THE HUMBLE "KNOW" THEIR WORTH!
“…WALK HUMBLY WITH THY GOD…” (Micah 6:8 KJV)
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Before you can renew your mind there must
be a humble recognition that it needs renewal. When it comes to certain efforts
of self-improvement, especially as it relates to sin issues, human attempt is
useless. Paul recognizes that and says: “The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin.
I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I
don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. So I am not
the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And
I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do
what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good,
but I don’t.
I don’t want
to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. I have discovered this
principle of life—that when I want (WILL) to do what is right, I inevitably do what is
wrong. I
[am] …a slave to the sin that is … within
me. Oh, what a miserable
person I am!
Who
will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…”
(Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
What man or woman can
free themselves from a life dominated by the entrenching strongholds of sin
habits? It’s impossible. There is nothing he or she can do to, even with the
most sincere and determined efforts.
It is not to say that
attempts to overcome sin can’t be somewhat effected, but not enough to truly
alter anything worth mentioning. Once you have mixed ingredients together to
make a cake, you can’t extract them. Once sin is mixed into human nature you
can’t extract it either without the miracle of a divine intervention. “…Can an Ethiopian change his skin or a
leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil…”
(Jeremiah 13:23 NIV).
The answer to those questions are no. No a
person can’t change the color of their skin and no a leopard can’t change his
spots. Therefore, neither can a person who is accustomed to doing evil; do
good.
The inability of man to do good when they
are accustomed to doing evil becomes a dilemma for any kind of self-improvement
from a life affected by sin. “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
There is one who can
help you. “…The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
However, God will not intrude on the roads you choose to travel. He respectfully
asked the paralytic a question. “…After
this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there
is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew
tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of
impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the
water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was
made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had
an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he
had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, WILT THOU BE MADE WHOLE?” (John
5:1-6 KJV).
God knew that if the
man was made whole and able to walk he will be able to go about his business;
so why ask the question?
The good news of the
gospel is freely given to anyone who chooses to accept the invitation, but one must
humbly choose to recognize their NEED for salvation. And recognize salvation as the ONLY power that can heal the entrenching strongholds of sin sickness.
This is where the renewing of the mind
becomes an avenue of transformation. An incurable need is where divine
intervention is humbly requested, acknowledged, necessary, and experienced from
a new set of thoughts gleaned from God’s truths.“….as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…..”
(Proverbs 23:7 KJV).
When the mind of man is
renewed from encountering the Word of God; it can revolutionize his entire life.
“…Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat,
and walk!” Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat
and began walking!” (John 5:8-9 KJV).
If you WANT it, CHOOSE it,
and RECEIVE it by renewing your mind with a new set of thoughts gleaned from
God’s truth in order to transform your realities; IT WILL. “…And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case,
he saith unto him, WILT THOU BE MADE WHOLE?” (John 5:1-6 KJV). “…Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat,
and walk!” Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping
mat and began walking!” (John 5:8-9 KJV).
Professing God’s truth
alone has no power, but choosing to depend upon his powerful Word and humbly choosing to also depend upon its truths will transform a person’s entire life. “…Jesus told him, “Stand
up, pick up your mat, and walk!” Instantly,
the man was healed!
He rolled up his sleeping mat and
began walking!”
(John 5:8-9 NLT).
Though we are talking
about renewing your mind and humility, remember both are God’s commandments. “…be transformed BY the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:1 KJV). AND “…WALK HUMBLY WITH THY GOD…” (Micah 6:8 KJV).
In order for God’s transforming power to
impact our natural lives there is a response on our part of humbly choosing to depend upon God’s truths.
God commands you to “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind….”
(Romans 12:1 KJV). AND TO “…WALK HUMBLY
WITH THY GOD…” (Micah 6:8 KJV).
All transformation begins with the
renewing of a mind that has humbly accepted God’s Sovereign commandments as a
new set of thoughts and convictions for one’s entire life’s journey.
