10 Humble yourselves in the sight of The Lord, and He will lift you up (James 4).
Humility is a rare trait in some, who are privileged, opulent or hold a high position. One doesn’t have to be wealthy or gifted to be pompous. When someone has an inflated image of themselves, they consider others inferior to them. Achievements, possessions, titles, talents or physical appearance can make some arrogant. We should not let our accomplishments go to our head. Most of what we have attained has been taught to us, or passed down from others. With inspiration and support from others we can excel in our goals. God has gifted each one of us with unique abilities for His Purpose.
“He can only be glorified when we are modest about ourselves.”
27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from Heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not The Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3).”
We have been endowed by God for different areas of responsibilities. If we are serving God, He will qualify us with the skills and talents that are necessary to be effective. It is God we serve and He should be magnified, and not ourselves. He must increase and we must decrease, in our attitude of self-importance. We are no better than others who serve and live for God in different capacities. The church leaders are not more important than the congregation they oversee. As The Body of Christ, we all play a vital role in honoring The Lord as we desire. He is Greater than all of us; we are fellow brothers and sisters, learning and growing in the knowledge of Christ. We should not be envious or competing for positions and roles within the church. In humility, God is exalted above our abilities and knowledge. We acknowledge that everything we have attained has been given to us from above. He can only be glorified when we are modest about ourselves. We are not to be defined by our professions, titles or achievements—our identity is in Christ. We amplify His Abilities above our own aptitude, by serving Him in Humility.
“Give to others what God has freely given you.”
28 “But there is a God in Heaven Who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head upon your bed, were these: 29 As for you, O king, thoughts came to your mind while on your bed, about what would come to pass after this; and He Who reveals secrets has made known to you what will be. 30 But as for me, this secret has not been revealed to me because I have more wisdom than anyone living, but for our sakes who make known the interpretation to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your heart (Daniel 2).”
God is the one who reveals secret things that will impact the lives of others. He unravels hidden mysteries to those He chooses to reveal to, by dreams or visions. Daniel was taken captive from Judah to Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar could not find any magician, astrologer or enchanter to tell him his dream or interpret it. God revealed the king’s dream to Daniel. Daniel’s response to this great privilege was not to toot his own horn. He professed God’s Knowledge of hidden mysteries. Daniel didn’t see himself as wiser than all those who were unable to interpret the dream.
God chooses whoever He wants to speak to. That doesn’t make them wiser or more acquainted with God, but that God has a plan for them in His revelation. They must act on what they learn. They should share with others and not keep it to themselves. Give to others what God has freely given you. Knowledge that God reveals is not just for our benefit. We are not to withhold what would have an impact on another’s life; what belongs to God isn’t ours. The secrets belong to God, but He reveals them for our sake and others’. We are no different from others in our ability to receive from God. He is the source of all wisdom, knowledge and understanding.
“The humble do whatever is necessary for the good of others.”
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross (Philipians 2).
Selfish ambition puts self first before the interests of others. When one is selfish, they are inclined to inconvenience others or take advantage of them to benefit themselves. Looking out for the needs of others and not just our own puts them on the same level of importance as we are. We don’t have to compete with others; we can learn from them, by considering their views and concerns. With a humble opinion of ourselves we can appreciate others’ abilities, even as being a cut above our own. When we put others first, we will not be begrudging toward them.
Christ wasn’t puffed up as The Son of God. He came as a human to do the Will of God. He obeyed God, even if it meant His death on The Cross. He was humble to accept the responsibility of taking our sins upon Himself. Humility is a willingness to serve wherever you are needed. The humble do whatever is necessary for the good of others. Those who are humble hardly look for recognition for what they do. Their reward is getting things done, no matter how menial the task. Their works have great significance, as they enable things to run like a well-oiled machine. So, if we are in Christ, we must not see ourselves as grandiose, but obedient children serving God.
14 But God forbid that I should boast except in The Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation (Galatians 6).
Christ died for all of us so that we would be considered worthy to be called children of God. We had all fallen short of The Glory of God—God’s Standard of Righteousness. None of us would pass muster before God, and none of our accomplishments, righteousness, skills, or intelligence is impressive to Him. Christ’s Life is the Perfect Standard that pleases God. The works that the world considers excellent have no merit before God. Christ died for kings, Pharisees, tax collectors, rich, and poor alike. Our Creator is only pleased when we are made in His Likeness and Image—just as His Son. By dying on The Cross, Christ put to death our image of self-will, ambition and sin.
