Humility  

We come nearest to God when we are great in humility.

Have you ever considered the two words self-esteem and esteem.  In self-esteem we have an inordinately or exaggeratedly favorable impression of ourselves.  If we esteem we regard someone else highly or favorably.

There are nine traits that the apostle Paul calls the fruit of the Spirit.  It is impossible for us to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit without the key ingredient of humility.

Jesus was the best example of humility that we can emulate.  He was born into humble circumstances and into the most humble of places, a manger.  He was gentle and humble of heart and he served.  The promises of God toward those who are humble are that He will dwell with them and He will give them grace, lift them up, esteem them and exalt them.  We are to be humble in the midst of trials and humbly thankful for the blessings God gives us and we are to approach all relationships with humility.

When things are good in our lives we are to humbly receive these blessings from God.  When circumstances in our lives are difficult and people mistreat us we are to accept this humbly. 

In the past it was always hard for me to understand that our loving Father could allow bad things to happen.  What I learned through painful circumstances is that God loves me enough to allow these things to happen to make me a better person through circumstances and that it humbles me when I realize the work he is doing in me during those trying situations.

We humans have a tendency to lean toward selfish instead of selfless.  Most of the time when self gets involved we have a tendency to become selfish. Sometimes through God’s grace and mercy he will humble us through circumstances because He loves us and those are the times where we truly see humility.

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, I want to have a humble heart.  I often struggle with the “me” thing.  I ask that when I get too involved with “me” that you drop some humility on “me”. 

Scripture:  Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:  “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”  Luke 18:9-14

Optional Equipment

“There comes a time in the spiritual journey when you start making choices from a very different place. And if a choice lines up so that it supports truth, health, happiness, wisdom and love, it’s the right choice. ” Angeles Arrien

I read an advertisement for a new car yesterday.  I was kind of amazed at the number of options on this vehicle.  As I went through the list I started wondering what you would do with all these options. 

There was the Driver Assistance Package.   This one is really sort of vague.  I see plenty of people on the road every day that need Driver Assistance and I don’t mean they are broken down on the side of the road.  I am thinking more along the lines that they need assistance off the freeway never to be allowed back on. 

Then there is the stop and go function, lane assist, side assist and pre-sense plus. Now I understand the stop and go part and I sort of understand the lane assist and side assist but I am really confused about the pre-sense plus.  I am starting to feel a little ignorant on this part because the ad doesn’t give an explanation.   It just lists this one like I should know what it means and I am thinking when you get on the freeway you should already have sense so where does pre-sense come in?

Now when I got to the 22-way power seats with massage function I started getting a little concerned.  I mean what if one of the 22 ways means you are facing backwards or upside down or maybe it just throws you in the back seat because you are such a bad driver.  I can’t really think of 22 different ways for a seat to go and the massage function just downright scares me.  This gives a whole new meaning to asleep at the wheel. 

This vehicle came with 19 speakers, night vision, panoramic sunroof, active blind spot detection and heads-up display.  I am not sure how beneficial a panoramic sunroof would be if you are driving.  If you are looking at the sky and driving I don’t want to be around but I guess if you are busy doing that you may need the heads-up display when you are getting ready to hit the car in front of you because you’re watching the view out the sunroof. 

The final two options also confused me.  I understand the side view but I don’t quite get the top view camera.  I can’t think of one thing I want to be looking at on the roof of my car.  The last option just lost me.  This car has curb weight of 4,000.  4,000 what?  Inches, pounds, cubic feet, kilowatts, cups, and what do you do at the curb with the 4000 when you get there?

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Thinking of the options on a car made me think of the options God gives us in life.  He didn’t take away our ability to make decisions, or choose which way we will go in life.  Even though He loves us, he gave us free will.  That means we can choose to follow Him or not, we can love one another or not.  We are given free will to choose an eternity in heaven with Him or eternal hell.   It is all up to us which options we will choose.  He doesn’t force us to make a choice he just offers instructions and guidance.  The question is which options will we choose?