Once the paralytic stopped making excuses,
humility played a prominent role. “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the
pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me…”
(John 5:7 NLT). The paralytic’s illness left him helpless and
vulnerable, but he surrendered to Jesus, the living Word of God and eventually
got up and walked. “…Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking!” (John 5:8-9 NLT).
Real humility is always a sign that
control of your life has been put in the hands of God. It is also a sign that
you recognize, respect, and acknowledge God’s absolute sovereignty. Cognizant helplessness
and vulnerability can be a gift that aids you in surrendering to, witnessing,
and experiencing how powerful God can be on your behalf. Becoming totally
depending on God will humble you by detaching you from empty, useless human pride that reveals a desperate need to prove one's has some kind of worth.
God is sovereign over the life of the
believer, but it is talked about more than it is actually experienced. Anywhere
pride lingers God is NOT sovereign in THAT area of your life. You may be okay
with God NOT being sovereign in that area, but God is not. Christ died so God
could be sovereign in the lives of his people, particularly through the
Lordship of Christ. “…ye
shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you
from other people, that ye should be mine. …” (Leviticus 20:26
KJV).
Submitting to the Lordship of Christ says
God is sovereign over your ENTIRE life and you wholeheartedly surrender to his
will. God deserves humble submission from the believer’s life. He paid for it, “…the just for the unjust…” (1 Peter 3:18
KJV). Humility says thank you God for “… [the] great things [you have done]
for [ME]…” (Psalm 126:2-3 KJV).
Therefore, the question
begs “What can I surrender unto God”
for all the greats things he has done? First, “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:1 KJV).
AND second, “…WALK HUMBLY WITH THY GOD…” (Micah 6:8 KJV).
You may understand the renewing of the
mind, but what about humility? “…God OPPOSES the proud but gives grace to the humble…” (James 4:6 NLT). God is in opposition to those who are NOT humble.
The prideful usually
think more highly of themselves than they should. They put confidence in their
own accumulated wisdom, they trust in their own human strength, they are
usually unteachable, and they have a multitude of unwarranted claims about
their own self-importance. “…Do not think of
yourself more highly than you ought …” (Romans 12:3 NIV).
The prideful usually
seek praise from men rather than God. “…"But they do all their deeds to be noticed by
men…” (Matthew 23:5 NASB). “…Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be
seen of them: otherwise
ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven…” (Matthew
6:1 KJV). “…For they love to … [be] seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have the reward …” (Matthew 6:5 KJV).
“…God OPPOSES the proud …”
(James 4:6 NLT). This is a haughty type of pride. Haughty means self-righteous,
conceited, snotty, puffed-up, arrogant, self-important, condescendingly proud,
unwarranted boasting of superior status, or stuck-up. “…For all that [is] in the world …the PRIDE of life
…is NOT of the Father, but is of the
world...” (1 John 2:16 KJV).
To be opposed to
something or someone is to be in battle or conflict with them. “…God OPPOSES
the proud …” (James 4:6 NLT). “…Every one that is proud in heart is [also]…an abomination to
the Lord:
… he shall not be unpunished…” (Proverbs
16:5 KJV).
God opposes pride. Pride
is sin and pride was the main reason Lucifer was casted out of heaven. “How
you are fallen from heaven, O shining
star, son of the morning!
You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For
you said to yourself, ‘I
will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I
will preside on the mountain of the gods far
away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like
the Most High.’ Instead,
you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down
to its lowest depths” (Isaiah 14:12-15
NLT).
Pride will hinder you
from seeking God. “…The wicked, THROUGH THE PRIDE of
his countenance, WILL NOT SEEK AFTER GOD: God is not in all his thoughts…”
(Psalms 10:4 KJV).
Pride is the antithesis
of humility. “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other
was a despised tax collector.
The Pharisee stood by
himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters,
sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I
fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance
and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his
chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified
before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who
humble themselves will be exalted…”
(Luke 18:10-14 NLT).
