Tag: jesus

Questioning Pursuit

by Ms. Rita's Minute

Matthew 6:33

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

As human beings we all have desires, interests, and our own personal ways of doing and being. We have our own definitions of success and how to obtain it. We seek happiness and contentment in various ways and pursue those things that we think will fulfill our souls.

However, do we ever consider what God wants us to pursue? What are His desires for each of us and what truly fulfills those personal longings we possess? I ponder this often as sometimes I can get distracted but find joy in the answers God has given.

1 Timothy 6:11 provides those things God wants us to pursue. These things are of utmost importance that spill over into everything else in our lives: “… pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” 2 Timothy 2:22 adds “peace” to the list. To look a little closely to each of these traits:

  1. Pursuing righteousness we seek being morally right or justifiable, decent, just, principled and virtuous among other things. As the Body of Christ, we’ve already spiritually received God’s gift of righteousness. However, our proof of repentance and living for Christ include the aforementioned characteristics.
  2. Godliness is living a life that reflects the character and will of God. We are told in 1 Timothy 6:6 that righteousness along with contentment is great gain.
  3. The Bible also teaches us in Hebrews 11:6 that faith is the confidence, or substance of things we hope for, the assurance, or evidence of things we can’t see.
  4. 1 Corinthians 13 is an entire chapter that defines the attributes of love, a wonderful state encompassing patience, kindness, and selflessness. 1 John 4:8 and 4:16 tell us that God is love.
  5. Endurance is the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity, or to withstand hardship or adversity.
  6. We display gentleness when we are kind, tender and mild-mannered. It also involves humility, patience and empathy.
  7. When we pursue peace, we pursue harmony and tranquility; freedom from emotional distress, worry, or public disturbance.

The traits listed in 1 Timothy 6:11 are preceded by Paul’s warning on how the love of money is the root of all evil and how people so eager for it have caused themselves many griefs and wandered from the faith because of it. He encourages his son in the faith, Timothy, to flee from those things and to fight the good fight of faith.

This, of course, is also a warning to all believers in Christ. Fleeing involves running away to escape danger; to move quickly and with urgency.

There’s nothing wrong with having dreams, goals, ideas or visions for our lives, but we must keep in close contact with our Wonderful Counselor, Peleh Yoetz (in Hebrew), to make sure our desires align with his. “Grinding” to achieve success is not always healthy or safe, especially when it moves us away from God’s ideals.

We don’t want to add any more weights to our lives than that with which we already have to contend. The Lord knows the best ways for us to do anything to achieve success. We need only ask for his wisdom which he’ll provide generously without finding fault according to James 1:5.

In our pursuits of happiness, contentment or whatever it is we desire in life, keeping our focus first and foremost on heavenly goals leads to joy and fulfillment for God’s children. Steering away from distractions can sometimes prove difficult, but doable.

We have the Spirit of the living God on the inside of us and this is marvelous. Now may we continue to fight the good fight of faith in our endeavors to do his will.

Reborn

by Ms. Rita's Minute

John 3:3
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

Isn’t it an awe-inspiring fact that one can become reborn? When I think of the awesomeness of natural birth and its wonderful process, the thought of actually being reborn can be even more mindboggling.

The curious Pharisee, Nicodemus, one who apparently knew of, or observed some works that Jesus had done, wondered how this could be. He questioned the Lord: “How can someone be born when they are old?” “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born” (John 3:4)! Jesus responded telling him that “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit to spirit” (John 3:6).

The magnificent Holy Spirit is the one who gives this new birth to our spirits! In as much as we have believed on the Lord Jesus as the Son of God and repented of our sins, we are not the same people. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “… if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Not only that, but we have been “… born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Peter 1:23).

Of all the millions of people on the earth, the Lord has created the standard that “…no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit…‘You must be born again.’ (John 3:5-7) Hence, we must come into this new existence in Christ, in order to enter His Kingdom. As stated in the Bible, this can only be done by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ and accepting Him as Lord, God’s only begotten son.

How refreshing to know that no matter what we may have experienced that we wish to forget in our pasts, before knowing Christ, it’s as good as gone when we have been reborn. It’s stated to be under the blood of Jesus, through the atonement of His death on our behalf, and we are given the gift of a new life, eternal life.