No works of religious practices like circumcision, and other outward rituals can transform a person’s life. Only a new creation, made in the Likeness of The Son of God, will make us complete. The Life of The Risen Lord in us is acceptable to God. Don’t mind the braggarts, you have God’s Perfection living in you, by His Spirit. Glory in the work that The Spirit of Christ is achieving in you: making you more like Him, each day, and perfecting you before The Father.
“Those who are humble hardly look for recognition for what they do.”
41 “I do not receive honor from men. 42 But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. 43 I have come in My Father’s Name, and you do not receive Me. If another comes in his own name, him you will receive. 44 How can you believe, you who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?”(John 5)
There are those who try to fit in with popular fads or ideologies. Why is it so hard to stand on our convictions? Some want to appeal to others so that they can feel like they are accepted. People will like you today, then dislike you for a petty reason another day. Christ was followed by large crowds who wanted to hear Him, be ministered to and see miracles. The same crowds demanded that He be crucified. Seek honor from God and not from people. If you have received and believed The Lord Jesus Christ, then you have to deny others the honor that He alone deserves. Don’t fritter your days trying to impress others. Remain unabashed about your relationship with Christ, by how you live. We should only seek honor from God in this life and in eternity.
13 “Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.”
14 And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. 16 For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth (Exodus 33).”
Moses pleaded with God to reveal Himself to him, so that He could learn more about God’s Ways. Moses was called by God to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt and bring them to the promised land. That being a great honor, Moses didn’t want to let all that power go to his head. He humbled himself before God and sought to know God’s Ways so that He can lead only under the guidance of God.
Don’t embark on a great undertaking with only your skills and know-how. Child of God, wait for God’s direction. Find favor in God’s sight by depending on Him. Ask for God’s Presence every step of the way, and learn from what He reveals. As God’s people, we should not settle for less than what God gives us. We are equipped in God’s Presence to tackle every task before us. We humble ourselves by allowing God to impart His Wisdom to our abilities. So shall we be separate from the rest, because we don’t go forward apart from Him going with us. We inquire of Him before we take on a project, responsibility or lend ourselves to a leadership role. If we have found grace in His sight, His Presence will go with us and He will give us peace in times of adversity.
“Seek honor from God and not from people.”
Humility puts the needs of others first by not withholding what will benefit them. Everything we have has been given to us by God. We can trust Him to guide us with our abilities to serve Him and others, as He intends for us. We are not better than others; we are all children of God serving Him for His Glory. When we allow The Spirit of The Lord, The Life of Christ to live through us, we become acceptable to God. We should not boast about ourselves, but glory in the transformative work of Christ in us. God reveals His Wisdom to those He chooses and they should not keep it to themselves. When we humble ourselves, we depend on God, and we can go forward with His Presence in every area of responsibility. Receiving The Lord Jesus is denying glory to anyone else, by living just for Him. We were not created to impress others, but to live each day for God’s Glory. God uses us to do His Will on Earth as it is in Heaven. We should be ready to serve wherever we are needed. If we humble ourselves, He will be the only one who rewards us with the greatest honor.
15 For thus says The High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, Whose Name is Holy: “I dwell in the High and Holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones (Isaiah 57).”
11 You who fear The Lord, trust in The Lord; He is their help and their shield. 12 The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us. He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron. 13 He will bless those who fear The Lord, both small and great (Psalm 115).
What does it mean to be blessed? Is it being healthy? having plenty of money squirreled away for the future? or being able to get what you want at the drop of a hat? That sounds just about right. But we have seen that material wealth doesn’t always come with joy, peace or guarantees. In the midst of uncertainty, family, health, peace and hope can’t be bought with riches. Being blessed is independent of circumstances. It is a sense of calm and contentment because of the good we discover in the midst of adversity. Blessings may come from the favor and generosity of others. We are blessed when we can give to those in need. True blessings are given to those whom God delights in.
“Blessed are those who invest in eternity.”