Pride is blinding and will keep
people from recognizing their need for God. “…The wicked, THROUGH THE PRIDE of his countenance,
WILL NOT SEEK
AFTER GOD…” (Psalms 10:4 KJV). The
prideful also think God will accept them just as they, without Christ and are
deserving of that acceptance. “…he that is joined
unto the Lord is ONE spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). “… [God alone]…hath
made us accepted in the beloved”
(Ephesians 1:6 KJV).
Throughout the bible, God warns against
the pitfalls of pride. “…A man's pride shall bring him low…”
(Proverbs 29:23 KJV). “…Pride [goeth] before destruction…” (Proverbs 16:18 KJV). “…if a man think himself to be something, when
he is nothing, he deceiveth himself…” (Galatians 6:3 KJV). “…Let another man praise thee, and not thine
own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips…” (Proverbs 27:2 KJV). “…Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit?
[there is] more hope of a fool than of him…” (Proverbs 26:12 KJV).
Lucifer boasted about what he would do in
his pride. “How
you are fallen from heaven, O shining
star, son of the morning!
…For you said to
yourself, ‘I WILL…”
(Isaiah 14:12-15 NLT). “…God OPPOSES the proud …”
(James 4:6 NLT).
There is a final
judgement for the prideful devil and all those who copy his prideful ways. “…And
I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and
a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent,
which is the
Devil, and Satan, and bound him… And cast him into the bottomless pit,
and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no
more…. And the
devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where
the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for
ever and ever…”
(Revelation 20 KJV).
Pride is definitely a
trait from the devil and will keep people from the relationship with God
through Jesus Christ. “…The wicked, THROUGH THE PRIDE of
his countenance, WILL NOT SEEK AFTER GOD: God is not in all his thoughts…”
(Psalms 10:4 KJV).
The prideful can boast about a lot of
things, but the only boast that matters is that a person knows God through
Jesus Christ. “This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast
in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the
rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast
should boast in this alone: that they
truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love
and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth,
and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord,
have spoken!” (Jeremiah 9:23-24 NLT).
Pride is simply sinful.
It causes people to boast of themselves and give themselves credit for what
ONLY God has gifted them with. “…What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is
from God, why
boast as though it were not a gift?”
(1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT).
“…The
earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the
world, and THEY
that dwell therein…”
(Psalm 24:1 KJV). “…the world is mine, and the FULNESS thereof…” (Psalm 50:12
KJV). “…for ALL that is in the heaven and in the earth
IS THINE…” (1 Chronicles 29:11
KJV).
A prideful person
steals God’s glory for themselves. “…God OPPOSES the proud …”
(James 4:6 NLT). King Nebuchadnezzar was prideful and stole God’s glory for
himself. “…as the king was walking on the
roof of the royal palace of Babylon,
he said, “Is not this
the great Babylon “I” have built as the
royal residence, by “my” mighty power and for the glory of “my” majesty?” (Daniel
4 NI V
God warns you “…not to think more highly of …[yourself] than
[you]… ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment…” (Romans
12:3 ASV). He warned Israel: “….Do not forget that [God]… led you through
... He gave you water …He fed you….
He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved
this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be
successful ...”
(Deuteronomy 8:17-17 NLT). "I am the LORD, that is My name; I will NOT give My glory to another…” (Isaiah 42:9 NASB).
Pride is self-worship. God
is opposed to it and will not give his glory to another. What did God do about
King Nebuchadnezzar’s pride?
“…He
was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched
with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and
his nails like the claws of a bird.
At the end of that
time, I,
Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored
and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he
pleases with
the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand or say
to him: “What have you done?”
Now I,
Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything
he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble…” (Daniel
4 NIV).
God opposes pride. He knows when a man’s
heart is full of pride. King Hezekiah’s heart was tested and his pride was exposed.
