Overcomer - Humility is being like Jesus

Thur.  10/1

Read Luke 14:7-14

7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Luke's gospel records this teaching of Jesus while he is gathered with other guests in the home of a prominent Pharisee. Having been to other cultures where it is important to understand the significance of the seating plan I know just how embarrassing it can be to sit in the wrong place. Here Jesus takes the occasion to point out the many dangers of pride. Pride can actually have practical negative consequences in real time, in the real world.

Memory Verse

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Ephesians 4:2 NIV

Reflect

Questions

Can you imagine how this example of pride leading to embarrassment could happen to people today? Have you ever been embarrassed because you acted with too much pride?

Read the passage again slowly.  Notice the difference between how we treat ourselves and how others treat us.

Why do you think the early Christians felt that "Pride" was the worst of - source of - all sins?

Prayer

Father in heaven, thank You for Jesus’ reminders of the dangers of pride and the value of humility. Teach me to see the upside of living in a more humble way.  Help me to put others first.  May my family and my friends see a deeper and more genuine level of humility in me this week. By your grace - give me a humble heart. Amen.

Share

Gather some family friends together and read the passage. Then ask this question:

The early Christians said that Pride was at the top of the list of deadly sins - the Deadliest of them all. Do you agree or not? Why is Humility so hard to attain?

DFM Nation

Sunday Pastor Glenn will dive into more in depth teaching on how to overcome the sin of Greed with Generosity. Take a moment to pray for and invite someone.

Overcomer - Humility defeats Pride

Wed.   9/30

Read Proverbs 16:16-25

16 How much better to get wisdom than gold,

   to get insight rather than silver!

17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;

   those who guard their ways preserve their lives.

18 Pride goes before destruction,

   a haughty spirit before a fall.

19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed

   than to share plunder with the proud.

20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,

   and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.

21 The wise in heart are called discerning,

   and gracious words promote instruction.

22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,

   but folly brings punishment to fools.

23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,

   and their lips promote instruction.

24 Gracious words are a honeycomb,

   sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

25 There is a way that appears to be right,

   but in the end it leads to death.

This Old Testament book is a collection of wise sayings gathered and mostly written by King Solomon.  Solomon, noted as one of the wisest persons to ever live, carefully collects the most insightful sayings of all time.  Here at the very heart of his wise writings we find a section warning against pride and advocating humility. (vs. 18-19.)

Memory Verse

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Ephesians 4:2 NIV

Reflect

Questions

Have you ever heard anyone say “Pride goes before a fall” ?  Why do you think that is true or not true?

Read the passage again slowly.  Notice the focus on how the wise person accepts instruction from others.  How is that related to humility?

Prayer

Father in heaven, thank You for the wisdom of the ages that is preserved in the Bible.  Teach me to access this wisdom from above, on a regular basis.  Remind me that I do not know it all but I do know Someone who does. Today I turn from my prideful ways to follow the humble walk into which Jesus calls me.  I’m listening Lord. Help me to follow.  Amen.

Share

Gather some family friends together and read the passage. Then ask this question:

How could we learn to be more humble without being quiet and passive?  Who is someone that has given you good advice more than once?  

DFM Nation

Sunday Pastor Glenn will dive into more in depth teaching on how to overcome Greed with Generosity. Is there someone you could pray for today and invite to service with you?

Overcomer - Humility brings Favor

 Tues.   9/29

Read James 4:1-10

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud

   but shows favor to the humble.”

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

James addresses a number of reasons why people fight and quarrel.  Chief among them is the lack of humility.  He quotes Proverbs 3:34 to underscore just how seriously God takes the sin of pride and the virtue of humility.

Memory Verse

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  

Ephesians 4:2 NIV

Reflect

Questions

Think about times when your pride has gotten in the way of a healthy relationship.  Why is it so hard for you to swallow your pride?

Read the passage again slowly.  Think about the passage in reverse.  How is pride a source of all the trouble listed before it?

Apparently God takes pride as a serious sin. Perhaps because it was the cause of Lucifer’s downfall.  Perhaps because it makes us feel too big to need God.  What do you think?

Prayer

Father in heaven, thank You that you alone are God and I’m not.  Remind me every day just how dependent I am on you for everything I have and am.  Help me to learn the gentle grace of humility one day at a time.  May I not compare myself to other people all the time but rather to you.  In you I am somebody who matters. Amen.

Share

Gather some family friends together and read the passage. Then ask this question:

Do you have to be downcast and insecure to be humble? What does real humility look like?  

