Posts Tagged ‘humility’
Thursday, May 3rd, 2012
He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8, NKJV)
I’ve always loved this verse, but lately it’s been rolling around in my heart and mind a lot, stirring up thoughts and feelings I hadn’t considered before.
First, I’ve been impressed by the opening words: “He has shown you.” That’s God speaking to us, isn’t it? He has shown us. But what has He shown us…and how did He do so?
He showed us that He requires three things of us: to do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with Him. And, of course, knowing that we are unable to fulfill those requirements on our own, He sent His Son to model and live those requirements for us.
If you consider the life of Christ as depicted in the gospels, I believe you can find that every act or deed falls into one of the three categories of God’s requirements for us. Isn’t that amazing? Another proof that God is righteous and requires righteous behavior from His children, but also another proof that He is merciful and provides a way for us to fulfill those otherwise impossible requirements.
The next time you read through the gospels, I challenge you to consider each scene of the Savior’s life and ask yourself which of God’s three requirements Jesus models in that scene. I believe it will give you a fresh appreciation for the amazing life of our beloved Lord and Savior during the time He walked this earth.
Tags: Attitudes, Choices, fellowship, humility, Macias, ministry, respect, Responsibility
Posted in Attitudes, Choices, Faith, General Recovery, New Beginning, Pastors & Recovery Pros, Responsibility, Step 12 | Comments Off
Thursday, April 12th, 2012
Your own eyes have seen all the great work of the LORD
which He did (Deuteronomy 11:7, NASB).
I was 26 years old before I came to know the Lord personally. Prior to that I knew and, to some extent, believed the basic tenets of Christianity, including that Jesus “died for the sins of the world.” Unfortunately that didn’t impact me until I understood that He died for ME, for MY sins. That changed everything.
It’s amazing how me-centered we are, isn’t it? Even after we become believers and spend time growing spiritually, we still fight that tendency to think the universe revolves around us. And yet there are times that God wants us to personalize our faith; Deuteronomy 11 is a great example of that.
As a matter of fact, God spends a lot of time in Deuteronomy reminding and recounting His many amazing and merciful deeds on behalf of the Israelites. He wants them, as a nation of chosen people, to remember all that He has done for them so they won’t be drawn away by false gods or start thinking they accomplished anything by their own efforts.
But Deuteronomy 11:7 makes it personal: “Your own eyes have seen all the great work of the LORD which He did.” Yes, God is speaking to Israel as a nation, much as He speaks to the Church as a whole. But He also speaks to individuals, reminding us of what we have personally seen Him do for us. I am always blessed to read stories of what God has done for His people throughout the ages, but I am also blessed when I stop and remember all that He has done for me as an individual. My eyes truly have seen amazing things, times where God intervened on my behalf, and reflecting on those times encourages me when I face trials today.
Like the Israelites of old, we must not allow ourselves to be drawn away by false gods—and the world is full of them!—or be lulled by our egos into thinking we’ve accomplished anything on our own efforts. If we will make it a practice to meditate on God’s acts of love and kindness to us over the years, both personally and as a corporate Body of believers, we will certainly be more apt to cling to and trust Him for all that yet lies ahead.
Tags: Attitudes, bondage, Choices, God's Love, humility, Macias, Responsibility, salvation, temptation
Posted in Ability to Overcome, Attitudes, Choices, Faith, Forgiveness of God, Renewal, Responsibility, Step 12, Step 2, Step 3 | Comments Off
Tuesday, April 10th, 2012
The other day I posed this question:
What if it takes “300 touches” for someone to be ready to really see and accept Christ?
By a “touch” I mean an encounter, an impression, an interaction with Jesus. And of course there’s nothing magic about the number 300, but suppose it takes a certain number of touches for an individual to reach that point of readiness. And suppose those touches happen most often through the folks who already know and follow Jesus.
What would that mean for us?
Humility
It’s not about being “the one who led a soul to Jesus.” It’s not about getting credit or basking in the glory of being touch #300. Obviously we celebrate when someone reaches that point, but I don’t want extra credit. I want to be fine with being one of those touches along the way, perhaps one that was never recognized or acknowledged.
Patience
If I truly believe this process happens in God’s timing and control, perhaps the worst thing I could do is force or manipulate someone to touch #300 before they’re ready. If I’m touch #147, my role is to prepare that person for touch #148 and trust God. Forcing scripture verses on someone who’s not ready might turn her away and hinder the process. Sometimes I think the biggest obstacle to Jesus is overly “religious” people.
Availability
It’s pretty hard to be one of those touch points unless I get out of my own little protected world. I must be willing to interact, in their world, with those who need Jesus’ touch.
