Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness.

Our definition of humility must be biblical and not simply pragmatic, and in order to be biblical it must begin with God. As John Calvin wrote, “It is evident that man never attains to a true self-knowledge until he has previously contemplated the face of God, and come down after such contemplation to look into himself.”

That’s where the following definition can help us: Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness.

That’s the twin reality that all genuine humility is rooted in: God’s holiness and our sinfulness. Without an honest awareness of both of these realities, all self-evaluation will be skewed and we’ll fail to either understand or practice true humility.

[C. J. Mahaney, Humility]

Quote from…

Right now I’m listening to…

…wrap our hearts around whatever we treasure most…

Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. He said,

“I came naked from my mother’s womb,
and I will be naked when I leave.
The Lord gave me what I had,
and the Lord has taken it away.
Praise the name of the Lord!”

In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.
[Job 1.20-22, NLT]

Some people struggle with tragedy and heartbreak all their lives. Others seem to sail through relatively unscathed when it comes to such traumatic interruptions as job loss, injury or illness. Still, when troubles come, we may have a hard time echoing Job’s prayer in Job 1.21. Instead, we expect God to give and then give some more. We certainly don’t expect God to take anything away–and we usually resent it when He does. Yet everything remains His. At most, we’re stewards of what He’s entrusted to us. When we hold on to people or possessions as though they belong permanently to us, we only set ourselves up for deep disappointment.

Jesus taught that we wrap our hearts around whatever we treasure most (see Matthew 6.21). But if what we treasure can be taken away or destroyed, our hearts will always be in danger. God was the center of Job’s life–his treasure. Job appreciated what he had, but his life didn’t revolve around his possessions. Instead, his heart was wrapped around his relationship with God. What lessons can you learn from Job’s experience?

I’m glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you’re again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.
[Philippians 4.10-13, The Message]

But I can’t forget how much this seems to fit …

Could I talk to you sometime this afternoon?
About some things I know Im reading into
Because you and me come at this differently
And I’m just trying to be honest with you

Now that I’ve found you in the most unexpected places
You were right in front of my face

You could be the one that I could hold on to forever, hold on to forever
You could be the one

Yeah, I get it
Go change the subject
But I can’t forget how much this seems to fit
When you feel this way
Everything sounds so cliche
But I’ll try to explain my side of this

Now that I’ve found you in the most unexpected places
You were right in front of my face

You could be the one that I could hold on to forever, hold on to forever
You could be the one

Maybe you are the kind that doesn’t want to say it
I should just let you be
But maybe if I spoke up that would be enough
To give my mind some peace

You could be the one that I could hold on to forever, hold on to forever
You could be
You could be the one that I could hold on to forever, hold on to forever
You could be the one, You could be the one

 

 

[Bethany Dillon, You Could Be The One]

some random McManus quotes

Whenever we take on a God-sized challenge, self-sufficiency is no longer an option.

Many times when we claim we are waiting on God, He is waiting on us.

Do what you know you should do, and you will know what to do. God clarifies in the midst of obedience, not beforehand.

You know where to begin: take initiative. You know who God is, so embrace life’s uncertainty.

When God is involved, the epilogue is not mysterious. God wins.

-erwin mcmanus

if you knew that you couldn’t fail, what would you do differently?

Deuteronomy 31.1-8, NLT 

One of the hallmarks of American culture in the 20th century was its fascination with the superhero. From comic-book sales to blockbuster movies to the graphic novel genre, entire industries have played into the attraction we have to individuals who are somehow possessed of powers not enjoyed by mere mortals. Superman, Spiderman, Batman, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, the Avengers and other fictional characters capture our collective imagination as they battle super-villians their creators dream up to fight them. The urge of a boy to wear his underpants on the outside of his pajamas and tear around the house fighting phantom bad guys is an inherited character trait passed down proudly from father to son.

So what is it about a superhero that’s so appealing? Bravery. Power. Strength. Ingenuity. The ability to fly. The fact that they usually get the girl. The fact that they can seemingly get out of any jam they find themselves in. Who wouldn’t want that kind of existence?

Thinking of that context, reread today’s passage. Joshua is, in effect, getting his superhero’s license from Moses. Now, it’s unlikely that this involved a cape and a mask, but Moses here tells Joshua that, with God’s power behind him, he will be able to deal with adversity and conquer his foes.

