FATHERHEART.TV
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About This Site
    • Barry Adams
    • Father Heart Communications
    • Google Search
    • One Father
    • Our Websites
    • Donate
    • Contact Us
    • What We Believe
    • Our Vision
    • Privacy Policy
  • Teaching
    • Audio Webcasts >
      • 2023 Audio Webcasts
      • 2022 Audio Webcasts
      • 2021 Audio Webcasts
      • 2020 Audio Webcasts
      • 2019 Audio Webcasts
      • 2018 Audio Webcasts
      • 2017 Audio Webcasts
      • 2016 Audio Webcasts
      • 2015 Audio Webcasts
      • 2014 Audio Webcasts
      • 2013 Audio Webcasts
      • 2012 Audio Webcasts
    • Video Webcasts >
      • 2023 Video Webcasts
      • 2022 Video Webcasts
      • 2021 Video Webcasts
      • 2020 Video Webcasts
      • 2019 Video Webcasts
      • 2018 Video Webcasts
      • 2017 Video Webcasts
      • 2016 Video Webcasts
      • 2015 Video Webcasts
      • 2014 Video Webcasts
      • 2013 Video Webcasts
    • Barry's Teachings >
      • Categorized messages
      • Introductory Series
      • Leaders School
      • Learning To Be Little Series >
        • Videos 1-10
        • Videos 11-22
      • Ministry School Materials
      • SoM
    • Friends >
      • Jack Winter
      • James and Denise Jordan
      • John MacDonald
      • Mark Gyde
      • Peter Jackson
    • Live Streams
  • Inspiration
    • 365 Promises
    • E-books
    • Father's Love Letter
    • In His Own Words
    • Inspirational Videos
    • Soaking Audio
    • Soaking Videos
    • Video Backdrops
  • Blogs
    • Daily Reading
    • Living in Sonship >
      • Devotional Index
      • Devotional #1
      • Devotional #2
      • Devotional #3
      • Devotional #4
      • Devotional #5
      • Devotional #6
      • Devotional #7
      • Devotional #8
      • Devotional #9
      • Devotional #10
      • Devotional #11
      • Devotional #12
      • Devotional #13
      • Devotional #14
      • Devotional #15
      • Devotional #16
      • Devotional #17
      • Devotional #18
      • Devotional #19
      • Devotional #20
      • Devotional #21
      • Devotional #22
      • Devotional #23
      • Devotional #24
      • Devotional #25
      • Devotional #26
      • Devotional #27
      • Devotional #28
      • Devotional #29
      • Devotional #30
      • Devotional #31
      • Devotional #32
      • Devotional #33
      • Devotional #34
      • Devotional #35
      • Devotional #36
      • Devotional #37
      • Devotional #38
      • Devotional #39
      • Devotional #40
      • Devotional #41
      • Devotional #42
      • Devotional #43
      • Devotional #44
      • Devotional #45
      • Devotional #46
      • Devotional #47
      • Devotional #48
      • Devotional #49
      • Devotional #50
      • Devotional #51
      • Devotional #52
    • Subscribe to Daily Reading
    • Daily Reading Archives >
      • January >
        • January 1
        • January 2
        • January 3
        • January 4
        • January 5
        • January 6
        • January 7
        • January 8
        • January 9
        • January 10
        • January 11
        • January 12
        • January 13
        • January 14
        • January 15
        • January 16
        • January 17
        • January 18
        • January 19
        • January 20
        • January 21
        • January 22
        • January 23
        • January 24
        • January 25
        • January 26
        • January 27
        • January 28
        • January 29
        • January 30
        • January 31
      • February >
        • February 1
        • February 2
        • February 3
        • February 4
        • February 5
        • February 6
        • February 7
        • February 8
        • February 9
        • February 10
        • February 11
        • February 12
        • February 13
        • February 14
        • February 15
        • February 16
        • February 17
        • February 18
        • February 19
        • February 20
        • February 21
        • February 22
        • February 23
        • February 24
        • February 25
        • February 26
        • February 27
        • February 28
      • March >
        • March 1
        • March 2
        • March 3
        • March 4
        • March 5
        • March 6
        • March 7
        • March 8
        • March 9
        • March 10
        • March 11
        • March 12
        • March 13
        • March 14
        • March 15
        • March 16
        • March 17
        • March 18
        • March 19
        • March 20
        • March 21
        • March 22
        • March 23
        • March 24
        • March 25
        • March 26
        • March 27
        • March 28
        • March 29
        • March 30
        • March 31
      • April >
        • April 1
        • April 2
        • April 3
        • April 4
        • April 5
        • April 6
        • April 7
        • April 8
        • April 9
        • April 10
        • April 11
        • April 12
        • April 13
        • April 14
        • April 15
        • April 16
        • April 17
        • April 18
        • April 19
        • April 20
        • April 21
