Daily Devotional – July 10-16
July 10 – Meditating on God’s Word
This devotional series offers less content but more opportunity for you to reflect, contemplate, and pray through the short Scriptures we offer. It is an opportunity to help us slow down and enjoy time in the presence of God. It is an exercise in listening with the intent of hearing from God through His Word and by His Spirit. Here is the passage for the week:
Philippians 2:9-11, Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Prayer: “Lord Jesus, because you were obedient to death, even death on a cross, fulfilling Your heavenly mission, Your Father resurrected You to the heavenly throne where You have the highest honor and name over all. At the very mention of the name, Jesus, everyone will stop in their tracks and bow before You. This includes everyone on earth, in heaven, and all other beings in the unseen spiritual world. Every being, whether willingly or unwillingly, will speak that Jesus Christ is Lord, all to the glory of Your Father. I choose to voluntarily declare today and forevermore that Jesus Christ is my Lord. Amen.”
July 11 – Meditating on God’s Word
Philippians 2:9, Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,
Write out the Scripture. (As it is or in your own words.)
“Therefore, God raised Him up to the highest place of honor and gave Him the name that stands far above all other names,”
Observe what it is saying. (Answer the who, what, when, where, why, and how questions)
Because Jesus, the Son, was faithful and obedient to the plan of redemption, even going to His horrific death on a cross, the Father resurrected Him and returned Him to His rightful place on the throne where He rules and reigns over all. There is no higher place of honor. Because He is equally God, there is no greater name in all the universe. It stands far above every other name because it represents who He is as holy, sovereign, truthful, beautiful, loving, forgiving, compassionate, and glorious.
Relate it to your life. (Connect how this Scripture speaks into your life today.)
Where Jesus has been placed in the spiritual world is where Jesus must be in my life. He must be positioned in the highest place of honor. I cannot treasure anyone or anything more than Him. There must be no other name that I give greater authority over my life than Jesus. As much as I love and care for family and friends, they cannot be held in higher esteem than Jesus.
Do something. (Pray it. Live it. Act on it.)
“Jesus, how glorious and beautiful is Your name! May I give You the honor and worship that is due to You. May I cherish You. May I be totally devoted to You. Amen.”
July 12 – Meditating on God’s Word
Philippians 2:10, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…
Write out the Scripture.
“that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…”
Observe what it is saying.
The purpose of Christ’s exaltation is that all beings might humbly bow in acknowledgment of the name Jesus which means Savior. A time is coming when every knee will bow before Him in recognition of his sovereignty. It fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 45:22-23, “Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other. I have sworn by my own name; I have spoken the truth, and I will never go back on my word: Every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will
declare allegiance to me.”
Relate it to your life.
I can choose today to voluntarily bow before Jesus as Savior and Lord today or I will not be able to stop myself when the whole universe will do so on the day of His return and final victory.
Do something.
“Jesus, I bow my head and heart before You submitting to You as Savior and Lord. Amen.”
July 13 – Meditating on God’s Word
Philippians 2:10, …in heaven and on earth and under the earth.
Write out the Scripture.
“… in heaven and on earth and under the earth.”
Observe what it is saying.
This additional information tells us who will bow before Christ when the name of Jesus is mentioned. It reveals the unlimited scope of Jesus’ Lordship. He is Lord of the earth. He is Lord of heaven. He is Lord of the unseen spiritual world. The Father resurrected Jesus from the lowest place on earth to the highest possible position in all of the seen and unseen realms. As it is in heaven now, there will be no one who will not bow before Him on earth at His return.
Relate it to your life.
The President will bow, world leaders will bow, terrorists will bow, entertainers will bow, CEO’s will bow just as heaven bows and once again, today, I choose to bow at the Name of Jesus.
Do something.
“Jesus, I fall before you. There is no other name that has greater authority than Yours. Amen.”
July 14 – Meditating on God’s Word
Philippians 2:11, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Write out the Scripture.
“and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
Observe what it is saying.
In addition to bowing before Jesus, every voice will speak the eternal reality that Jesus is Lord. In a time when the Caesar of Rome thought of themselves as Lord and was often declared so, Paul is making it clear who the true Lord over all is. As Jesus wore the title, King of the Jews, at His crucifixion, He now has the title that declares His authority over heaven, earth, and hell.
Relate it to your life.
When I stop to consider Jesus’ highest and holiest position over all, it’s easy to speak Jesus is Lord, but when it comes to making daily decisions, do I still declare Him Lord in what I do?
Do something.
“Jesus, regardless of what anyone says, the fact is, You are Lord. I choose to join my voice with all of heaven to declare Your Lordship today. Jesus Christ is Lord. Amen.”
July 15 – Meditating on God’s Word
Philippians 2:8, And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Write out the Scripture.
“And being found in man’s appearance, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death-even death on a cross!”
Observe what it is saying.
What Jesus did in making Himself nothing was to humbly enter into the most despicable and demeaning death known to man- crucifixion. He was obedient every step of the way to the Father’s plan for our redemption which cost Him everything in the most gruesome way.
Relate it to your life.
I must never belittle or take lightly what Jesus did. If He was willing to go such a distance to offer love and forgiveness for me, will I not go a much shorter distance to show such love to others?
Do something.
“Jesus, I ask that You will give me Your mindset to humbly love others as You loved me. Amen.”