“… God left him, to try him that he might know all that was in his heart…”
(2 Chronicles 32:31 KJV).
Hezekiah did a lot of good things,
especially when he restored the temple and its worship practices. However, his
heart was prideful and God knew it. “In those days Hezekiah became ill and
was at the point of death. He prayed to the Lord,
who answered him and gave him a miraculous sign. But Hezekiah’s heart was PROUD and he did not
respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the Lord’s wrath
was on him…” (2 Chronicles 32:24-25 NIV).
God knew Hezekiah’s heart. “...God sees
not
as man sees, for man looks at the
outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart…”(1 Samuel 16:7
NASB). Thus, God looks at the “…hidden man of the heart…” (1 Peter 3:4
KJV). “…
From within,
out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts…pride….these … come from within, and
DEFILE a person.”
(Mark 7:21-23 KJV).
God clearly saw the pride hidden in his
heart. “… Hezekiah’s
heart was proud…” (2 Chronicles 32:25 NIV). God enabled Hezekiah
to look at his own desperately wicked, human heart (Jeremiah 17:9). He saw for
himself the pride hidden there. Hezekiah eventually acknowledged his prideful
attitude and his blatant ingratitude. “… Hezekiah’s heart was proud and he did
not respond to the kindness shown him…” (2 Chronicles 32:25 NIV).
Hezekiah did not give God the glory for
the great things he had done (Isaiah 12:4-5). However, after a while, Hezekiah “…
repented of the
PRIDE of his heart; …therefore the Lord’s
wrath did not come on [him]… (1 Chronicles 32:26 NIV). Both King
Nebuchadnezzar and King Hezekiah learned their lesson on pride.
“…What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is
from God, why
boast as though it were not a gift?”
(1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT). “…The
earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the
world, and THEY
that dwell therein…”
(Psalm 24:1 KJV). "I
am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another…” (Isaiah 42:9 NASB). “…if
a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself…”
(Galatians 6:3 KJV). All glory belongs to God.
God is the only one who deserves glory, the
only one who can truly sustain it, and the only one who is absolutely and
continuously glorious. “…“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is
full of his GLORY…” (Isaiah 6:3). “…the earth is filled with the LORD's GLORY…”
(Number 14:21 NLT). “… I
AM HOLY...” (1
Peter 1:14-16 KJV). And, “There is none holy as the Lord…” (1
Samuel 2:2 KJV). “…there is none like unto
thee…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV). “…majestic
in holiness…” (Exodus 15:11 KJV). “Bless the LORD,
O my soul!
O LORD
my God, You are very
GREAT;
You are
clothed in SPLENDER and MAJESTY,
Covering Yourself with LIGHT as with a cloak…”(Psalm 104:1-2 NASB).
“…there is none like unto thee…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV).
The saddest thing about PRIDE is that it reveals man's desperate attempt to PROVE their worth apart from God. God's indwelling Spirit promotes man's WORTH to the HIGHEST degree. When they see their true WORTH through the eyes of God; humility becomes EASY.
Pride is not a Godly
trait, but a desperate trait. We are to walk in humility. “…O
people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with
your God…” (Micah 6:8 NLT).
There is a distinct
difference between the walk of the prideful and the humble. The HUMBLE "KNOW" their WORTH. We are to walk
humbly. “…When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to
sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: “When
you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if
someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and
say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will
have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! “Instead, take the lowest
place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and
say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in
front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled,
and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” …”
(Luke 14:7-14 NLT).
“…In this world we are
like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). “…be conformed to the image of His Son…” (Romans 8:29 KJV). Jesus said, “…learn from me, for I
am gentle and HUMBLE in heart…”
(Matthew 11:29 KJV).
Humility is a necessary attitude for renewing
of the mind. “…If My people which are called by My name shall HUMBLE THEMSELVES, …and [then]… SEEK My face…” (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV). God’s people recognize they are totally depended
on him and are NEVER sufficient in themselves. “…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).