Awareness
What’s the need before me? How can I be “Jesus in blue jeans” to this person, right here, right now? A smile. A conversation. Something more? No way to know unless I’m always asking the question and seeking ways to be touch # ___.
I believe God wants to use us to be one of those touches in the life of every person we encounter. I believe He wants us to seek out those people and engage them wherever they are on their journey.
I believe He wants me to find joy in the anonymity, and the eternal significance, of being touch #147.
Tags: Attitudes, Choices, fellowship, humility, ministry, relationships, Responsibility
Posted in Attitudes, Choices, Faith, Family, For Friends & Family of Dysfunctional People, Pastors & Recovery Pros, Responsibility, Step 12 | Comments Off
Friday, April 6th, 2012
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:10, NKJV
With all the running around and deadline-meeting I’ve been doing lately, I wasn’t surprised to find myself immersed in the Psalms, focusing particularly on the first part of 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.” That’s a scripture I come back to often, reminding myself of the need to break away from all my busyness and just listen to God. But today I found myself snagged by the rest of the verse: “I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Isn’t is amazing how we can make even the verses of the Bible “all about us”? I mean, seriously, we know life doesn’t work that way, and we even proclaim it—sometimes loudly and often. But oh, how often we forget that great truth and go right back to that tiny little universe that revolves around ourselves!
As I read and re-read the second part of that verse today, I realized God wasn’t telling me to be still and remember that He is God simply for my own sake (so I could rest and reflect and re-prioritize, though that is certainly a byproduct of practicing this scriptural admonition), but rather He is telling the residents of the earth to abandon their own pursuits and realize that only His purposes will be fulfilled—and that it is His Name that will be lifted up and glorified among the nations, not our own or anyone else’s, for that matter.
What a reminder this has been for me! Though I realize God wants me to slow down and make a point to spend time with Him regularly, He is also calling out to all mankind to stop its futile self-worship and to honor Him—while there is still time. For one day very soon God will no longer extend His mercy by withholding His final judgment. That day will come suddenly, and judgment will arrive with no more time for repentance or reflection or re-prioritizing.
It is time for each of us—all mankind, in every nation, across the earth—to “be still” and know that God reigns supreme, and His Name will indeed be glorified throughout the earth. For those of us who have acknowledged Christ as Savior, what a magnificent day that will be! Meanwhile, may we rededicate ourselves to praying for countless multitudes who have yet to bow their knee to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. May they do so before it is too late!
Tags: Attitudes, Choices, humility, Macias, peace, respect, Responsibility
Posted in Attitudes, Choices, Faith, General Recovery, Pastors & Recovery Pros, Responsibility, Step 12, Step 2, Step 3 | Comments Off
Tuesday, March 20th, 2012
Many of us may lose a mother, a sister, an aunt, a child or a friend to domestic violence.
Someone else may come along and tell us, “You need to forgive the batterer.” However, we may wonder why we need to forgive him after the horrible things he did.
We may secretly hope the batterer gets the electric chair or life in prison without parole and no visitors.
Vivid memories of the tragedy and the abuse that led up to it swirl in our minds.
In Jeremiah 17:9, God tells us, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
God knew the heart of man and the sins man would commit. He knew what that batterer would do to our loved ones, and He also knew how we would react. Jesus says in Luke 6:37, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
It’s not easy to forgive, but it’s not impossible either.
Jesus speaks several times in the New Testament about forgiveness.
It must be that Jesus doesn’t consider forgiveness a four-letter word.
Tags: anger, Attitudes, Choices, forgiveness, hatred, healing, humility, New Beginning, Pain, peace, rejection, relationships, Responsibility, unforgiveness, verbal abuse
Posted in Abuse, Attitudes, Choices, For Friends & Family of Dysfunctional People, Responsibility, Step 4, Step 7, Step 8, Step 9 | Comments Off
Wednesday, March 14th, 2012
I’m glad I’m not a preacher. I hate to imagine the mess I’d create by trying to tell others how to follow Jesus. I have enough trouble figuring out my own messed-up journey.
I’m also glad I’m not a preacher because I’d probably end up spreading all sorts of heresy. It’s bad enough when I get these weird ideas about God. It’s good that no one actually thinks I know what I’m talking about.
One of my recent weird ideas involves why God wants me to do certain things. For example, why does He instruct me to glorify Him in whatever I do?
I’m thinking that God doesn’t need my admiration or affirmation. He knows who He is. My petty worship does nothing for Him. Why in the world would He care?
