Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Friday July 24, 2009 and we are continuing our studies in the book of Proverbs, please read chapters 16-19 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2016-19&version=9

Today's Message: Be Humble
We are to be humble servants of God and in order to do that we need to learn from Jesus.

To be humble means to be meek, modest, inconspicuous, and submissive (obedient), in other words, it means to not draw attention to ourselves, not to think of one self as better than another's, and to be obedient. Jesus was humble so we as Christians are to be humble as well. “The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.” - Proverbs 16:17-20. We are told to have a humble spirit, but no one is naturally humble, in fact we are just the opposite, our human nature is infused with pride passed down from Adam and only through the indwelling Christ can we develop true humility in our lives. This will manifest itself in kindness toward the unkind, long-suffering toward those who annoy us, and love toward our enemies. How inconsistent it is to think we have humbly given ourselves to Christ if we snub or react harshly to anyone that aggravates, offends, or treats us wrong.

Most of us like to think of ourselves as humble, at least more humble than others, but humility, or the lack of it, is apparent by our attitude when we are with someone who irritates us. If our replies are expressed in an unkind way, either outwardly in our words or actions or inwardly in our thoughts, then our humility is not real and merely a mask. “He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.” - Proverbs 17:27,28. When we hold our peace and give it over to God we are wise, knowing the destructive power of pride, let us consider people who are difficult to love as those chosen by God to provide us with the opportunity to rid ourselves of self-righteousness and to express Christlike humility and love.

The humble will not resort to getting even with their offender, if we are set out to get revenge on them then that makes us no better than they are. I know it can be hard to back down and be humble when someone has done you wrong, but take it from someone who knows personally, all it does is hurt you even more in the end. Jesus Said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30. When we give our burdens over to Jesus, He will lighten them and give us rest, that in turn will help us to become humble like Christ. To be Christlike is to see others through the eyes of Jesus and to give equal consideration to all people, regardless of their race, position, abilities, or wealth.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord, we want to clothe ourselves with humility toward one another since You oppose the proud, but give grace to the humble. We humble ourselves, under Your mighty hand, so You may lift us up in due time. We will resist the devil’s proud and evil influence as we learn to be more like Christ. In Jesus' Name.............Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and enjoy your weekend,
God Bless You,
Christina

P.S. I apologize for this message getting out late and any inconvenience that it may have caused.