|
It is important that we always have a humble spirit and not think more
highly of ourselves than we ought to. Remaining humble in spirit simply
means that we remember our roots and where we came from and not allow our
ego to make us think we are better than or more important than the next
person. How we act outwardly is a direct reflection of how we think of
and see ourselves inwardly. When we have an out of control ego we think
we are smarter, more talented, more able and just plain better than those
around us. When we puff ourselves up as if we are better than the next
person, we are not only hindering our usefulness in this world, but we are
also displeasing the Lord by our actions. The Bible declares in Romans
12:3 “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of
yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with
sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”
We must always remember and keep in mind that this earthly body came from
the dust of the earth and will one day return to dust again. We must be
heavenly minded and always have the right spirit within us. We must be
humble in spirit thinking the best of others, always willing to lend a
helping hand and always available to encourage and lift up those who are
having a hard time at that moment. When we humble ourselves, the Lord
will lift us up. There is no need for us to seek recognition or demand to
be known for our wealth, stature or social status. Always wanting
recognition is a clear sign that one's ego needs to be re-examined. We
don't need to be recognized in order to be rewarded. The Lord who sees
all things done openly and in secret will give us a just reward for acting
in a manner that is pleasing to Him.
(Ecclesiastes 3:20) (Luke 12:48) (Matthew 6:1-4)
I encourage you to always remain humble and meek in your spirit and think
of yourself as a servant who has been given much so that you can use it to
better yourself and those around you. The Lord will use us much more when
we have a humble and teachable spirit. He will do things through us that
we never thought possible. He will use us to touch lives in ways that
we've never imagined. When we humble ourselves the Lord says “Yes I can
use that one for My purposes.” And when we are used for God's purposes,
our life will be one that we can be proud of and we will be thankful that
God found us worthy to be a vessel and an instrument to change this world
for the better. (Proverbs 16:18-19) (Matthew 11:28-30) (Galatians 6:7-9)
I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to always remain
humble in your spirit and allow the Lord to work through you all the days
of your life.
A HUMBLE SPIRIT
In his own eyes, Mike was the most popular guy around. “A lot of women are
gonna be totally miserable when I marry,” he boasted to his date.
“Really?” she said. “And just how many women are you intending to marry?”
(Maybe you knew that guy.)
But I like the story of a young woman who wanted to go to college. Her
heart sank, however, when she read the question on the admission form that
asked, “Are you a leader?” Being both honest and conscientious, she wrote,
“No,” and returned the application, expecting the worst.
To her surprise, she received this letter from the college: “Dear
applicant: A study of the admission forms reveals that this year our
school will enroll 1,452 new leaders. We would like to accept you because
we feel it is imperative that they have at least one follower.”
Sometimes a little bit of humble pie goes well with a rich meal.
Actually, what passes for conceit in many people is often just a plea for
attention. A poor sense of self may cause one to want to be the prominent
star in every constellation. Humility, on the other hand, does not require
that one shine less brightly than others, simply that all be given
opportunity to shine.
That great 19th Century African American educator Booker T. Washington
exemplified the power of a simple and modest spirit. A story is told of a
day when Washington, then a professor at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama,
happened to pass the mansion of a wealthy woman as he walked to work.
The woman did not recognize him and called out, “Hey you! Come here! I
need some wood chopped!” She was a product of her southern post-Civil War
culture and simply perceived him as a black man who was there to do her bidding.
Without a word, Dr. Washington peeled off his jacket, picked up the ax and
went to work. He not only cut a large pile of wood, he also carried the
firewood into the house and arranged it neatly by the fireplace.
He had scarcely left when a servant said to the woman, “I guess you didn't
recognize him, ma'am, but that was Professor Washington!”
Embarrassed and ashamed, the woman hurried over to Tuskegee Institute to
apologize. The great educator respectfully replied: “There's no need to
apologize, madam. I'm delighted to do favors for my friends.”
The professor may have taught one of his greatest lessons that day. It was
a lesson about astronomy: he taught that every star can shine without one
out-shining all the others. It was a lesson about peace: he taught how
self-interest must often be set aside for the good of the whole. And it
was a lesson about spirituality: he taught about the power of a meek and
humble spirit in a world where aggression is too-often confused with strength.
It is a lesson we are still learning.
By Steve Goodier
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
1 Peter 5:5-7 “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder.
Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility:
for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble
yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you
in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
Proverbs 22:1-5 “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and
loving favour rather than silver and gold. The rich and poor meet
together: the Lord is the maker of them all. A prudent man foreseeth the
evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. By
humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.
Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his
soul shall be far from them.”
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.”
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.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: HEALED AND WHOLE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem71.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: HEALED FROM DEPRESSION
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony130.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
