Pentecost • 18

reading for: Tuesday Night, 17 September

Mark 9:30-37

  • ReAD

    33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” – Mark 9:33-35

  • Commentary

    Jesus passed through Galilee and taught his disciples in secret that he, as the Son of Man, was going to be delivered into the hands of men to be killed, and after three days, he would rise again. This message is similar to what he told his disciples at Caesarea Philippi (Mark 8:27-37). Mark tells us that the disciples still did not understand what Jesus was talking about but were afraid to ask him.

    When they came to Capernaum and entered the house, Jesus asked them what they were discussing on the way. They were afraid to answer him because they were arguing who was the greatest among themselves. They were discussing who was to be their leader and chief. Jesus told them that if you want to be first, then you must be the last of all and servant of all. Jesus embodied this as He was in the form of God but did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped but emptied himself by taking the form of a servant (Philippians 2:5-11). Jesus was indeed the servant of all, for he died and rose again for all. To be the leader, he told them that they must follow him in humility and be willing to give up his life for others.

    Jesus then took a little child, put him in the midst of them, and declared that to receive one such child in my name is to receive Him and His Father. The point is that Jesus wanted them to be humble to receive even the little children.  

  • Reflect

    In this world, we are like the disciples, seeking to lord it over one another, trying to gather more power for ourselves. We constantly want to be first. Reflect on Jesus's words that to be first is to be last of all and servant of all. Ponder what Jesus is trying to say to you today.

  • Prayer

    Our Father in Heaven, help us to be more like Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped but emptied Himself by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, You have highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name. Help us understand that to be first is to be last and servant of all. Amen.

reading for: Wednesday Night, 18 September

proverbs 31:10-31

  • ReAD

    Scripture Reference Proverbs 31:10-31

    Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
        but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30

  • Commentary

    Proverbs 31:10-31 paints a beautiful picture of a woman who embodies true wisdom and humility. Her life is a testament to servant leadership—working tirelessly for her family, helping the poor, and fearing the Lord. But this passage isn't just about one woman; it's about a life lived in submission to God and His ways, a call for all of us to walk in wisdom.

    As Proverbs 31:30 says, "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." This verse reminds us that wisdom, as the Bible shows, isn’t about intelligence or success—it’s about humility and fearing God. Whether you're a child learning to obey your parents, a teen discovering your path in life, a young-adult navigating life’s complexities, or a married couple balancing work and family, wisdom means seeking God’s direction in everything. It's recognizing that true greatness comes from serving others. At work, home, or in your community, leadership doesn’t mean holding power but serving humbly, putting others first, as Jesus taught.

    This life of wisdom and humility starts with submission to God. Proverbs 31 encourages us to trust God, to walk in His ways, and to let our actions reflect our faith. When we embrace humility and servant leadership, we create homes and workplaces where God’s love is felt, where peace and righteousness flourish.

  • Reflect

    In what areas of your life can you practice greater humility and servant leadership, trusting God’s wisdom?

  • Prayer

    "O God, You have taught me from my youth, and to this day I declare Your wondrous works. Forsake me not in my old age, and grant that I may always do what is pleasing in Your sight." Amen.

reading for: THURSDAY Night, 19 September

james 3:13-4:8

  • ReAD

    Scripture Reference: James 3:13-4:8

    “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”.      – James 4:7-8

  • commentary

    We all have a propensity towards worldliness and sin. Our hearts wander and are easily tempted by the world and the devil. The world’s wisdom and allure seem only natural and looks good to us. We are people of impure hearts and at best double-minded if not single-mindedly devoted to the ways of the world.

    But thanks be to God who gives more grace and promises access to that greater grace to those who are humble (4:6). He promises in that a broken and contrite spirit He does not despise (Ps 51).

    Therefore, James urges us to submit ourselves to God (v7). For it is in Him and Him alone that we will find grace to both resist the devil and to draw near to God (v7-8). It is in Him and Him alone that we find any hope and the One able to strip away our scales of sin and restore within us pure hearts and clean hands. It is in Him and Him alone that we can choose and live in the joy of wisdom that comes from above.  

  • Reflect

    Brothers and sisters, I am reminded of the lyrics from ‘What a friend we have in Jesus’ that goes as follows:

    “Oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.”

     

    Take time today or this moment to invite the Holy Spirit to quicken in your spirit a sensitivity and hunger for Him. What is the Holy Spirit convicting you about? I pray that you would find the grace to submit and surrender to Him. He is a good good Father. Let’s repent and turn afresh to Him.

  • Prayer

    Dear Heavenly Father, have mercy on me and help to have Godly repentance. Deliver me from my weakness and sin for in you and you alone am I saved. Forgive me for my sin and lead me to extend that same forgiveness to those who sin against me. Help me to know you ever more and to become more and more like you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen!

reading for: FRIDAY Night, 20 September

Psalm 1

  • ReAD

    Scripture reference: Psalm 1 

    Psalms 1:3

    They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.

  • COMMENTARY

    What do you think strength look like? What would prospering look like for you?

    Psalms 1 paints the picture of strength and prosperity quite clearly. A tree that yields fruit in its season, with leaves that never wither.

    Like Jesus that cursed the fig tree that bore no fruit (Mark 11:12-14), we can conclude that the picture of strength and prosperity is fruits in its season. This fig tree had fully bloomed leaves, yet it didn't have any fruit. Hence it was cursed.

    For fruits we can easily use the fruit of the Spirit as a reference for how much we are growing to be more like our Heavenly Father.  Are we growing in love for our neighbour? Are we becoming increasing patient and thus are able to have more control over our words and tongue? Or do we lash out in anger or frustration saying mean things?

    Ultimately however, these fruits cannot be cultivated on our own strength or will. It must be cultivated through what we see in Psalm 1:1-2.

    By walking not in the ways of the world or our selfish desires, but in the way of our Father revealed most clearly in Jesus.

    He delighted and dug into the words of the Father seen most clearly through the scriptures. He meditated on the stories and character of God our Father day and night.

    It was a continuous, steady, slow cultivation in the same narrow way that brought forth strength and prosperity. 

  • Reflect

    Last Sunday Ps Terence reminded us as CNLers our rhythm of life - our daily, weekly and monthly rhythms. How have you grown and how will you keep growing in these rhythms for the rest of 2024?

  • Prayer

    Father in Heaven, strength and prosperity can only come through You. Outside of You, outside of Jesus it's impossible. Help me and enable me by the power of the Holy Spirit to identify the obstacles hindering me to cultivate true strength. I surrender my heart, my life and my time to You. Have Your way in me, fully and completely.

    In the name of Jesus who is my King and Life.

    Amen.

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