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lift Jesus high

John 12:32 (NASB) --- "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself."


How important it is to do a little examining from time to time!  The last few weeks we have talked about getting honest with the love God has for us and how we share that with others.  Far too often what we do, even as Christians, is to make us look good or to draw attention to ourselves.  But when we lift up ourselves, we lift the wrong thing.

Lifting ourselves rather than Jesus, doesn't give people a Savior.  Lifting ourselves or our plans rather than lifting Jesus, doesn't give people hope and meaning.

What will keep us from lifting up ourselves and start lifting up Jesus?

Ministry at Martinsville Speedway is one of my favorite things.  We get to speak to, to encourage thousands of race fans.  Lots of conversations about Jesus.  But I am stopping today to pray and seek God about who I am lifting up today in ministry.  I stop often and make sure my messages or even these devotions lift up Jesus and not me.  

Let me share with you a song from Michael W. Smith simple titled "Be Lifted High":

Sin and its ways grow old, All of my heart turns to stone, And I'm left with no strength to arise, How You need to be lifted high

Sin and its ways lead to pain, Left here with hurt and with shame, So no longer will I leave your side, Jesus, you be lifted high

You be lifted high, You be lifted high, You be lifted high in my life, Oh God, And I fall to my knees, So it's you that they see, Not I, Jesus, you be lifted high

And even now that I'm inside your hands, Help me not to grow prideful again, Don't let me forsake sacrifice, Jesus you be lifted high

And if I'm blessed with the riches of kings, How could I ever think that it was me, For you brought me from darkness to light, Jesus, you be lifted high

... And I fall to my knees, So it's you that they see, Not I, Jesus, you'll be lifted high

Did you read that right?  "I fall to my knees, so it's you that they see.  Not I, Jesus, you'll be lifted high."  Folks I can not tell you what that song and this truth does to me.  I recently stop before our people and had to confess that I get in the way from time to time.  That hurts.  It hurts me that I do that.  It hurts the cause of Christ.  It hurts me that I allow that to happen far too often.

Therefore, I close this week's devotion begging for you to join me in asking us to lift Jesus high.  Lets spend time with God begging him to move us out of the way so He can be lifted high.  We may need to literally fall on our knees so He can be lifted.  Do you agree?  Can we say what Jesus said?  I pray we can.  Here is that verse:

John 8:54 (NLT) --- Jesus answered, "If I want glory for myself, it doesn't count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, 'He is our God,' '

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