HUMILITY: DYING, BY CHOICE, WITH YOUR EYES WIDE-OPEN

                                                 

DYING, BY CHOICE, WITH YOUR EYES WIDE OPEN

  WAITING UNTIL MY CHANGE (TRANSFORMATION) COMES

“….all the days of my appointed TIME will I wait, till my change come…” (Job 14:14 KJV).

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DYING, BY CHOICE, WITH YOUR EYES WIDE OPEN, IS A DEATH EVERY BELEIVER MUST DIE. There is a DEATH, the believer, must die and that’s the death to SELF. Jesus is our example.

The bible says Jesus died TWO deaths: death to SELF AND death on the CROSS.  First Christ “…HUMBLED himself and became obedient unto death (inward), even the death of the cross (outward)…” (Philippians 2:8 KJV).  

We witness two deaths: “Obedient unto to death” and “death on the cross.” Jesus Christ “…HUMBLED himself and became obedient unto death (inward)…” (Philippians 2:8 KJV).  

The first thing Jesus did was humble himself. You may wonder what does all this have to do with DYING BY CHOICE. DYING BY CHOICE IS A PROCESS OF OBEDIENCE THAT develops HUMILITY.

Jesus, in his humanity, became like us in all ways, accept sin. Christ took upon himself human flesh, while also being fully divine. “…[JESUS] … took upon him the FORM OF A SERVANT, and was made in the LIKENESS OF MEN…” Philippians 2:6-7 KJV).

He humbled himself and became obedient. He said, “…not My will, but Yours be done…" (Luke 22:42-43 NIV). Jesus absolutely surrendered his entire life to God and totally yielded any personal agenda other than God’s agenda. He “…emptied himself…” (Philippians 2:7 NASB).

Jesus said, “…I am gentle and HUMBLE IN HEART…” (Matthew 11:29 NIV). “…Let this (humble) mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5 KJV). “…He…[completely] … entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:19-23 NIV).

The awesome thing about Jesus’ humility is that he had EVERY reason to be prideful, boastful, pompous, or puffed up. Yet, “…Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of NO REPUTATION, and took upon him the FORM OF A SERVANT, and was made in the LIKENESS OF MEN…” Philippians 2:6-7 KJV).

Christ had all the boasting rights imaginable, but “[He]… took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men…” Philippians 2:6-7 KJV). He “…humbled himself and became obedient unto death (inward)…” (Philippians 2:8 KJV).  

Before his radical and absolute obedience to God and before serving his purpose as eternal salvation for all; Jesus CHOOSE to “…humbled himself…” (Philippians 2:8 KJV).   “…I am gentle and HUMBLE IN HEART…” (Matthew 11:29 NIV).

When I became dependent on others and at their mercy, humility became a constant teacher, trainer, and mindset. “…Let this (humble) mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5 KJV).

I had a bad attitude about having to be dependent on others. I had a bad attitude about always having to do what someone else wanted to do. I had a bad attitude about always having to go where someone else wanted to go; when they wanted to go.

But on the other hand, I was grateful for their caregiving. I was grateful for their love, kindness, and willingness to look out for me, especially since I couldn’t totally look out for myself. I was sincerely grateful for it all.

In the beginning of my journey, I had a dilemma, I could continue with my bad attitude or I could be grateful. My bad attitude complained about what I didn’t have anymore and my grateful attitude was utterly thankful what I did have. My bad attitude was about my SELFISH pride and my grateful attitude was about MY choice to HUMBLE MYSELF.

The word of God spoke to me. “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore CHOOSE LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19) OR “…CHOOSE YOU this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). Would I serve my selfish pride or would I humble myself with gratefulness? “…Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought …” (Romans 12:3 NIV).

I heard the WORD of GOD speak to me. “…the WORDS that I speak unto you, they are SPIRIT, and they are LIFE…” (John 6:63 KJV).

The WORD of GOD said: “…but in lowliness of mind (humility) let each esteem other better than themselves… [Jesus] made himself of no reputation and took upon him[self] the form of a servant…” Philippian 2:3, 7 KJV). “…everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted…” (Luke 18:14 ASV). “…but in lowliness of mind (humility) let each esteem other better than themselves…” Philippian 2:3, 7 KJV). “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord…” (James 4:10 KJV). “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time…” (1 Peter 5:6 KJV).