        • April 22
        • April 23
        • April 24
        • April 25
        • April 26
        • April 27
        • April 28
        • April 29
        • April 30
      • May >
        • May 1
        • May 2
        • May 3
        • May 4
        • May 5
        • May 6
        • May 7
        • May 8
        • May 9
        • May 10
        • May 11
        • May 12
        • May 13
        • May 14
        • May 15
        • May 16
        • May 17
        • May 18
        • May 19
        • May 20
        • May 21
        • May 22
        • May 23
        • May 24
        • May 25
        • May 26
        • May 27
        • May 28
        • May 29
        • May 30
        • May 31
      • June >
        • June 1
        • June 2
        • June 3
        • June 4
        • June 5
        • June 6
        • June 7
        • June 8
        • June 9
        • June 10
        • June 11
        • June 12
        • June 13
        • June 14
        • June 15
        • June 16
        • June 17
        • June 18
        • June 19
        • June 20
        • June 21
        • June 22
        • June 23
        • June 24
        • June 25
        • June 26
        • June 27
        • June 28
        • June 29
        • June 30
      • July >
        • July 1
        • July 2
        • July 3
        • July 4
        • July 5
        • July 6
        • July 7
        • July 8
        • July 9
        • July 10
        • July 11
        • July 12
        • July 13
        • July 14
        • July 15
        • July 16
        • July 17
        • July 18
        • July 19
        • July 20
        • July 21
        • July 22
        • July 23
        • July 24
        • July 25
        • July 26
        • July 27
        • July 28
        • July 29
        • July 30
        • July 31
      • August >
        • August 1
        • August 2
        • August 3
        • August 4
        • August 5
        • August 6
        • August 7
        • August 8
        • August 9
        • August 10
        • August 11
        • August 12
        • August 13
        • August 14
        • August 15
        • August 16
        • August 17
        • August 18
        • August 19
        • August 20
        • August 21
        • August 22
        • August 23
        • August 24
        • August 25
        • August 26
        • August 27
        • August 28
        • August 29
        • August 30
        • August 31
      • September >
        • September 1
        • September 2
        • September 3
        • September 4
        • September 5
        • September 6
        • September 7
        • September 8
        • September 9
        • September 10
        • September 11
        • September 12
        • September 13
        • September 14
        • September 15
        • September 16
        • September 17
        • September 18
        • September 19
        • September 20
        • September 21
        • September 22
        • September 23
        • September 24
        • September 25
        • September 26
        • September 27
        • September 28
        • September 29
        • September 30
      • October >
        • October 1
        • October 2
        • October 3
        • October 4
        • October 5
        • October 6
        • October 7
        • October 8
        • October 9
        • October 10
        • October 11
        • October 12
        • October 13
        • October 14
        • October 15
        • October 16
        • October 17
        • October 18
        • October 19
        • October 20
        • October 21
        • October 22
        • October 23
        • October 24
        • October 25
        • October 26
        • October 27
        • October 28
        • October 29
        • October 30
        • October 31
      • November >
        • November 1
        • November 2
        • November 3
        • November 4
        • November 5
        • November 6
        • November 7
        • November 8
        • November 9
        • November 10
        • November 11
        • November 12
        • November 13
        • November 14
        • November 15
        • November 16
        • November 17
        • November 18
        • November 19
        • November 20
        • November 21
        • November 22
        • November 23
        • November 24
        • November 25
        • November 26
        • November 27
        • November 28
        • November 29
        • November 30
      • December >
        • December 1
        • December 2
        • December 3
        • December 4
        • December 5
        • December 6
        • December 7
        • December 8
        • December 9
        • December 10
        • December 11
        • December 12
        • December 13
        • December 14
        • December 15
        • December 16
        • December 17
        • December 18
        • December 19
        • December 20
        • December 21
        • December 22
        • December 23
        • December 24
        • December 25
        • December 26
        • December 27
        • December 28
        • December 29
        • December 30
        • December 31