So I highlight this fact today so that we don’t forget that in being reborn, we should not see ourselves as the same as before this amazing supernatural act. “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves” (Colossians 1:13).

In addition, according to 2 Corinthians 3:18, “… we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

It is a wonderful act of God’s grace that He “chose us as first fruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

Hence, we should not see ourselves as the persons we were, slaves to the same old habits, laden with the generational strongholds, addictions and maladies of old, never changing. Our old selves were crucified with Christ. We now walk in newness of life in Christ, in the Holy Spirit.

Moreover, Jesus himself said we are now the “…salt of the earth, the light of the world…” (Matthew 5:13-16). So, now we may rejoice that we have an awesome birthright: “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14)

Biblically, a Christian’s inheritance contains both present and future realities. We can count on blessings in this life, such as forgiveness of our sins through Christ, adoption into God’s family, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. It also includes eternal life with God in heaven, and a new heaven and new earth. This inheritance is secured by faith in Jesus Christ and is a gift from God. So, let’s praise the Lord today that we’ve been reborn!

Getting Along

by Ms. Rita's Minute

Romans 12:18, NIV

 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.“

Do you increasingly find it difficult to get along well with others? Observing all of the arguing, misunderstandings and frustrations among those around us, and perhaps within ourselves, we could all use some tips on how to communicate.

It appears everybody is mad at somebody. Yet there are ways we can get along so much better and let me be the first in line to take notes on how to do so.

Here are some biblical instructions to help us in relating to others:

  1. “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12, NIV). This involves imagining yourself as the other person or people, showing empathy, considering another person’s feelings, experiences, and emotions. How would you feel, and what would you do, if the shoe were on the other foot?
  2. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32, NIV). In behaving this way, we are considerate, thoughtful, friendly and caring. We remember how we’ve needed God’s forgiveness. So, we extend forgiveness to others who have offended us. The Bible even goes so far as to show how what we do, determines how we’ll be treated. In other words, Matthew 6:14-15: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
  3. “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13, NIV). This means we inspire one another with support, hope, and uplifting interaction, using words that edify one another. One can become cynical and feel hopeless, leading to bitterness, when they are consistently barraged with deception and wrongdoing. An encouraging word can make one’s day.
  4. “Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16, NIV). This is a very important part of getting along. It shows our need for, and trust in, God’s help toward others’ lives as well as ours. It shows humility to pray good things for someone else, as well as confess where we’ve missed the mark, especially when that person has hurt us.
  5. “Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body” (Ephesians 4:25, NIV). Consistently being honest with one another is a great way for trust to grow in our relationships. While our trust should be first and foremost in God, there is an element of trust we place in accepting and relying on someone as a true friend.
  6. “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19, NIV). Sometimes, we can be so focused on what we want to say or how we will reply to someone, that we miss what the other person is actually saying in a conversation. This involves us sharpening our listening and attention skills, for the love of whoever we’re speaking with, listening closely to what they are communicating, so that we understand them well. We don’t want to be those quick to anger or dismissive of what is spoken.

The Bible shows us many ways of relating to one another successfully, but it takes much practice, humility and boldness to form good habits of communication, fellowship and friendship. It really is possible for us to get along with everyone, if we’ll just show one another grace in whatever our connections may be. God has masterfully provided us the scriptural information necessary to get along well. We must now ask for the power of God’s Holy Spirit to help us to do it.

Many Parts, Same Body

by Ms. Rita's Minute

1 Corinthians 12:21-25

“The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.”

The Bible refers to those who have truly believed on Jesus Christ as the Son of God and accepted his death and resurrection as atonement for our sins, as the Body of Christ and the Church. “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way” (Ephesians 1:22-23). As such, one’s origin of birth, current residence, skin color, size, or economic status does not matter. Each believing individual is defined as the Body of Christ.

The Body of Christ consists of many members of local churches (those buildings used for gathering together to worship Christ among other things) in many places throughout the earth. Also included, are those who may not yet have a local church home, meet in homes, in person or over the Internet, but nevertheless, are believers.

In 1 Corinthians 12 where the Body of Christ is equated to a human body, this chapter speaks of the functions of various parts of the body and their necessity to one another.

