What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if all you have is from God, why boast as though you have accomplished something on your own?–1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT God Served Us First The apostle Paul knew to go low and not high. He was saved through a personal visit from Jesus, granted a vision of the heavens and the ability to raise the dead. But when he introduced himself, he simply stated, “I, Paul, am God’s slave” (Titus 1:1 MSG). John the Baptist was a blood relative of Jesus and one of the most famous evangelists in history. But he is remembered in Scripture as the one who resolved: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). . . . The greatest example of this humility is none other than Jesus Christ. Who had more reason to boast than he? Yet he never did. He walked on water but never strutted on the beach. He turned a basket into a buffet but never demanded applause. A liberator and a prophet came to visit him, but he never dropped names in his sermon. He could have. “Just the other day I was conferring with Moses and Elijah.” But Jesus never thumped his chest. He refused even to take credit. “I can do nothing on my own” (John 5:30 NRSV). He was utterly reliant upon the Father and the Holy Spirit. “All by myself ”? Jesus never spoke such words. If he didn’t, how dare we? We can rise too high but can never stoop too low. What gift are you giving that he did not first give? What truth are you teaching that he didn’t first teach? You love. But who loved you first? You serve. But who served the most? What are you doing for God that he could not do alone? How kind of him to use us. How wise of us to remember. —From Outlive Your Life Mighty God, we humbly bow before you in thanksgiving for all you have done. Every breath is a gift from you. We cannot do anything without you. Your power and your Word enable us to live each day for you. When we serve, may we serve for your glory. When we love others, may they see your hand, your heart, your love for them, amen. The humble also shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.–Isaiah 29:19 The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way.–Psalm 25:9 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”–Matthew 5:5
Posted on: Sun, 21 Jul 2013 13:11:22 +0000
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