Humility - 12 Step Plan

Key verse(s)/quote(s):

“According to Christian teachers, the essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride… Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of Mind.” - C.S. Lewis

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”  –  Colossians 3:12

Key takeaway(s):

1. Humility is about having an accurate view of ourselves, not that we are inferior to others
2. False humility is not regarded by God

Overview:

As one of the most significant and oft mentioned themes in Scripture, humility communicated to be a prized virtue for Christians. As prized as it is and simple as it sounds it is always so quickly dismissed as obvious or irrelevant to the individual.

We all seem to think we are humble. I don’t know too many people who will say they aren’t. They may say they are smokers, alcoholics, occasional benders of the law but rarely do I find people ready to admit to a lack of humility. Why is that? Are we all humble people? How do we measure that? How do we become that?

I present that we must regularly do a check on this. An honest examination of our lives, how we relate to others, how we set our priorities, how we interface with God, how we receive correction, how we embrace the cross seem to be very real and probing questions that can often be ignored in a discussion on humility.

Are we really as humble as we think? Jesus said that …

Childlike Faith?

Key verse(s)/quote(s):

“Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” - Mark 10:15

“And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.” - Matthew 18:3-5

Key takeaway(s):

1. A very common way people have described the type of faith we should have is “Child-like”, but what does that mean?
2. A child can be naive, troublesome, ignorant, etc. So which metaphorical characteristic is intended to describe the type of faith we should have?
3. Humility is presented as that characteristic

Overview:

Understanding the type of faith we should have is fundamental as it underlies our view of God and our serves as the framework for our relationship with Him.

Those who attend church often have probably heard of the reference to child-like faith and I have always sat there wondering if this was contradictory to the numerous passages that speak to testing with evidence (John 20:19-29), or growing up from infancy in Christ (Ephesians 4:14), or growing up in our salvation (1 Peter 2:13). I wasn’t assuming it was a real contradiction but I wanted to find out how I could understand it correctly. After all, saying to have “Child-like faith” can mean many things can’t it? Children can naive, naughty, or nice can’t they?

I …

Desperate Faith - Don’t be afraid, just believe.

Key verse(s)/quote(s):

“Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.’” - Mark 5:36

Key takeaway(s):

1. How often do we come to Jesus with a “desperate faith”?
2. Jesus is always concerned and can do all and does not care for the logic of others
3. Jesus responds with peace, freedom, and presence

Overview:

In this business world, where I spend much of my time (at least while I am employed ), is a world that doesn’t show appreciation for “desperation”. In fact, I don’t recall a time I have heard that word used in a positive context.

Dictionary.com defines “desperate” as the below. I have italicized all the negative words or examples included in the definition.

1. reckless or dangerous because of despair or urgency: a desperate killer.
2. having an urgent need, desire, etc.: desperate for attention.
3. leaving little or no hope; very serious or dangerous: a desperate illness.
4. extremely bad; intolerable or shocking: clothes in desperate taste.
5. extreme or excessive.
6. making a final, ultimate effort; giving all: a desperate attempt to save a life.
7. actuated by a feeling of hopelessness.
8. having no hope; giving in to despair.

Did you notice 7 of the 8 definitions have a negative denotation or connotation? Which one didn’t? … That’s right point number 6. I like that one  –  “giving all” stands out to me and ironically the example given is to “save a life”… How nicely set up

So often we come to church, we go to fellowship, we go about our walk with God and understand who He is and what He …

How to Interpret the Bible for All It’s Worth.

Key verse(s)/quote(s):

“He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.” - Deuteronomy 8:3

“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” - Proverbs 30:5-6

Key takeaway(s):

1. Intimate knowledge of the Bible is of utmost importance
2. It is important to understand how the Bible was written and the context in order to accurately extract the true meaning
3. Identifying your learning style and matching it to different types of Bible study can enhance your success in interfacing with God’s Word

Overview:

I have so often heard people asking the below questions:

• How can I study the Bible on my own?
• How can I go beyond doing quiet time devotionals and do some personal in-depth study of His Word?
• What are the tools that I can use to study the Bible?

And perhaps the most significant question that may seem unrelated is “What is God’s will for my life?”. Although this is a broader issue, that I shall address in a future post, I’d have to state it is intrinsically connected to why someone should be motivated to study from God’s Word.

If someone asks me the question seeking to know God’s will for their life I usually answer with …