In the
epistle to the Philippians chapter 2 and verses 5 through 8, we are shown how
Jesus humbled himself and became a man on this earth. He was obedient to his
Father even to the point of dying on a cross. He was so confident in who he was
and in his relationship with his Father, that he was able to humble himself and
wash his disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17). In that passage Jesus also told us we
should copy his example of humility: “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed
your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an
example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:14-15; KJV).
How
often growth in our Christian walk is hindered by pride; our unwillingness to
change, to be obedient to his word, or to throw ourselves completely over on him
in humility at his feet. We think we know better; we limit God or we are afraid
of what people will think of us. “God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to
the humble” (1 Peter 5:5). James wrote that if we humble ourselves before God, he
will lift us up (James 4:10). God dwells with the humble and teaches them his
ways (Isa 57:15; Ps 25:9).
Look
how David humbled himself and danced (twirled and spun) before God in praise
and adoration; no fear of what people might think of him (2 Sam 6:14). Look how
God blessed David and called him a man after his own heart (Acts 13:22).
Abandon
yourself at God’s feet and give him your all, nothing held back and see him
bless you.
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Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more
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I
love the Psalms; reading one a day is a good plan. David really shows his love,
fear of and heart for God in his poetry. In Psalm 139 verses 23 and 24 David
humbles himself before his God and cries out that his heavenly Father would
search his heart for any wickedness and show him how to walk in godliness.
As
with David, we cannot do this and walk the walk on our own; o how we need God
in our lives. In Romans chapter 2 and verse 15 we learn that our born-again
spirits, hearts or consciences will show us if we are right or wrong, if we
allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate and strengthen our spirits with the word of
God. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my
name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26; KJV).
Get
in the word, ask God to make the word come alive to you (what we call
revelation) by the Holy Spirit as you read and meditate. Allow the spotlight of
God’s word to show you where you need to change so you can draw ever closer to
God. Remember it is not in our own strength but it is God who shows us the way
and empowers us to change and be more like him (Phil 1:6). “Being confident of this
very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until
the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:6). Lord, flood us with your presence, your
Holy Spirit today and have your way in our lives. Be blessed today.
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King
Solomon gave us some sound advice on living a healthy life (Prov 3:7-8). He
exhorted us us to not be wise in our own eyes but to fear and worship the Lord
and to turn from sin. The king continued that this will bring us health. So,
what does not "being wise in our own eyes" mean? I believe it means not
being proud but being humble and trusting God rather than yourself.
In the New Testament we also read a similar verse
where man is taught: “not to think of himself more highly than he ought” (Rom 12:3;
KJV). If being healthy is important to us (and I assume it is) then these
verses above would be a good ones to pay attention to.
Interestingly,
in the next chapter of Proverbs, King Solomon outlines what we can do to
experience health and healing. In Proverbs chapter 4 and verses 20 and 21 we
are encouraged to pay close attention to the word, so much so that it becomes
rooted in our hearts; this the King writes, will also bring health and healing.
We read
in the New Testament that: "out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth
speaketh" (Matt 12:34). If we have an abundance of the word for healing and
faith for healing, on the inside of us, in our hearts, then we can speak those
words over our bodies to effect healing and health.
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I
encourage you to read from John’s gospel chapter 13 and verses 1-17 today. This
is a wonderful passage where Jesus teaches us humility and servant hood. Jesus
showed us his supreme confidence in his relationship with his Father in verse
3. This allowed him to humble himself and show his amzing love for his
disciples in washing their feet.
God
calls us to serve (Mark 9:35) and we can only humble ourselves and do that if
we know who we are in Christ. We are his sons and daughters (2 Cor 6:18), joint
heirs with Jesus (Rom 8:17) and seated in the heavenly places with him (Eph
2:6). Nothing can ever separate us from his love (Rom 8:35). In that confidence
we can walk in humility and serve.
In
our passage above from John’s Gospel, Peter protested that Jesus should not
wash his feet (v 8); but notice Jesus’ response. He said that if he could not
wash Peter’s feet, Peter would have no part with Jesus (v 8). We have no part
with Jesus if we do not have a servant’s heart. Jesus established servant hood
as a mark of the Christian for all time (v 12-15); he demonstrated it for us.
In
the word we are told that if we humble ourselves God will exalt us (1 Peter
5:6). We are told that we are called to serve and that in serving we will find
greatness (Mark 10: 43-45). Look for ways to serve people today; this pleases
the heart of our heavenly father.
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When
it comes to humility Jesus is our example. In Philippians 2:5-9 (KJV) we have
the description of how Jesus gave up all the privileges of heaven and came to
earth and: "took upon himself the form of a servant". In verse 5 of
that chapter we are told to let Jesus be our example in humility.
We
have another great example of Jesus humbling himself and becoming a servant in
John 13:14-15: "If I then your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye
also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye
should do as I have done to you”.
We
also learn very clearly from these verses that we need to do the same thing for
our fellow believers; in fact, the command is stated twice! “For even the Son
of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom
for many” (Mark 10:45). Enough said!
If
we want to be like Jesus and be obedient then we must serve one another. For
some people serving comes naturally; they have a servant’s heart, others of us
have to work at it a little harder. Nevertheless, there is great blessing in
serving others, because: “when you do it unto one of the least of these my brethren,
you do it unto me”, (Matt. 25:40).
Please
pass this on. All rights reserved.
Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our
book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and
also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to
others.