“…whatever I am now, it is all because God poured
out his special favor on me…”
(1 Corinthians 15:10 NLT). Walking humbly before God reveals an inward consciousness
that you bring nothing to God except a response of faith in the finished work
of Christ on the cross. “…Abide in Me, and I in you. As
the branch cannot bear fruit of itself
…neither can you unless you
abide in Me. …apart
from Me you can do nothing…” (John 15:4-6
NASB).
Humility is the proper
response to God’s commandments and his Lordship. The proper response to God’s
commandments and Christ’s Lordship gets the attention of God’s abundance Grace.
“….Be
clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and GIVETH GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. …”
(1 Peter 5:5-6 KJV). “…he forgetteth NOT
THE CRY OF THE HUMBLE…” (Psalms 9:12 KJV). “….If my people, which are called by my name, SHALL HUMBLE
THEMSELVES…I [will]… hear
from heaven, and will forgive their
sin, and will heal their land…”
(2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV).
One side of humility is
surrendering to obedience to God’s Word, but the most beautiful side of
humility is surrendering to the safety of God’s love and Care. When I was recovering
from brain surgery there were so many things I could no longer do for myself;
thus I had so surrender to someone else’s care. I had to walk humbly WITH them.
I surrendered to
someone taking me by the hand, leading me to the kitchen table, preparing my
food, fixing my place setting, cleaning up after I finished, and helping me to
the living room to watch television.
I allowed them to care
for me without resistance. I walked humbly with them by placing myself and my
trust to their care. I was helpless and vulnerable, which literally bred the humility
that enabled me to receive their care and accept the fact that I needed their
care as well.
Being cognizant that
you are helpless and vulnerable and NEED God is a humbling reality. It humbles
you right into the safety of God’s loving care where you can rest assured he
will take care of ALL your needs.
God promises to supply
EVERY single need you have according to his riches in glory. When we resist
submitting to the safety of his care pride is usually the culprit. We question
the care of others and thus we question the care of God.
For instance, Sarai,
Abram’s wife had a need for an heir and God told her, though she was old and
barren, that she would have a child. However, Sarai couldn’t rest in the safety
of God’s caring promise and took matters in her own hands. “…Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and
she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said unto
Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from
bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children
by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. And Sarai Abram's wife took
Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of
Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. And he went in unto
Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress
was despised in her eyes. And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee”
(Genesis 16 KJV).
Philippians 4:19 is a safe,
loving, and caring promise from God who says, “… I will supply every need…” (Philippians 4:19 KJV). Therefore, “…Take
no thought, saying What shall we
eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Where withal shall we be clothed? …your
heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things…”
(Matthew 6 KJV).
“…My God will supply all your [need]… according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God…” (1 Peter 5:6
KJV). “…Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have
need of all these things…”
(Matthew 6 KJV).
“…God will generously provide all [you]… need… [Therefore, you] … will
always have everything [you]… need and plenty left over to share with others” (2 Corinthians
9:8 NLT). Like Jesus told his disciples: “...Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink;
nor yet for your body, what ye shall
put on…” Also remember, “…the fowls
of the air….sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your
heavenly Father feedeth them…”
Therefore, “…if God so clothed the
grass of the field, which today is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye
of little faith?” AGAIN “Take no thought, saying What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Where withal
shall we be clothed?” “…your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have
need of all these things…” “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; all these things shall be added unto you.”
“…
[take] no thought for the morrow:
for the morrow shall take thought for itself, Sufficient unto the day is the
evil thereof.” (Matthew 6:25-34 NIV).
In addition, “…All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works…”
(2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV).
You can absolutely
trust God. You can absolutely entrust yourself to the safety of his care. “…He (Jesus)… [completely]… entrusted himself to him who judges justly…”
(1 Peter 2:19-23 NIV).