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the Earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in Heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5).”
The Lord Jesus described those who are truly blessed in this life: those who will see God, inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, are called the children of God, the humble, those who receive mercy, the persecuted for His Name, and those who mourn tragedy and loss. The poor in spirit are those who depend on God for their spiritual well-being. They understand that there’s nothing they can offer God to please Him, but their submission to Him. They hunger and thirst after His Righteousness and are filled by His Spirit. Those who are blessed are blessed in godliness, with eternal rewards. They flourish by becoming more like their God. They yearn for the Kingdom of Heaven more than the things of the world. The blessed children of God are not defiled by the wickedness around them; they strive for purity. They refrain from bitterness and pursue peace with those who are against them. They see God because in many ways they become like Him, even forgiving their offenders. Being blessed is having the likeness of God’s Character. The blessed will inherit the best—the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are those who invest in eternity. They are not afraid to suffer persecution for their Lord that they may gain all that He has for them. They have better returns for investing their lives in righteousness, peace, purity, mercy, and perseverance.
4 Blessed is the man You choose, and cause to approach You, that he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, of Your holy temple (Psalm 65).
Blessed are those who seek after God. They will feast on the Goodness of God and be refreshed in His Presence. Blessed are those who devote time to come to the house of God—the church or temple. They will not leave hopeless or spiritually emaciated. They will be fed with the dainties of spiritual wisdom and be well-nourished in His Presence. Blessed are those who desire to come to the house of God, to worship and listen to His Word. They will be satiated with the spread from the table of The Lord, more than anything the world can offer.
“Being blessed is having the likeness of God’s Character”
Blessed is everyone who fears The Lord, who walks in His ways. 2 When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. 3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants all around your table. 4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears The Lord (Psalm 128).
Those who fear The Lord are intentional about how they live each day. They are determined to walk in God’s Ways in every area of their lives. Therefore, they are blessed in their roles at home and out in the world. God continuously equips them to honor Him. God blesses those who fear Him, so they continue to bless His Name. When they apply God’s Ways to their decisions and lifestyles, they impact the lives of their loved ones. The spouse of the one who fears God becomes supportive and helpful in running the affairs of the home. The children become submissive, obedient and respectful. Those who fear The Lord and walk in His Ways will be blessed in the work of their hands, and they will enjoy the fruit of their labor. Do you rejoice over a meal because you worked for it? Then you are blessed. Submitting to God warrants God to make good on His Promises to bless our households.
29 “Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My Commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!”(Deuteronomy 5)
God delights in the heart that fears Him and keeps His Commandments. When God Says it, that settles it. Oh that we would have a heart that fears and obeys Him! He would ensure that everything works to our benefit and that of our children, today and forever. It costs as little as obedience to prosper and pass down a successful future for our children. Who can thwart God’s Purpose for us? when we set our sights on fearing Him? It will be well, no matter what the economy looks like, regardless of natural calamities, pandemics or financial uncertainty.
17 “Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. 18 For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His Hands make whole (Job 5).”
Do not despise the chastening of God. We would disapprove if our children despised our chastening, by acting out or refusing to acknowledge wrong. A disciplined child should accept correction, by taking responsibility for their actions. Parents understand that children are still growing and learning from their mistakes. God understands that we are not perfect as He is. He wounds and lovingly binds up our broken spirit. His Loving Hands make us whole. God’s discipline keeps us on the straight and narrow, so that we are not numbered among the wicked. Better to be disciplined by God than mankind. When people discipline, they often do so out of emotion, frustration and their need to make themselves feel better. They hardly do so for the betterment of the offender. God, however, doesn’t chastise to satisfy Himself, but to edify us, so that we can steer away from wickedness. When He bruises, he heals. He never leaves His people in the doldrums of misery. His Hands make whole again; He doesn’t just address one issue, He completely restores. Blessed are those who are disciplined by God, because they are none the worse for it.
“We are blessed in Him, when we are well-acquainted with The God of Truth”
16 “So that he who blesses himself in the Earth shall bless himself in The God of Truth. And he who swears in the Earth shall swear by The God of Truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hidden from My Eyes (Isaiah 65).”
