Do you work out consistently to keep your body healthy? If people look at your face will they notice a healthier look to you? What else does our face portray about us? Does our face reflect out faith in God? ”For Jerusalem has stumbled, and Judah has fallen, because their speech and their deeds are against the LORD, defying his glorious presence. For the look on their faces bears witness against them; they proclaim their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! For they have brought evil on themselves.”Isaiah 3:8,9 What do you seek out do you choose to seek out evil or do you seek out righteousness? Continue Reading…
Tag Archive - Humility
Will you follow the servant leader’s steps: Isaiah 3 and 4
Find your trust in God’s faithfulness and sufficiency: Psalm 138
Do you believe that God answers every prayer? Do you view answered prayers as the ones with results matching your expectations? Do not fall into the habit of believing that God’s care and concern for you is summed up in whether you get what you desire. Remember that when God decides that your desire is not ultimately best for your life that He is answering your prayer. Are you willing to rest in God and wait on Him? Do you respond with humility, thankfulness, and reverence to God? Do you find strength in God? ”On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul.” Psalm 138:3 It is imperative that we trust God and believe that He will work for our best when we come to Him in prayer. ”The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting; do not forsake the works of Your hands.” Psalm 138:8 Will you trust in God’s faithfulness? Will you trust in the sufficiency of God? Continue Reading…
Had it not been the Lord who was on our side: Psalm 124
Have we tragically overlooked God’s blessing, provision, and presence in our lives? When David states “Had it not been the Lord who was on our side…” in Psalm 124, what is he believing and thinking? Does the prowess of your mind and the skill of your hands cause you to believe that you are the cause of your success? There are many self-help books that promise everything you desire is obtainable if you just learn a few simple steps, act a certain way, or acquire the perfect set of friends. We are gravely mistaken when we believe that our success is birthed from within ourselves. God the creator and sustainer of all creation is intimately involved in everything that occurs throughout creation. Continue Reading…
God’s splendor and majesty is greater than you think: Job 37 and 38
In our boastful claims of God’s splendor and majesty do we truly believe what we are saying? In Job 37 does Elihu believe that God’s voice is as thunder? Does he believe that God is all powerful that whatever He speaks instantly comes to fruition? Elihu proclaims the wonder of God but does he stand in awe and wonder of God? What are some of the attributes of God? God is all powerful, all knowing, mighty, holy and the creator of all things. Do I believe these things? Do I think that God is really there? Do I live out my day to day existence knowing that God is actively aware of what is transpiring? When Job, Zophar, Bildad, Eliphaz and Elihu speak of God the creator all things, do they have a proper perspective of God that had transformed their hearts? Do we live with a proper perspective of God? Continue Reading…
Joy, fulfillment, and blessing from God: Esther Summary
The book of Esther takes place during the exile of Israel between the time when Persia conquers Babylon and the return of Zerubbabel to Jerusalem. What is the overall theme of Esther? Is the book about a rags-to-riches journey of a young woman? Is the book just a random picture of life for the Israelites in exile? Does the story really apply to people living in the church today? God’s faithfulness is evident in the lives of the people of Israel throughout the book. The seemingly small events that unfold for Esther and Mordecai are instrumentally used as God delivers the Israelites from peril. Continue Reading…
Reconciliation in the face of persecution: 1 Chronicles 19 and 20
When conflicts escalate why don’t we seek reconciliation? The story found in 2 Samuel 10 of David’s messengers being abused is retold in 1 Chronicles 19. My attention was not drawn to the story of these men when I read through 2 Samuel 10. These men were completely humiliated and abused by the people of Ammon. David was reaching out to comfort Hanun the son of Nahash after his fathers death but fear lead the princes of Ammon consoled Hanun to act treacherously towards the messengers, David, and Israel. Why does fear drive us to see situations in their worst light?
After these men were humiliated was the situation destined for war? The people of Ammon abused these men insulting David and Israel. What would have happened if the people of Ammon would have reached out to David humbly seeking reconciliation? What was David’s initial reaction to the humiliation of his messengers? The people of Ammon knew that they had insulted David and instead of seeking forgiveness they readied for battle. When we have conflicts why do we seek to get ready for more conflict? What is necessary for conflict resolution to occur? Pride needs to be laid aside by both parties for resolution to be possible. Continue Reading…
In life will you seek forgiveness and humility: 2 Samuel 3 and 4
How often do you feel yourself becoming filled with anger, fear, pride, hate, or discontent? What is the motivation behind your actions when you are like this? Do you label your feelings as righteous to justify your actions? Can we label any action by man as righteous? During the time of conflict between Israel and Judah in 2 Samuel 3 and 4 men make accusations, decisions, and assumptions that illustrate the need for true forgiveness and humility.
Abner is accused by Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul and king of Israel, of sleeping with a concubine of Saul’s in 2 Samuel 3. Did Abner truly sleep with the concubine? Was Ish-bosheth afraid of losing his authority as king making him not trust Abner? Was it so easy for Ish-bosheth to forget that it was Abner who established him as king over Israel after Saul’s death? Why did Abner seek to establish Ish-bosheth as king? What motivated thes men? Why do people so quickly turn upon the ones who truly care for them when their personal security feels threatened? After these accusations were made Abner chooses to no longer support the lineage of Saul as king and he seeks out David to make a covenant to serve him and help establish his rule as king. What motivated Abner to make peace with David? Was it spite of Ish-bosheth or a desire for renown that prompted Abner t? Continue Reading…
