Greater and Lesser
Date: March 30, 2023
I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional.
B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Word and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study and savor
S - Summarize and Share
You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?
B (Bible Verse): John 3:30
"He must become greater; I must become less." (NIV)
L (Listen): Heavenly Father, help me to have a heart that seeks to magnify You above all else. Show me the areas in my life where I may be putting myself or my desires before You, and help me to surrender those areas to You. May I always remember that You are the One who deserves all the glory and honor. In Jesus' name, Amen.
E (Explore): John 3:30 was written by John the Baptist, who was a prophet and a cousin of Jesus. John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River at the very start of Jesus’ ministry. It was after that that Jesus began to travel and preach throughout Galilee and Judea, performing miracles and teaching about the Kingdom of God. This verse was spoken by John the Baptist to his disciples when they came to him and expressed concern that Jesus was baptizing people and that everyone was going to Him instead of John. John the Baptist reassured his disciples that this was how it was meant to be, and that he must decrease while Jesus must increase.
S (Study):
"He must become greater": This phrase means that Jesus must become more important and prominent in our lives. We should strive to exalt Him above all else.
"I must become less": This phrase means that we must decrease in importance and allow Jesus to take center stage in our lives. We should be humble and recognize our need for Him.
S (Summarize): In this verse, John the Baptist reminds us that our lives are not about us, but about Jesus. We should seek to magnify Him above all else and be willing to decrease in importance so that He may increase. This verse reminds us to have a heart that is humble and focused on exalting Jesus.
Our lives are not about achieving success or gaining recognition, but about living for Jesus and making His name known. When we feel tempted to seek our own glory, we can remember John 3:30 and choose to decrease so that Jesus may increase.
When I started this group, it was with the sole intention to help others draw closer to God. I pray that it has done that. But as a bonus, you all have helped considerably in helping me draw even closer to God as well.
Sometime today, I want you to reflect on whether you have been seeking your own glory instead of exalting Jesus. Let's ask God to help us have a heart that seeks to magnify Him above all else, and to be willing to decrease in importance so that He may increase.
4 Bible Cross References:
Philippians 1:20-21 - "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."
Colossians 3:2 - "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
James 4:10 - "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."
Psalm 34:3 - "Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together."