Humility

Luke 2:7 (KJV) Says, "And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."  John 13:14-15 (KJV) Says, "if I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet, For i have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you."

The above verses of scripture give us two excellent examples of Jesus having demonstrated what it looks like to be humble. Jesus was not born in a palace, but rather entered the world in a stable, and was laid in a manger. A manger is a trough used to feed horses and cattle, and that is where Jesus was placed after His birth. I'd say that is without a doubt the definition of humility. As if that were not demonstration enough of how important it is to be humble,  Jesus washed the feet of His disciples.  Jesus himself advises us in the above passage of scripture that we should follow the example He set for us; practicing humility with one another.

We live in a world where so many people are materialistic, and feel it is vital that they grab a spot among the elite; located atop the social ladder.  People will work extremely long  hours, on a daily basis in order to have the finest houses, cars, clothing, food, vacations and such things simply to impress others, and secure a place atop the social ladder. Many work such long hours to have these things that they never even get a chance to enjoy them.  What they fail to see is that they are sacrificing so much in the way of things that truly matter in order to possess things that hold no real value. Material things will reveal their true value when a person is on their deathbed, and by then it's too late. I have been at the bedside of a number of people who are moments from going home to be with the Lord, and not a single one of them asked for their checkbook or wallet. The thing each of them requested was to be surrounded by family members and friends. I have ridden in many funeral processions, and not one time did I witness a brinks truck follow a hearse to the cemetery.

We can put on a show with our possessions, and  allow them to define us. We can spend our lives bragging about our accomplishments in an attempt to impress others. We can boast about ourselves relentlessly. We can look down on those less fortunate than we are as though we are somehow above them.  We can do all these things, but know this, when we behave in this manner we are first and foremost displeasing God because there's not one thing in that type behavior which demonstrates humility. Secondly, we are behaving as though we are ignorant to the fact that every human being was created by God in his image, and that He loves us equally no matter our social status. Remember, God  looks on our hearts not our possessions. Placing so much value on things that are of little or no importance is often done at the cost of neglecting the things in life that are true blessings from God and that truly matter; such as family members and friends.

While it is certainly acceptable to desire and purchase a nice home, car, clothes, and other material things' it becomes a problem, when these things are desired above God, above family and friends, and when they are desired for the wrong reasons. To become proud and boastful; lacking all humility is to ignore the request that Jesus made of us to behave in a humble manner toward one another as He did toward his disciples. We can have great riches and still be pleasing to God, but we must remain humble in all of them reminding ourselves that it is God who lifts up and who brings low. No matter our social status we are to treat others with kindness recognizing that we are all equal, and we are to remain humble always never forgetting the examples of humility that Jesus Himself set for us and instructed us to follow. I encourage you to be humble always, and to love one another as Christ loves us.

If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.

Broken Confidence

Judges 16:18 (KJV) Says, "And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the Lords of the Philistines, saying, come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the Lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand."

Samson is the he being referred to in the above verse of scripture. He was a mighty man with great strength, and his strength would remain as long as he did not cut his hair. This was a secret that he kept to himself until his wife,  Delilah began badgering him, convincing him to confide in her with it. Loving her, and feeling that he could trust her, he told her the secret of his tremendous strength, and soon after he did, she betrayed him. Delilah sold Samson's secret to the Philistines who had longed to know the source of his great strength. This enabled them to capture him, torture him, and ultimately it would cost him his life.

Note the above verse of scripture states that Samson told Delilah all his heart. This indicates that he confided in her with something that was very important to him, and very personal. He shared his secret with someone that he loved and trusted. Samson shortly realized that he had made a grave mistake. Most all of us have experienced betrayal at the hand of someone we have confided in; at least once in our lifetime. It may not have been our spouse, but maybe a friend, or other family member that we loved and trusted. Betrayal is a very painful, emotional experience, and without fail it has devastating consequences.

First and foremost betrayal is not something God smiles upon. Secondly, it hurts the person who falls victim to it. It brings to an end; or at least severely damages relationships because the relationships no longer contain the vital element of trust. If the relationships manage to remain intact they become shallow, and superficial. The victim also faces consequences in the form of having what they deemed very personal and private information spread to others whom they would have never themselves chosen to share these things with. By sharing the victims personal and private business, the betrayer ignites a vicious and ugly ring of gossip. This in turn brings even more emotional pain to the victim.

I urge you to recognize that there is nothing positive to be gained for either party, when a confidence is broken. It causes nothing but damage on so many different levels. Take time to truly consider how it feels or would feel to be betrayed by someone you loved and trusted. I encourage you to be a good listener, and too keep to yourself those things that others share with you in confidence. I also urge you not to listen to gossip, but instead to walk away or make clear, in a polite way, that you will not be a part of it. As the Word of God tells us when wood is not added to a fire, the fire goes out.

If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, please leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.