Heavenly Humility

Humility like the darkness, reveals the heavenly lights.

Henry David Thoreau 1817-1862, American Essayist, Poet, Naturalist

Prov 15:31-33
He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. He who neglects discipline despises himself, but he who listens to reproof acquires understanding. The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility. NASU

“Only those who feel little in the eyes of God, can hope to be mighty in the eyes of men,” or so said Ernest Moritz Arndt, the German Poet. Humility is one of the most valuable, yet I think, misunderstood traits of a Christian. I think humility is a tool given to us by the Holy Spirit, when we pause to hear, and listen to His wisdom, as opposed to listening to our own.

Our self-learned worldly wisdom has a loud voice, and it rules over many decisions in our lives, but the most important decisions that we make, must include the gift of humility. I have seen some with a false humility that was used as a means of selfish gain, and those that flaunt their humility in such a way as to make it almost repulsive. So what is the measuring stick of a righteous humility?

Well the measure is simple. It is love, not a self love, but a love of others. It means that you don’t spend most of your time wallowing around in the bright light of the wants of your world. It means that you make it a daily habit to pull the shades down and look into the dark corners of our world at the needs of someone else, and when you do, then you will see those heavenly guiding lights of humility…God Bless.

Pastor William

Drawing Lines in the Sand

In a controversy the instant we feel anger we have already ceased striving for the truth, and have begun striving for ourselves.

Thomas Carlyle 1795-1881, Scottish Philosopher, Author

Eccl 7:8-9
The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit. Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger resides in the bosom of fools. NASU

It is the hardest thing in the world to remain emotionally detached from a controversy, but in fact that is the best way to handle one. A wise saying that has helped me many times in controversies is to weigh the end. If I win this argument what have I won? Many times we can win arguments, but lose friends that we dearly love and care for, and live with regret over hasty words or decisions.

Paul tells us this in James 1:19-20, “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger, for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” Paul is pleading that in the church, in the body of Christ, we are all to be great listeners. We are to ensure that we take the “we” out of our hearing and hear with the mind and heart of Christ, the heart of the church.

Now if your beginning was bad, Solomon says the end of the matter can be better, and it can be, if we let Christ deal with everything in between and keep the mind of Christ, and be wary of our own. I remind myself daily of an important fact, and that is this, His mind, and His thoughts, are so much higher than my own, let’s all who are called by His name, “Christians,” strive towards being “good listeners,” we will hear our Father, and each other…God Bless.
Pastor William

You've God It All

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.

Hannah More 1745-1833, British Writer, Reformer, Philanthropist

Todd Ruthman

1 Cor 3:19-23
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, "He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS"; and again, "THE LORD KNOWS THE REASONINGS of the wise, THAT THEY ARE USELESS." So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God. NASU

You have so much! No, I’ve not lost my mind this morning. In the middle of these tough economic times I can rejoice in all that is mine, you and I are rich. Now you may be smart enough to figure otherwise, but if you are, you’re caught. That’s right you are caught in the riptide of the world and it will pull you further and further away from the truth that God wants you to walk with in this world.

In 1 Tim 6:17 Paul tells Timothy, “ Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.” Now how many things did Paul say we were supplied with? All! Yes, everything that you and I need on this earth will be supplied to us, even Paul’ and all the other people or things that will keep us safe.

So, let’s you and I today boast of our riches. That’s right! Tell others that you are financially, and emotionally secure, for you have no need to fear anything. It’s right there in God’s Word, claim it and keep it. God gives to us wonderful security as He speaks through the Apostle Paul. All things belong to us, we belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God, Glory Hallelujah, we are safely hidden in Christ…God Bless.

Pastor William