A Grateful Heart and Humility

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you,
with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16

Humility comes with a grateful heart.  When we give thanks to God for all He is and all He has done, our hearts bow before His awesome Presence and we are humbled.  Humility comes when we do not claim the victories in our own power, but acknowledge that only with God are all things possible.  I am humbled as I go to speak this day.  It was only God that saved me, then taught me, then provided a godly husband and 5 wonderful boys and the opportunity to homeschool and gave me grace in the midst, healing my heart and bringing me to a place of joy.  I do not go to talk about my accomplishments, but rather what God has done in me and the wonderful changes that He has wrought in my heart and life.  It is only God that gave me talents and the ability to think and organize.  It is only God that has opened up this opportunity to speak.  Thank you Lord Jesus.  Please be Lord over my heart, my attitude, my words, and my actions throughout this weekend.  May you be glorified!

Praise God for every breath and every step.  In Him we were made and have our being.  He delights in you and wants to hear back from you with songs of praise and thanksgiving.  This does not make God proud, but rather makes man humble.  A daily dose of praise keeps our minds stayed on Christ and off our own problems and concerns and greatness.  Praise throughout the day reminds our hearts to walk with others in a right attitude.  Praise before we sleep puts us in a sweet frame of mind for resting.  Rest in Him, trust in Him, and be grateful for all that He has done.  A humble heart leads you into a place of rest and joy.

Humility and Our Position in the Kingdom

“The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
Let the many islands be glad.
Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
Fire goes before Him
And burns up His adversaries round about.
His lightnings lit up the world;

The earth saw and trembled.

The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the Lord,
At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
The heavens declare His righteousness,
And all the peoples have seen His glory.”
Psalm 97:1-6

Humility is knowing who we are in relation to who God is.  When we spend time in prayer and worship and praise of Who God is, then we begin to realize what all we are not! He is the Creator God.  He gives us each breath and allows us to live and see and walk and hear and do.  All gifts and talents are from above.  All our abilities; all our possibilities; all our adequacy comes from God.  With God all things are possible!  Without Him nothing is possible.  He made you; He loves you; He cares for you; He has a plan to prosper you. 

You are His son or daughter.  That makes you are prince or princess!  You are of royalty.  Does your life show that?  We are not to lord our position over others, but to be thankful that God allowed you to be adopted into His kingdom.  We receive it with humility and grace, not with pride and overbearance.  Because God so loved us, we also ought to love one another (1 John 4:11).

Humility is living with a spirit of thanksgiving and gratefulness.  When was the last time that you took time just to thank God?  To really praise Him for who He is and for what He has done for you?  Do you recognize that the future is in His hands or are you trying to control your own future?  Relax!  The King of the universe has it under control, so you don’t have to!  Come to Him.  His burden is easy and His load is light.  Don’t think that you are in control; if Jesus is your Lord, give Him the reigns.  He can be Lord over your future and He is faithful and true!

 

Pride or Humility?

It is always interesting how God talks to us.  I am doing our Bible study through Practical Proverbs with a young lady and the last four lessons have been on pride and humility.  We went to church yesterday for the first time in 6 weeks due to our travels and the sermon was on humility.  Is God trying to tell me something?  Probably!  I pray that my heart will be humbled to listen and discern. 

"Pride goes before destruction

And a haughty spirit before stumbling.”
Proverbs 16:18

“A man’s pride will bring him low,

But a humble spirit will obtain honor.”
Proverbs 29:23

As we studied pride and humility, God pointed out 6 characteristics of a humble man.

1.       Has a good understanding of his relationship with God
2.       Is grateful
3.       Blesses his mother and father In word and action
4.       Acknowledges when he sins and is quick to repent
5.       Is content and satisfied with his lot in life
6.       Is giving and compassionate towards others

There are 7 characteristics of a prideful man

1.       Dishonor
2.       Foolishness
3.       Arrogance
4.       Carelessness
5.       Insolent
6.       Wise in own eyes
7.       No hope

Pride is putting self on the throne of your life, and humility is putting God on the throne of your life.

Who is going to be Lord in your life?