Humility Study: Part IV - Uncrushed Spirits

Proverbs 18
An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels. Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach. The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream. It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice. The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. One who is slack in his work is a close relative of one who destroys. The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale. Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. To answer before listening— that is folly and shame. The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great. In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines. Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart. A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel. From the fruit of their mouths people's stomachs are filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD. The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly. One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

My wife and I are going through a bit of hard times. It isn't anything she is doing. It really isn't anything I am doing, either. It is simply history creeping up on us.

The Seven Senses:

• Sight
• Smell
• Taste
• Hearing
• Touch
• Intuition
• Equalibrium

Intuition is a direct perception of truth or fact. And sometimes history can do that to a person. Something that is truth, but has been forgotten by trajedy and trama. And then it suddenly comes to the forefront of the mind in patches... and it crushes the spirit. And that is when the recovery begins.

So, where does the humility come in? It comes in when my "needs" get interupted. When needs get interupted, I feel that I am playing second fiddle to someone or something that really needs to have as much focus as possible. I get jealous or have feelings of being hurt. But being humble means that I put her needs first. I put her needs first and I put my needs last. In fact, I put my needs so far last, that I do not even consider that I have needs.

Humility Study: Part III - Prehonor Rituals

Proverbs 15
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble. The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. The LORD detests the way of the wicked but he loves those who pursue righteousness. Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die. Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD— how much more the hearts of men! A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise. A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast. Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred. A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course. Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. A man finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! The path of life leads upward for the wise to keep him from going down to the grave. The LORD tears down the proud man's house but he keeps the widow's boundaries intact. The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him. A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live. The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous. A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

A person who is disciplined has characteristics of humility. So, what does this chapter say about discipline?

• A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
• Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.
• He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

Not only that, but Proverbs also says this:

• The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (Proverbs 1:7)
• My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. (Proverbs 3:11-12)
• The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly. (Proverbs 5:22-23)
• My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching. For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life, keeping you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife. (Proverbs 6:20, 23-24)
• He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray. (Proverbs 10:17)
• Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. (Proverbs 12:1)
• He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored. (Proverbs 13:18)
• Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death. (Proverbs 19:18)
• Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. (Proverbs 22:15)
• Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death. (Proverbs 23:12-14)
• Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. (Proverbs 23:22-24)

If I discipline my son, then... well, there is a good outcome for him. If I don't, then I am an active participant in his death. Wow, talk about severe. And the same goes for God and me. The relationship is that God is to discipline me so that God is not an active participant in my death. I have to listen to the discipline he is feeding me. I have to be humble to the discipline. Otherwise, I am just some stupid idiot.

Humility Study: Part II - H U M I L I T Y

Proverbs 11

The LORD abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires. When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes; all he expected from his power comes to nothing. The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead. With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape. When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed. A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret. For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure. He who puts up security for another will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to strike hands in pledge is safe. A kindhearted woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth. A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself. The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. The truly righteous man attains life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death. The LORD detests men of perverse heart but he delights in those whose ways are blameless. Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free. Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath. One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell. He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it. Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

The fruits of righteousness. There's a lot of good information. I put all the words that contained righteous in bold. Check this out:

• Righteousness delivers from death.
• Righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them.
• Righteousness of the upright delivers them.
• The righteous man is rescued from trouble.
• Through knowledge the righteous escape.
• When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices.
• He who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
• The truly righteous man attains life.
• Those who are righteous will go free.
• The desire of the righteous ends only in good.
• The righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
• The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life.

And how can the righteous man get to these points? Well, I believe it has to do with wisdom and humility. And to get wisdom, you have to be humble.

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.