My high school had a superlative program called “Who’s Who” in which the senior class voted for awards like Most Likely to Succeed, Best Dressed, etc. After the votes were in, the winners were announced at a school-wide assembly. For four years, I dreamed of what it would be like to walk the aisles and receive an award for the class of 2006’s “Who’s Who.”
Many peers told me they wrote my name down for the “Friendliest Girl,” and I knew I would win. Much to my dismay, I sat through the assembly and never heard my name called. I believed this award would prove I was “somebody,” and when I didn’t receive it, the disappointment was crushing. Upon returning to my English class, I asked the teacher, who calculated the votes, how close it was to my loss of the “Friendliest” award. She said, “Oh, you were close. You were only one vote away.” I internally kicked myself, wishing I had voted for myself instead of trying to be humble. As I walked through the front door after school, I burst into tears, sobbing about how my name wasn’t called at the assembly. My mom had no idea what I was talking about but attempted to console me and help me look to the eternal rather than the temporal.
Many of us struggle with the temptation to boast about our accomplishments. We believe if we put in the hard work to reach a goal, we can celebrate because of our efforts. We often forget to thank God for His grace and favor.
God turns everything upside down within His kingdom. The gospel is not a “Who’s Who” contest. The gospel is about recognizing that apart from Christ, we have nothing of eternal value to bring to the table.
The stakes are higher than recognition at a high school assembly now, aren’t they?
As adults, we may be tempted to boast about a promotion at work, a sought-after relationship status, or belonging to a certain group.
Paul wrote to the church in Corinth to remind them that everything they have is grace. When we consider any success or earthly blessing, we too must consider it in light of the grace of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8–9 says, “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.” Consider all the gifts and abilities you have from God. Then compare them to His awe, majesty, and holy power. Those gifts we like to boast in seem like nothing compared to the beauty and wonder of a holy God. God gives us gifts to point others to Him and help us grow in our dependence upon His Holy Spirit.
Sister, when you’re tempted to boast about all you are able to do, lift your eyes and give thanks to God, praising Him for His gift of grace in your life. He’s the only One worthy of praise.
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63 thoughts on "Boast in the Lord"
I pray that I would boast in the Lord , instead of in myself.
Thank you for all the prayers for my husband. Love this community ❤️
Praise the Lord dear shes. Some things stood out to me today: Bold toward God’s people, Bold against some, Wage war through God, A readiness to revenge all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
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I was going through my notes, and a few things were really awakening. These could come from books and devotional books compilation, but it might help someone out there, or a word for some of us out there:
Things to ponder:
– Our identity is not restricted to our roles, our activities, or the market place/ work place.
– You are the image bearer of Christ, no less no more, besides this, all is identity theft and crisis. Find out what Christ does and does not do, and you will know the steps to emulate.
– God’s identity both elevates and humbles us, because it confronts our pride that we are not God.
– The process of making us into Him is very painful and long, but is that what we are in for? (CS Lewis, Mere Christianity)
– In the process of knowing Him, you will lose your life, and may be stripped off of everything we knew to be true about ourselves. In doing so, we lose ourselves for His sake, we will find them again.
– Do not be afraid when this happens. Do not be afraid when He comes to relieve you of your idols of identity. He is coming to reclaim His own, and He will not stop until you become your truest self.
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Praise be to God that I have some relief today to come on here. God is faithful, so faithful. May we keep pressing on, and find new strength, new faith when the old ones are exhausted. But God can make all things new, possible to those who believe. Be blessed dear sisters.
Gosh the last thing I would have wanted is to be recognized in a big auditorium. I’m still that way. I want to sit in the back and not be recognized. That is probably just as bad. I’m lifting my eyes thanking God for the gift of grace!
He’s the ONLY one worthy of praise! Amen and AMEN! Apart from Christ I am NOTHING! AND don’t want to be anywhere else or LOOK up to anyone else but JESUS. He will not disappoint! I was hoping to work today and tomorrow before officially starting on Thursday, but didn’t called in so here I am ENJOYING and TRUSTING my last 2 days before we start on Thursday which will consist meetings and trainings. Happy Tuesday Sweet She’s.
Everything I am and everything I have is because of God. Before I started truly following Him, I was a mess. Couldn’t make a right decision to save my life. BUT now WITH HIM, I have everything I need for an abundant life – because He has given me everything I need, and has changed my heart to be content and joyful.
Right I am with you!!
Praying for you Tina!
