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Your Daily Prayer 🙏🏾 Matthew 17:27

The highest form of greatness is serving others selflessly.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT ACTION: HUMILITY
Let someone else go first in traffic, in line, or in a conversation.

Today’s daily devotional focuses on Jesus providing for Peter’s taxes and teaching about true greatness and the importance of protecting children’s innocence. Jesus cared for Peter by instructing him on how to find the money needed for taxes. He later emphasized that greatness comes from serving others and issued a stern warning against harming children.
STORY
Bible in a Year: The Tax and The Great Warning
Scripture
And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Matthew 18:5-6
Have you ever been in a situation where you felt unprepared and worried about provision?

During tax season in Capernaum, Peter faced this very issue, finding himself without the money to pay his taxes. Yet, Jesus was not surprised. He provided for Peter in an extraordinary way, instructing him to find a coin in the mouth of a fish. This miracle showed Jesus’ intimate care and provision for His followers.

Do you trust that God will provide for your needs, even in unexpected ways?

Jesus’ care for Peter demonstrates His attentiveness to our needs. Later, as the disciples gathered for dinner, Jesus addressed their earlier argument about who was the greatest among them. Embarrassed and silent, they listened as Jesus redefined greatness. He taught that true greatness comes from humility and putting others' needs above our own.

How often do you seek to serve others rather than seeking your own recognition?

Jesus’ teaching emphasizes that greatness in His kingdom is marked by selflessness and humility. He also issued a stern warning about causing harm to children, highlighting the severe consequences for those who lead them astray. This underscores the value Jesus places on protecting and nurturing the innocent.

What steps can you take to embody humility and protect the vulnerable in your community?

Reflecting on this story, we are reminded of the importance of trusting in Jesus’ provision, serving others with humility, and safeguarding the innocence of children. By living out these principles, we can honor God and reflect His love to those around us.

REFLECTION
Reflect on areas in your life where you need to trust God’s provision more fully. Are there opportunities to serve others selflessly that you might be overlooking?

Take time to pray for a heart of humility and a spirit of generosity, asking God to help you put others' needs above your own.

As you move forward this week, look for ways to protect and support the vulnerable, especially children.

PRAYER
Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
MATTHEW 17:27
When I get caught up in the race to determine who is greater, when the creature of comparison tries to creep into my everyday life I will remember Your words, Jesus, in Matthew 17, Mark 9 and Luke 9. Instead of fighting for who is going to be greater, my fight will be a personal one for how I'm going to serve others. You spoke and declared that the least shall be the greatest in Your Kingdom. You spoke and declared, Jesus, that the last shall be first and because it came from Your mouth I take this as truth. Through this truth, I can rest and know that just because it appears I'm in last place in my life, in my dreams and in my goals it doesn’t mean that that’s my final outcome. Through You God I acknowledge that in just 24 hours You can change everything, You can lift me to a place that no one saw coming because I’m focused on me and what I’m called to do. I pray that this mindset will reach the minds of our children so they won’t stumble and fall to the lie of comparing. Let them understand that the only comparison that matters is comparing our heart and actions with You Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 🙏🏾 ❤️

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