Bible League: Living His Word In whatever you do, don't let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble, and honor others more than yourselves. Don't be interested only in your own life, but care about the lives of others too. — Philippians 2:3-4 ERV Humility is a virtue that is often overlooked in our society, but it plays a significant role in our relationship with God and with others. It can be defined as a willingness to put others before ourselves, recognition of our limitations and weaknesses, and a seeking of guidance and support from God and those around us. When I asked A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) what humility was, it gave an interesting response: "Humility is not about thinking less of ourselves, but rather about thinking of ourselves less." Just pause and let it sink in for a while. Humility is often mistaken for weakness or a lack of self-confidence. In reality, it is a powerful virtue highly valued in the Christian faith. It is the quality of being humble and unpretentious, putting others before oneself, and recognizing one's own limitations and imperfections. Our verse for today highlights the importance of humility in our relationships with others, and how it can lead to greater harmony and love within the Christian community. One of the Bible's most well-known examples of humility is when Jesus washed his disciples' feet. Traditionally, this act of service was typically done by a servant; but Jesus chose to do it Himself as an example of serving others and putting their needs before his own. Another example of humility in the Bible is when John the Baptist said that he must decrease so that Jesus could increase. This shows a willingness to put oneself in a lower position. On the other side, let's look at the dangers of pride, which is often the opposite of humility. Pride is a common human trait that can be both positive and negative. However, in the context of humility, pride can become a dangerous obstacle to personal growth and spiritual development. Proverbs 16:18 warns us, "Pride is the first step toward destruction. Proud thoughts will lead you to defeat." This verse reminds us that our prideful attitudes can lead to our downfall if we do not pursue humility. In addition, James 4:6 states that "... the kindness God shows is greater. As the Scripture says, 'God is against the proud, but he is kind to the humble.'" Reflecting on our own pride can be difficult, but it is an essential step toward practicing humility. We must recognize when our pride is getting in the way of our relationships with others and with God. Only then can we begin to overcome this dangerous obstacle and embrace true humility. By Romi Barcena, Bible League International staff, the Philippines Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingJeremiah 14, 15, 16 Jeremiah 14 -- Drought, Famine, False Prophets, Prayer for Mercy NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Jeremiah 15 -- Rejection and Judgments to Come; Jeremiah's Prayer NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Jeremiah 16 -- Disaster and Restoration Foretold NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 1 Timothy 5 1 Timothy 5 -- Honoring Widows and Elders NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free. Insight Paul's instructions encourage responsibility and integrity on the job. Christian employees should do their jobs as if Jesus Christ were their supervisor. And Christian employers should treat their employees fairly and with respect. Challenge Can you be trusted to do your best, even when the boss is not around? Do you work hard and with enthusiasm? Do you treat your employees as people, not machines? Remember that no matter whom you work for, and no matter who works for you, the One you ultimately should want to please is your Father in heaven. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon 2 John 1:2 For the truths sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us forever.Once let the truth of God obtain an entrance into the human heart and subdue the whole man unto itself, no power human or infernal can dislodge it. We entertain it not as a guest but as the master of the house--this is a Christian necessity, he is no Christian who doth not thus believe. Those who feel the vital power of the gospel, and know the might of the Holy Ghost as he opens, applies, and seals the Lord's Word, would sooner be torn to pieces than be rent away from the gospel of their salvation. What a thousand mercies are wrapped up in the assurance that the truth will be with us forever; will be our living support, our dying comfort, our rising song, our eternal glory; this is Christian privilege, without it our faith were little worth. Some truths we outgrow and leave behind, for they are but rudiments and lessons for beginners, but we cannot thus deal with Divine truth, for though it is sweet food for babes, it is in the highest sense strong meat for men. The truth that we are sinners is painfully with us to humble and make us watchful; the more blessed truth that whosoever believeth on the Lord Jesus shall be saved, abides with us as our hope and joy. Experience, so far from loosening our hold of the doctrines of grace, has knit us to them more and more firmly; our grounds and motives for believing are now more strong, more numerous than ever, and we have reason to expect that it will be so till in death we clasp the Saviour in our arms. Wherever this abiding love of truth can be discovered, we are bound to exercise our love. No narrow circle can contain our gracious sympathies, wide as the election of grace must be our communion of heart. Much of error may be mingled with truth received, let us war with the error but still love the brother for the measure of truth which we see in him; above all let us love and spread the truth ourselves. Daily Light on the Daily Path Matthew 28:20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."Mark 16:19,20 So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. • And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed. And they promptly reported all these instructions to Peter and his companions. And after that, Jesus Himself sent out through them from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation. John 14:21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him." John 14:22,23 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, what then has happened that You are going to disclose Yourself to us and not to the world?" • Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. Jude 1:24,25 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, • to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
    |