But this should be different for followers of Jesus. We have Jesus' example. He never acted out of self-gratification or self-promotion. In John 5:19, Jesus says, "Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." See what he says? Jesus, God-in-the-flesh looks only to the Father and does what he sees the Father doing. That's the opposite of self-promotion.
We're going to deal with self-gratification in the next blog post. But I want to focus on self-promotion today. Merriam-Webster defines self promotion as, "the act of furthering one's own growth, advancement, or prosperity." We instinctively act out of self-promotion all the time.
We are born in the world seeking self-promotion. But it's a good thing then. Babies can't say, "Hey mom, I'm hungry. Give me a bottle." They cry. And they learn that when they cry, they get what they want.
The problem is that sometimes we continue that mindset into adulthood. We learn that we need to be in it for ourselves, that we are the only ones worried about our own well-being.
Take a few moments to read John 14:1-4, then answer these questions.
1. According to Jesus, what should we do instead of letting our "hearts be troubled?
2. How does Jesus' promises (verse 2-4) help you in your journey to trust God instead of being worried?
I think that we often resort to self-promotion because we are worried that if we don't take care of ourselves, no one will. Or if we don't seek to be noticed or admired, no one will. But Jesus promises his presence just a bit later - "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you." He promises to notice you, to take care of your deepest needs.
3. If we trusted God to take care of our deepest needs, how would that help us not seek self-promotion as much?
Take a moment to pray that God would help you to feel satisfied, noticed, and taken care of in his presence. Confess areas in your life where you have been self-obsessed and ask him to give his Holy Spirit to help you in those areas.
1. According to Jesus we should trust in him and God and not let our hearts be troubled
ReplyDelete2. These verses tell us that God already has plans worked out for us. This will help because no matter how rough your day is going or how confused you are about the future God already has plans for you and you shouldn’t worry because they are better than you can ever imagine.
3. I think if we trusted God with our deepest needs we would stop worrying about what we need and think about what others may need. We may then put more time into other people and furthering the kingdom of God.
1) Jesus says we need to trust him and not let our heart be troubled or uncertain.
ReplyDelete2) We tend to over think things and be like I need to do this or this will happen. We tend to think we need to be independent and do everything ourselves but we forget that god has our plans. Those plans are what he has set for ourselves so we should ask ourselves every morning when we wake up, god what are u going to do in my life today, what plans do u have for me.
3) I believe that if we start giving god our deepest fears and biggest secrets there will be less time for self promotion. When you start having a relationship where we tell god these things I think I minds and heart will change and we won’t want it to be all about me me me and it will be more about what’s best for the people around me!!
1. Jesus says to trust and believe in him as we believe in God
ReplyDelete2. These verses say that God has a place and a plan for you. So we don't have to worry and be depend on ourself for answers or for the future, he already has it taken care of
3. I think that if we give everything to God and stop worrying about it thenwe will be more able to hear when he is calling us to do things. We won't be distracted by what we think he needs and he will be able to lead us in the way that he has chosen
(I don't know if this shows who I am so this is Mikayla) :)
1. We should trust that we know where He is going and that He has made a place for us.
ReplyDelete2. We can have assurance that we are taken care of. We know that God has a place prepared for us so even if we don’t know where we are going right now we know where we will end up.
3. We would be more focused on promoting God and know that we don’t need to promote ourselves because all of our lives should point to Him.
1. Jesus says that we should trust in him like we do in God.
ReplyDelete2. Jesus is telling us that there is already a place in heaven for us. We don’t have to depend on ourselves for all the answers or the future because He already has everything taken care of for us.
3. I think that If we trusted God with everything and stop worrying then we will be able to hear what he wants us to do better. We won’t be as distracted about what we think God wants us to do. If we stop worrying we will be able to hear Him better.
(This is Riley. I don’t know if it shows names or not )
1. We should believe in God but also him as well.
ReplyDelete2. Jesus is preparing a spot in heaven for us, so we shouldn't worry what may or may not happen to us.
3. Since God is taking care of our worries and problems, we would worry less about ourselves and perhaps more about others