Those who make a living and strive to succeed should do so in The God of Truth; they should be honest in their dealings because God desires truth. Those who make commitments should remember that God will hold them accountable, to do what they say they will do. If we learn anything from God’s discipline, it should be humility and truthfulness. God will forgive us and forget our past sins. We must go forward in His Grace, but do so in God’s Truth. He reveals where we fall short, so that we can accept the truth about us. We must accept His Will in order to make amends. We are blessed in Him, when we are well-acquainted with The God of Truth. When we learn God’s Ways, we can strive to live up to them. Forget the past, it has been erased before God’s Eyes. Embrace the truth and truly live for the best He has for you.
“If we make God our only hope, He will become our only Source.”
4 Blessed is that man who makes The Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. 5 Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order. If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered (Psalm 40).
Those who trust in The Lord don’t look to others as their hope. God has been faithful to them and they can recall what He has done before. Their confidence is in God, Who, they have become familiar with. Blessed are those who remember what God has done. They will rest on His Goodness that never fails. The proud and powerful are not dependable. God has control of everyone’s life, and He does as He pleases. If we make God our only hope, He will become our only Source. God does what brings Him Glory and praise; He leaves an indelible impression, so that we never forget His wonderful works.
“Blessed are those who are ready to meet their Lord.”
7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him Glory, for the marriage of The Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of The Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God (Revelations 19)”
Those who are glad in The Lord will rejoice in Him because He is their full portion. They lack nothing good, when they have surrendered their lives to God. The Body of Christ—the body of believers—who are the Bride of Christ, need to ready themselves for the celebration of being united with Him. The marriage of the Lamb and the Bride will usher an unbroken fellowship for eternity. The Bride has to make herself ready, by being clothed in righteousness for the marriage with The Lamb of God. Blessed are those who are ready to meet their Lord. Make ready for the return of The Lamb of God, so that you are found worthy and pleasing before Him.
“Those who give generously will have a sufficient supply to continue to give.”
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all Grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”
10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God (2 Corinthians 9).
Give to the needs of others cheerfully and not begrudgingly. Those who give willingly will reap abundantly from God’s Grace. He makes all His Grace, not some, but all to abound to those who give willingly. Those who give generously will have a sufficient supply to continue to give. They will have an abundance from God to do every good work. Blessed are those who bless others from the manifold Grace of God’s supply. This is righteousness that endures forever: giving to the needs of others.
God, Who supplies those who are cheerful givers, furnishes enough to meet their own needs and those of others. May He multiply our seed sown, so that our fruits of righteousness may increase. While we show compassion, we are enriched in other areas of our lives. We become grateful and content.
Blessings are never out of reach for any of us. We reap what we sow, and invest what we are willing to give. Those who fear and trust in God will not be disappointed. If we keep God’s Ways, we and our children will inherit what God has for us. He is our source of joy, peace and eternal blessings. We must accept what He reveals about us, repent and be renewed in His Righteousness. We are more blessed when we become a conduit of His Grace to others. He will bless us with an abundance of seed to sow, for the benefit of others. As the Bride of Christ, we are preparing for His return, for an eternal union. We are blessed when we are found ready and clothed in righteousness. Our blessedness is eternal and will remain forever. So we live to praise God in all the days of our labor and existence. We are always exceeding blessed in His Presence.
“Blessed are those who remember what God has done.”
14 May The Lord give you increase more and more, you and your children. 15 May you be blessed by The Lord, Who made Heaven and Earth. 16 The Heaven, even the Heavens, are The Lord’s. But the Earth He has given to the children of men. 17 The dead do not praise The Lord, nor any who go down into silence. 18 But we will bless The Lord from this time forth and forevermore. Praise The Lord! (Psalm 115)
Loyalty holds relationships together. It is a commitment to be devoted to a loved one, at all costs. Loyalty compels one to make choices that support the well-being of another. It is a sacrificial act of love and faithfulness to someone we deeply care about. For one to be loyal, they have to put the other’s needs and interests ahead of their own.
“Marriage is a commitment to a lifetime of loyalty.”
15 And she said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” 16 But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you. For wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me (Ruth 1).”