Jesus “…humbled himself…” (Philippians 2:8 KJV).   Jesus said, “…I am gentle and HUMBLE IN HEART…” (Matthew 11:29 NIV). “…Let this (humble) mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5 KJV).

Being dependent on others and at their mercy was so heavily infused into my daily routine that over TIME humility became my new response to the situation. I BEGIN to DIE to my SELFISH PRIDE, by choice, with my eyes wide open; one day at a time.  “…And in the PROCESS of time IT (HUMILTY) CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV). “…Everything he (God) does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in PRIDE he is able to HUMBLE…” (Daniel 4 NIV).

Over TIME I chose to humble myself and DIE to my selfish pride. “Humble YOURSELVES in the sight of the Lord…” (James 4:10 KJV).

Over TIME I willingly choose to laid down my PRIDEFUL attitude. “… I lay down my life... No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. …” (John 10:17-18 KJV). I was DYING, by choice, with my eyes WIDE OPEN.  “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).

I don’t know how long it took, but it took some TIME for me to process from the sinful attitude of selfish pride to the righteous one of Godly humility. “…And in the PROCESS of TIME “IT” (my Godly humility) CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV). “….All the days (however long it takes) of my appointed TIME will I wait, till my change (of heart attitude) come…” (Job 14:14 KJV).

 OBEDIENCE is learned during a period of suffering. PROCESSING through a period of  suffering helps self to die and humility to be born over TIME. “…And in the PROCESS of TIME “IT” (my humility) CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV).

 A PERIOD OF SUFFERING, afforded me the opportunity to see the selfish pride in my own heart; it gave me the ample amount of time to struggle to overcome it; and the grace I needed to walk in my new heart attitude of humility. I HAD TO CHOOSE TO DIE AND I HAD TO DO IT WITH MY EYES WIDE OPEN.

“… Hezekiah’s heart was PROUD…” (2 Chronicles 32:25 NIV). Hezekiah “… REPENTED of the PRIDE of his heart… (1 Chronicles 32:26 NIV).  “…He that hath suffered (struggled) in the flesh hath CEASED from sin…” (1 Peter 4:1-3 KJV) “….we also should WALK in NEWNESS of life…” (Romans 6:4 KJV).

I had selfish pride in my heart. God helped me overcome it during a season of suffering, and it enabled me to choose to walk in humility. “…for [HIS]… power is made perfect in weakness…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV). “….apart from [Jesus, I] …can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). However, “…[I] can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth [me]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).

While I was in the midst of overcoming my selfish pride God’s GRACE was sufficient for me. “…Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God…” (2 Corinthians 3:5 KJV). “…“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV).

While I was learning humility I stumbled, tripped, did it wrong, backslid into the bad attitude, and acted unbecoming of a Christian. “…Each time he said, "MY GRACE is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me….” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT). . “…And in the PROCESS of TIME “IT” (my humility) CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV).

God’s Grace didn’t treat me according to the MANY wrongs or bad attitudes I had while struggling to overcome my selfish PRIDE. “…Each time he said, "MY GRACE is all you need…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT).

It takes some people days, weeks, months, or years to become CONFORMED into the image of Jesus Christ, but God’s GRACE is there each and every time. . “…Each time he said, "MY GRACE is all you need…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT).

A season of suffering, therefore, becomes a BLESSING and an OPPORTUNITY for you to get it right with God. God waits patiently for you and is longsuffering. It takes God a LONG time to run out of steam. “Which sometime (his people) were disobedient…[but] the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah (120 years)…” (1 Peter 1:20 KJV). “The Lord is not slack …but is longsuffering to us-ward…” (2 Peter 3:9 KJV).

“The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy…” (Number 14:18 KJV). God’s ability to endure is second to none. Not only is God’s ability to endure second to none, but his patience withstands the test of time too. “…Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2:4 KJV).

In addition, God’s ability to show mercy and grace while patiently waiting for you to get it right is AMAZING. “…The Lord, The Lord God, [IS] merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth…” (Exodus 34:6 KJV).

“…But the fruit of the Spirit is…longsuffering…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).

LONG stretches of seasons of SUFFERING allows you to become infused with spiritual training that EMPOWERS you to be CONFORMED into the image of JESUS in "ALL" areas of your LIFE.

