Humbled

 Philippians 2:8

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.

1 Peter 2:21-24

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:  “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.” / When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. 

    In Psalm 40 David writes the hope that his enemies, those who are against him, would turn their hearts to God. He does not retaliate, nor seek vengeance upon them. He, like many others who follow God before him and after him, has the love of God -- which includes compassion and mercy -- in his heart and mind. 

    In Matthew 5:1-12 describes the beatitudes of a Christian's behavior as we walk in the power of God's Holy Spirit with Christ. To be humbled is to surrender what we want for what God wants. It is to live a righteous life that glorifies God, and not a selfish life which only glorifies ourselves. 

    MATTHEW 5:1-12

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you."

    To humble ourselves means we choose obedience to God's Word: we choose to walk in love and light. We show mercy where none is deserved for we are given undeserved mercy by God. We speak peace and forgiveness to everyone we interact with, for the peace of Christ and the forgiveness of our sins were given to the believer when we believed on The Name of The Only Begotten Son of God JESUS CHRIST.

    To humble ourselves means we submit our thoughts to His Word, as well. In order to do that, we must fill our hearts and minds with His Word and His worship (the worship we give Him when we sing His praises and testify in word and song of the glorious things which He has done for us). Let His worship and Word and Spirit abound so thoroughly in each of us that Christ fills us up with even more of Himself, leaving no room for anything not of Him. 

    We must choose this side of eternity to humble ourselves. For the day is nearly here when God will forcefully ensure that all will be humbled by Himself (Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:10-11). The believer willingly kneels before God in adoration and worship, testifying by our actions and our words -whether spoken or unspoken-that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD OF ALL, even ourselves. 

    Rebellion against God and His Word and His Spirit is the opposite of humbleness and humility. Rebellion is arrogance, pride, selfishness, evil, wickedness. To deny God is rebellion, for GOD IS. To live a life of "I want what I want when I want it" is rebellion and disobedience to God's Word. One cannot accept the act of communion and then go out and continue to live in sin. For this brings condemnation upon that person. 

    A life of humility is a righteous walk with Christ. It is to live a life of surrender and submission to our heavenly Father. I've read some good books in my time that have helped me in my walk. Too many to list, but I'll give you a couple examples, which are still on my bookshelves:

Good Morning, Holy Spirit - Benny Hinn

The Real Holy Spirit - Cortland Myers, D.D. (read this book for free online)

The Pursuit of Holiness - Jerry Bridges 

    In 2 Chronicles 7:14 God tells us that we must humble ourselves (kneel only to Him), pray (only to Him) and seek His face (His presence), then He will hear us, forgive us and heal the place where we live. Every Word of God is for everyone. In the Old Testament it was for God's elect: the Jew, the Hebrew nation. But since we are now living in New Testament times, it is for the Gentile, as well. A Gentile is anyone who is not born Jewish. But when we all believe that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, then we are all in God's family. And His Promise is for All Who Believe. 

    Therefore, we must, we absolutely must, willingly and decidedly choose to live lives of humility and humbleness, being aware at all times that Christ is with us; that His Spirit teaches us and guides us in this life in order to prepare us for the life we will live after death. 

    Joshua (Joshua 24:15) wrote that the decision to follow God is personal, it happens to each of us on an individual basis. The call goes out, "Choose this day whom you will serve." For the humble life of the believer has an impact on the soul, the mind, the heart. Choose. This day. Whom you will serve. Yourselves? or God? 

    Are we willing to die for what we believe? If not, then we need to get into the place where we are fully surrendered to a life lived for the glory of God. Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray is a good place to start. 

COVERED Planetshakers

 I SURRENDER ALL  

TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS 

 

I Am Christian's Heart

ROMANS 10:10

For it is by believing, in your heart. that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

I am Christian's heart: in me lives The Word of God. 

1 John 4:15

All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.

    I am Christian's heart and The Word declares that I am wise: Ecclesiastes 7:4 "The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure." A wise heart tells people about Jesus and His gospel of saving grace. 

Proverbs 11:30 "

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise." 

1 Corinthians 9:19 "Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible."

    I am Christian's heart and The Word tells me that I am broken: Psalm 34:18 "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit (repentant heart)." 

Psalm 51:17 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." 

    I am Christian's heart and I have hidden His Word in me: Psalm 119:10-11 "With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments. Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You." I am hid in God's heart, too. John 17:20-21 "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; That they all may be one; as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that You have sent Me." 

    I am Christian's heart. In me and through me the love of God moves. I am able to love like God because The Love of God lives in me: It thrives because I feed It with adoration and worship. I can love people because I love God and He loves me. He chose me to live in. 1 John 4:7-11

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; an devery one that loves is born of God, and knows God.

He that loves not knows not God; for God is love. 

In this was manifested (revealed) The Love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him (John 3:16-17).

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another."

    I am Christian's heart. Jesus Christ called me to open my door and let Him enter into me. Just like He's calling you to open the door of your hearts and let Him live in you, too: Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if anyone hears My voice, and opens the door, I will come in to them, and will sup with them, and they with me."