Naomi was Ruth’s mother-in-law. She had lost her two sons and husband in the land of Moab, where they had sought refuge. Naomi’s husband was from the tribe of Judah. They left Israel because there was a famine. While they lived in Moab, her two sons married Ruth and Orpah. After her husband died, her two sons died as well. It was reported that the famine in Israel had ended and she decided to return back to her people. Ruth clung to Naomi, while Orpah decided to stay back in Moab.
Ruth was bound to her mother-in-law by marriage to her husband. She learned about Naomi’s God and her people. Ruth chose to be loyal to the man she loved, by learning his customs and embracing his God. She was loyal to him when he lived and when he died. She forsook the pagan gods of Moab, for The True God of Israel. She even refused to die in Moab. She would only be separated from her mother-in-law by death. Marriage is a commitment to a lifetime of loyalty—”till death do we part.” Like Ruth we should honor our spouse by being one with them and their people. Ruth left her home to make her home with Naomi’s people; she honored her husband and God. She made her commitment to God and man she loved, and was not going to look back.
30 Therefore The Lord God of Israel says: ‘I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.’ But now The Lord says: ‘Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed (1 Samuel 2).“
Every family is put together by God. He works within the structure of families to create individuals who impact others in the community. We are children of God, who belong to the Household of God. We must conduct ourselves in a manner befitting His honor. If we choose to honor God in our homes, He will honor us. If we despise Him, He will disregard us. We are to teach our children to walk before God in obedience, as we ourselves submit to Him. We are accountable to God how we nurture our children and marriage. In every area pertaining to our households, God should have precedence. When we pray together, pray for each other and seek His Counsel, we involve Him in all our affairs.
“Loyalty is a willingness to serve another for a cause.”
14 “Now therefore, fear The Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the river and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! 15 And if it seems evil to you to serve The Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the river, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve The Lord. (Joshua 24)”
When we are loyal to someone we promote their interests. We take a stand for someone, a cause or nation and are willing to take risks for them. Loyalty is a willingness to serve another for a cause. There’s value in what we are willing to defend. Fearing and serving God must be a higher priority for us and our families. Put away anything that stands in the way of full devotion to God. Serve The Lord God and no other. If we choose this day to serve God, we will not fail to succeed in other areas and responsibilities. God’s Standards are unmatched, so if we strive to uphold them, we are shooting for excellence. Even if we fall short, we are still a work in progress because we are conforming to Him. Serving God is striving to please God before we please anyone else. In every place we have put down roots, we should serve The Lord.
“A foreigner who’s loyal to God belongs to the household of God.”
10 So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” 11 And Boaz answered and said to her, “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before. 12 The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by The Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge (Ruth 2).”
Ruth had found a farm to glean the leftovers after the workers had harvested, in Israel. She would take what she collected to Naomi for food. Boaz, who owned the farm, learned of Ruth’s commitment to Naomi. He was a relative of Naomi’s. Boaz asked Ruth to glean only on his farm and eat with the rest of the workers what they were fed, each day she came. Ruth was a foreigner who received favor from Boaz. Ruth’s loyalty to her husband, shown by her kindness to Naomi, paid dividends. Ruth was not just loyal, she also found hope in The God of Israel. She forsook the gods of her people and sought after the God of her mother-in-law. Boaz blessed Ruth, and God fully rewarded for her loyalty and faithfulness. Ruth’s late-husband’s land was later redeemed by Boaz, and he married her. Ruth became the grandmother of Jesse, who was David’s father. David was from the tribe of Judah, which is tribe The Messiah, The Lord Jesus hails from. A foreigner loyal to God belongs to the household of God.
We are children of God because we have surrendered our lives to The Son of God. As the Bride of Christ, we have been redeemed by The Blood of The Lamb of God, and are forever betrothed to Him. God will reward us for taking refuge under His Wings, and being loyal to His Son. We are blessed forever, no longer separated by culture or nationality. The Son of The Living God lives forever in those who believe and are committed to live and die for Him. His people are our people and our allegiance is to The One Who gave His Life for us—our Loyal Savior and God. We are in good company with other loyalists.
“It is a commitment to be devoted to a loved one, at all costs.”
32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trials of mocking and scourging, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us (Hebrews 11).
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be Glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3).