It is no doubt common that some people may think they are not needed in the Body, or others, that they don’t need the Body. Yet there are many parts of the Body, and they are all important. Verse 24 tells us that while our presentable parts need no special treatment, God composed the Body, giving greater honor to the part that lacks it, that there wouldn’t be any division in the Body, but that the members would have the same care for one another.

As with a human body, some parts are more presentable to the public and don’t need special attention. While others, are kept clothed and covered, they are no less important to the body as a whole. These parts of the body are what some might consider “less honorable,” in that we don’t want them to be exposed or seen. They’re also parts we don’t want treated harshly or injured.

Yet, God gives greater honor to the parts which lack it, which may be seen as the weaker, less honorable, and unpresentable members of the Body, seeking the benefit of the whole body.

One might notice the Body’s different types of giftings or rich and poor persons of greater and lesser abilities. Nevertheless, they all have a role to fulfill.

There is room for variety in God’s great big, magnificent Body. Through prayer and various biblical resources of wisdom, we just need to know our gifts, find God’s best community fit for us, and remember to respect and honor one another despite our gifts or differences. As well we should appreciate our own unique abilities no matter how great or less they may appear to us.

We are not all the same, but we’ve been made a part of Christ’s Body, so we are family and should love and honor one another as we do Christ, the head. May God’s Holy Spirit, help us all in this endeavor.

Beloved Ambassadors of Reconciliation

by Ms. Rita's Minute

2 Corinthians 5:20

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

What an honorable responsibility to be an ambassador for Christ. As such we have the exciting assignment to encourage reconciliation to God. As ambassadors, we are representatives. The Greek word, presbeuó, indicates those who represent Christ and speak for Him. We are authorized by Christ to act as diplomats speaking on his behalf.

Reconciliation is the restoration of friendly relations, with the key word here being restoration. When we restore something, we reinstitute or bring it back. We repair or renovate it returning it to its original condition. Merriam-Webster’s definition of “reconciliation” refers to the process of restoring friendship or harmony after a disagreement, settling a dispute, or making conflicting ideas or things consistent. This is what Christ has done for us. He has made a way of restoration to our place in God before man’s fall through sin.

Accepting the Father’s son, Jesus, as Lord and Savior, we become one with Him as his Body and He is the head. We recognize God’s kingdom instructions as those principles we choose to live and love by.

When we think of representing Christ, we endeavor to show the utmost behavior encompassing love, compassion and humility toward others. To represent someone well, also entails speaking on their behalf effectively and accurately. This includes understanding their position, communicating their needs, and advocating for their interests while maintaining integrity and respect.

With the propensity to err and encounter our personal insecurities and weaknesses, God still chooses to grace us with the posture of 1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

Moreover, the fact of the matter is the wonderful message of how we are reconciled. Romans 5:8-11 tells us that “…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

In giving us this amazing position in Christ, He has provided us with additional heavenly help as His ambassadors: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

My prayer is that we will all represent the Lord well, wherever we find ourselves in life.

Slay It!

by Ms. Rita's Minute

2 Corinthians 7:1

“Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”

A fly has somehow entered my presence at this moment. With the pretty, pink and flowered, fly swatter in hand, I hate to destroy anything. So, I’m telling it where to go: “The air conditioning vents, under the door; just get out of here!” I’m experiencing it can be especially hard to put to death anything that is living, even when it is harassing me needlessly.

Nevertheless, the Bible tells us to put to death some harmful things that may be living within in us. These are things that seek to kill us, grieve God’s Holy Spirit, and hinder us from moving forward freely in our God-given purpose or enjoying a confident relationship with Christ.

As Christ has paid the price for our eternal life, we are now to kill those things within us that are clearly of Satan’s kingdom and replace them with those things of Christ’s.

Furthermore, though the Lord’s sanctification process is ongoing in our lives, the Bible clearly tells us that we are to do this ruining of certain things; making an effort to do the killing and not just expect God to do it for us. Thankfully, he’s given us the authority and tools to carry it out.

Colossians 3:5 tells us to “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Therefore, at some point, we’ve got to take a serious look, specifically at what each of these things are, with an aim to recognize them when they surface from within us and put an end to them.

Therefore, we can start by realizing that God has given us weapons. One, I’ll highlight here, is the “sword of the spirit” which the Bible defines as the Word of God.  “For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

When our human reasoning or excuses to behave in ungodly ways moves us closer toward sin, we must remember that “the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

Though we’re instructed to kill those things within us that are harmful to us and others, God has graciously given us some things to put on. Colossians 3:12 tells us, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.”