Being dependent and at the mercy of others gave me amble opportunity and TIME to choose to humble myself over and over and over again “…until Christ be formed in [me]…” (Galatians 4:19 KJV). It is God's intention for me to “…GROW to maturity…” (2 Corinthians 13:11 NLT).  “….I pray  …that [I]…will keep on GROWING in KNOWLEDGE and understanding…” (Philippians 1:19 NLT).

Thank you Lord for TIME!  WE don't like seasons of suffering. We don't want to give up areas where selfish human pride rallies for us to have our OWN way instead of God's. We don't like the PROCESSES that spiritual GROWTH requires. However, the LOVING God KNOWS what WE NEED. What we NEED places us in the position to RECEIVE HIS GREATEST SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS.

During seasons of suffering, believe it or not, you are developing by dying, by choice, and God will keep you there ^“…until [you]… reach unity in the faith (dependence upon God) and in the knowledge of the Son of God (knowledge of his WORD) and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (become authentically LIKE Christ, the WORD)…” (Ephesians 4:14 NIV).

After long stretches of TIME, especially if its a season of suffering, you may find yourself more humble, kinder to people, patient, merciful, loving, full of grace, more honorable and respectful, easily forgiving, and more like Jesus.“…whatever I AM NOW, IT IS ALL BECAUSE GOD poured out his special favor on me…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NLT).

TIME, especially during a season of suffering, is the pouring out of God’s FAVOR on you. It is the OPPORTUNITY to die to SELF; BY CHOICE, on purpose, and with your eyes wide open. “…I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity…” (John 12:24-25 NLT). “…Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal…” (John 12:24-25 KJV).

LONG stretches of TIME, especially during a season of suffering, is a GIFT that has an expiration date that ONLY God knows. But those who WAIT on him will enjoy UNTOLD blessings in THIS life and the life to come!! “…‘We’ve given up everything to follow you…” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT). And Jesus said to him, “…I assure you that EVERYONE who has given up [SELF] ….for my sake and for the Good News, will receive NOW in return a hundred times ….And in the world to come that person will have eternal life...” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT).

God has a SET TIME for YOU to be rewarded for ALL you have suffered through to become LIKE Jesus. “…..And the Lord appointed A SET TIME, saying, To morrow the Lord shall do this thing in the land. And the Lord did that thing on the morrow…” (Exodus (9:5-6 KJV). “…At the PROPER time [you]… WILL reap a HARVEST if [you]… do not give up…” (Galatians 6:9 NIV). “…The LORD [is] good unto them that WAIT FOR HIM…” (Lamentations 3:25 KJV). “…WAIT ON the LORD: …WAIT, I say, on the LORD…” (Psalms 27:14 KJV). “…THOUGH IT TARRY, WAIT FOR IT….” (Habakkuk 2:3 KJV).

You are NOT too old. It isn’t over. Too much time has NOT passed. It is NOT impossible. Your health will be sufficient. You will enjoy it. It will be GREATER than you imagined. You will be exactly the RIGHT age. “…At the PROPER time [you]… WILL reap a HARVEST …” (Galatians 6:9 NIV). “…[YOUR]… TIMES are in [God’s]…hand…” (Psalms 31:15a KJV).  “…[YOUR]… FUTURE is in [God’s].. hands…” (Psalms 31:15a NLT). “….To every [thing there is] a season, and A TIME to every purpose under the heaven…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV).  “…For the vision [is] yet FOR AN APPOINTED TIME, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, WAIT FOR IT; because IT WILL SURELY COME….” (Habakkuk 2:3 KJV).

Seasons of suffering is to LEARN and DEVELOP to be LIKE Jesus. God desires, above ALL else, for you to be CONFORMED to the IMAGE and LIKENESS of his SON (the WORD).

Jesus died two DEATHS. He LEARNED and DEVELOPED in OBEDIENCE by choosing to DIE to HIS WILL and humbly submitting to GOD's will for his life instead. Jesus' season of suffering required him to carry the extremely heavy cross through the city, sweat drops of blood, have nails hammered into his hands and feet, die a criminal's death, and hang upon a wooden cross for days. 