God will FULLY, ABUNDANTLY
supply your need, and do it according to the “…RICHES OF HIS GLORY, WHICH IS
“IN” CHRIST JESUS…” (Philippians 4:19 KJV).
God’s glory includes
all of his abundant goodness and the
essence of ALL that HE is. We know, without a doubt, “…. the whole earth is full [to the brim and
overflowing]… of his glory”
(Isaiah 6:3).
Moses in Exodus asked
about God’s glory too. “… [So when] Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” …The Lord said, “I will cause ALL MY GOODNESS to pass in
front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in
your presence.
…But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” Then the Lord said, “There is a place near
me where you may stand on a rock.
When my glory passes by, I will …cover you with my hand until I
have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will
see my back; but my face must not be seen”
(Exodus 33:16-23 NIV). “…there is none like unto thee…”
(Jeremiah 10:6 KJV).
(Jeremiah 10:6 KJV). “Bless the LORD,
O my soul!
O LORD
my God, You are very
GREAT;
You are
clothed with splendor and majesty,
Covering Yourself with light as with a cloak…”(Psalm 104:1-2 NASB). “…there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great,
and thy name is great in might…”
(Jeremiah 10:6 KJV). “…. the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah
6:3).
God has “… [made] KNOWN… [to you]...the RICHES OF HIS GLORY
…” (Colossians 1:27 KJV). “…My God will supply ALL [your need]… according to His RICHES IN GLORY in
Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). “…WHAT IS THE RICHES OF THE GLORY…; …CHRIST IN YOU…”
(Colossians 1:25-28 KJV).
How can you get to the
place of helplessness and vulnerability where you humble yourself under the
safety of God’s care? By recognizing you NEED a Savior and there is absolutely
NO ONE else who can care for or rescue your sin sick soul. “The trouble is with me, for I am all too
human, a slave to sin. I don’t really
understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it.
Instead, I do what I hate. So I am not the one doing
wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that
nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, BUT I CAN’T…Who will free me from this life
that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…”
(Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
“Let this mind be in
you, which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5 KJV). “…the Son can do nothing of himself [and
declared,]…I can of mine own self do nothing…...” (John 5:19, 30 KJV).
Therefore, “…He … [completely] … entrusted himself to him
who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:19-23 NIV). Thus Jesus “…humbled
himself [to God’s care]… and became obedient unto death…” (Philippians 2:8
KJV).
Unlike many believers today, Jesus had no
doubt he could humbly entrust himself to the safety of God’s care. Jesus KNEW
with certainty that God loved him and would take care of his every need. BECAUSE God loved him; he WOULD take care of him. Jesus
absolutely and undoubtedly KNEW he
could TRUST God’s Love. Thus, “…He … [completely] … entrusted himself to him who judges justly”
(1 Peter 2:19-23 NIV). AND “…humbled himself [into God’s care]… and
became obedient unto death…” (Philippians 2:8 KJV).
“…the faithfulness of the LORD
endures forever.
Praise the LORD” (Psalms 117:2 KJV). God’s promise and pledge to
meet your need is the deepest expression of love, especially when you are
helpless and vulnerable. Humbling conditions are a gift that aids in helping
you recognize your need, especially for God and it becomes an ultimate intimacy
builder. It also becomes a trust builder. In humbling conditions of
helplessness and vulnerability God lovingly demonstrates he IS reliable, upright, honorable, and
safe. Because God shows himself trustworthy, during these times, you will eventually
give the responsibility of your care into his loving hands.
“…”
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he
suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he ENTRUSTED himself to him who judges
justly…” (1 Peter 2:20-23
NIV). Whatever happened to him, Jesus continually entrusted himself to God’s
loving care, without wavering.
Christ humbly trusted
God and waited patiently through mistreatments, insults, injustices, and the
shame of the cross for God’s timely actions. Instead of defending himself or
threatening revenge, he did something greater; he entrusted himself to the “…righteous judge…” Even on the cross he
said, “…Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit…”
(Luke 23:46 KJV).