These things make life beautiful for us and those we encounter. These things bring God glory. They are the things that speak loudly that we are of the Lord’s kingdom, one where there is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Interestingly, as I reach the end of my minutes with you, my annoying visitor is no longer buzzing. Quietly, it left without my killing it, for which I am truly grateful. Yet, any bad habits we’ve been allowing in our lives, won’t just go away on their own, but must be put to death. So, I’m so appreciative that we can ask our heavenly father, who gives wisdom liberally, to show us specifically how to successfully remove anything that he hates from our lives. We can rest confident his tools of weaponry for us work, and he is certainly faithful to do his part in these matters.

Let It Go!

by Ms. Rita's Minute

Hebrews 12:1-2 

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.“

Ever wish you could sit with someone, take their hands, look deeply into their eyes, and say, let it go? You want to encourage them toward a better way. You want to comfort them and inspire them to let go of all the bullying, manipulating, name-calling, belittling, and nagging abuse they’ve received. You understand they want to ignore it or get revenge, but they’re too empathetic to act on their feelings. So, they embrace the perceived right to be angry, grudgeful, hateful, and dismissive, all at once. Yet their heart still aches, and they feel used and taken for granted.

They meditate on all the days, all the words, they should have done this, or they will do that. They’ve taken them on like a coat of honor. They’ve got this, they can handle it. Yet they actually mustn’t take it at all. They must cast it! Jesus wants them to cast their cares and not brood over or worry about them. All that was done to them was not their doing or welcoming. All of that bad belongs to the enemy of their soul, not them.

Wallowing in unforgiveness will kill them if not addressed. God’s word commands that they forgive as He has forgiven them. Furthermore, do they know what belongs to them? God’s forgiveness and grace. They are theirs to take and give. His “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23) are all for them. The Father’s thoughts for their pondering are all that is “true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good, virtuous, and praiseworthy” (Philippians 4:8). His plans are to prosper them and not to harm them, plans to give them hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Also, that they would then call on him, go and pray to him, and he will listen to them.

CraftonArtPrints

As those stormy thoughts of sadness and regret begin to drown their mind’s hope and faith in God’s blessing and abundant life for them, they should grab them and throw down every word sent to weigh them down with the heaviness of unforgiveness, and recall and speak God’s promise to give them rest and the desires of their heart as they delight in him. Those cares don’t belong to them as they become worries which hinder a peaceful and sound mind and promote fear and anxiety.

The truth is they are dearly loved by their creator, who, at their very worst, paid a great price for them. They are now the redeemed of the Lord! They should no longer carry the lies and taunts of the evil one. They no longer live in those past spaces, but are now the Body of Christ, and he is the head!

Therefore, what the Lord says is true. Let’s all cast our cares on him, as he is our great caretaker and caregiver. We are called to be free in Christ, the author and finisher of our faith.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Exiled, But Not Forgotten

by Ms. Rita's Minute

Jeremiah 29:13-14

 “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

This past weekend, I felt impressed by the Lord to read some interesting passages from two chapters of the Bible: Jeremiah 6 and 29. Though the circumstances that would unfold may be disheartening, there are many lessons we can learn and apply to our lives in knowing what to do as God’s children and ambassadors to turn from evil to pursue good. Not to mention just how patient and watchful the Lord is with his people.

Upon his calling as a prophet in Jeremiah 1, young Jeremiah is instructed by the Lord to “go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you” (Jeremiah 1:7). According to the Lord, he was appointing Jeremiah over nations and kingdoms to “uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant” (Jeremiah 1:10). What a large responsibility for a young man to carry out.

The Lord told Jeremiah that he had put his words in his mouth and that he wasn’t to be afraid, as he would be with him and rescue him. Jeremiah’s excuse that he was too young and didn’t know how to speak would be no suitable justification for him to decline. Of course, the Lord knew all about Jeremiah before he appointed him and so eloquently tells him in Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

In Jeremiah 6, the prophet foretells the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people by the Babylonians, due to their widespread wickedness and rejection of God’s word. The chapter details a coming military invasion from the north, emphasizing the severity of God’s judgment and the people’s lack of repentance. 