I know it’s more complex than this, but what if He cares because He knows it’s what’s best for me? What if it’s not about adding something to Him—a silly notion—but rather about helping me to live the way He made me?
What if the stuff He wants me to do isn’t for His benefit at all? Makes sense, since He’s God and there’s really not much I can do for Him.
What if Jesus’ “servant leader” model is really God’s core character? I have absolutely nothing to offer, but He enters into relationship with me anyway, simply because He loves me. So when God tells me to do everything for His glory, what if it’s not what He needs but what makes my life full and rich, exactly the way He designed it?
What if “it’s not about Rich” isn’t intended to diminish me. What if God’s direction toward an others-centered perspective is precisely what I need to be completely fulfilled?
Maybe I’m nuts. I’d love to hear your thoughts. But how does all of this relate to the title: Why Forgive?
What if forgiving isn’t just an arbitrary command, some capricious test of obedience to see if we’re paying attention? What if it’s really pointing toward the absolute best, most fulfilling life?
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
What if Jesus forgave his killers because He knew it was the most life-affirming, fully human response available? What if forgiving and serving aren’t boundaries but the ultimate path to perfect freedom?
Wow. That’s a lot of “what-if’s.”
I’m glad I’m not a preacher.
Don’t miss CIR’s Daily Article !
Copyright 2008-2012 by Rich Dixon, All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
Rich is an author and speaker. He is the author of: 
Relentless Grace: God’s Invitation To Give Hope Another Chance. Visit his web site www.relentlessgrace.com
Tags: Attitudes, Choices, fellowship, forgiveness, hatred, humility, New Beginning, relationships, Responsibility, unforgiveness
Posted in Attitudes, Choices, General Recovery, Responsibility, Step 4, Step 7, Step 8, Step 9 | Comments Off
Friday, February 24th, 2012
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Mark 1:16-18
So here comes Jesus walking on the beach. He sees Simon and Andrew working at their trade.
The Bible doesn’t tell us whether there was any small talk or whether they knew of Jesus before this meeting. I guess that means it doesn’t really matter.
And Jesus suddenly invites them to leave their equipment and their business, to drop everything, and follow Him. I doubt if they really understood what Jesus meant by “fishing for people.”
Do you have a hard time understanding how they could simply walk away from everything for an invitation that wasn’t entirely clear? No time to put stuff away or even pack supplies. No goodbyes to family—Simon, at least, was married (verse 30). How could they do that?
I don’t understand that kind of trust. I want to think that I wouldn’t hesitate if He walked by and asked me to drop everything. I want to imagine that I wouldn’t ask if I could leave a note or lock the door or at least pack some spare underwear.
But I’m not so sure.
You?
Don’t miss CIR’s Daily Article !
Copyright 2008-2012 by Rich Dixon, All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
Rich is an author and speaker. He is the author of:
Relentless Grace: God’s Invitation To Give Hope Another Chance. Visit his web site www.relentlessgrace.com
Tags: Attitudes, Choices, God's Love, humility, ministry, New Beginning, Responsibility, self-will
Posted in Attitudes, Choices, Faith, General Recovery, New Beginning, Pastors & Recovery Pros, Responsibility, Step 3 | Comments Off
Friday, January 27th, 2012
Humble yourselves. That sounds obscene. At least to the culture of self-promotion and “get ahead at all cost” and “don’t look back, the competition is gaining on you” it sounds obscene.
Humility is a forgotten virtue. Often confused with weakness or timidity, humility is about knowing our proper place in the world without flaunting it. Only God can exalt in a permanent way, so the key is to know our place before him and let him put us in the place he chooses to honor him.
A humble heart is tender towards God, and He responds when it cries out to Him. And that may be why He sometimes allows hard things into our lives – to bring forth the fruit of humility.
As God does great things in our midst, we don’t ever want to forget what He’s brought us through. We can do nothing without His intervention. But as we keep humble, contrite, tender hearts, there is no end to what He can accomplish not merely in our own lives, but for our children’s children.
Don’t miss CIR’s Daily Article !
Copyright 2010-2012, Chaplain Michael Clark
All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.
Chaplain Clark is a Speaker and Writer,
Addiction Counselor/Professional
as well as a Recovery Support Specialist
Shadows of the Cross Ministries, Prison and Recovery Ministry
Tags: Attitudes, Choices, healing, humility, New Beginning, rebellion, respect, Responsibility, self-will
Posted in Attitudes, Choices, Faith, For Friends & Family of Dysfunctional People, General Recovery, New Beginning, Renewal, Responsibility, Step 10, Step 2, Step 3, Step 4, Step 5, Step 6, Step 7, Step 8, Step 9 | Comments Off
Thursday, January 26th, 2012
Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.
