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True Humility
Andrea Lende • January 15, 2021
Philippians 2:3 and 5
True Humility
You can also listen to the devotion and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/True-Humility-ep03rv
Philippians 2:3 and 5
“Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, or selfishness] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves].”
“Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus; [Let Him be your example in humility;]”
Paul’s words are powerful and could not be more helpful in our world today.
A wonderful perspective changer this morning.
Emotions are at an all-time high.
It seems people are against people instead of for them.
Paul tells us to do just the opposite.
He tells us to regard others more highly than ourselves.
He tells us to put on humility.
We may know what humility is.
But what does humility really look like?
Well, it looks like a King hanging on a cross for each one of us.
It looks like leaving paradise to save mankind.
Jesus stepped out of heaven to meet us, to love us, and to show us Who God really is.
He came to save us from ourselves.
Save us for Himself.
And He came in the humblest of circumstances.
He was not born into royalty.
He was royalty.
And even though He was and is the Highest in Royalty, He came to serve.
Paul encourages us to use Jesus as our example in humility.
Our passage today reminded me to put on humility and serve others.
Because the has Lord made all of us.
He crafted each one of our hearts.
And if I complain about someone of His making, then I am complaining about God’s handiwork.
In fact, later in our chapter - verse 14 Paul says, “Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves].”
Perspective.
I needed a perspective shift today.
The Lord always know what I need, and I find His direction in His Word.
Today I choose to pray against the spirit of complaining and faultfinding and put on a humble spirit as I try to be more like Christ.
May you find that as you follow Christ’s example you are able to put on a humble spirit and love others as God commands us to do.
Daily Prayer:
O Lord, my God, thank You for reminding me to be humble. Thank You for reminding me to follow Jesus’ example of pure service and humility. Help me lift others up, Lord. Help me honor all people. You made each of us exactly as You have chosen to make us. You crafted every heart, formed every spirit, and constructed every brain and mind. We are all here because of Your handiwork. Help me find the good in every person. Help me find You in their spirits. Help me love when my heart feels empty. Fill me with Your love, Father, so I may love all people. Steady my emotions and replace my fear with peace and strength from You. Your will is great and perfect, and Your will is always done. Keep me walking in the direction of Your will, Lord. Lead and guide my steps. I ask You to put joy in my heart. Help me serve with joy, Father. Help me bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing my prayer.
Answer: My Spirit is gentle and loving and it is in your heart and spirit My child.
Response: Thank You, most gracious and loving Father.
We start a New Year! How exciting! Paul had just finished telling the Ephesians to put off their old nature. They had been run around by their feelings and desires. He told them to be renewed in their spirit. The Amplified Bible defines this to be “having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude.” As we say goodbye to this year, let us put on the new and leave the old behind. We have an opportunity to reflect on what to bring forward into this New Year.
This is a great message for the New Year. We can be in control of our own words. As a mother, I used to tell my children to use their words to explain what was happening in their minds. I tried to help them find the right words. Words that would help the situation and not make it worse. I must do the same thing when talking to them. It’s important to use words that do not damage their spirits. Words that lift up instead of tear down. Even though my children have grown, I still want to be careful how I speak to them because my worlds will impact them for the rest of their lives.
As we approach the New Year, it is a perfect time to take inventory of what part of our lives, our hearts, and our souls are not bearing fruit. What can we give up as this year comes to a close? What do we need to give to the Lord for His cleansing and pruning? The answers to these questions take time. Time with the Lord. We are creatures of routines and habits which serve us well. But we can also change our routines and habits to serve us and the Lord better. So, we can ask God to show us what He wants us to give up so that He can have more of us.
I cannot think of a better verse to meditate on as we approach the New Year. Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]." For so many years I believed I had to wait to go to heaven to experience the kingdom of God. I have longed to step into heaven and meet the Lord and His Son. However, as we read the Gospels and study Jesus and all that He said, we begin to understand the kingdom of God is all around us. The kingdom of God is within.
Paul wrote to the Colossians and told them he was praying for them. He prayed they would be refreshed, renewed, and invigorated. He also prayed they would be strengthened. May his prayer be heard by the Lord God Almighty on our behalf today just as it was received two thousand years ago. God is the Source of all things beautiful and wonderful. There is no shortage of renewal, refreshment, or inspiration in His kingdom. And as the Creator of this universe, He continues to pour all good things into His people. Paul wrote that refreshment and strength are needed so we may have endurance.
This verse is the perfect verse to reflect on as Christmas comes to a close. The Lord sent His Son to us. He sent Him to this world as a babe. Jesus was given the task of growing up. A difficult one for all of us. He endured the awkward stages we all go through as we grow past them. I look back at old picture and cringe, yes, I cringe. This life provides plenty of opportunities to feel awkward and just plain weird, but our Father loves us as though we are perfect every day of our lives. This is why Jesus came. He came to make us perfect in God’s sight.
God made Himself flesh so He could take away the sins of the world. The story of the very first Christmas was humble, yet the most powerful and loving birth ever recorded in history. All humanity changed in an instant. When Jesus was born, love filled the earth. Love came down and lifted us up. The angels came to tell the shepherds of this beautiful birth. The stars in the heavens also told the story. As we do all tasks that we do to ensure a beautiful Christmas day, may we remember the miracle that God sent long ago. The miracle of all miracles.
The first Christmas was going to be documented, so that it could be read many times over for all Christmas’ to come. It was also documented so the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth would be known to be fulfilled. Prophets of old foretold Jesus would come from the house of David. They also prophesied that He would be born in Bethlehem. And all this came to pass. Even though Jesus would be known as a Nazarene, His beginning began in Bethlehem. God’s divine plan was set in motion with the first census while Mary was at the end of her pregnancy.
What a wonderful passage to read during Christmas week. Our passage touched my heart as I read it through the lens of Jesus’ birth. “It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself.” We have so much to be thankful for in these few short words, “restoring the world to favor with Himself.” So undeserved and yet so graciously given. We are offered favor with the Lord. Imagine having favor with the almighty God, the Creator of the universe. Jesus chose to leave heaven’s door where all was perfect. He chose to be born into this dusty messy world.
Jesus had just spoken to a fig tree and deemed it unworthy to live because it had no fruit on it. His disciples were amazed when they saw the fig tree wither and die. Then the Lord talked to them about prayer and belief. He told them that whatever they asked for, if they had the faith and belief, they would receive it. I remember the day I started hearing music and lyrics. I had just bowed my head at the piano and asked if the Lord would bless praise and worship music. As soon as I prayed that prayer, the Lord bestowed the gift of song writing upon me.