In verse 16, the Lord stated his disappointment with what was happening: “This is what the Lord says, ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ He continued in verse 17 with, “I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But you said, ‘We will not listen.’ As a result, there would be some unfortunate circumstances that the Israelites would have to endure.

However, later in chapter 29, the Lord, via a letter from Jeremiah to the surviving elders, priests, prophets, and all the others King Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, is faithful and merciful to provide helpful and encouraging instructions. In short, as amazing as the Lord is to still communicate with them, He told them to:

+ build houses

+ settle down

+ plant gardens

+ eat the produce from the gardens

+ marry and have kids

+ find wives for their sons and give their daughters in marriage

+ increase in number and do not decrease

“Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:7). Interestingly, the Lord did not say King Nebuchadnezzar, but “I” himself, signifying his sovereignty in the whole matter.

Moreover, as stated further in verses 11-14, God’s plans were to prosper them, not to harm them, but to give them hope and a future. Upon calling on the Lord, praying to him, he would listen. Upon seeking him with all their hearts, he would be found by them and would bring them back from their captivity to the place from which he had carried them to exile. God was still showing them the way of repentance, as he loved them so much.

From all of this, we may notice that God’s great care and mercy are not only awesome toward his children, but in the fiery furnace of disobedience and chaos, God did not stop watching and helping. Life was not to stop with the Israelites’ misfortunes and exile, but with them God made a way of possible escape, and they were not only to move on with their lives, but with blessings, even while in Babylon. If he’s not a magnificent God, I don’t know who is.

Upon reading those chapters and further, more closely, we can see the vast measure of God’s grace toward the Israelites when they turned their back on God to do all the terrible things he told them not to do, yet God relentlessly pursued them.

In conclusion, don’t count yourself out when you fail or disappoint God. The Bible shows over and over again the great love and patience he has for his people. Just pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and sincerely call out to him in repentance, then follow his instructions as best you can to continue to the next chapter of his plan for your life. He’ll be with you, counsel, and strengthen you along the way.

You can trust God will be there to help and often add an extra blessing to it. He’s just loving and generous like that, even when we are rebellious, proud, stubborn, and lack remorse. We may suffer consequences he never intended for us, but He’s still faithful to intervene and show us a better way to live.

Humility and Self-Estimation

by Ms. Rita's Minute

Daniel 10:12

“…Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.”

In today’s age of self-care, self-improvement, self-affirmation, and self-love, “self-estimation” came to mind. It is a word that is rarely used and relates to self-evaluation, where you consider your strengths and weaknesses. Self-estimation is the process of judging or assessing one’s own abilities, worth, or significance, and is the act of estimating oneself; self-esteem. So today, I’m considering humility of great value and worthy of further examination as to its role in the lives of God’s people.

There is no doubt that traumas and setbacks have shaped many of us to think in a distorted way about ourselves. The thoughts we may have carried for years are thoughts that have caused some hindrances and challenges in our lives and proven to be ungodly and in need of uprooting to experience true freedom in life. Yet in getting wisdom and understanding, we must keep in mind humility: the attribute that God favors for us, which can sometimes be a force with which we often reckon.

According to the Bible, this trait is shown to be of utmost importance as the consequences of not having it can bring about ruin. Humility is not discouraging or belittling, or thinking negatively of ourselves. But according to Romans 12:3, thinking of ourselves with “sober judgment” according to the faith God has distributed to each of us, and not “more highly” of ourselves than we ought.

Every time I think of humility, I think, and even ask God, that I would humble myself, and that He won’t have to do it. Somehow, I imagine it might be easier on me if I did the humbling. Nevertheless, Merriam-Webster also gives us a simple and clear definition of what humility is as well: “freedom from pride or arrogance; the quality or state of being humble.”

Understanding what pride and arrogance are helps us to avoid them–those attitudes of haughtiness, superiority, or pretentiousness, along with exaggerated self-importance and conceit. Although the Bible teaches us to love one another as we love ourselves, we need to have a healthy love and estimation of ourselves to be successful in doing so. Thankfully, the Bible in Philippians 4:8 reminds us to think on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good, virtuous, and praiseworthy. So it would be difficult to think negatively of ourselves if we use this measure.

