Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Observation: Paul writes that we can only boast in the Lord. Having been humbled (several times) since becoming an apostle and servant of Christ, Paul knows something about humility. He knows that he can no longer boast in the things that he accomplished. That was the system of religion he left as a pharisee, somehow earning your salvation through the works, prayers and blessings you work towards. Now that he has seen Christ, he knows that God provides all these things, and since these come through the power of God, we can only brag about God.
Application: My mother has a unique way of humbling me. At my ordination, Gina Wu, the matriarch of the church I was starting in NYC, approached my parents and said 'you should be very proud of your son.' My mother responded to Gina with "we are proud of all our children." I laugh about it today, but my mother knows who gets the credit. So she, like Paul, will brag about God's work in me and not me. Smart woman, my mother.
Prayer: Lord remind us that you are the one who gets all the credit. Even if you have to humble us, time and time again so that we can remember that.
Application: My mother has a unique way of humbling me. At my ordination, Gina Wu, the matriarch of the church I was starting in NYC, approached my parents and said 'you should be very proud of your son.' My mother responded to Gina with "we are proud of all our children." I laugh about it today, but my mother knows who gets the credit. So she, like Paul, will brag about God's work in me and not me. Smart woman, my mother.
Prayer: Lord remind us that you are the one who gets all the credit. Even if you have to humble us, time and time again so that we can remember that.
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