The older I get the more I realize that I can do nothing without Christ! I am humbled by all bc He has done in my life that I don’t deserve. It is only His grace and mercy that saves me!
Without Him, I don’t even have breath to boast of. He is the Giver of it all!!
Amen!
Even though this study focuses on Paul’s letters to the Corinthians, I sure did appreciate the readings from Jeremiah and Ephesians today. (Well, I appreciate all of the Bible, every day, even when God’s finger is being pointed at me… which is more often than it should be!)
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I have a song running through my head from a Women of Faith conference from years ago. The worship leaders sang this…
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Sing along, if you know it…Grace, grace, God’s grace. Grace that will pardon and cleanse within…
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Let us all, sweet She’s, revel in the grace and cleansing that He offers to us. It’s not what WE do (or don’t do.) It’s all HIM!!
Oh man , that brought back some memories. Loved those conferences!
I was singing that song in my head several times last week! ❤
I will not boast except through the Lord! This has stood out to me through the past couple of years, because of ALL I’ve gotten to do in His strength!! I am overwhelmed by His grace and how he took little old me, and has grown me to talk and boast in Him, through Him! That He lives In me, yet I haven’t put that power to use in all these years! He gives us a beautiful, powerful mega-boost when we call on Him before doing anything!
I remember all those moments when I was so nervous and scared to talk in front of a group when the leader asked me to sub! A literal stomach sickening feeling, and shaky hands…! I guess a true fear of public speaking has plagued me since high school! I have always been super friendly and outgoing, but don’t put me in a big group to say eloquent things speech-like!
I just can’t believe through Him I am confident, because I love him and have a passion for the word that I didn’t have before, and then His Spirit brings it to fire to do with it he wants to. I learned from my mentors that when anxious go to prayer, when feeling inadequate-go to prayer, in it all, prayer is the first go to, then rest in that and follow the Holy Spirit prompting!
Also, I laughed with the author because I too thought I mUST win a superlative to leave my place in my class! To show my popularity! Oh boy, eyeroll. Funny I still BOAST that I won Best Dressed in my senior year..eyeroll…like that propels me to a new level in people’s eyes!! geez. We are all making progress..praise the Lord, some of us take so much longer! lol.
Praying for the requests.
I got “Most Intellectual”. Oy!
Great reminder that ALL I have comes through Gods love, grace and provision. I’ve seen it throughout my life. How easy it is to forget that in the moment though…. Requesting prayer please – my husband was diagnosed yesterday with vocal cord cancer – thankfully the doctor believes it is Stage 1 – we will know more by Friday after his CAT scan. He is a strong believer too – we are leaning into Jesus and trusting in him. Tina – praying for you to feel better today!
Praying for your husband and for you as you start this battle against cancer. May God grant healing, give wisdom to his care team, and give you both peace. ❤️
Praying, Julie, that the CAT scan has good news and for healing of your husband’s vocal cords.
Praying in agreement with you for your husband, Julie! Praise God it was discovered early! ❤
Have prayed right now. I’m so sorry. A difficult diagnosis,no matter the stage. May the Lord bring strength, peace and complete healing and He be glorified on this journey.
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Julie- praying for you and your husband!
Thank you!
Praying
I am so sorry to hear about your husband’s diagnosis! I know that that news can come with a lot of fear and anxiety. I am praying for healing for your husband, peace, and wisdom for the doctors!
Thank you!
Praying for you, your husband and the medical team
Praying for your husband Julie.
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My 50th class reunion will be this Saturday, and last month a classmate passed away. Time passes after graduation & tho we were friends all 12 years of school, we went our separate ways & lost contact. Her obituary was so HER; she was kind, humble and I could see her and hear her laugh while reading it. Most of all, from a young age, she professed faith in Jesus – often in high school she stopped gossipers dead in their tracks but in such a way that was thought-provoking & not judgemental; I was (& still am when remembering it) so impressed by her gift of sharing Christ so quietly yet firmly & with conviction even in the crazy world of high schoolers. She was gifted in quietly connecting with people where they were, and shared her faith even as she lived her final days. Her niece, my neighbor it turns out told me “she was pretty wonderful”..
May her memory be a blessing. May the Holy One who comforts those who mourn in Zion comfort those who mourn her.
