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It is important in life that we remain humble and gentle in spirit no
matter how accomplished we may become. Many times people change the way
they see themselves because of their great accomplishments and instead of
remaining humble and giving all of the thanks and praise to the Lord, they
accept their accomplishments for themselves and in turn become “puffed up”.
This should never be the case for any of us. We should always portray a
humble attitude and never allow ourselves to become arrogant and think of
ourselves more highly than he ought to think. (Romans 12:1-3)
The Bible tells us to be humble because God resists the proud, but He gives
grace to the humble. We are to recognize God’s superiority and know that
it is in Him that we receive our strength and ability. Be encouraged to
have a humble attitude in life. Be gentle when dealing with others and
never allow yourself to accept too much praise from those around you. The
Lord alone deserves the praises of His people for the great things He has
done for us. (Genesis 3:19) (1 Peter 5:5)
I hope this message ministers to your heart to always portray a humble
attitude in life. Letting God see that our life is meaningless without
Him is sure to keep us in His perfect will and lead us towards our victory.
BAREFOOT PASTOR
The pastor of the church I attended as a young man was a distinguished,
dignified and always impeccably dressed man who also happened to have a
warm and compassionate heart. He was so formal and well-groomed that
newcomers would expect this tall, handsome man with a PhD from an Ivy
League school serving a large, affluent suburban church to be cold and
distant. But he wasn’t; he was warm and sincere.
Then I had one lesson in how he remained that way.
I signed on to serve as Scripture reader, and on the first Sunday sat on a
chair behind the pastor’s podium. It was a rather large, semi-circular
pulpit with a chair directly behind it. The pastor entered and sat down.
He was, as always, impeccably dressed: blue pinstriped business suit, silk
tie carefully knotted, starched white shirt with cufflinks, and on his
feet, black shoes polished like mirrors. This was not a man who wore a
Rolex or drove a Porsche. But he was always careful to dress well, from his
pocket handkerchief to his tiepin.
Then, just before the sermon, I watched the pastor reach down and untie
both of his expensive leather dress shoes. He slid his feet out of them,
and then reached under the cuffs of his tailored suit. He pulled off his
black dress socks as well. I was completely bewildered. He then pushed both
shoes and socks to the side and stood up for his sermon. No one else knew
it, but our dignified, dapper, classy pastor preached his sermon barefoot,
in his tailored suit and silk tie.
When the sermon was over, he unobtrusively pulled on both shoes and socks,
and left the podium.
I said nothing and just assumed he had reasons of his own. Perhaps his feet
hurt? I forgot about it, especially as it did not happen again for the next
few Sundays.
Then, two months later, I noticed the pastor sliding his feet out of a
pair of spit-polished tasseled loafers, followed again by the socks. I was
again confused and slightly amused by the contrast between the fancy
business suit and the soles of his bare feet which appeared when he leaned
forward with enthusiasm.
After the service ended, I went up to the still barefoot minister and
respectfully asked why he did this.
The pastor looked slightly embarrassed, picked up the shoes and socks and
told me a story from his student years:
“My seminary professor told me I was a fine preacher, but that I had one
fault. I was too arrogant. Too proud. I remembered that. And I remember my
roots, too.”
He then told me that he had grown up as a janitor’s son and took his shoes
off when he visited his Dad. Those were his roots. In the years since, he
had earned several degrees and his gifts had brought him to this church.
He was successful and praised, but he never wanted to forget where he came from.
“Whenever I start getting too proud and smug, I look down at my shiny
Brooks Brothers shoes and fancy socks and realize it’s time to take off my
"successful well-dressed suit-and-tie pastor" feet and put on the feet of
a janitor’s boy. It keeps me humble. It’s hard to be smug when I’m barefoot.”
And with that the pastor grinned, put on his Italian tasseled shoes and
socks and left the pulpit.
“Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2
By Ken Wells
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Philippians 2:2-3 “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same
love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife
or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than
themselves.”
John 13:13-15 Jesus declares “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well;
for so I am. 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.”
Proverbs 22:4 “By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour,
and life.”
Colossians 3:23-25 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord,
and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of
the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong
shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of
persons.”
1 Peter 3:8-11 “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of
another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for
evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye
are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will
love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his
lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him
seek peace, and ensue it.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: MY VERY BEST GIFT
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem166.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: DELIVERED FROM AN ACCIDENT
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony152.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