We have high regard for those who are in authority, hold a powerful position, or are in charge of ensuring compliance to laws and regulations. Those who wield a sense of power over us deserve respect. We tread carefully when they are around because we fear the consequences of being found at fault. Just as children learn that there are repercussions to disobedience, we are aware of punitive actions that could be leveled against us. Reverence is showing respect, with honor and subservience to those in authority. God is The Highest Authority. He deserve reverence befitting His Majesty. He rewards those who fear and obey Him, and likewise punishes those who rebel. Rebellious children don’t get rewarded by their parents; their lives are riddled with trouble as they have run-ins with most authority figures in their lives. Likewise those who disregard God’s Authority will not live a fulfilled life.
“Reverence will curry favor with God.”
39 “Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that The Lord Himself is God in Heaven above and on the Earth beneath; there is no other. 40 You shall therefore keep His Statutes and His Commandments which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which The Lord your God is giving you for all time (Deuteronomy 4).”
We reverence those who have the power to change the course of our lives. Until we acknowledge Who God is, we will not give Him the place of honor He deserves. He is Lord Himself in Heaven and on Earth, and there is none greater nor is there any like Him. He is God Almighty; He has all Power, Knowledge, Wisdom, and Authority to do as He pleases and to impact everyone’s life drastically. He has given us His Commandments to protect us from harm. Laws are put in place to protect us and those around us. We have to follow traffic laws, regulations at work, signs in public places; and at home we have rules for our children to abide by. God created us to live under authority, whether we like it or not. If we fail to keep His Commandments, we will not be able to respect other laws.
If we keep His Commandments, the benefits will trickle down to other areas of our lives. It will go well with us, even as we will teach our children to do the same. God will bless the affairs of our lives, and our children will learn obedience from parents who obey God. He promises to prolong our lives in the places He has ordained for us because we delight in Him. Since God owns every place, as The Creator of the Earth and Heavens, He gives it to whomever He pleases. Reverence will curry favor with God. Blessings become the portion of those who do what is pleasing to God.
“It is a command to honor God’s day of worship.”
2 “‘Observe my Sabbaths and have reverence for My Sanctuary. I am The Lord. 3 “‘If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey My Commands, 4 I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit. 5 Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land. 6 “‘I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove wild beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country. 7 You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you (Leviticus 26).”
There are days set aside to honor those who have had a significant impact in history. Sabbath or the day of worshipping God is a day that should be honored. It is a command to honor God’s day of worship. We take national holidays or have days that we don’t go to work because they recognize someone or an event. These days are set aside to commemorate achievements or celebrate particular people. We should therefore honor God’s day of worship and reverence His Sanctuary. We reverence His Sanctuary by listening to His Word, worshipping, praying, repenting and seeking Him.
He will bless us when we honor Him. He will ensure that all our endeavors by the work of our hands are fruitful at each stage of preparation. He will protect our going in and going out. No one will cause us to fear when we have God watching over us. Our enemies will not be able to prevail against God’s Plans for us. Adversaries may think they are working against us, but they are wrestling with God’s Will for us. None of their schemes will succeed; they will be defeated by God, Who defends those who reverence Him.
“Glory is always to His Name and not to make a name for ourselves.”
And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of Power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the Power of God (1 Corinthians 2).
Those who have been appointed to oversee the church or place of worship—God’s Sanctuary— have to be careful to not use their position for their own glory. They are to handle God’s Word with utmost respect. Speaking and teaching God’s Word with simplicity and clarity. The pulpit is not the place for the church leadership to entertain, or highlight their prowess to captivate an audience; it’s the place where God’s servants uphold His Word. They are servants like the rest of the congregation, given a mandate to speak and teach the Gospel of Christ, His death and resurrection, and to teach the Scriptures. No eloquent words will add to what is already magnificent and glorious. Christ Himself is the Head and Authority of the church body—The Body of Christ. His Spirit equips the leaders to speak The Word of God, and the Gospel of repentance and forgiveness of sins. No one’s spiritual life will be transformed by the flamboyant and flowery words of any preacher. Christ is The One Who changes lives, by His Power, and inner Work of His Spirit in a person’s life. He transforms them for eternity. Our faith is not in the pastor, or anecdotes of their life in Christ; our faith is only in the Power of God, The Wisdom of The Spirit of God—The Son of God, Jesus Christ.
Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your Name give Glory, because of Your Mercy, because of Your Truth. 2 Why should the Gentiles say, “So where is their God?” 3 But our God is in Heaven; He does whatever He pleases (Psalm 115).
Serve God for His renown and not for self-aggrandizement. As those chosen by God to be part of His Kingdom plan, we must remember not to usurp glory that is His. Glory is always to His Name and not to make a name for ourselves. All we have has been bestowed to us. But for His Mercy, Truth, Love and Goodness where would we be! Our God is so Great. He dwells high above all created things. He acts and none can reverse it. He answers to no one; He does what pleases Him. If He delights in His Love and Goodness to us, then we are all the better for it. So Him alone do we have the pleasure to serve and love with all our being. It is an honor to give Him our best.
“Fearing God is having a constant awareness of His Presence.”
29 “Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My Commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!(Deuteronomy 5)”
A heart that is reverent to God, by keeping and doing His Commandments, is commendable to Him. We can’t keep His Ways until we learn to fear Him. Fearing God is having a constant awareness of His Presence. If you know that a superior is watching you, you will be cautious to not put a foot wrong. Children know what they should not do when the parent is looking over their shoulder. As we fear God by obeying Him, we reap benefits for us and our children. The Lord promises that we will prosper in our endeavor to please Him and He will show our children favor because of our commitment.
Have a heart that fears God at all times and live a life that honors Him. He is Faithful to those who submit to Him. We serve The Most High God, Who is worthy of all honor. We should set aside a day to celebrate and worship Him, because He is Good, Holy, Merciful, Just and Loving. He does more for us than any of our loved ones. His Sanctuary should be sanctified and those who are called to lead and serve should glorify Him in everything. Keep His Commandments and it will go well with you all the days of your life. He will see to it that we are well taken care of, and He will fight our battles for us. Let the redeemed of The Lord fear The Almighty God.
“It is an honor to give Him our best.”
I will bless The Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make its boast in The Lord. The humble shall hear of it and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify The Lord with me, and let us exalt His Name together. 4 I sought The Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed. 6 This poor man cried out, and The Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of The Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them (Psalm 34).
Then The Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation (Genesis 7:1).“
Being perfect means having no flaws—complete, excellent and well-rounded. No one is entirely perfect. We only know of what we can see about others. We would like to be on our best form, even though we know we make mistakes. God is Who He is because He is Perfect: Holy, Wise, Just, Loving, Powerful, and much more. He never makes mistakes. We are not God, but we are made in His Likeness, when we abide in His Son. We will never be perfect in our human form, but when we are hidden in Christ, we have His Attributes. He is blameless, spotless, upright and Holy. We are imperfect friends, siblings, loved ones and Christians. God understands our propensities, and that is why He offered His Son to die in our place, putting to death the deeds of our flesh. He rose from the dead to live in us. We are made one with Christ in His death and resurrection, so that the Life of Christ becomes ours.
“God makes complete those who do His Will”
20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the Everlasting Covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His Will; working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be Glory forever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13).
Every good work is done according to God’s Will. Anything done outside of God’s Will doesn’t pass muster. God makes complete those who do His Will. By doing God’s Will we do the good work that changes us within; it is a willing transformation. Good work will transform our character and yield eternal dividends. Whatever we do for His Glory will be pleasing and acceptable before The Perfect One. The work we do must create a positive change in us that conforms us to His Will. We have an audience of One, Who works in us what is pleasing in His Sight. When we allow The Lord Jesus to do good works through us, we become complete in Him. We become useful children of God who love God and others just as He does. The Only One who did God’s Will throughout His Life on Earth, The Son of God, becomes One with us. God, Himself, transforms us to be perfect in Him. Good work is a willing obedience to please God, by doing what is good in Christ.
“To be like Christ is letting Him express Himself through us.”
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in Heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in Heaven is Perfect (Matthew 5).
