Daily devotion – Greatness in the shadow of the Cross
The key to greatness is not found in position or power to which the world would have us strive. The key to greatness is found in humility and character.
In biblical terms, we get a throne by paying with our lives, not by praying with our lips. As followers of Christ, the Bible teaches us that we are to identify with Jesus Christ in His service and His suffering.
Philippians 2: 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world
To improve our praying we must improve our serving. If we are serving Him and others, then we will not be praying selfishly. If we honestly can say, “Lord speak to us, for we your servants is listening.” Then God will say to us, “speak now for I do hear you.”
If our prayers do not make us better servants, then there is something wrong with them!
Ask yourself now, “Do your prayers make you an easier person to live with?”
Do your prayers make you more like Christ?
Do your prayers cost you anything?
For prayer in the will of God does not mean for us a life of escape. No, it means instead a life of involvement. If our prayers do not bring us nearer to the cross, they are out of God’s will!
You remember Salome the mother of James and John. When Jesus was crucified, she was standing near the cross – Jhn 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. (His mother’s sister) – there Salome was sharing in Christ’s sorrow and pain.
She did not see two thrones on either side of her Lord as she had once asked Jesus to fill with both her sons. No, instead she saw two thieves on two crosses. And she heard Jesus give her son, John, to His mother Mary.
Salome’s selfishness was rebuked, and she meekly accepted it.
Prayer is so misunderstood today in many prayerless Churches.
May the Lord guide our hearts as we pray and seek His will be done.