LIVING IN SONSHIP

A Weekly Devotional by Barry Adams

A SON TAKES THE LOWEST SEAT

9/30/2020

 
Picture
Quite a few years ago, my wife and I experienced a real life example of this week's focus Bible verse. A good friend of ours was speaking at a big conference and we went to see him. Since we arrived just before the meeting was about to begin, the only seats that were available were near the back of the auditorium.

Though there were a few different places that we could have chosen to sit, in my heart, I felt prompted to choose the absolutely furthest two seats from the stage. We were happy to sit there and didn't think much of it. A few minutes later, a man showed up and escorted us to the front row where two seats were waiting for us.

Apparently my friend had asked the church staff to look out for us and make sure that we had primo seats for the meeting. The funny thing was, because of our close proximity to the stage, one of the cameras broadcasting on the big screen and live on the web was pointed on us from time to time.

It was then that I felt God remind me of this principle in the Kingdom that Jesus referred to in Luke 14:7-11 when He told this parable...

7 He spoke a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the best seats, and said to them, 8 “When you are invited by anyone to a marriage feast, don’t sit in the best seat, since perhaps someone more honorable than you might be invited by him, 9 and he who invited both of you would come and tell you, ‘Make room for this person.’ Then you would begin, with shame, to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes, he may tell you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (WEB)

If we read this story from an orphan based mentality, it may reaffirm a twisted mindset of what servanthood is all about. If we don't see it through the lens of love, we may interpret what Jesus is saying something like this... Because you have little value to God, don't think too highly of yourself either.

If you read this parable from that perspective, you will continually look for opportunities to reaffirm that belief. Instead of seeing yourself as a greatly loved son or daughter to the Father, you will settle for a lowly servanthood where you seek to establish your identity through your service.

It is true that sons do make the best servants (Matthew 23:11) but it is not our service that qualifies us for sonship! The more that we know that we are loved by God, the less we will have to reaffirm our insecurities through counterfeit expressions of servitude. The more that we live in love, the less we will look for ways to justify our place in Papa's house.

When the love of the Godhead begins to ruin us for anything else, we will begin to see that true humility is not about us thinking less of ourselves but rather thinking of ourselves less! As a result, we do not have to be on the lookout at every occasion to take the biggest, best, most honored seat in the house because we are happy to take the lowest seat and leave the chair of honor for someone else.

If someone comes to us and invites us to the chair of honor, great! If not, no problem because it really isn't important anyway. As long as it is important to us, there might be something of an orphan mindset lingering that Papa still wants to love out of us.

My prayer today is that we would all be so filled with the revelation of God's everlasting love for us, that where we sit would become inconsequential. I pray that our identity and self worth would no longer rise and fall by the affirmation of man. I pray that we would not need to be affirmed, recognized and validated as being worthy of the seat of honor because we have been affirmed, recognized and validated by the One whose opinion of us really matters (and that is Almighty God!).

So the next time you get a chance to choose a seat, remember that you are a much loved child of the Most High who is happy to leave the chair of honor open for someone else. :)

John 13:4-6
3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God, and was going to God, 4 arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (WEB)

Comments are closed.