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, You give me the option to choose You. Please help me to make the right choices in my life.  I want to spend eternity with You in heaven.  I pray that You will help me find the wisdom to make the right choices.  My choices can make the difference in my final dwelling place. 

Scripture:   This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Not My Job

If a man is called a streetsweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and Earth will pause to say, Here lived a great streetsweeper who did his job well. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Yesterday I had a co-worker stop by my office to complain.  She was mad because another co-worker scheduled a meeting and when people started arriving to attend the meeting, she had to direct them to where the meeting would be held. 

The thing she said that bothered me was “it’s not my job to direct people for him and I don’t work for him.” 

I was raised that you never said it’s not my job.  When my Dad mowed the lawn we all went out and mowed or worked in the yard.  Part of that may have been because our house had an acre to mow.  When my Dad went out to chop wood we all went out and helped load it in the truck and then unload it at the house. 

Too many times we become possessive of our job or occupation and we think that the responsibilities we have within that job are our only responsibilities.  My thoughts are that God expects us to show Him to others through our work. That means we may help someone carry boxes, fix the copier, pick up lunch, and even direct people to a conference room.  The catch is we are not to do it only when our boss is looking.

God expects us to give 100% of ourselves to our work when we are there.  I am the first to admit that I sometimes struggle with this because it is so much easier to tell someone I don’t have time to help them. 

I have another lady who works with me and for whatever reason she likes me.  My guess is that when I started working here I was always kind to her, I took the time to ask how she was doing every day and when she has questions about the mail I always make time to stop what I am doing to answer.  I also try to learn people’s names and call them by their name when I see them.  Sometimes it is just that little extra effort that makes someone feel special and isn’t that what God expects from us? 

Our job is not just about doing stuff.  God blessed us with skills.  Skills to do our job daily but he also gives us people skills.  How we use those people skills may make the difference in someone going to heaven or not?

Bill Hybels is one of my favorite authors because he always writes and speaks in language I understand.  He spoke at our church several years ago and he talked about how you may be a 1 or a 10 in someone’s life.  You might be a 5 or an 8.  What he meant was that you might be another person’s 1^st step in finding God or you might be their 5^th or 8^th or you might even be the one who is blessed to be someone’s 10^th, helping them to take that step to accepting Christ as their Savior.  He talked about not underestimating the value in being a 1 in someone’s life.  

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, I want to work for You.  That means that my work at my job, or running errands, talking to my neighbor, or buying groceries is part of my work for You.  Help remind me that everything I do is work for You.   Thank you for blessing me with the skills to work and show others You through that work. Help me to be a 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 or a 10 in someone’s life.

Scripture: Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.   Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.  Colossians 3:22-24

The Lionfish  

"Satan doth not tempt God's children because they have sin in them, but because they have grace in them. Had they no grace, the devil would not disturb them... Though to be tempted is a trouble, yet to think why you are tempted is a comfort." 

- Thomas Watson

When I start thinking about what I will write my next devotional on, I will sometimes use something that recently happened to me or something I saw and frequently I will use what I call “repetitive events.”  What that means is that if something either comes to mind several times or if I read or see something more than once I will explore that topic. 

You are now wondering why I am telling you this.  The reason I tell you this is because this is the way that God grabs my attention.  If you pay close attention to events or things in your life that repeat that is often the way that God speaks to me.  Now you are probably asking what does that have to do with lionfish?

This weekend I saw an article about lionfish on the internet.  Then on Sunday I was reading a book and it talked about lionfish.  When this happens I immediately write down the incident.  Mostly I write it down because if I don’t, before I realize it I forget. 

So I did some research on the lionfish.  I will give you a few fast facts about this particular fish.  They have few predators, they are poisonous to humans, they can multiply throughout the year, they will often spread their multiple fins and heard fish into a corner in order to prey on them.  They also blow a puff of water in front of other fish to disorient them. 

