July 20, 2010, "Humility"

Triumphant Victorious Reminders
Inspired by the Holy Spirit
Written By: Teresa Criswell
Excerpt from Pastor Stephen Behrman's message.

"My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad."
~ Psalm 34:2 KJV ~

I wanted to encourage each of you today as I was encouraged on Sunday by our pastor. Almighty God has a message for each of us in regards to humility. Below is in part the message that came forth from our pastor:

Gladness From The Humble Perspective
By: Delivered by the power of the Holy Spirit through Pastor Stephen Behrman

There is a way of seeing others that will bring gladness and joy at news of their acknowledged blessings from above.

Humility is required in order to be on God's side.
Humility doesn't require putting yourself down.
Humility finds fulfillment and purpose in lifting others above self.

Humility is a requirement of life. Being on God's side where victory is certain demands removal of both pride and the embracing of sin.

"God resists the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." ~James 4:6

Humility is something that has to take place in the heart on purpose out of a strong motivation for forgiveness and healing.

Humility does not look down on anyone including self.

The small child's perspective sees everyone as above them and yet thinks no less of himself.
"Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." ~Matthew 18:14.

There is a kingdom principle where the one who lifts the most above himself is the most effective, the most humble, the most honoring and the most rewarded.

"Whoever exalts himself with pride shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be raised to honor." ~ Matthew 23:12.

Humility is others focused and motivated for their lifting. I must add to this that humility's focus is on others. Pride is focused on self; whether it's higher than it should be or lower than it should be.

True humility thinks so highly of every other person that fulfilling your own potential for their benefit becomes a high priority. Who does this sound like? None other than Jesus Christ who revealed the Father God!

Finally, Here is the challenge that has been presented to each of us by our pastor:

1.) Refuse and replace degrading thoughts and words about anyone.

2.) Think of someone you've looked down on and pray for specific ways to see them with honor and in need of your sacrificed life and gifts in order to be lifted even higher.

3.) Find three scriptures about the excellence that is yours in Christ. See these scriptures as yours with a purpose of promoting and ministering to another person. Promote and minister especially to the ones that may be considered lowly in our standards of society.

This has led me to the reminder of the requirement of humbling ourself. To get to the place of humbleness is not about praying to God for it. God calls us to humble ourselves. He doesn't say, "Let me humble you." No, He calls us to do it ourself. But how? A huge part is realizing the awesomeness of our God and seeing our God high and lifted up; which allows others to be seen with awesome potential, the way they must be seen...through the eyes of God. Our awe unto God made available to us through Jesus Christ relinquishes the focus on self, which is a result of pride. Whether we look at ourselves as low and no good or if we look at ourselves as high and lifted up; it is still the same...we are looking at self which is pride. I am reminded that when my eyes come off myself and are placed upon The Lord, this is the beginning of humbleness in action towards others for the glory of God.

Comments

  1. Teresa -

    I completely agree. Humility is a choice but not something we have to think about or pray for.

    One key aspect of humility, though, is something our pastor told us. When you start to say to yourself, "Wow, I'm really humble..." haven't you at that point excluded yourself?

    Thanks for this terrific message! Blessings. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Amen...and Dean so true about your pastor's statement...I had to laugh...such a great point. When we say, "Wow, I'm really humble..." we just might be in pride...haahaa...love it! Thank you for stopping by Karen and Dean!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Teresa,

    This is my first visit to your blog and I'm so glad to have read this post. What really spoke to me was, "God calls us to humble ourselves. He doesn't say, "Let me humble you." No, He calls us to do it ourself. But how?...realizing the awesomeness of our God and...others to be seen with awesome potential, the way they must be seen...through the eyes of God." That is so true!

    Thanks and blessings.

    MTJ

    ReplyDelete
  4. Powerful post! I especially loved this:

    The small child's perspective sees everyone as above them and yet thinks no less of himself.
    "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." ~Matthew 18:14.

    One of my devotionals is on pride, and the destruction it causes. I'm going to print this out and keep it handy.

    Have a blessed weekend my sweet sister!

    ReplyDelete

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