Tag: humble
Day 3–Bone-breaker!
Scripture reading for April 1: Proverbs 25:15 “With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft (gentle) tongue will break a bone.”
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
In our culture, it is often thought that the loudest and meanest person gets his way and is heard. We often hear voices raised and demanding what is wanted from those in authority. Some people think that this might be the best way to approach God, our supreme authority, but Jesus modeled and taught a different approach. Jesus knew that patience and gentleness were powerful weapons to break through hearts hardened by labor and loads.
Jesus called out to those who were hurting in His culture with an invitation to come to Him with their heavy burdens and deep wounds and worries. Jesus offered to teach them His way of life. He lived a life of rest. Although He came from the throne of God, He came with gentleness and compassion, reflecting the heart of His Father. He humbly invited all to willingly come under His ‘yoke’. This may sound like a real burden if you view ‘yoke’ as the wooden beam thrown over an oxen’s shoulders to pull the load. But Jesus was talking about them becoming His disciples and the ‘yoke’ was His simple teaching and instruction. As a rabbi in the Jewish culture had disciples, so Jesus called disciples who would willingly ‘yoke’ with Him.
As we look at how important our words are in helping others, this simple teaching on gentleness can make a world of difference. When we see from God’s perspective, we understand that humility and gentleness are powerful influencers. God doesn’t force anyone to come under His ‘yoke’ but sends out a loving invitation. Being loud and demanding may appear to be cool, but is not Jesus’ ‘yoke’!
Prayer: Father God, thank You for modeling for us the gentleness and compassion of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to humbly listen to Your Words and Your Son’s example and respond to His call every day. Living in rest for our souls will draw others to our gentle Savior. Amen.
Kind, gentle, and patient!
Scripture reading for October 3: 2 Timothy 2
“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:22-26
Paul wrote plainly to his ‘son’ in the faith, Timothy concerning the conduct of a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ. Although Timothy was young, Paul instructed him to flee from typical youthful passions and to instead focus on pursuing righteousness, faith, love, and peace. The kingdom of heaven is not eating or drinking, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17) Jesus taught His disciples that they should first seek the kingdom of heaven and God’s righteousness instead of seeking after food, clothes, or worldly riches and fame. (Matthew 6:33) God promises to take care of His children and provide for their needs as they humbly depend on Him.
In addition to this, ministers of the Gospel must not be quarrelsome or contentious. The humble and gentle heart of Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30) must be allowed to develop and be shown in kindness and gentleness to all, even to opponents who are mean or obnoxious. As Jesus patiently endured evil towards Himself, His disciples also must patiently endure and seek repentance and forgiveness for those who are opposing. God’s heart is that none perish but all come to the truth about Jesus and enter eternal life. It is God’s goodness reflected in those who minister the Gospel that draw even hardened opponents to Jesus for healing and deliverance from Satan’s snare.
Have you experienced or observed ministers of Jesus Christ who reflect the kindness and gentleness of Jesus to those opposing them? How would you evaluate your own application of these instructions on how to treat those that may oppose you or Christ’s message? Would others see Christ in your actions?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for clear and simple instructions and Christ’s example on how to live by love and faith in peace with others. Fill me with Christ’s Holy Spirit today and help me to reflect Your goodness and gentleness to those who even oppose you. Increase my patient endurance. Amen.
It’s best to be humble
Scripture reading for March 21: Luke 14
“Now He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:7-11
Pride is a hallmark of the sinners life. Sinners almost always think more highly of themselves than others and they seldom think of God as real or of deserving honor. Jesus came to a feast given on the Sabbath by a ruler of the Pharisees. They were watching Him carefully, to trap Jesus. He healed a man with dropsy and they were silently angry at His ‘work’ on the sacred Sabbath. In response to their judgment, Jesus told the invited guests a parable of a wedding feast with invited guests. Those in attendance had evidently taken places of honor and there was jostling for these choice positions. This selfish attitude was evident in the religious life of Israel and was also among the disciples–wanting positions of honor at Jesus’ right hand.
But Jesus used this parable to teach that it’s best to be humble and take the lowest seat first. The master of the banquet can then invite you to take a better place rather than remove you from the highest place bringing shame and dishonor. This was a spiritual principle of Christ’s kingdom and a core principle of His world view: “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” This is contrary to the world’s view of grab the best for you! Repentance requires humility. The kingdom of heaven is like being invited to a wedding banquet. The Groom is Jesus Christ and those invited are the humble who will graciously respond and put on the wedding garments provided! (Luke 14:16-23)
Have you responded to Christ’s invitation to His great banquet? What are indications in your own life that you are now acting in humility and taking the ‘lower place?’ Is it wrong to have expectations of great reward for serving Jesus?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the invitation to attend the greatest banquet ever, the wedding supper of the Lamb! I am thankful for any place at that table. Use me to spread the invitation to others who need to humble themselves in repentance before this great event takes place. Amen.