I seriously am a fan-girl of Paul. I just love how he calls it like it is and doesn’t mince words (although he is WORDY, but still!) Yet again, he hits on a topic that stirs my heart. I think as the youngest in my family by many years, I felt it was often necessary for me to remind my family of the many things I accomplished and that I was worthy of being noticed. I am not proud of that fact, but unfortunately there is a lot of truth in that statement. As I have grown older, I have mellowed and matured in this way (thank God, who wants to be around someone like that?). To live out this verse from Jeremiah: But the one who boasts should boast in this: that he understands and knows me—that I am the Lord, showing faithful love, justice, and righteousness on the earth.
THIS, this is what I want to boast about.
He is worthy of it all! Worthy is Your Name, Jesus!
Lifted you in prayer, Tina to get well quickly as the Lord sees fit. ❤️
When my little sister bought her sweet little house, I travelled down to London to see the house she was super excited to acquire. When the rest of the siblings arrived with dad I said I wanted to pray a blessing over the house and thank God for His provision. My sister looked at me with a look.. I asked her what that look was for..she said, ” I worked hard and saved hard to get this house, why do we need to thank God..” I said, “little sister, do you think you did this by yourself?
I actually was shocked, but not surprised. Dad, intervened then, and said to my sister, we should thank God for His provision and His grace that you have been able to buy this house..
This sister is all about achievement, gaining the next accolade, always striving.. there is nothing wrong with that..
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BUT GOD..
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Whether you know it or not, He is in the mix. We take steps giant ones or small ones by His grace. We achieve by and in His grace. We get to where we are, by His grace. We may think that we did things in our own strength, that would be an untruth..He is ever present even to those who do not walk with Him yet..
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I am thankful that I believe, and know the truth of who I am in Him and His provision in every area of my life.. I cannot do life without Him, and so I can give thanks to Him in everything..
AMEN.
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Happy Tuesday dear hearts. Praying your day is blessed beyond measure.❤️
Might I ask for prayer for myself, I am ill in bed and need to shift it by tomorrow as I am needed to babysit the grands..
Thank you.❤️
Praying for you to feel better, Tina. Watching grands is our best reason to be healthy!
Indeed! Spending time with them brings so much joy!
My sweet Sister, Tina, as always so thankful for your insight! Praying for quick recovery, and that you will be energized and ready to spend time with your grands tomorrow. So thankful for you!
Sweet Tina, praying that you will feel much better very quickly and that you will be energized so you can enjoy the grands! You are so precious to all of us SRT sisters!
Thank you for your encouraging words to me last week! ❤️
Praying you feel better, Tina.
Praying for you, Tina.
Praying for a quick recovery, Tina!
Oh, Tina, I have missed you the past few days and wondered if all was well. I join our sisters in praying for a quick turnaround to good health and energy! Love and hugs! ❤
What a great example in your sister and her house. Thanks for sharing. (You have so many wonderful stories that are always so applicable!)
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Prayers for you to feel better, sweet sister! ❤️
Tina, I am lifting you up to the Great Physician!!
Praying for you!
Praying for your recovery Tina
Praying for a quick recovery Tina.
Praying for swift recovery Tina!
Praying for you Tina. ❤️
Late to the reading so hope all is well with you now.
Thank you for these words that hit home: “He is ever present even to those who do not walk with Him yet..”
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Amen
Lord help me to boast in you today Amen
Amen
I find it a bit ironic and amusing that Paul has to defend his “right” to claim his authority, when in 1 Corinthians, he is chiding them for dividing into groups based on the teacher (Paul, Apollos, Peter).
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What is man that You are mindful of him?
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Thanks be to God that only in Christ am I anything.
Wowee and ouch! We should be comparing ourselves to God’s standard, not others. How does my life measure up to what God wants?
I like the He Reads Truth commentary today.
“The first antidote to boasting is living with a focused memory. The Israelites lost their way when they forgot the history of God’s mighty deeds and His steadfast love. We are prone to do the same, focusing on our own strengths because we’ve forgotten the blessings of God that have led us to where we are today.
Another antidote to boasting is curiosity. In developing a healthy sense of curiosity, we begin asking more questions of others and seek to learn more of their expertise. Some of the most humble and influential men and women I’ve ever met are phenomenally curious question-askers.”
Great info. I will be working on this. I sure need to.
Have a great day, Sisters!
Thanks for sharing the HRT quotes
Thank you for posting, Tricia!
I also resonated with the HRT section about remembering as an antidote to boasting. Amen, right? When we put all of our accomplishments and wins in the category of “remember what God did for me bucket,” it sure does change our perspective.
Amen!
Thanks for posting this!!