The lionfish reminded me of another predator in our lives.  Satan is the worst predator on the planet and we often don’t realize he is there.  Satan has few predators, he is poisonous to humans and he can disorient us from our purpose in life.  He is also invasive and he can sometimes disorient us and make us take our eyes off of God.  He can consume our lives without us realizing it and he can make things of this world look very attractive.  He draws us in and before we know it we are caught in his net.  I think about Satan this way.  If Jesus could be tempted and he was perfect in every way, how much more will we be affected by Satan as sinners. 

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, as I thought about the characteristics of the lionfish, it reminded me of how Satan’s characteristics are similar.  If we are distracted we can be drawn into Satan’s trap.  This reminds me to keep my eyes solely on You.  Give me the strength to withstand anything Satan throws my way.  

Scripture: "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan!  For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only." Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. Matthew 4:9-11

Bullying  

All violence is the result of people tricking themselves into believing that their pain derives from other people and that consequently those people deserve to be punished. ~Marshall Rosenberge

This morning on the news there was a story about a young boy who was a victim of bullying.  As I watched this news story my heart broke for him.  This boy was so traumatized by bullying at school that he pulled his braces off with pliers because of the ridicule he received from his classmates about his braces.  He also went into the cafeteria of the school and took nine hydrocodone pills.  He left a note that said he wanted those who were bullying him to understand how hurt he was by them.  They made fun of him because he was skinny and made fun of his clothes and shoes because they were not the up to date brands. 

When I was in the 4^th or 5^th grade I was extremely shy.  I found it hard to make friends due to my shyness so I was what you would call a loner or to be more exact I was lonely.  In one of my classes the teacher would have us play this game where one student could go up to the front of the class and basically play the teacher while the teacher left the room.  All of the students had to be silent and the student at the front of the class was to select the student who was the quietest one and then that student got to go to the front of the class to play teacher.

What would happen was that if the teacher selected a female student then the girl would always select another girl.  If the teacher happened to choose a male student at the beginning of the game then most of the time a male student was chosen.  Well I guess I didn’t realize the silent rules of the game.  One day someone chose me as the quietest student.  When I got up to the front of the room I was so excited because someone had chosen me.  Well I forgot the unspoken rule that a girl always picked another girl so instead of selecting a girl I chose a male student. You see where this is going don’t you. 

The girls ostracized me from their activities.  They couldn’t believe I broke the chain of girls at the front of the room and chose a boy so they didn’t have anything to do with me after that.  I can remember how painful it was to go out on the playground and none of the girls would speak to me.  I was devastated. 

There was one other thing that I remember from that day.  I remember the boy I chose to take my place at the front of the room.  He was the only one who would speak to me after that incident.  I will be forever grateful to him.  We both grew up and went to high school together and because our last names began with the same letters, we sat next to each other throughout our remaining years in school. In my eyes he became a great man because of the kindness he showed a lonely little girl. He is now the principal of the high school where I graduated. 

I just love the Beatitudes because of the wealth of wisdom they contain.  That little girl that so long ago felt the grief of loneliness is no longer lonely.  My God saves and He loves me unconditionally and when I fall he lifts me up, when I sin he guides me back to the paths of righteousness.  I will never be lonely again.  

     

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, You created each of us in your likeness.  I often don’t understand how children learn to be hurtful and mean to others.  Please forgive me when I treated others without mercy or grace.  You teach me to love others but I don’t always do what I know is right.  Guide me through this life with a love for others like the love You show me.           

Scripture: The Beatitudes- Jesus said: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.  Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.  Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.  Matthew 5:3-12

Bumper Stickers and Such  

Assumptions are the termites of relationships. ~Henry Winkler

I am beginning to think I spend too much time on the road.  I was driving home this week and when you stop at a lot of red lights on the way home you have plenty of time to observe what other people stick on their vehicles. 

I have never been a bumper sticker person.  My thought has always been what happens when I decide to sell my car.  Will someone else want all the declarations that I pasted on my car? 

