[MARCH 16] The Real Hero

Read: John 3:22-30

"He must increase, but i must decrease." 

--John 3:30

Louis B. Neumiller was known for his humility, integrity, and commitment to quality. As president f the Caterpillar Tractor Company from 1941-54, he led the manufacturer of earth-moving ewuipment through the challenges of World War II into global expansion. In the book In Their Time: The Greatest Business Leaders of the Twentieth Century, authors Mayo and Nohria describe Neumiller's leadership as "success without fanfare." His mark of greatness, they note, was that he took his identity out of the business and "let his company become a hero instead of himself."

We see the same quality of selflessness  in John the Baptist, the dynamic preacher who repeatedly affirmed his mission on paving the way for the Messiah. When John's followers became concerned that Jesus was baptizing people and crowds were following Him, John replied: "You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but 'I have been sent before Him.'... He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:28,30).

As followers of Christ, are we lifting Him up instead seeking honor for ourselves? Rather than being disappointed when our contribution is unnoticed, we should be glad because our highest privilege is to magnify the Lord. He's the hero!

Honoring Him is the mark of greatness. --David McCasland

A Prayer: Lord, tech us to be humble. 

May our desire be that You be known, honored, loved, and exalted 

in every thought and action--above ourselves. Amen.

REFLECT ON THIS:

The great Christian is one who is small enough to let God be great in his life.

[MARCH 9] Don't Forget

Read: Deut. 8:1-2,10-18

"Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments" --Deuteronomy 8:11

One of my favorite Far Side cartoons is captioned “Superman in his later years.” It shows the elderly Man of Steel perched on a window ledge, ready to leap, as he looks back and says, “Now where was I going?”

Forgetfulness happens to us all, and while our occasional lapses may be amusing or annoying, a lack of memory toward God can be disastrous.

With the people of Israel poised to enter the Promised Land, Moses challenged them to “remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness” (Deut. 8:2) and to “beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments” (v.11).

Forgetting God can spring from: Testing (vv.2-4). God allowed His people to hunger and then provided manna. When we lack the necessities of life, it’s easy to feel that God has somehow forgotten us. Satisfaction (vv.10-11). Abundance or need may produce spiritual amnesia because both cause us to focus on ourselves, not on God who provides. Pride (vv.12-16). If prosperity brings a feeling of self-accomplishment, then we have forgotten God.

Humility, obedience, and praise help us remember God’s faithful provision and care. Let’s not forget to thank Him today for all He’s done. --David McCasland

Lest I forget Gethsemane,

Lest I forget Thine agony,

Lest I forget Thy love for me,

Lead me to Calvary. --Hussey

REFLECT ON THIS:

Never let the abundance of God’s gifts cause you to forget the Giver.