Turning back the clock through prayer!
Scripture reading for July 26: Isaiah 36-39
In Isaiah 38 we have the record of an interesting incident in the life of a good king of Israel, Hezekiah. Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The Lord sent the prophet Isaiah to tell him to get his house in order because he was going to die. (Isaiah 38:1) Who are we to argue with God?
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and humbly asked: “Remember, O Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” (Isaiah 38:2) In response, Isaiah was told to tell Hezekiah the Lord had heard his prayer, seen his tears, and was adding 15 years to his life. The Lord assured him that He would deliver Jerusalem from the Assyrians. (Isaiah 38:4-6)
God was quick to answer Hezekiah’s request and also gave Hezekiah a special sign of His favor. He made the sunlight go back ten steps on the staircase of Ahaz. As God had promised more time, He demonstrated His power to turn back the clock! What a powerful answer to prayer and what grace for a visual sign of the answer!
There are several things to note that are instructive for us. Hezekiah simply reminded God how he had lived by faith for many years and had a habit of trusting God. Hezekiah approached God humbly and did not just put on a show. He was real with God about his feelings and desire. He did not demand anything from God, but simply appealed to the One Who held His life in His hands. God answered because He heard the prayer and saw the tears! (Isaiah 38:5) Faith always moves God! (Mark 11:22-24) Faith pleases God like nothing else! (Hebrews 11:6)
If you are facing an impossible situation today, try simply asking God in faith like Hezekiah. Trust Him to hear and answer! Here is Hezekiah’s response to God’s grace: “But what can I say: He has spoken to me, and He Himself has done this. I will walk humbly all my years because of this anguish of my soul. Lord, by such things men live; and my spirit finds life in them too. You restored me to health and let me live. Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In Your love You kept me from the pit of destruction; You have put all my sins behind Your back.” Isaiah 38:15-17
God sees our heart!
Scripture reading for March 20: 1st Samuel 16-19
Our culture prizes youth, beauty, intelligence, power, and money! We tend to judge people by what we see or know about their life. Where do they live? What kind of car do they drive? Are they handsome or beautiful? What position do they hold? Who are their friends? We are very driven by our senses and peer pressure. But God sees things differently!
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance, or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1st Samuel 16:7)
God is looking for a heart after God, a heart that will trust God and live by faith in His Word! (2nd Chronicles 16:9) When we put God first, and not our “self”, He is pleased! He is looking for a “humble and contrite” heart. (Isaiah 66:2) He needs a heart that can be taught, corrected, and shaped for His habitation. Jesus taught that only those who are pure in heart can see God. (Matthew 5:8
Jesus Christ had the perfect heart! He was fully sold out to God, his Father. He did only what he saw His Father do and said only what He heard His father say!(John 5:19-20) Jesus was humble of heart–and wants to teach us the same! (Matthew 11:28-32) Jesus was pure of heart–completely without sin! He offered His own life on our behalf! If we confess our sins to Him, He will cleanse us of our sins and all unrighteousness! (1st John 1:9) We can have a pure heart too! We can learn from Him by receiving the Holy Spirit of Truth.
Praise the Lord, God still looks at the heart! Does He see Jesus Christ as Lord in your heart today? How would you evaluate the state of your heart for being humble and teachable?
“The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in His hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” (John 3:35-36)
Bold preaching after true conversion!
Scripture reading for February 3rd: Acts 9, Psalm 25, Proverbs 25
Acts 9: 26-29 “And when he had come to Jerusalem, he (Paul) attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, Who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the Name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the Name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him.”
Paul was truly a changed man, but it took time and consistent behavior to convince even some in the church family. Barnabas, an encouraging man, took Paul aside and listened to his story. He then brought him before the apostles and explained Paul’s encounter with Jesus and how he began to boldly preach the Gospel in Damascus. This changed minds and hearts, and Paul then resumed preaching Jesus in Jerusalem among the Greek-speaking Jews. This stirred up more trouble and talk of murdering Paul. He was sent away to Tarsus and God brought a time of peace to the church in Jerusalem.
Psalm 25:8-9 “Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for patiently teaching sinners who humbly repent and will listen to Your instruction. Your Word strikes our hearts and transforms us from murders to bold proclaimers of Jesus Christ. You guide our path and open doors as we patiently follow Your instruction. Use me to boldly proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and give me words in season like apple of gold in settings of silver. Amen!
Proverbs 25:11-12 “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.”