DFM Nation

Sunday Pastor Glenn will dive into a more in depth teaching on how Generosity can overcome Greed. Take a moment to pray for and invite someone.

Overcomer - Humility Wins!

Monday Sept 28

Read Colossians 3:1-17

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality,impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do,whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

In this letter to his friends in Colossi Paul explains some practical ways that being raised with Christ play out in everyday life. Since something important has happened -- then we ought to live a certain way. Notice there are two lists: things to put to death vs. 5-11 and things to put on or to be clothed with vs. 12-17.

Memory Verse

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  

Ephesians 4:2 NIV

Reflect

Questions

Think about all things this passage tells us to put to death. What would it look like if you did that consistently? What about those good qualities you are supposed to welcome and wear?  How is that going?

Read the passage again slowly.  What are 3 negatives listed here that you struggle with? What are three positives listed here that you need more of?

Have you found some music that heals you and helps you?  Listen to some today.

Prayer

Father in heaven, thank You for this reminder to put off the old life and to put on a new life.  I know that I cannot do this by human effort alone.  So I choose you.  Please purify my heart.  Give me eyes to see when I am slipping back into old sinful paths.  Forgive me.  Teach me to love you and other people more every day.  By faith I “put on”  the love of Jesus right now. Amen.

Share

Gather some family friends together and read the passage. Then ask this question:

As a family and among friends what are the best ways to foster unity? How can we help each other?

DFM Nation

Sunday Pastor Glenn will dive into a more in depth teaching on how Generosity can overcome Greed.  Take a moment to pray for and invite someone.

Overcomer - Good vs Evil

Friday Sept. 25

Read Romans 12:9-21

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

   if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Paul’s letter to the Romans is filled with deep and profound theology.  But as he nears the end of this letter, he shifts the focus to practical living. The question becomes "So what?" In light of all that God has done for us in Jesus Christ - what do we do about it? What would it look like for you to live out the Christ-centered life day after day?

Memory Verse

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the son of God.

1 John 5:5

Reflect

Questions

Look back at your last week.  How well did you bless and encourage the people around you?

Read the passage again slowly.  Apparently overcoming evil has a relational component to it.  How much evil flows out of the way we treat each other?

Who is someone you have been distant from or who has offended you, that you could bless and make peace with?  Do it!

Prayer

Father in heaven, thank You that you do not repay me in kind for the way I have treated you.  Change my heart so that I am the first one to reach out when others draw back.  Give me your love so I can do something kind to those who need it most.  I choose to allow your love to fill me and flow out from me today.  Amen.

Share

Gather around your lunch or dinner table with family or close friends and read today’s passage together. Then ask the question below.

• Identify one practical way to reach out to people who are hard to love.  How can those gathered at your table help you in this?

DFM Nation

Sunday Pastor Glenn will dive into a more in depth teaching on how Humility can overcome the deadly sin of Pride. Take a moment to pray for and invite someone.

NEXT
The next devotional in this Overcomer series will post Monday Sept 28

Overcomer - Fruit vs Flesh

Thurs.  9/24

Read Galatians 5:16-26

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited,provoking and envying each other.

Often the New Testament letters follow a similar pattern.  As they draw to a close they shift focus from the theological to the practical. This is one such passage from the Apostle Paul to his friends in Galatia.  Notice the contrast between the two different lists, one of sins and the other of fruit. Notice how the fruit will overcome the flesh!

Memory Verse

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the son of God.

1 John 5:5

Reflect

Questions

This passage contains two lists, the acts of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit.  Write them out in columns and then look to see which fruit can overcome which sins.

Read the passage again slowly.  What two or three phrases stand out to you?  Why?

What would it take this week for you to move from the first list to more of the second list?

Prayer

Father in heaven, thank You for the power of your Spirit to help me resist sin and embrace grace.  I need your help today - right now - to let go of the old way of living and to take hold of the new way you have planned for me.  I long for more fruit that comes from keeping in step with you.  So by faith, I step into the flow of your Spirit.  May your fruit flow into and out through my life - especially today.  Amen.

Share

Gather some family friends together and read the passage. Then ask this question:

• Looking at this passage what is a sinful pattern on the list that surprises you?  How could you help each other to stay in the flow with the Spirit?

DFM Nation

Sunday Pastor Glenn will dive into a more in depth teaching on how Humility can overcome the deadly sin of Pride.  Take a moment to pray for and invite someone.

Make Every Effort

Overcomer - God's Divine Power

Read 2 Peter 1:3-11

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Peter begins his short letter with some very encouraging words.  Everything that follows is an explanation of verses 3-4.  God has done His part.  Now we should do ours - by making every effort!

