. Humility is so countercultural that it stops people in their tracks. When you treat the waitress with kindness, hold the door for a stranger, or encourage your spouse selflessly, you're demonstrating Christ's humility. The world desperately needs to see this. Samuel Morse's first telegraph message was "What God has wrought"—look what God did! May that be our constant refrain. Every achievement, every success, every breakthrough should point others to Jesus, not to ourselves.
Reflection Question: In what specific relationship or situation can you demonstrate Christ-like humility today?
---
Day 5: The Path to True Greatness
Reading: Philippians 2:1-11
Devotional:
Paul presents the ultimate example of humility: Jesus, who "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant." Though He was God, He didn't grasp at His divine privileges but emptied Himself for our sake. This is the paradox of the kingdom—the way up is down. Jesus taught that whoever wants to be first must be last and a servant of all. True leadership, real influence, and lasting impact come through humble service. When we ask ourselves three questions daily—Who is God? Who am I? Why am I here?—We position ourselves for genuine transformation. God is great, we are His beloved creation saved by grace, and we exist to glorify Him. This framework liberates us from both pride and false humility, allowing us to walk confidently in our God-given purpose.
Reflection Question: What specific act of humble service is God calling you to today, and how will you respond?
---
Closing Prayer:
Father, help us embrace the strength that comes through humility.
May we daily depend on You, recognizing Your greatness, accepting our identity as Your creation, and living for Your glory.
When we achieve anything of value, may our first words be, "Look what God has done!" In Jesus' name, Amen.
Day 1: Recognizing God's Greatness
Reading: Psalm 8:3-9
Devotional:
David's words remind us that true humility begins with recognizing who God is. When we consider the vastness of creation—the heavens, moon, and stars—we're confronted with our Creator's magnificence. Yet remarkably, this same God is mindful of us. He hasn't created us as worthless beings, but as masterpieces "crowned with glory and honor." The bigger God becomes in our perspective, the more significant we realize we are as His creation. Today, spend time observing creation around you. Let God's greatness inform your identity rather than the opinions of others. When you make God bigger, you don't become smaller in worth—you become properly positioned to receive His love and purpose.
Reflection Question: How does viewing yourself as God's intentional creation change the way you see your worth today?
---
Day 2: The Power of Dependence
Reading: John 3:22-30
Devotional:
John the Baptist understood a profound truth: "He must become greater; I must become less." This wasn't self-deprecation but proper positioning. John recognized that his significance came from his dependence on God, not from the crowds following him. When Jesus' ministry began attracting more people, John didn't compete—he celebrated. His joy was complete because he understood his role. True strength doesn't come from self-sufficiency but from total dependence on God. Like Samuel Morse, who said "our dependence is first on God, then on each other," we discover that humility isn't weakness—it's the pathway to divine strength. Today, identify one area where you're trying to maintain control and surrender it to God's capable hands.
Reflection Question: What achievement or recognition are you clinging to that needs to be released to God's glory?
---
Day 3: Created with Purpose
Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10
Devotional:
You are God's workmanship, His masterpiece, created for good works He prepared beforehand. Understanding who you are requires first understanding who God is. Paul reminds us that we were once dead in our sins, but God's rich mercy made us alive in Christ. This dual reality—our sinful state and God's redemptive love—keeps us humble yet confident. We're not worthless, nor are we self-sufficient. We're dependent creatures with divine purpose. Like those dilapidated chairs transformed into something beautiful, God sees potential where others see brokenness. Your Creator looks at you and declares, "You are beautiful. You are of such worth to me." Let this truth anchor your identity today, regardless of past failures or present struggles.
Reflection Question: How does knowing you're created for specific good works change your perspective on your daily activities?
---
Day 4: Living for God's Glory
Reading: Matthew 5:13-16
Devotional:
Jesus calls us to let our light shine so others will see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. This is the "why" of our existence—to bring honor to our Creator. When we live with humility, serving others without seeking recognition, we reveal God's character to a watching world. Humility is so countercultural that it stops people in their tracks. When you treat the waitress with kindness, hold the door for a stranger, or encourage your spouse selflessly, you're demonstrating Christ's humility. The world desperately needs to see this. Samuel Morse's first telegraph message was "What God has wrought"—look what God did! May that be our constant refrain. Every achievement, every success, every breakthrough should point others to Jesus, not to ourselves.
Reflection Question: In what specific relationship or situation can you demonstrate Christ-like humility today?
---
Day 5: The Path to True Greatness
Reading: Philippians 2:1-11
Devotional:
Paul presents the ultimate example of humility: Jesus, who "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant." Though He was God, He didn't grasp at His divine privileges but emptied Himself for our sake. This is the paradox of the kingdom—the way up is down. Jesus taught that whoever wants to be first must be last and a servant of all. True leadership, real influence, and lasting impact come through humble service. When we ask ourselves three questions daily—Who is God? Who am I? Why am I here?—We position ourselves for genuine transformation. God is great, we are His beloved creation saved by grace, and we exist to glorify Him. This framework liberates us from both pride and false humility, allowing us to walk confidently in our God-given purpose.
Reflection Question: What specific act of humble service is God calling you to today, and how will you respond?
---
Closing Prayer:
Father, help us embrace the strength that comes through humility.
May we daily depend on You, recognizing Your greatness, accepting our identity as Your creation, and living for Your glory.
When we achieve anything of value, may our first words be, "Look what God has done!" In Jesus' name, Amen.