Jesus demonstrated no
matter what he faced he could still trust in God’s loving care. Jesus continued,
through it all, to entrust and commit himself to God being fully assured of his
righteous, responsible care for him. “…I [will]… seek unto God, and unto God [will]… I commit my cause…” (Job 5:9 KJV).
Christ didn’t waver in
his trust in God’s loving care nor did he become prideful and take matters into
his own hands. No matter what horrible, horrible things he faced or the
negative things that were said, Jesus left the consequences, of his care, to
God. “…He committed no sin, and no deceit was found
in his mouth. When they hurled their
insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he ENTRUSTED himself to him who judges
justly…” (1 Peter 2:20-23 NIV).
Jesus had total faith
that God’s loving care and righteous justice was all that was needed to suffice
for any and all wrong done to him. “…he [absolutely]… ENTRUSTED himself to him
who judges justly…” (1 Peter 2:20-23
NIV).
God’s loving care would
ultimately determine Jesus’ outcome and he was totally safe in trusting him.
Therefore, “…when he suffered, he made no
threats. Instead, he ENTRUSTED himself to him who judges justly…” (1 Peter
2:20-23 NIV). Even on the cross Jesus said, “…Father, INTO THY HANDS I commend my spirit…” (Luke 23:46 KJV).
Throughout his entire
life’s journey, Jesus personally entrusted himself to God by humbly putting the
responsibility of his total care into his hands. Jesus absolutely and
unequivocally trusted the just, caring, and loving God.
This same Jesus works
“IN” you to enable you to humbly trust in the safety of God’s loving care too. “…it is God which worketh in [you]… both to
will and to do of his
good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…be conformed to the image of His Son…”
(Romans 8:29 KJV). Jesus said, “…learn from me, for I am gentle and humble
in heart, and you
will find REST for your souls” (Matthew 11:29 KJV). “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God…” (1 Peter 5:6
KJV).YOU “…can do all
things through Christ which strengtheneth [YOU]….”
(Philippians 4:13 KJV).
Renewing your mind begins with humility
from recognizing your helplessness against sin and your vulnerability to the
power of the evil one. “….I want to do
what is right, BUT I CAN’T…Who will free me from this life that is
dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in
Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
“We know … that the whole world lies under the power of
the evil one” (1 John 5:19 RSV).
Therefore, “…be clothed with HUMILITY…” (1 Peter 5:5 KJV). “….He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the
LORD require of thee, but
to do justly, and to love mercy, and TO WALK HUMBLY WITH THY GOD…” (Micah 6:8 KJV).
“… TO ALL WHO DID
RECEIVE HIM, to those who believed in his name, HE GAVE THE RIGHT TO BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD…”
(John 1:12 NIV). Therefore, “…God
will supply all your [need]… according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus
(Philippians 4:19 NASB).
You can rest assured
that through Jesus your need will be supplied since the riches of God’s glory
is “in” Him. “…according to His riches in glory
in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19 NASB). “…Herein is
love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son to be
the propitiation (substitute, intervention) for our sins.” (1
John 4:10 KJV).
God has “….loved [you]...with an everlasting love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV). There
is “… [No]….greater love…than this…” (John 15:13 KJV). God “…spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us
all….?” (Romans 8:32 KJV). “…God so loved the
world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have
everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV).
God’s
“…love is patient, [God’s]…love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor
others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of
wrongs. [God’s]…love does not delight in evil but
rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always
trusts, always hopes, always perseveres… [God’s]…love never fails” (1
Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV).
“…What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is
against us? ...Who will separate us from the
love of [Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or
famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? [NO] …But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who
loved us. … [Nothing]…will be able to separate us from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord…”
(Romans 8:31-39 NASB).