Anyway, I get behind this truck and I start reading the stickers on the windows, bumper and tailgate.  You can tell a lot about a driver by what they stick on their car.  From observing the stickers this guy was a United States Marine, the sticker with USMC on it told me that along with the marine sticker.  He was also a deer hunter, hence the sticker with a deer head on it.  He had a license plate frame with skulls all around it. I really don’t want to know what that means.  There was an Ole Miss sticker and a sticker of the state of Mississippi with Sycamores on it.  I am guessing that there is a school in Mississippi with a Sycamore Mascot, the fighting trees. 

At another light I saw another truck that was jacked up high and had one of the new black and white license plates.  I am not sure if this was a vanity plate or just the letters the state picked for this guy but it read XXLDDS.  I am thinking he is an extra, extra, large dentist but I don’t think I will ask him. 

All of this started me thinking. We make a lot of assumptions about people and each other just by appearances and even the bumper stickers on cars.  It always seems to surprise us when we really get to know people.  Many times the assumptions we made along the way are not what the person is all about.  I think God created us for relationship with each other.  We can’t be in relationship with each other if we are making the wrong assumptions about them.  For all I know the guy driving the truck with all the stickers may have borrowed the vehicle from his son.  Why do we assume we know something about someone just by looking at the external without getting to know the internal?  How many times do we assume the person we work with didn’t speak to us because they don’t like us, are mad at us or have something against us?

One of the nicest and sweetest people I work with didn’t speak to me when I first started working at my new job.  Later I found out that she was working partial days because her husband is gravely ill.   Sometimes God decides to give us a sucker punch just when we need it.   

       

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, I often make assumptions about people just by looking at them. Please help me to see the person You created.  Help me to see the heart and character of the person and not make assumptions based on the external.  The majority of the time my assumptions are wrong and how can I love that person as You do if I don’t set my assumptions aside.  Thank You for Your everlasting love for me, a sinner, and show me how to love others unconditionally.    

Scripture:  Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:33-36

Mail In Rebate  

But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.   For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,  who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 1 Thessalonians 5:8-10

Am I the only one who gets irritated by mail in rebates?  I am the kind of gal who wants a get what you see when I shop.  I have a theory.  The mail in rebate is a ploy to get you in the store for a low price.  The catch is when you get in there you are still going to pay the full price you just have to go through a ton of paperwork to get the price you originally came in to pay. 

It is kind of sad really.  Instead of charging you a less expensive price in the first place, retailers are counting on you coming in and wanting the item so badly that you will pay the full price anyway. Since the majority of people don’t want to go through the hassle of filling out a bunch of forms and then mailing them in, then waiting for them to send you a check, or in some cases a gift card to purchase more of their stuff, the majority of people just don’t bother and the retailer knows this so they make the same amount of money they were going to charge you anyway.   

I want to be able to buy something at face value.  I am tired of the fine print.  The stuff that tells you what you are really getting.  I have started going immediately to the fine print because that is where the true cost is.  This same thing happens with people.  You want to trust what people say and do but that is just the surface that we see.  We have a tendency as humans to use others for our own purpose.  Many times the fine print is what we don’t say and do. 

One of the things that I love so much about God is that he doesn’t use a big advertisement to draw us in and then smack us with the fine print.  What you see is what you get.  There are no hidden agendas or forms you have to fill out in order to get salvation.  He doesn’t hide the steps in tiny letters you can’t read without a magnifying glass, under a big picture of Jesus hanging on the cross.  It is simple and to the point.  Jesus died for our sins.  You can have salvation.  Jesus paid.  We win if we choose to.  That is the best advertisement ever and many choose to refuse. 

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, I praise You for offering me salvation without the fine print.  I am free to choose You at any time and I am not required to fill out a form and You don’t draw me in with false advertising about what salvation costs.  You state exactly what it cost.  Jesus life on a cross for my sin.  The highest price ever paid and I am forever grateful. 

           

Scripture:  I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its bud, As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. Isaiah 61:10-11