Humility Study: Part I - Humble Yourself

Psalm 45
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever. Gird your sword upon your side, O mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty. In your majesty ride forth victoriously in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness; let your right hand display awesome deeds. Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king's enemies; let the nations fall beneath your feet. Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad. Daughters of kings are among your honored women; at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir. Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear: Forget your people and your father's house. The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord. The Daughter of Tyre will come with a gift, men of wealth will seek your favor. All glorious is the princess within her chamber ; her gown is interwoven with gold. In embroidered garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions follow her and are brought to you. They are led in with joy and gladness; they enter the palace of the king. Your sons will take the place of your fathers; you will make them princes throughout the land. I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.

To me, it appears there is a list of what makes up a victory. We have three things, 1) truth, 2) humility, and 3) righteousness. This study is focusing on just what is humility.

Humility (noun):

• The state or quality of being humble; freedom from pride and arrogance; lowliness of mind; a modest estimate of one's own worth; a sense of one's own unworthiness through imperfection and sinfulness; self-abasement; humbleness.
• An act of submission or courtesy.

Arrogance (noun):

• The act or habit of arrogating, or making undue claims in an overbearing manner; that species of pride which consists in exorbitant claims of rank, dignity, estimation, or power, or which exalts the worth or importance of the person to an undue degree; proud contempt of others; lordliness; haughtiness; self-assumption; presumption.
• Overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors.
• Offensive display of superiority or self-importance; overbearing pride.

Things worthy of note. Arrogance is associated with self-importance. If I am to be humble, I have to have no importance of myself. How about that to chew on. Johnny Out.

New Year Goals - 2009

It is good to have goals... but this year, I am going to approach this a different way than in years past.

Goals:

• By Faith, I will be over 90% with my Quiet Times in 2009, with over 90% each month.
• By Faith, a family member will be baptized this year.
• By Faith, I will lose weight and be under 175 pounds by the end of July.
• By Faith, Joyville will be up and running by the end of January.
• By Faith, I will support my wife emotionally and lead her spiritually in 2009.
• By Faith, I will read a book a month (in addition to the Bible).
• By Faith, I will consider others and not think of myself.

And there you go, seven goals. I want to incorporate faith in my goals. With I put faith in the picture, I believe God will bless my heart.

Goals Update: 2008

Spiritual Goals for 2008

1. Have consistent QTs (over 90%) for 2008

• That didn't happen. In fact, I would say that this year was a bust for my QTs. I don't know why, but I just struggled getting into the word. 2009...

2. Pray consistently with family (again, 90%)

• I would have to say that there was much success in this area. I can't say that I hit 90%, but it was by far better than I could have expected...

3. Help the church (either communion service, contribution, children's ministry... just need to serve)

• Children's ministry helped get me back on my feet.

4. BE AT CHURCH consistently. Do let excuses pull me down from going.

• Not a problem like it used to be... :-)

5. Read a book a month for the remaining year (7 books)

• Yeah, this didn't happen. I didn't stay focused and I bombed.

6. Lose weight and get to my goal: 160-170 pounds. If this doesn't tell the story, then I don't know what I can say... I started a diet and exercise and gained 20 pounds. I have new goals, which I will post tomorrow as I get back on track.

The Tongue - Edition #36: Visiting

December 31st, 2008

The Tongue – Edition #36: Visiting

You know… the bible talks a lot about understanding, and I agree, understanding is a good thing. It is good to understand this and that and the other. But sometimes, I think I really don’t need to understand everything. I really don’t. Why does this or that happen to me? Why do I really need to know that? Is that really important? These days, all I want to know from God is the simplicity of it all; can you show me where the blessing is? That’s what I’m asking God these days.

Proverbs 1:20-33
Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech: “How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you. But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand, since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you- when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me. Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD, since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

Proverbs 8:1-21
Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud: “To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding. Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge. Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power. By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just; by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth. I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.

I just thought I would revisit this series. It's good to return to good habits. I haven't been faithful in having my quiet times. I will get better.

What Are You Searching For - Part I

I've been saving these logo's for a good while now. I have thought about this study, I have thought about what it is to search for comfort... Well, this study is going to prayerfully answer questions that have been jumbling around in my heart for some time.

It seems like such an easy question to answer, "What are you searching for?" But it really questions my motives, actions, and thoughts.

What are you searching for?

Sometimes I have to be honest with myself and say that I do not know... but then there are other times I answer "pleasure". And still other times I answer love, the spotlight, peace, release of frustration, or God. Unfortunately, God isn't as high on the list as he should be. He should be #1... but generally speaking, he is almost always toward the bottom of my list as for who or what I am searching for...

Truth be known, I can be a very selfish person, thinking about my wants and desires before everyone elses needs. That's why I truly believe that I am one of the worst sinners out there. This post could come back to haunt me, and rightfully so, I would have to say, but I believe (and probably almost always have) that it is good to see where it is that I am before I can make the changes in my character to move forward.

I would have to say that my spiritual walk is like a stumbling and staggering walk falling all over myself and generally away from my God. I really and truly do not want it to be like that. I haven't posted or even had a quiet time in a good while. It's upsetting to think about, really, at how I have turned my back on God in a certain way that has shut me off from communication from him. This shouldn't be so. But it is.

The good thing is that I can repent, which is what I am doing. I don't know if I will return to a consistent everyday approach online, but that is what my goal is right now.

Psalm 4:1-8

Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to him. In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD. Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

I have to search my heart. I have to see what it is that is keeping me distant. It isn't an easy task, and even worse, I will find things that I will not want to see... but then I can begin the healing process and that will truly please my God. Johnny Out.