ABOUT

About Us
About FHC
Donate

VISION

Our Websites
Our Vision
Barry Adams

CONTACT

Contact
Subscribe
Privacy Policy
© COPYRIGHT 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About This Site
    • Barry Adams
    • Father Heart Communications
    • Google Search
    • One Father
    • Our Websites
    • Donate
    • Contact Us
    • What We Believe
    • Our Vision
    • Privacy Policy
  • Teaching
    • Audio Webcasts >
      • 2023 Audio Webcasts
      • 2022 Audio Webcasts
      • 2021 Audio Webcasts
      • 2020 Audio Webcasts
      • 2019 Audio Webcasts
      • 2018 Audio Webcasts
      • 2017 Audio Webcasts
      • 2016 Audio Webcasts
      • 2015 Audio Webcasts
      • 2014 Audio Webcasts
      • 2013 Audio Webcasts
      • 2012 Audio Webcasts
    • Video Webcasts >
      • 2023 Video Webcasts
      • 2022 Video Webcasts
      • 2021 Video Webcasts
      • 2020 Video Webcasts
      • 2019 Video Webcasts
      • 2018 Video Webcasts
      • 2017 Video Webcasts
      • 2016 Video Webcasts
      • 2015 Video Webcasts
      • 2014 Video Webcasts
      • 2013 Video Webcasts
    • Barry's Teachings >
      • Categorized messages
      • Introductory Series
      • Leaders School
      • Learning To Be Little Series >
        • Videos 1-10
        • Videos 11-22
      • Ministry School Materials
      • SoM
    • Friends >
      • Jack Winter
      • James and Denise Jordan
      • John MacDonald
      • Mark Gyde
      • Peter Jackson
    • Live Streams
  • Inspiration
    • 365 Promises
    • E-books
    • Father's Love Letter
    • In His Own Words
    • Inspirational Videos
    • Soaking Audio
    • Soaking Videos
    • Video Backdrops
  • Blogs
    • Daily Reading
    • Living in Sonship >
      • Devotional Index
      • Devotional #1
      • Devotional #2
      • Devotional #3
      • Devotional #4
      • Devotional #5
      • Devotional #6
      • Devotional #7
      • Devotional #8
      • Devotional #9
      • Devotional #10
      • Devotional #11
      • Devotional #12
      • Devotional #13
      • Devotional #14
      • Devotional #15
      • Devotional #16
      • Devotional #17
      • Devotional #18
      • Devotional #19
      • Devotional #20
      • Devotional #21
      • Devotional #22
      • Devotional #23
      • Devotional #24
      • Devotional #25
      • Devotional #26
      • Devotional #27
      • Devotional #28
      • Devotional #29
      • Devotional #30
      • Devotional #31
      • Devotional #32
      • Devotional #33
      • Devotional #34
      • Devotional #35
      • Devotional #36
      • Devotional #37
      • Devotional #38
      • Devotional #39
      • Devotional #40
      • Devotional #41
      • Devotional #42
      • Devotional #43
      • Devotional #44
      • Devotional #45
      • Devotional #46
      • Devotional #47
      • Devotional #48
      • Devotional #49
      • Devotional #50
      • Devotional #51
      • Devotional #52
    • Subscribe to Daily Reading
    • Daily Reading Archives >
      • January >
        • January 1
        • January 2
        • January 3
        • January 4
        • January 5
        • January 6
        • January 7
        • January 8
        • January 9
        • January 10
        • January 11
        • January 12
        • January 13
        • January 14
        • January 15
        • January 16
        • January 17
        • January 18
        • January 19
        • January 20
        • January 21
        • January 22
        • January 23
        • January 24
        • January 25
        • January 26
        • January 27
        • January 28
        • January 29
        • January 30
        • January 31
      • February >
        • February 1
        • February 2
        • February 3
        • February 4
        • February 5
        • February 6
        • February 7
        • February 8
        • February 9
        • February 10
        • February 11
        • February 12
        • February 13
        • February 14
        • February 15
        • February 16
        • February 17
        • February 18
        • February 19
        • February 20
        • February 21
        • February 22
        • February 23
        • February 24
        • February 25
        • February 26
        • February 27
        • February 28
      • March >
        • March 1
        • March 2
        • March 3
        • March 4
        • March 5
        • March 6
        • March 7
        • March 8
        • March 9
        • March 10
        • March 11
        • March 12
        • March 13
        • March 14
        • March 15
        • March 16
        • March 17
        • March 18
        • March 19
        • March 20
        • March 21
        • March 22
        • March 23
        • March 24
        • March 25
        • March 26
        • March 27
        • March 28
        • March 29
        • March 30
        • March 31
      • April >
        • April 1
        • April 2
        • April 3
        • April 4
        • April 5
        • April 6
        • April 7
        • April 8
        • April 9
        • April 10
        • April 11
        • April 12
        • April 13
        • April 14
        • April 15
        • April 16
        • April 17
