Humility, Lies, and Direction

How does a man stay strong yet maintain a soft pliable, humble, and responsive heart?

Man’s heart begins as unresponsive…looking at the garden, he tries to remain ignorant of the trouble around him. His first sin was to act on the belief that God was a liar…creating within him a prideful heart; a heart that believes that he knows what is best for himself.

This leads me to the question:
Did Adam and Eve have the Holy Spirit within them?
If not, this brings great reassurance that God had a greater plan in mind for this human race.
But if so, their decision to live not under the Spirit’s influence is exactly the same decision which I can make this day.

Regardless, the only way that I (in this current age) may live a humble life is under the direction and authority of the Holy Spirit. God does not lie, His words are true, He is a Holy God…and I need His help in order to maintain this heart He has given me.

The gifts of this good God are humble, they are responsive, soft and pliable, yet strong.
Such good things are those that God has given!

Faith: Asking for crumbs

He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
– Matthew 15:24-28

It’s interesting to note that the term “dogs” here is not meant as an insult, it is rather endearing as it is describing a “little dog,” a domestic additive to the household. This choice in Jesus’ words within this situation pulls away from what is understood on the surface, which could easily be interpreted as annoyance or indifference, but is in fact a moment where Jesus tests the faith of this woman.

While Jesus’ main mission to the nation of Israel stands firm, there are quite a few instances where we find his ministry and healing work in the lives of Gentiles. Looking at the map of where he was in this incident (the district of Tyre and Sidon) it is coincidentally found outside of Jewish jurisdiction. He does this in the case of Samaria as well (where he ministers to the “woman at the well”) stating that he ‘must go through Samaria.’ If Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, set on the purpose of “feeding the sheep of Israel”…why is he found a good thirty miles from the Jewish populace?

ESV notes:
Although God’s plan was to bring salvation first to his chosen Israel and then to Gentiles, he responds to all who call on him in true faith. This Gentile woman’s attitude of humble faith allowed Jesus’ healing ministry to operate.

If I have truly heard the voice of God on certain matters, including marriage, why then do I loose hope? Situations seem to make the world in polar opposite of what I have heard. So what do I do? Do I trust that it was God who has spoken such things? Do I ignore it, waiting to see what happens? This may very well be a testing of my faith. Like this Gentile woman, I will continue to ask for that which my heart desires. I will persistently ask for crumbs.

Lord, strengthen my faith, the hope I have found in you. Help me to hold on to your promises, even when they seem so far. Wrap me in your arms.
Amen

Understanding Humility

But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. – John 5:17-18

Jesus was a man who did not consider equality with God something to be grasped (Phillipians 2:6) I think the reason for this was because at the core He knew who He was. Religion becomes one of man’s greatest enemies; ritual, repetitiveness, dead faith and belief. True religion (pure and undefiled) is that which Jesus exemplifies…visiting the orphan, the widow, meeting people where they are at in a time of affliction, unstained by the world (a Martyr). But corrupted religion unbridled, full of bitter words comes against the working of God.

When I walk in line with the will of God I face war…even from those considered my teammates. I am made righteous by God, this is what I have attained; not of my own doing but by the grace of God. Therefore I have nothing to boast in except that which I can take credit for: my weakness, failings, times where I find myself paralyzed, weak or passive. This is my dead religion traded in for the strength and power of the pure religion found in Christ’s love. It is in times of operating in this love that I gain His strength, sustanence, rest found in strife; striving for His kingdom come. This is at its core an acceptance of who I am in Christ. It is through this understanding which facilitates healing; not only in a physical manifestation, but also within the hearts of the broken. This is humility, to know who you are, to live in understanding.

Lord help me in this battle for the broken hearts around me. Those who have physical ailments, would you heal them. Be strong in my weakness. Open my eyes, remove the hindrances that cause me to loose sight of your goodness. May my life operate out of your love through a greater understanding, a lifestyle of humbleness. Raise the warrior within me in boldness, full of your migh heart. Amen

Gentle Wisdom

Scripture)
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
-James 3:13

Observation)
Gentleness; something commonly seen as weakness to this world is the very way that a believer is to live out wisdom. Instead of pursuing accolades gentleness re-routes our path back into the heart of God (for it is the fear of The Lord that is the beginning of wisdom) and in His wisdom He teaches us true gentleness, as it is very much part of His character.

Application)
Recognition has always been shoved down my throat in the industry of media (sometimes even within church settings). Self promotion, ambition, POWER. But as a believer I live in a new reality of grace, driven by healers, the gentle, compassionate, and humble. This is the true power I hold to; the passion and love of Christ, who through the wisdom of God laid His life down for others…in gentleness. So I am to do the same, leave the temporal lust for power and embrace living in death through a humble heart, that others might find and latch on to the wisdom of God.

Prayer)
Lord help my mind grasp your gentleness and see not in weakness but in strength; the power of your gentleness and true wisdom found in your arms.
Amen

Costa Rica Day 03

July 2 2012
God’s Word for the Day)
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
-1 Peter 3:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
-Acts 1:8

My thoughts on God’s words)
Sympathy is something I have tried to shut off in my life (not completely successful at that though) I have seen it as weakness and probably a trait delineated from my father. This might be a greater strength.

I heard God when)
Debbie told us a story about Taco Salad-
Corn Chips made from the seed of a plant is ground up and toasted to produce it’s full flavor.

My words to God)
Lord build compassion within me, reawaken sympathy within my heart. Help me in the times others become overwhelming to me. Lead me in the way everlasting, strong, steadfast. Amen

Events of today)
Our first day of VBS with the kids and more time with Bill and Debbie. Bill seems rather compressed…carries a weight perhaps not his own *I can relate*. He expressed his concern with Foursquare dropping the support of missionaries. The kids really digged the experiment lab @ the VBS and really gravitated to my hat. Helped fix the keynote system and was recognized by Debbie as a “techie” which apparently has been needed to fix some stuffs at their place. Later we had dinner at Debbie’s. She made Taco Salad and gave the taco salad story. Got to take part in an ESL session then got to talk about C# with Pastor David.

Gift or return policy?

Scripture)
Finally, all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing.
-1 Peter 3:8-9

Observation)
The writer is explaining the attitude and life style of the believer. It requires a non-retaliatory behavior, a humble mindset, tender love and sympathy towards people and a united mind set and held by the Will of the Father.

Application)
God has called my life to be a giver, not a return policy. It is a life that is to be a blessing for others, an outpouring of God’s love toward a world that the Father is redeeming. My life must not return evil, or be proud in my mindset but it is to be humble and returning love for brokenness.

Prayer)
Lord give me more of Your heart and mind so that I can be an overflow of blessing toward others. Amen