“….neither death, nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things
present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other
creature, shall be able to separate [you]… from the love of God which is “in”
Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39 KJV). It may not seem like it, but
“….the…faithful
love of the Lord, [for you], never ends...!”(Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT).
“…His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to the
God of gods….His faithful love
endures forever……His faithful love endures forever…”
(Psalm 136:1-3 NLT). “….God careth for you… (1 Peter 5:7 KJV). “…How great is [God’s benevolent kindness],
which [He lays] up for them that fear [Him]… [or] for them that take refuge in
[Him]…” (Psalm 31:19-20 KJV).
“For
[the Lord] blesses the righteous, [and surrounds] him
with favor as with a shield” (Psalm 5:12 ASV). "Behold, I am with… [you] and will keep… [you]
whithersoever [you]… goest …." (Genesis 28:15 ASV).
That love is expressed and revealed in the
“riches” of His Glory which is “Christ in YOU.” His Glorious Love is IN YOU! “…To whom God would make known …the
riches of the glory….. which is Christ in you,
the hope of glory…” (Colossians 1:25-28 KJV). “…we have this
treasure in earthen vessels...” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7
KJV).
ALL of God’s glorious
love is IN YOU through Christ Jesus. “…Know
ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you…” (2 Corinthians KJV). Jesus is literally IN YOU, dwelling intimately
within YOU, the believer!
God’s love is “IN” you,
but you must WAKE UP to that truth by renewing your mind. “… Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is
in this place; and I knew it
not…” (Genesis 28:16 NASB).
You are God’s temple,
the place WHERE His Spirit and Love dwells. “…Do you not
know that
you yourselves are God’s temple,
and that God’s Spirit
dwells in
you?...”
(1 Corinthians 3:16 NASB). “…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…”
(John 4:24 KJV). Jesus
said, "I and my Father are…ONE…"
(John 10:30 KJV). “…Now the Lord is
that Spirit…” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV). Therefore,
“…Jesus Christ is in YOU…” (2
Corinthians 13:5 KJV).
“…My God will supply all your [need]…”
(Philippians 4:19 NASB). “... [God’s loving] ways are higher than your
ways [and His loving] thoughts than your ways...” (Isaiah 55:9 KJV). Jesus KNEW God’s great Love and that is why “…He (Jesus)… [completely]… entrusted himself to him who judges justly”
(1 Peter 2:19-23 NIV).
Jesus didn’t want for
ANYTHING, because he entrusted himself to the safety of God Almighty’s loving
care. The word ensures you that “…your heavenly Father already knows ALL your needs…”
(Matthew 6:32 NLT). “…And God will generously
provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to
share with others…” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT).
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in
green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he
leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I
walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou
art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table
before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my
cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my
life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever” (Psalms 23 KJV).
“… [He] WILL
supply all [your need]… according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians
4:19 NASB). Therefore, “Let this mind be in
you, which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5 KJV). “…He (Jesus)… [completely]… entrusted himself to him who judges justly”
(1 Peter 2:19-23 NIV).
“… [You]… have the
mind of Christ…” (1 CORINTHIANS 2:16 KJV). “…Jesus Christ is in YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). You
have intimate access to his viewpoints, his feelings; can know his temperaments,
and some of his thoughts.
Therefore, “…Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV). “…be
conformed to the image of his Son…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV). Jesus says, “…Learn from me….I am gentle and HUMBLE IN HEART…” (Matthew 11:29 NIV).
Thus “…be
clothed with
HUMILITY…” (1 Peter
5:5 KJV). “….He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and
what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and TO WALK HUMBLY WITH THY GOD…”
(Micah 6:8 KJV). The old hymnal tells you to TRUST and OBEY.
TO BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR
MIND; begin with HUMILITY. .“…be clothed with HUMILITY …” (1 Peter 5:5 KJV). “The
steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way…”
(Psalms 37:23 KJV). Thus, “….WALK HUMBLY WITH THY GOD…”
(Micah 6:8 KJV).
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