Clothe yourselves with humility
Scripture reading for October 18th: Obadiah, Jeremiah 40-42, Psalm 147, 1st Peter 5
1st Peter 5: 5-10 “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that He may exalt you, casting all your cares on Him, because He cares for you. Be sober-minded, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, Who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
Peter closes this short letter with a call to humility and watchfulness. We have an adversary, the devil, who seeks to destroy us and consume us. We must resist him with a firm resolve to trust God. Our Great God is mighty to save and abundant in power and He delights when His children humbly cast all their cares upon Him. Suffering may be part of the experience here on our earthly walk, but God’s grace will sustain us and in the end, He will restore us and strengthen us with the fullness of our salvation–eternal life in the presence of His glory!
Psalm 147:5-6 “Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure. The Lord lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked to the ground.”
Prayer: Father God, You alone have all power, dominion and authority. I humbly submit to Your authority and to those you place over me in government and Your Church. Thank You for answering prayers and giving directions to Your people for their eternal good. Forgive those who reject Your Word, to their own destruction. Lift up Your humble people and have mercy on the proud and wicked through the Gospel.
Jeremiah 42:19-21 “The Lord has said to you, O remnant of Judah, ‘Do not go to Egypt.’ Know for a certainty that I have warned you this day that you have gone astray at the cost of your lives. For you sent me to the Lord your God, saying, ‘Pray for us to the Lord our God, and whatever the Lord our God says declare to us and we will do it. And I have this day declared it to you, but you have not obeyed the voice of the Lord your God in anything that He sent me to tell you.”
Seeking greatness!
Scripture reading for August 12th: Hosea 14, 2nd Chronicles 26-27, Psalm 61, Matthew 20
Matthew 20:20-23 “Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to Him with her sons, and kneeling before Him she asked Him for something. And He said to her, “What do you want?” She said to Him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at Your right hand and one at Your left, in Your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to Him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will drink My cup, but to sit at My right hand and at My left is not Mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.”
Jesus had just foretold His death by crucifixion and resurrection on the third day to his disciples. After this, the mother of James and John came to Jesus with a request. She, probably at her sons’ request, humbly made a plea that one son would be on Jesus’ right and the other on His left in His new kingdom. Jesus told them that they did not know what they were asking! Those places of honor were not Jesus’ to give but only were reserved by the Father for those deemed worthy. All the disciples were indignant over this request. They all wanted honor! Jesus told them the secret to greatness and honor: Become a servant of all and take the last place. Allow God the Father to exalt you!
Matthew 20:23-25 “But Jesus called them to Him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
Prayer: Father God, I am humbled before You and Your Son Who showed mercy to me and all who will repent and believe. You demonstrated the path of greatness, exaltation, and eternal life and rulership through complete obedience and humble service by giving even Your life blood and body. Teach me this path to greatness and lead me in Your way of taking up my cross and following You.
Psalm 61:1-3 “Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint. Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I, for You have been my Refuge, a strong Tower against the enemy.”
Practice and persistence!
Scripture reading for June 30th: 2nd Chronicles 5-7, Psalm 121, 1st Timothy 4
1st Timothy 4: 11-16 “Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
Paul loved Timothy as his own son and gave him fatherly advice to help him in life and ministry in the difficult culture of the early church. He told Timothy not to beat around the bush, but to command and teach all of God’s Word as truth. No fear of man or intimidation was to be allowed because of his youth. He was to set a confident example in living, speaking, acting in love and pure living. The Word of God should be read out loud, as this population did not yet have the Scriptures readily available. God’s gifts received by Timothy at ordination should be used as the Holy Spirit directed. Watchfulness was commanded and needed both in Timothy’s own life and in those he served.
Psalm 121:7-8 “The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this instruction on boldness and practice of Your Word. I want to be a good example of godliness and loving God and my neighbor through the power of the Holy Spirit. My desire is as Yours, I humbly ask for all to be saved and come to a knowledge and practice of the Truth in Jesus Christ! Forgive our sins in our nation and heal our land.
2nd Chronicles 7:13-15 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My Name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will b e open and My ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. (The temple)
Perils of an adulterous people!
Scripture reading for October 8th: James 4
Key Scriptures: James 4:1-5 “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that He has made to dwell in us”?
James addressed the church with several questions. He used the rabbinic method of that day, perfected by Jesus Christ, to cause God’s people to think deeply about their own lives and also about their relationship with God and the world they lived in. There were some who had more friendship with the world than love and commitment to God. They had made a commitment, but were now acting in an adulterous manner towards their Savior by following their own passions instead of Christ’s love and obedience. The result was quarreling and fights among believers. There was internal strife and divided loyalty and hatred which was equal to murder. James asked them to consider that God jealously yearned over them and had given them His Holy Spirit as a down-payment on the future eternal life together. Grace was needed and humbly asking God in faith was the first step.
James 4:6-8 “But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, forgive your people for their adulterous ways and divided loyalty. Forgive us of the quarreling and fighting and passion for things over our relationship with You. Fill us afresh with You Holy Spirit and give us grace to resist the devil and draw nearer to You with clean hands and a pure heart.
James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”