"For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 14:11)
There are two ways to attain high esteem. One is the world’s method: Take every opportunity to promote yourself before others; seize occasions for recognition, and manipulate your way into the center of attention. The other way is God’s way: Humble yourself.
Rather than striving for recognition and influential positions, seek to put others first. Cultivate humility, for it does not come naturally. One of the many paradoxes of the Christian life is that when God sees your genuine humility, He exalts you.
Proverbs 16:18 warns that if we put our efforts into promoting ourselves, we will be brought down. It says: Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. Jesus told a parable of a man who tried to enhance his own image in Luke 14:7–11. While attending a banquet, this man immediately claimed the seat of honor as his own. When the host saw this, he humiliated this man publicly by asking him to move to the least honorable place to make room for a more distinguished guest. Jesus said the wise thing to do is to seek the lowest position and allow others to exalt you if they feel you are worthy.
There is an enormous difference between the way the world honors you and the way God does. Don’t seek the honor of man, seek God’s love. And to do that – you need to die in “self”. Proverbs 25:27 indicates that glory is not legitimate if you seek it yourself: To seek one’s own glory is not glory. When the world exalts you, you are the one who receives the accolades; when God exalts you, others will praise Him for what He has done in your life. If you honor God, He will honor you (1 Sam. 2:30). Strive to humble yourself and bring glory to God. God’s glory will only be seen or manifested when people’s eyes are on God, and not on man. Allow Him to be honored through you. And allow Him to be the One to honor you in the way that pleases Him! It will never be your way (man’s way)…rather God’s way.
I praise God for a humble road - a road where He teaches me to serve His bride. He said,”Retha, I want you to be My servant bride. When you are My true servant, you will not preach about Christ, but rather you will preach Christ. You won’t deliver a message, but a Man!”
The only way to walk in humbleness is to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. There, in God’s presence, you will be humble! The spirit will manifest through you and in you. But if you walk after the dictates of the flesh, the law of sin and death will manifest through you. Set your mind on Christ; for when you focus on Him, you will stay humble, and walk according the spirit. There you will overcome the law of sin and death in your life!
Aldo did some warfare at school this week. Miss Patrys told me of how he walked up and down the hallway, singing (in his way) “I am walking in the light of God; I am walking in the light of God.” The other children looked at him, but he just went on and on.
“No schoolwork?”
“No Mom, Jesus said warfare. He said I am His warrior bride, Mom.” Well, after a time the warfare finished. In some of the classes, his classmates fell on their faces repenting, and others received the joy of the Lord.
How about us?
Or do you think that you will get to a place where God can promote you, when you are so full of yourself? If your outward man (your flesh) has not been broken, your feelings are not tender and delicate towards men, or to God – for if there is no wound, there has been no suffering. Only where there are wounds and suffering (that is God’s delight and specialty to heal and comfort), will you find a human being with a compassionate heart and tender feelings of mercy towards others.
Also, suffering brings an OBEDIENT EAR to God’s voice. Do what God calls you to do today – even when it does not fit your Mom’s preconceived idea of the reason why you are attending school. Aldo’s quote: “Mom, you don’t really know why I am at school.” I just laugh and jab him with my elbow… “I know Aldo; just do what God tells you to do!”
Praise God, many people were baptized this weekend at the woman’s camp at Hermanus this weekend. The scenery was beautiful - it felt like the sea of Galilee!
Glory to the King.
Retha
God bless!