(1 Samuel 15:22, NKJV)
Obedience. It’s a word I’ve struggled with since I was a toddler. No one knew that better than my parents. I flopped my toe across every line they drew in front of me—and I nearly always paid a price for my disobedience. But at 26 I became a Christian. Surely disobedience wouldn’t be a problem any longer…right?
Wrong. I still struggle with it to this day, though I know I’ve made a lot of progress—not because I’m faithful but because God is. I’ve learned this “obedience thing” is a lifelong process, and God is committed to teaching us how to walk in it.
There are reasons for that, one of them being that when we walk in obedience, God does amazing things through us. I used to think it was some sort of magical formula: I’d obey God, and He’d reward me with something wonderful. Wrong again. (I suppose I’ve been slow in understanding this concept because, somehow, I still think it’s all about me. I’m the only one who’s ever thought that, right?)
And then a couple of days ago I came across the journal my mom was using just before she died. She filled scores of them through the years, but this one is especially meaningful, as it gives me a glimpse into her thoughts and prayers, her communication with God in her last days on earth. The final entry, in her shaky handwriting, reads,
“Obedience is the key word of miracles. Sometimes we feel prompted by God to do something that makes no sense, but if we do it, it becomes a miracle.”
Wow. Mom was 90 years old when she penned those words, and she had no idea how they would bless me after she was gone. I now have them in the top drawer of my desk, where I can pull them out and read them often—each time I’m tempted to flop my toe across God’s line. Do I need a miracle in my life, either for myself or someone else? Most of the time, I do. And now I know the key to seeing that miracle come to pass: be obedient to that still, small voice inside that prompts us to obey God, whether it makes sense at the moment or not. God, in His faithfulness, will accomplish the rest.
Don’t miss CIR’s Daily Article !
Copyright 2009-2012 Kathi Macias, all rights reserved. Used by permission.
Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored 30 books. 
“Beyond Me. Living a You-first Life in a Me-first World”
and
“Mothers of the Bible Speak to Mothers of Today”
Tags: Attitudes, backsliding, Choices, failure, humility, Macias, New Beginning, rebellion, Responsibility, sin, slip, temptation
Posted in Attitudes, Choices, Faith, General Recovery, New Beginning, Responsibility, Step 12, Step 3 | Comments Off
Friday, January 20th, 2012
If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.
I’m thinking I might amend this adage. Perhaps another way to make God chuckle is to claim that I understand the details of His plans.
Yesterday I shared a story over at Rich’s Ride about a Divine Appointment.
I believe that particular encounter in that context was a God-ordained moment. But I feel like I need to curb my enthusiastic certainty. It’s easy to get carried away with trusting my own limited perceptions.
It’s awfully tempting to assume that I know more than I do. If I’m not careful I can imagine that I understand how every occurrence fits into God’s plan. And from there it’s a small step to pretending I can know God’s will in every situation.
I can’t and I don’t and I need to remember that. He’s God, I’m not.
I can’t see from God’s infinite, eternal perspective. I can’t see past my selfish biases and desires. I don’t know how God’s omnipotence meshes with human freedom of choice. I don’t know how He incorporates my mistakes and resistance and feeble attempts at obedience into His promise to work for good in all circumstances.
I cannot possibly perceive the infinite calculations involved in God’s cosmic calculus. I delude myself whenever I pretend I know how specific short-term events fit into God’s eternal vision.
It’s not our job to shape events to conform to God’s plans. He’s already got that covered, and His mission will be accomplished with or without our cooperation. He doesn’t need us.
But His desire always involves relationship. He wants us to experience the joy of walking along and being involved in building His kingdom. He chooses to allow us to work with Him and experience the fullness of fellowship with Him.
Someone once said that God doesn’t usually place answers to prayers directly in our hands. Instead, He places them within our reach and offers to walk along with us.
I don’t know how that works, either. But Jesus knows.
Maybe understanding how God works isn’t my job. Maybe I should spend my time getting to know the One person who gets it.
Don’t miss CIR’s Daily Article !
Copyright 2008-2012 by Rich Dixon, All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
Rich is an author and speaker. He is the author of:
Relentless Grace: God’s Invitation To Give Hope Another Chance. Visit his web site www.relentlessgrace.com
Tags: Attitudes, Choices, failure, God's Love, humility, Pain, rebellion, rejection, Responsibility, self-will
Posted in Attitudes, Choices, Faith, General Recovery, Pastors & Recovery Pros, Responsibility, Step 3 | Comments Off
