7 posts tagged “humility”

[35]

READY FOR EVERY GOOD WORK

Read Titus 2 and 3

            Those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.  Titus 3:8b NKJV

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            Paul’s letter to Titus instructs him to appoint godly men as elders of the church. These men will have a difficult job ahead of them because there are already disputes among the people. “Remind them,” he writes, “to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. (Titus 3:1-2)

            The quest for a gentle peaceable life should begin at home, so he tells Titus to gently instruct the older believers to live consistent Christian lives as examples for the young people. For instance, the older women were to “admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.”  (Titus 2:4-5)

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Lord, help us to make every effort to be at peace with those in the church and without. May our behavior reflect the graciousness of your mercy toward us. When our hearts are troubled, give us peace and wisdom to know how to respond.

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For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.  Titus 2:11-12 NKJV

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JESUS WASHES HIS DISCIPLES FEET

Read John 13:1–17

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and--poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet… John 13:3-5 NKJV

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[48]

WHO IS THE GREATEST?

Read Matthew 18:1–14

            At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"  Matthew 18:1 NKJV

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            Many of Jesus' followers were expecting Him to set up an earthly kingdom, as promised by the prophets. What they didn't realize was that Jesus was going to gather His subjects over the centuries into a much greater kingdom than they could imagine. Those who would be a part of His kingdom would come in humble obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

            First, the King would be crucified, buried and then raised again the third day. After a time He would go back to His Father in Heaven awaiting the Day of the Lord when He would return ─ a time for which we also are waiting. Who will be great in that kingdom? Jesus said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (18:3)

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             And so Lord, we will present the gospel to our children with confidence, so that they will believe and be a part of Your eternal kingdom. Thank You Jesus, for reminding us how much You love our children.

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            "Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven."  Matthew 18:10 NKJV

[38]

THE PHARISEE AND TAX COLLECTOR

Read:  Luke 18:9-14

            The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself,'God, I thank You that I am not like other men -- extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.  Luke 18:11 NKJV

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            This religious leader may have had much to be proud of in avoiding gross sin, but he missed the fact that he was still a sinner. Salvation comes through repentance, and Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  The tax collector, so despised for his sin, had it right.  He, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'  (18:13)

            The Pharisee was like the rich young ruler who thought he could gain eternal life by doing good works. We must all come by way of repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ.  Only then can we do genuinely good works, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

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            Lord, forgive me when I am guilty of looking down on someone I judge to be more sinful than I. As You have extended mercy to me, I must desire mercy for others. You look beyond the outward appearance and see our hearts. Help me to discern the heart attitudes of my children and teach them humility by example.

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            ". . . everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:14 NKJV

[34]

Read Luke 14:1–24

            So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, Luke 14:7 NKJV

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            Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, where He was being carefully watched. They were hoping to find something against him, but what they didn't realize was that Jesus was watching them. What He saw was how the guests picked the places of honor at the table. (14:7 NIV) In His quiet and straightforward way, Jesus said, "When you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests." (14:10 NIV) One of those at the table said to Jesus, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God." 

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            Jesus went on to tell a story about all those who would make excuses not to come to that feast. The host in the story said, “Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.” "'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes… that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’'" (14:21b–24 NIV)

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            Lord, thank You for inviting us to the feast You have prepared for us.  Help us to give the invitation to everyone we know, regardless of their excuses. Perhaps some will believe and come.

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            For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."  Luke 14:11 NKJV

[31]

GREATNESS IS SERVING

Read Matthew 20:20–28

She said to Him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on your right hand and the other on the left, in your kingdom." Matthew 20:21 NKJV

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 This was the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, an ambitious mother if there ever was one!  An insight to her two sons is found in Mark 3:17: When Jesus appointed the twelve apostles, He called James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James…Boanerges, that is, "Sons of Thunder. Truly, they were leadership material and would be among the apostles who were the foundation of the Church, but Jesus had a more important lesson for them to learn:

"…Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave–just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:26-28)

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Lord, help me to teach my children the principles of servanthood, even as I train them to be their best and excel. Help us to put the spirit of competition in perspective and balance with love and kindness and serving others.

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 "… just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28

THE WEDDING AT CANA

Read John 2:1–11

            "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." John 2:4–5 NIV

Once again, Mary's soul is pierced. When Jesus was twelve, she wasn't quite ready for him to be preaching in the temple. But now that He's thirty, she must be wondering when He is going to reveal His identity–both times Jesus gives her a soft rebuke. At twelve he said; "Why were you searching for me? Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them. (Luke 2:49–50) At thirty, he says, “Dear woman, why do you involve me?…My time has not yet come”  (John 2:4)

Mary realized once again that she must quietly wait on God for His perfect timing—In fact, it was God's time, because Jesus honored his mother by performing his first public miracle at her request.

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Lord, Mary is such a wonderful example of humility and love.  I want to be a patient, loving mother who knows when to speak and when to be silent. I also want to wait on You to work out Your perfect plan for our family and each individual family member.     

This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.   John 2:11 NKJV