Moses tells the people that their new leader, Joshua, will take them forward into Canaan. Their old leader, Moses, encourages Joshua in front of the people, “Be strong and courageous…The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you…Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” With that reinforcement as a backdrop, Joshua moved forward. Fear couldn’t hold him back. He believed God.

If you knew that you couldn’t fail, what would you do differently? Pursue a promotion at work? Further your education? Ask someone to marry you? Risk repairing a broken relationship?

The fact is that, when God goes before you, you can’t fail. If you’re living within God’s will you don’t need to be afraid. You may endure a few shots along the way, but with the world’s only real Superpower behind you, you can’t ultimately fail. Take the risk. Live with passion. Listen to his assurance: “Be strong and courageous…Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

go back and read Deuteronomy 30.11-14. what does this passage
say about your ability to obey God and the benefits of doing so?

how has fear kept you from reaching your dreams?

in what areas of your life do you need more courage?

“Trust God, and be not afraid, or else you will plague yourself.”
–Charles Haddon Spurgeon

why do we call it radical when, to Jesus, it is simply the way it is?

okay…so i cannot wait for this book to come out…i know i already have a million books that i’m trying to read and i’m reading EXTREMELY slow…but this one grabbed me and i’m really looking forward to it’s release in late April…anyway…here’s what it’s about…

Book Description
“Sometimes I feel like when I make decisions that are remotely biblical, people who call themselves Christians are the first to criticize and say I’m crazy, that I’m taking the Bible too literally, or that I’m not thinking about my family’s well-being. . . When people gladly sacrifice their time or comfort or home, it is obvious that they trust in the promises of God. Why is it that the story of someone who has actually done what Jesus commands resonates deeply with us, but we then assume we could never do anything so radical or intense? Or why do we call it radical when, to Jesus, it is simply the way it is? The way it should be?”

About the Author
Francis Chan is pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California. He is also the president of Eternity Bible College and sits on the Board of Directors of Children’s Hunger Fund and World Impact. Francis spends much of his time speaking to students around the country, committed to teaching directly from the Bible. His passion is to see the Church display a much deeper love for Jesus. Francis, his wife, Lisa, and their four children live in California.

…forgive us we have made You small…

great God greater than us all / forgive us we have made You small / God open our eyes to see / great God greater than us all / let Your people stand in awe / God we will rise up and say great God!
[Daniel Doss Band, Great God]

i’ve caught myself way too many times lately making more of me…and less of God…i lean harder on MY knowledge, on MY skills, on MY desires…striving for what I want…and in the process i find that i’m ignoring what God is doing in and around me and i end up putting Him back in the cool little box i’ve made for Him…no wonder i’ve been so “blah” lately…no wonder i haven’t been able to look up and see the glory of it all and just be struck by awe…

it really frustrates me that i keep telling myself things like, “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” [john 3.30, nlt], and reading books like Louie Giglio’s i am not but i know I AM, and C.J. Mahaney’s Humility, and i still miss the point…everyday i miss it. ugh! ha…it’s just so frustrating…i want my life to matter…to mean something…to be bigger than me!

my friend Patrick just got back from Passion where Louie Giglio and many others just straight up brought the truth…you can read in Patrick’s blog where he talks about Louie, saying:

“the 1st night (Friday) Louie talked about each of us leveraging our lives for “the most important thing of everything” = the Name & Fame of Jesus (Revelation 5). We each get a little match that burns (life) for a bunch of years & then it dwindles down & goes out. But, I wanna throw my little match in with the eternal, glorious flame of Jesus & make that flame as bright & famous as I can. Because once my match (life) has burned out, that’s the end. Just a simple talk, but a great reminder that living my life for Jesus’ fame is all that matters.”

what would Christianity look like if we considered ourselves less and less and Christ greater and greater in our lives? what would it look like if we would mean it when we say, “i know i am not, but i know I AM”? what would it look like if we all took our little matches and threw them into Christ’s glorious flame?

God, forgive us for making you so small…for glorifying ourselves when all glory and honor and majesty should be yours…all yours and only yours…let us live our lives in continual awe of you…let us rise up and say great God!

