Humble Yourself

 

James 4:10 NIV

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

According to the dictionary, to be humble is defined as having a low estimate of one's own importance.  Jesus is the perfect example of humility because He made Himself nothing by taking on the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7).  

Being humble does not mean we have no value, but rather we value God above ourselves.  We surrender our lives to Him.  We surrender our days to Him.  We take on the form of servant and are obedient to His will and His ways.  

It is when we walk in humility that we are lifted up.  You are overlooked at work, keep working even when no one is watching, and see how God will come through for you.  You serve your family, observing their needs.  You may think You go unnoticed, but God sees. He sees your walk of faith even when it's hard.  Be steadfast and know that His promise to lift You up is true.

He will lift your countenance with joy.  Your feebleness with strength.  Just stay humble and wait on the Lord.  He won't let You down. He will hold you up.

Father, help me to let go of pride and control.  Let me lead a surrendered quiet life where the light shines brightly on You.  When I am down help me to remember your promise.  I thank You for you love, grace, and mercy.  In Jesus name. Amen

Shine

 

Matthew 5:16 NIV

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

I have a daily encouragement book that a dear friend gave to me for my birthdays years ago.  Today it had this prayer:  "Lord, I ask that You bless the work of my hands today.  Let me be a kind expression of Your love, a true example of Your mercy, and a genuine messenger of Your joy.  May there be  a light emanating from my spirit that brings warmth to others and glory to you."

I stood in agreement with this prayer and earnestly prayed it.  Why?  Because we are to be a light that shines before other, pointing them to Christ.  Each day has a purpose and opportunity to show others the love of Christ through our good deeds.  This prayer reminded me that it is not about me, but about the goodness of Jesus. I want Him to be glorified in my life.   I want others to know HIs comfort, love, and joy.  I did not want to waste the moments that God has given me .  

Lord, I thank You for the opportunity to be Your hands and Your feet.  Help me to look at each day as opportunity to shine bright for You.  Help me to lift You up so that You may draw all mankind unto Yourself.  Please don't let me hide in the shadows, but rather light them up with You. In Jesus name.  Amen

Calling upon the Lord

 

Psalm 118:5-6 KJV

I called upon the LORD in distress: The LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: What can man do unto me?

Some days I feel like I have to hold on tight to my sanity as the stress of the unknowns haunt me.  I battle with anxiety everyday.  Sometimes just the thought of being around a lot of people causes me to worry and fret.  I am a teacher.  I can't escape having to be around people.  So I do battle everyday, but I don't battle alone.  Truth be told I don't fight the battle, the Lord does.  All I do is surrender to Him and show up.

Passages like the one above feel me with strength and hope because I know it to be true.  When I am in distress, afraid, fearful of unknown I can call on a known a proven Lord.  I can call on Him and rest assured that He hears me and will answer.  He takes me from that cramped space in my mind and sets me free.  My territory in enlarged.  I am no longer choking on anxiety, but breathing in the goodness of the Holy Spirit.  

I remind myself of His word that tells me that He is on my side.  I am not in this alone.  What can man do to me?  Nothing, for my soul is secure in Christ Jesus.  No problem is to big for God and there is no battle that He can not win.  I need only be still and rest in His grace and mercy.  I do not have to be afraid.

Father, thank You for being a loving God.  Thank Your for moving me from the position of where I feel like the walls are caving in to an open space where your love flows.  Thank You hearing my cries and responding.  When anxiety rears it ugly head, help me to cut it off with the truth of You and who I am in You.  In Jesus name. Amen

Trust Him

 

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Some days are harder than others, but each day I have choice to make: trust self or trust God.  I choose to trust God.  This means that I rely on Him.  I rely on His strength and direction.  I rely on His wisdom.  I submit my ways, my life to Him.  That means that I set my agenda aside and look to Jesus.  He promises that when I follow this principle that He will make my paths straight.

For me this means that on those hard days, a guard is put on my mouth so I do not speak out of irritability, but rather in love. This means that I can press my way through to the end because I am trusting God with the outcome and it will be a good outcome because my path has been straighten.

Trusting God means I can have joy and peace in the midst of whatever is going on.  I am solid because I am standing on the Solid Rock.  I don't have to figure it all out because I can listen to the still small voice of the Spirit to direct my paths and carry me through.

Lord, thank You for being such a benevolent Father.  Thank You for being God.  A God I can trust in with my whole heart, ( mind, body, and soul). Thank You for leading me throughout my days and directing my steps.  I love You Father.  In Jesus name. Amen