MARANATHA WORSHIP 70's & 80's 

THE GOSPEL - Ryan Stevenson

ABIDE IN ME - Andrew Marcus

SHEPHERD OF MY SOUL - Rivers & Robots 

MY PORTION - Isla Vista 

A Crucified Life - - Answers The Call to Humble Oneself

 

    1 Peter 5:6

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.

    To humble oneself is to choose to put ourselves under His Authority. It is good to humble ourselves, as God gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34) . And we need His grace. 

    Who are the humble? The meek, the lowly in heart. They who put God first and themselves last. With Christ as our example of humbleness (Matthew 11:29), we place the cares of our lives into His loving hands. 

    We come to God in prayer and praise, in worship and tears, in thanksgiving and joy, bringing Him everything that bothers us, all that grieves us and whatever brings a smile to our faces or fills our mouths with laughter. We are ever aware that our very existence is by the mercy of God. 

    I read this book quite a few years ago titled I Am Third in which the coach had this plaque above his desk which read: Jesus first, Others second, Yourself third. That's my daily goal. 

    It isn't as easy as it sounds, though. Sometimes God allows us to go through the storms of life. Not because He doesn't care, but because He wants us to know that He will go through these rough waters with us. He will be with us in dangerous (fiery) situations. If He chooses to bring us through, we will get through, with Him. But, if He chooses our death instead, we will still be with Him. 

Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.

Philippians 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

    The thing we need to remember is that life and death are not about us. Our life is to magnify Christ that He may be seen in us through our actions and heard in our words. The believer's death glorifies God in the same way. We submit with grace; we do not seek revenge against they who attack us, imprison us and kill us: for vengeance belongs to God (Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:30). As Job says, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him."

CALLED TO HUMBLENESS  (what I listened to while I studied)

I Found God - Ben Laine

Beatitude - Jonathan Ogden

Defender - Rita Springer

You Are The Light - Andrew Word

Psalm 34:1-9 - Awona

Red Carpet - Chapel Co.

You're The Best - Ben Oribe

Rest In You - All Sons & Daughters

Simple 

Simple Truth - Ryan Ellis

Filled With The Light - The Halls

Altar - Emilie Weiss

He Makes Me Well - Allie Paige

Home - Splendor Tree

Seek & Find - Zach Winters

Holding Us All Together - Andrew Word

A Crucified Life - - Is Humbled & Obedient

 

Philippians 2:8

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death -- even death on the cross.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 5013

Humbled: to make low

From the Greek word 'tapeinoó' (pronounced tap-i-no'-o): stoops to become a servant. 

    Now, be honest with yourself. When was the last time you humbled yourself and did what God was asking you to do? 

    Jesus humbled Himself. He put aside the comforts of His home and went on a journey. A journey whose earthly journey began in a stable. A journey whose ministry of being the gospel led to the cross, the tomb and the garden.     

    He chose to leave the beautifulness of heaven and come to a sinful world that He might die on the cross for us. He chose the nails. He chose to be obedient to His Father. He chose what He chose for the sake of Love. 

    John 3:16,17

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

    John 1:24

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

    Isaiah 53:5

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.

    Willingly. Obediently. By choice. Making an independent decision to do what His heavenly Father was asking Him to do. 
    Just as, when God calls each of us to do a task, we must each make that same independent decision to hear, trust and obey. The decision to choose between making a right godly choice and making the decision to do what we want to do is accomplished on a day to day basis. All day long we are tempted to sin, to turn against God and live in rebellion. But all day long, God waits for us to turn to Him for help. 

    He's not pushy and will not go where He is not wanted. Do you want God in your life? Then you need to ask Him to come into the heart of your life: the center of our being needs to be the center where He is being, living, loving. 

    Lord, I have failed You many times, please forgive me. Help me to live a humble and obedient life, as I follow You in my journey. I, too, am a wayfaring stranger. And I need You with me day and night. Not my will but Yours be done. 

In Jesus' Precious Name,

Amen.

HUMBLED & OBEDIENT

Wayfaring Stranger

He Chose The Nails

O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus

The Old Rugged Cross

Lamb of God, Holy One

Wounded One & One Found Worthy

The Old Rugged Cross Made The Difference

I Know Whom I Have Believed

I Have A Humble Heart

 

This pride thing in God's kingdom needs to stop. Where are the humble servants? The field hands?

Stop being a 'proud member' in the kingdom. Start being a hands on family member in the kingdom of God: it's about doing God's work according to God's plan, God's blueprint for seeing His kingdom grow.

It's about loving each other with the love of Christ. Let God judge the heart and get out of the way. "Love one another the way I have loved you", is what Jesus tells us in John 15:12.

It’s about submission; submitting to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and not giving in to a willful spirit. “Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18

Pride is taking credit where none is due. What a Christian does in God’s kingdom is for God’s glory, God’s honor, God’s increase. “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24