     

Handwritten Gospels: Day 1

it’s been said that writing something down is the best way to memorize it, so tonight i drove out to Target and bought myself a leather bound journal and some nice pens. once i got home i sat down and wrote out the first chapter of the Gospel of Matthew.

i’m in desperate need to memorize some scripture. i’m not expecting to be able to memorize all 4 gospels in their entirety but i am hoping to walk away with at least some of the stories and parables in them memorized. i’m not sure how long this will take, and it’s gonna be a journey, but this is a start. and that’s what i need, a start.

i guess that’s all for now, just wanted to post something about this in hopes that it will keep me accountable and dedicated. i’ll try to post a few times throughout this experience to see how it’s shaping me…

grace and peace…later

Words kill, words give life…

“When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you.”
[ephesians 4.29, ncv]

In his book on Humility, C.J. Mahaney comments on this verse, writing:

Our words are intended to communicate encouragement. Our words are to edify–they should be “good for building up.” And that goes for all our speech. We’re specifically commanded to communicate “only” that which edifies.

What are edifying words?

Here’s what they’re not. They’re not simply polite words. This verse isn’t an exhortation to niceness or social protocol. And it certainly isn’t talking about flattery or about superficial words or about compliments that are man-centered or man-exalting.

Truly edifying words are words that reveal the character and the promises and the activity of God. They’re cross-centered words. They’re words rooted in and derived from Scripture, words taht identify the active presence of God, and words that communicate the evidences of grace that you observe in others. They’re words that flow from a humble heart.

We’re commanded to communicate only words like these that are good for building up another. What a sweet command! What a privilege!

i have to admit, i’ve been doing a really, REALLY bad job of this lately. i’ve been careless and even worse, wreckless with my words. i’ve said things that i haven’t meant and i’ve meant things that i haven’t said. what a fool! what an arrogant fool…i’ve been killing those i love most with my words. i seriously need to refocus and get my priorities straight again because i’ve been failing miserably at this life i’ve been given. we get one life…one shot at this. i need to make the most of it and live it well.

my friend Brian says that i should put this verse to music and make it the theme song of my life because i quote it all the time. here it is, Paul writes, “I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back” [philippians 3.12, the message]. if i’m gonna quote it so much i’d better start living up to it…i need get on my way, “well on my way, reaching out for Christ” and live this life for Him who lived His life for me.

remember, we are called, and commanded, to encourage others all day, every day…our words are powerful…our words matter. “Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose” [proverbs 18.21, the message].

Do You Really Love Him?

If what we call love doesn’t take us beyond ourselves, it is not really love. If we have the idea that love is characterized as cautious, wise, sensible, shrewd, and never taken to extremes, we have missed the true meaning. This may describe affection and it may bring us a warm feeling, but it is not a true and accurate description of love.

Have you ever been driven to do something for God not because you felt that it was useful or your duty to do so, or that there was anything in it for you, but simply because you love Him? Have you ever realized that you can give things to God that are of value to Him? Or are you just sitting around daydreaming about the greatness of His redemption, while neglecting all the things you could be doing for Him? I’m not referring to works which could be regarded as divine and miraculous, but ordinary, simple human things— things which would be evidence to God that you are totally surrendered to Him. Have you ever created what Mary of Bethany created in the heart of the Lord Jesus? “She has done a good work for Me.”

There are times when it seems as if God watches to see if we will give Him even small gifts of surrender, just to show how genuine our love is for Him. To be surrendered to God is of more value than our personal holiness. Concern over our personal holiness causes us to focus our eyes on ourselves, and we become overly concerned about the way we walk and talk and look, out of fear of offending God. “. . . but perfect love casts out fear . . .” once we are surrendered to God ( 1 John 4:18 ). We should quit asking ourselves, “Am I of any use?” and accept the truth that we really are not of much use to Him. The issue is never of being of use, but of being of value to God Himself. Once we are totally surrendered to God, He will work through us all the time.

 i’m giving You my heart / and all that is within / i lay it all down for the sake / of You my King

i’m giving You my dreams / i’m laying down my rights / i’m giving up my pride / for the promise of new life

and I surrender / all to You all to You / and i surrender / all to You all to You

i’m singing You this song / i’m waiting at the cross / and all the world holds dear / i count it all as loss

for the sake of knowing You / the glory of Your name / to know the lasting joy / even sharing in Your pain

and i surrender / all to You all to You / and i surrender / all to You all to You

[surrender, lincoln brewster]