A good way to check our own humility levels would be to check our Savior’s character. He told us in Matthew 11:29: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.” The Lord lovingly teaches us with truth, yet he is kind and considerate. He is the most important person one can ever know, but as we see from his life through the Bible, He did not exert a snobbish self-importance, but was lowly, compassionate, and empathetic. These are great qualities to learn and practice.

The Bible reminds us in Matthew 23:12 that “those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Blessings for those who are meek are an inheritance of land and enjoyment of peace and prosperity (Psalm 37:11). Later in Matthew 5:5, Jesus reiterates that “the meek will inherit the earth.” The Greek definition for meek is translated as gentle or humble in English.

Moreover, the traits of a humble person are gratitude, patience, empathy, and self-awareness. A humble Christian is grateful, composed, and faithful to examine themselves to see whether they are in the faith; testing themselves, realizing that Christ Jesus is in them—unless they fail the test (2 Corinthians 13:5). Furthermore, as shown in Romans 12:16, we exercise humility when we live in harmony with one another, not being proud, but willing to associate with people of low position–not being conceited.

Shepherds or overseers of God’s people aren’t to lord it over those entrusted to them, but to be examples to them. Those who are younger are to submit themselves to their elders, clothing themselves with humility toward one another. Why? Because “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5). When we humble ourselves before the Lord, he will lift us up (James 4:10). Psalms 149:4 tells us the Lord crowns the humble with victory!

There are other scriptures in the Old and New Testaments regarding humility. So, with such amazing scriptures on humility, there are enough to decipher what it looks like. Often, someone else’s opinion of what humility should look like on you may not match, so it’s best to know specifically what the Bible says about being humble or meek. Measure yourself by the Bible so as not to be deceived by some other unhealthy opinion.

We should not forget that “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life” (Proverbs 22:4). Not to mention, “Lord, you have heard the desire of the humble; you will prepare their heart; you will cause your ear to hear” (Psalm 10:17).

Sanctification and Consecration: His Part and Ours

by Ms. Rita's Minute

John 17:19

“For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.” ~Jesus Christ

Knowing that God works in us to accomplish his goals for our lives is a privilege. He so graciously does his part, and we attempt to do ours. Hopefully, we all are successful since we don’t do this alone. Today, I’m remembering the acts of sanctification and consecration.

Now, one could get very long and deep into these two terms, but for the sake of time measurement in minutes, I just want to provoke thought and study on their definitions.

The act of sanctification is God’s way of making us holy; an ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of his children. Other words we might see used for sanctifying are purification, cleansing, salvation, redemption, regeneration, or rebirth.

The following verse demonstrates how people are made holy–through God’s Holy Spirit: “to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:16).

1 Thessalonians 5:23 is a verse of encouragement that highlights the totality of being sanctified by God, keeping one guiltless or above reproach. “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

We’re chosen by God and as such, he has provided the provision of salvation by the Holy Spirit’s purifying labor, and via faith and the gospel. “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

The act of consecration is setting aside or dedicating people, places, or objects for God’s use. This word is sometimes used interchangeably with sanctification. Yet it can be used to describe devoting one’s self to God for his purposes or use, or God’s doing the same with us for himself.

In the following verse, God is requiring the consecration of his people, reminding them of the punishments for sin. This chapter lists a host of things God disliked and warned the Israelites to stay away from. “Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy” (Leviticus 20:7-8).

In Joshua 3-5, namely verse 5, Joshua prepares the people for God’s presence and actions even when faced with possible opposition and war. “Joshua told the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”

The Lord’s mighty works, along with the Israelites’ consecration, brought about a wonderful display of God’s grace in their crossing at Jordan’s flood stage. They successfully passed by on dry ground as the waters piled up in a heap a distance away. Then, when the Amorite and Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, they were fearful and no longer dared to face them.

Later in the New Testament, we see references to consecrated objects, where food that God created to be received was told to be avoided. “They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:3-5).

This event reminds me of Acts 10:10-20, where Peter, in a trance, is shown by God a sheet containing all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds, and told by God to eat and not to call anything impure what he has cleansed.

As seen throughout the Bible, in consecration, God may ask us to fast, pray, dedicate, or give up something in preparation for a specific divine purpose.

In addition, other scriptures demonstrate these two vital works of God that involve his and our efforts. Yet some are interpreted in varying styles. Nevertheless, these things cause us “to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13).

Concluding on a light note 😂: