Humility is not Weakness

Andrew Murray identifies a reality, that, “Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is, from the very nature of things, the first duty and the highest virtue of the Christian.” So, humility—is birthed in a life focused on surrender that leaves one helplessly open to God. It is a sincere Christ centered perspective—it is when one truly has an emptying of self, acknowledging that one’s life, provision, and eternal state rests completely in the Lord's hands. 

We cannot confuse humility as weakness or the need to back down to criticism in our worship and witness of Christ.  Read the Gospels and Acts, Jesus and the disciples did not stop their witness, in humility they relied on God’s Helper to help them “run the race.”  Remember, we are in Christ’s likeness; God has made us into something great by his Spirit in us at salvation and upon us in power by Christ’s immersion of us into the Helper – His Spirit.  As Paul, said, “I am not in the least inferior to the ‘super-apostles,’ even though I am nothing” (2 Cor. 12:11).  Murray adds, “It is the surrender of faith to Jesus in His self-humiliation and death that opens the way to the full blessing of Pentecost.”  The church was birthed by wind and fire - you and I are the Church. 

We cannot attain the blessing of the Helper, without humility, and dare I say salvation, for we must be humble enough to confess our sin and trust Christ, indeed humble ourselves before the Lord (see Philippians 2:5-11).  To say I am saved and that I have the blessing of God with His Spirit in power is not a lack of humility, but a humble truth—truth that comes in power when we live in complete humility, emptying of self, in turn, being filled and overflowing with God's Spirit and power to reveal Christ. 

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”

Ephesians 6:10, 

Owen <><      

 

Everyday person & everyday Miracles!

We are reminded by a Catholic professor of theology, priest, monk, ... in very  simple terms of the simplicity and power of daily life.  His words are brave, bold, and from a man willing to give up all for Christ, to pick up his cross – even against the Church he dearly loved. 

He gave us a simple statement:

"The world is full of everyday miracles." 



His quote on the side of a building in Germany

This is such a wonderful truth,

... one we need to embrace daily.



But, there will be no fireworks or great orators and crowds in attendance when we live in the blessing of Christ’s resurrection daily. 

 

Only when we are constant in conversation and gratitude to God will we see all common, ho-hum, everyday miracles – that is when you will find the Holy Spirit resting on you with all of God’s joy and peace. *Thank you Lord for the miracle of your grace and daily hope; indeed, breath. 

In his native language of German, he wrote:

"Die Welt sit voll allräglicher Winder."  ~ Martin Luther (1483 - 1586)

Living in God's miracles, live them with me,
Great grace to you!
Owen <>< 

Fearless Humility

Timothy Keller notes that “Anxiety is a daily statement to God saying, ‘I don't think you have my best interest in mind.’”  Such anxiety needs to firmly stand in the Lord’s Word, that “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love” (1 John 4:18).  Keller’s statement reveals a quivering faith in our Redeemer.  To be “perfected in love,” is to fully experienced Christ’s absolute, unflawed love.  There must be complete trust in God if you are to be without fear.     

We are reminded by Andrew Murray that, “The life God bestows is imparted not once for all, but each moment continuously by unceasing operation of his mighty power.  Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is, for the very nature of things, the first duty and the highest virtue of the” follower of Christ Jesus.  Only when your soul is perfected by God’s Spirit can you truly say it is God who gives provision for each and every circumstance of life—that is why humility can empower you to live without fear. 

A lack of humility gives Satan and his slaves the ability to feed anxiety into your very soul.  But, you can lift your head up, because “you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’”  (Romans 8:15-16).

No looking over your shoulder,

Owen <><