Welcome to week 3 of our time together reading Just RISE UP!

This week is another tough topic. It is one that goes against everything society ingrains in us. It is one that I must constantly circle back to in evaluation of my own stance before God.

Bow Low Before We Rise UP!

Chapter 2 Just RISE UP!: A Call To Make Jesus Famous

If I say it once, I will say it a million times. We do ministry with our life when we choose to circle our entire life around the renown of Jesus. You HAVE ministry.  Taking a posture of humility makes rising up all about Jesus and less about pride which destroys our ministry. Let’s start out our time this week reminding ourselves how great our God is by reading Scripture as an act of worship.

~Head back to Psalm 145 and ask God to give you fresh eyes toward these words of praise.

~I would love to know what verse or verses have meant the most to you thus far in our study?

Take a look at my video blog for this week where I share what my personal journey has looked like so far as I learn to bow low before my King of kings.

 

Dig IN!

As I mentioned in the video, pride is a big thing for me. And I hate it. I’m constantly begging God for forgiveness when my pride creeps into my thoughts and words. I’m also constantly begging Him to retool my heart so pride is no where near. I know for sure that pride wrecks me.

On page 61 I introduced a verse that spurs me forward when pride holds me back. I invite you to read it for yourself in your own Bible and maybe write it out in your journal! Do whatever you can to inscribe the words into your soul.

He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30)

Yes, Jesus is already mighty and great and powerful. Just like Jesus is already famous. The question is, do we back ourselves out of the way so that we allow Him upmost authority and priority in our life?

My most effective way to allow Jesus to increase in my life while I decrease is to do what we’ve already discussed together: praise Him, praise Him, praise Him. Scripture often uses the word exalt.

In your Bible, flip to the back to the concordance. Look up the word EXALT. You will find some references that point to worship and lifting God up.  You will also find references to what happens when we humble ourselves before God. (Example Psalm 34:3, James 4:10, 1 Peter, 5:6)

~What did you learn about a posture of humility with this search?

One of the verses that I chose to sit with was Matthew 23:12 where it says that God will humble those who set themselves in high places. And, those who live before God with a humble heart, He will exalt them. (paraphrase)

~Based on your word search how would you define the word exalt? Is it something you want personally from people (that is so tempting!) so is it something you know deep down should come from God?

Journal IT!

~Read page 61-62 in Just RISE UP! where I give examples of increasing and decreasing based on John 3:30. Journal through some life situations where you know you need to decrease so that Jesus would be famous in your life. Get to the nitty gritty, day to day stuff. That is where true transformation happens.

~Write down reasons why you think it is important to take a posture of humility before the Lord. If at this point you don’t know how, THAT IS OK! Ask God to soften your heart and highlight areas in your life where you need to tweak so that He increases.

Pray About IT!

Take some time to finish this prayer prompt with your own words.

~Father God, even if it is difficult for me, show me how I can bow low before your throne in every part of my life . . .

~Lord, dig up areas in my life and convict my soul to take a posture of humility before you . . .

 

Share IT!

Share these on social media! Be sure to use #JustRISEUP

 

 

 

Talk About IT!

I want to hear from you! Please feel free to share your thoughts or struggles on anything we’ve discussed so far. Leave a comment…let’s chat!