A season of suffering focuses your attention, reveals heart sin, gives you TIME and GRACE to repent, and more time to walk in the newness of life. “…In the PROCESS of TIME “IT” (whatever God is developing IN you) CAME TO PASS…”“…WALK in NEWNESS of life…” (Romans 6:4 KJV).

A season of suffering is a GIFT (because ALL things work together for GOOD) and TIME is often the MOST important part of the OPPORTUNITY. “…God is mighty, but he does not despise anyone! He is mighty in both power and understanding. He does not let the wicked live but gives justice to the afflicted. He never takes his eyes off the innocent, but he sets them on thrones with kings and exalts them forever. If they are bound in chains and CAUGHT UP in a web of trouble, HE SHOWS THEM THE REASON. HE SHOWS THEM THEIR SINS OF PRIDE. HE GETS THEIR ATTENTION AND COMMANDS THAT THEY TURN FROM EVIL…” (Job 36:6-10 NLT).

Long stretches of TIME, especially during a season of suffering, will eventually get your attention. “…But by means of their suffering, he rescues those who suffer. For he GETS THEIR ATTENTION through adversity…” (Job 36:15 NLT).

Long stretches of TIME, especially during suffering, can make you blame or question God about the injustices and unfairness around you. It will appear as if evil and evil people are getting away with their sins, or wicked behavior, or wrong doing. “….God is leading you away from danger, …to a place free from distress. He is setting your table with the best food. But you are obsessed with whether the godless will be judged. Don’t worry, judgment and justice will be upheld. But watch out, or you may be seduced by wealth. Don’t let yourself be bribed into sin. Could all your wealth or all your mighty efforts keep you from distress? Be on guard! Turn back from evil, for God sent this suffering to keep you from a life of evil…” (Job 36:16-21 NLT).

During LONG stretches of TIME, especially during a season of suffering, never lose sight of who God is!! “….Look, GOD IS ALL-POWERFUL. Who is a teacher like him? No one can tell him what to do, or say to him, ‘You have done wrong.’ Instead, glorify HIS MIGHTY WORKS, singing songs of praise. Everyone has seen these things, though only from a distance. “Look, God is greater than we can understand. His years cannot be counted. He draws up the water vapor and then distills it into rain. The rain pours down from the clouds, and everyone benefits. Who can understand the spreading of the clouds and the thunder that rolls forth from heaven? See how he spreads the lightning around him and how it lights up the depths of the sea. By these mighty acts he nourishes the people, giving them food in abundance. He fills his hands with lightning bolts and hurls each at its target. The thunder announces his presence; the storm announces his indignant anger…” (Job 36:22-33 NLT). “… there is NONE like unto thee, O LORD; thou art GREAT, and thy name is great in might.…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV). “…There is NONE HOLY as the Lord…” (1 Samuel 2:2 KJV). “… there is NONE GOOD but one, that is, God” (Mark 10:18 KJV).

“….Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, WHOSE MIND IS STAYED ON THEE…” (Isaiah 26:3 KJV).  “….Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, THINK ON THESE THINGS…” (Philippians 4:8 KJV).

LONG stretches of TIME, especially during seasons of suffering, will make you think God can’t fix something. “…the things which are impossible with men ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD…” (Luke 18:27 KJV).  “….I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: IS THERE ANY THING TOO HARD FOR ME?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV). “…NOW UNTO HIM THAT IS ABLE to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or THINK, according to the power that worketh in us…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV).

TIME may have become a LONG succession of boring, dull, monotonous, and dismal routine days, but they really are not. Time is God’s GIFT to you. Your GREATEST blessings rest in your routine days where dying to SELF, conforming to the image of Christ, choosing to become humble, and surrendering to God's sovereignty is taking place.

It is in the LONG stretches of TIME, especially during a season of suffering, where spiritual training is INFUSED into your daily life and, like it or not, you are BECOMING more and more Christ-like.

A season of suffering may get old, be LONG and seem endless, but you keep STILL until your CHANGE comes. TRUST God’s PROCESS, no matter how long its been and your CHANGE will come in TIME. “…And in the PROCESS of TIME “IT” CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV).

“….All the days of my appointed TIME WILL I WAIT, till my change come…” (Job 14:14 KJV “…WAIT ON the LORD: …WAIT, I say, on the LORD…” (Psalms 27:14 KJV). “…THOUGH IT TARRY, WAIT FOR IT….” (Habakkuk 2:3 KJV).