Memory Verse
Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the son of God.  
1 John 5:5 NIV

Reflect

Questions

Can you think of any ‘precious promises’ that God has given you in the Bible? Name three.

Read the passage again slowly.  What specific actions are we called to ‘make every effort’ in pursuing?  Are you?

Is the effort to overcome evil really worth it?  Think about that all day today.

Prayer

Father in heaven, thank You for the many wonderful promises you have given me including the promise of a rich welcome into your eternal kingdom.  Give me strength to persevere in my walk with you. Show me anything that would make me stumble.  I want to follow you with all my heart, all the way home. Amen.

Share

Gather some family friends together and read the passage. Then ask this question:

• Talk through the list in vs 5-7 of all the things we should add to our faith.  What do these qualities look like in the real world?  Which one do you need help with?

DFM Nation

Sunday Pastor Glenn will dive into a more in depth teaching on how Humility can overcome the deadly sin of Pride.  Take a moment to pray for and invite someone.

You Have Overcome!

Overcomer Devotional  Tues 9/22

Read 1 John 2:12-17

12 I am writing to you, dear children,

   because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.

13 I am writing to you, fathers,

   because you know him who is from the beginning.

I am writing to you, young men,

   because you have overcome the evil one.

14 I write to you, dear children,

   because you know the Father.

I write to you, fathers,

   because you know him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young men,

   because you are strong,

   and the word of God lives in you,

   and you have overcome the evil one.

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

John writes three short and powerful letters which are included near the end of the New Testament.  In each of them he encourages his fellow Christ-followers to press on.  He typically reminds us of God’s love and how much we should love as a result.  Here he addresses three groups of people - possibly in various stages of Christian growth - children, young men, fathers - and reminds them all that they are overcomers!

Memory Verse

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the son of God.  

1 John 5:5 NIV

Reflect

Questions

Notice that when repeating the fact that the young men have overcome the evil one John adds an important detail.  What is it?  

Read the passage again slowly.  What stands out to you as the greatest personal challenge?

Prayer

Father in heaven, thank You for helping me to overcome the evil all around me. I want to be an overcomer as I love you more and allow your word to live in me. Show me how to put the focus of my heart on you and not the temporary things of this world.  I want to be someone whose life is grounded in those things that live forever.  Amen.

Share

Gather some family friends together and read the passage. Then ask this question:

• In light of this passage what would it look like for each of us to have the word of God living in us?  How can we encourage each other to move in that direction?

DFM Nation

Sunday Pastor Glenn will dive into a more in depth teaching on how Humility overcomes the deadly sin of Pride.  Take a moment to pray for and invite someone.

Overcomer - Beginnings

Overcomer - 9/21

Introduction

We just started a new eight week series called Overcomer: Winning Against the Seven Deadly Sins. All of us face temptations of various kinds.  Sometimes we win those battles but at other times we lose.  So what do we do?  How do we increase our odds of consistently winning the battle within?  

In these daily devotionals which coordinate with the Overcomer series we’ll provide biblical passages and personal insights designed to help shape us into overcoming Christ-followers.

Read I John 5:1-5

1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. And Jesus Christ was revealed as God’s Son by his baptism in water and by shedding his blood on the cross—not by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit, who is truth, confirms it with his testimony. 7 So we have these three witnesses— 8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and all three agree. 9 Since we believe human testimony, surely we can believe the greater testimony that comes from God. And God has testified about his Son. 10 All who believe in the Son of God know in their hearts that this testimony is true. Those who don’t believe this are actually calling God a liar because they don’t believe what God has testified about his Son.

11 And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.

Memory Verse
Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the son of God.  
1 John 5:5 NIV

Reflect

Questions to Consider

Read the passage again slowly.  What are some keys to becoming an overcomer listed here?

Looking ahead for the next 8 weeks what are 2 specific ways would like to overcome the temptations around you in the world?

Prayer

Father in heaven, thank You for loving me first. I want people to know that I am a follower of Jesus in the way I show my love for you and for all the people around me.  Show me the areas of my life where I am most vulnerable to temptation.  Change my heart so that I can consistently overcome the world by your strength and grace. Amen.

Share

Gather some family friends together and read the passage. Then ask this question:

In light of this passage what could we do to support each other in standing strong against temptation? What helps you to stand strong?

DFM Nation

Next Sunday Pastor Glenn will dive into an in depth teaching on the ways Humility will overcome Pride.  Take a moment to pray for and invite someone to attend with you.