Those who are perfect are like their Father in Heaven. They are not perfect by attaining earthly achievements. God shows Kindness and Goodness to everyone. We all enjoy His creation with equal access to it. Those who hate God are still able to enjoy the scenic wonders of nature as much as those who love Him. We are to be just as generous with kindness even with those who get under our skin. Loving those we hate, praying for those who are bent on our downfall, and greeting those who despise us; these are considered good works that make for godly perfection. It is a command to be perfect in these areas, just as God our Father is Perfect towards those who are evil. We are not to be like tax collectors of that time; worldly and self-centered. To be like Christ is letting Him express Himself through us. It is living by The Spirit of Christ that makes us like Him, by not acting on our whim. Perfection is not our outward appearance. Perfection is an internal resemblance to Christ.
13 For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless; children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain (Philipians 2).
We can’t complain when we are doing something willingly. There are also fewer disputes when everyone is willingly doing what they are supposed to do. What would keep a Christian from complaining, while doing the right thing? Remembering that it is God Himself who works in us to be willing doers, to bring Him pleasure. God initiates our willingness to do what pleases Him. It will be difficult to complain when we are keenly aware that our willingness is God’s own doing. Blameless children of God willingly obey; they are considered faultless in a world full of rebellious people. As light shining in darkness, we remain subservient to God. When we complain, we are disputing God’s Will for us. Blameless children of God don’t find fault with what God is prodding them to do.
“Be blameless in your generation by fearing God and refraining from evil.”
7 And The Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered The Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” 8 Then The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the Earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? (Job 1)”
God suggested Job to Satan, as an upright man who shuns evil because he fears God. Satan roams the earth looking for those he can trip up. Job was an upright man, who became Satan’s target. Have you considered that the attacks and adversities you face might be to test you? Is it possible that just like Job, God has allowed Satan to rattle your cage? God had so much confidence in Job to suggest him to Satan as one who would not be disloyal to Him. Maybe you have not received a breakthrough for an insurmountable trial. Hold fast to your faith. What if God deems you upright? and has chosen you as an example of those who shun evil in your generation? Satan will try to test you. God will only allow Satan to go so far. Fear God and continue to steer clear of evil, even if it costs everything you have. Be blameless in your generation by fearing God and refraining from evil.
“We have an audience of One, Who works in us what is pleasing in His Sight.”
28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in The Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God (Romans 2).
Character expresses who we are inwardly. We often show our true colors when we are faced with difficult circumstances. Hardship and temptations expose the truth about what we are made of. A Christian is not just one outwardly, but is the product of the internal work of The Holy Spirit. The heart is the reservoir for attributes and attitudes. We can’t try to win the approval of the world, at the expense of our obedience to God. If we, like Job, have the praise of God, we have become who we ought to be.
2 How long, O you sons of men, will you turn My Glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood? Selah 3 But know that The Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly. The Lord will hear when I call to Him. 4 Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah 5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in The Lord (Psalm 4).
God desires that we are in His Likeness, as we have been given the right to be called His sons and daughters. He has called and set us apart for His Glory, Praise and Honor. When we live in sin, we turn His Glory to shame. Think of how disappointed parents get when children are disobedient. God has preserved for Himself those who are willing to submit to Him. He has separated them from the rest, so He may reveal Himself to them, in His Love, Goodness, Mercy, Grace and Power. He hears when they call to Him.
We are also commanded to keep our emotions in check, so that they don’t lead us to sin. If we trust in God, we can depend on Him to respond on our behalf, and obviate our need to act out of anger. A sacrifice of righteousness is acceptable and perfect before God. He doesn’t need our material things; He requires first we honor and glorify Him with our thoughts, emotions, words and actions.
“Perfection is an internal resemblance to Christ.”
Made in the Likeness of God, with The Spirit of His Son living through us, we are made complete. If we fear and obey God, we will shun evil and be acceptable before Him, in our generation. God has set apart for Himself those who love Him and submit to Him. He is near them in all their affairs, and they will not be put to shame. We are called to do good works which are in keeping with God’s Will for us. We will always be transformed by the works we do in Christ Jesus. We will learn to love our enemies, pray for our adversaries and be kind to everyone regardless of how they treat us. Our Father in Heaven is perfect in all these, and we are commanded to be the same. We are not made perfect to impress others, but that we may manifest the perfection of The Lord Jesus, Who lives in us.
9 The fear of The Lord is clean, enduring forever. The judgments of The Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. 13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer (Psalm 19).
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