        • April 18
        • April 19
        • April 20
        • April 21
        • April 22
        • April 23
        • April 24
        • April 25
        • April 26
        • April 27
        • April 28
        • April 29
        • April 30
      • May >
        • May 1
        • May 2
        • May 3
        • May 4
        • May 5
        • May 6
        • May 7
        • May 8
        • May 9
        • May 10
        • May 11
        • May 12
        • May 13
        • May 14
        • May 15
        • May 16
        • May 17
        • May 18
        • May 19
        • May 20
        • May 21
        • May 22
        • May 23
        • May 24
        • May 25
        • May 26
        • May 27
        • May 28
        • May 29
        • May 30
        • May 31
      • June >
        • June 1
        • June 2
        • June 3
        • June 4
        • June 5
        • June 6
        • June 7
        • June 8
        • June 9
        • June 10
        • June 11
        • June 12
        • June 13
        • June 14
        • June 15
        • June 16
        • June 17
        • June 18
        • June 19
        • June 20
        • June 21
        • June 22
        • June 23
        • June 24
        • June 25
        • June 26
        • June 27
        • June 28
        • June 29
        • June 30
      • July >
        • July 1
        • July 2
        • July 3
        • July 4
        • July 5
        • July 6
        • July 7
        • July 8
        • July 9
        • July 10
        • July 11
        • July 12
        • July 13
        • July 14
        • July 15
        • July 16
        • July 17
        • July 18
        • July 19
        • July 20
        • July 21
        • July 22
        • July 23
        • July 24
        • July 25
        • July 26
        • July 27
        • July 28
        • July 29
        • July 30
        • July 31
      • August >
        • August 1
        • August 2
        • August 3
        • August 4
        • August 5
        • August 6
        • August 7
        • August 8
        • August 9
        • August 10
        • August 11
        • August 12
        • August 13
        • August 14
        • August 15
        • August 16
        • August 17
        • August 18
        • August 19
        • August 20
        • August 21
        • August 22
        • August 23
        • August 24
        • August 25
        • August 26
        • August 27
        • August 28
        • August 29
        • August 30
        • August 31
      • September >
        • September 1
        • September 2
        • September 3
        • September 4
        • September 5
        • September 6
        • September 7
        • September 8
        • September 9
        • September 10
        • September 11
        • September 12
        • September 13
        • September 14
        • September 15
        • September 16
        • September 17
        • September 18
        • September 19
        • September 20
        • September 21
        • September 22
        • September 23
        • September 24
        • September 25
        • September 26
        • September 27
        • September 28
        • September 29
        • September 30
      • October >
        • October 1
        • October 2
        • October 3
        • October 4
        • October 5
        • October 6
        • October 7
        • October 8
        • October 9
        • October 10
        • October 11
        • October 12
        • October 13
        • October 14
        • October 15
        • October 16
        • October 17
        • October 18
        • October 19
        • October 20
        • October 21
        • October 22
        • October 23
        • October 24
        • October 25
        • October 26
        • October 27
        • October 28
        • October 29
        • October 30
        • October 31
      • November >
        • November 1
        • November 2
        • November 3
        • November 4
        • November 5
        • November 6
        • November 7
        • November 8
        • November 9
        • November 10
        • November 11
        • November 12
        • November 13
        • November 14
        • November 15
        • November 16
        • November 17
        • November 18
        • November 19
        • November 20
        • November 21
        • November 22
        • November 23
        • November 24
        • November 25
        • November 26
        • November 27
        • November 28
        • November 29
        • November 30
      • December >
        • December 1
        • December 2
        • December 3
        • December 4
        • December 5
        • December 6
        • December 7
        • December 8
        • December 9
        • December 10
        • December 11
        • December 12
        • December 13
        • December 14
        • December 15
        • December 16
        • December 17
        • December 18
        • December 19
        • December 20
        • December 21
        • December 22
        • December 23
        • December 24
        • December 25
        • December 26
        • December 27
        • December 28
        • December 29
        • December 30
        • December 31