Give Credit Where It's Due (Psalm 25:8-9)

Today's scripture: Psalm 25:8-9

Humility ... not a word that is used much in our society. We hear about the best and the brightest. The smartest. The most talented. The richest. The most powerful.

We take pride in ... well, being prideful.

We compare ourselves to others. We get "puffed up" when people tell us we've done well. We look in the mirror and say, "Good for me!"

This isn't how we Christ-followers should be. Time and time again, the Bible writes that pride is a sin and humility, a virtue. We read, "Pride and arrogance and the evil way ... [God] hate[s] ..." (NKJV, Proverbs 8:13) or "When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom" (11:2) or "A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor" (29:23).

Jesus Himself illustrated humility.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 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. (Philippians 2:5-8)

Besides, nothing we are, nothing we have, nothing we can do is because of us. If we have any abilities, it's because God has given them to us. So when we're prideful, we're taking credit for something God has done.

God loves humble hearts. He loves it when we praise Him for what He does in and through our gifts and talents.

So, the next time you're doing something, and someone commends you for your efforts, certainly graciously thank them. But then say, "I'm grateful to God for what He does through me."

Give credit where credit is definitely due!

Grace for the Humble (Proverbs 3:34)

Today’s scripture: Proverbs 3:34

Ah humility. Not a word that many of us like.

For some of us, humility speaks of weakness, of being a doormat, of being a pushover. And this is something few of us want to be.

But humility has a different connotation in God’s economy.

When one is humble, he considers others and their needs. Paul wrote to the Christians in Philippi that they—and we—should not “be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than [ourselves. We should] care about them as much as [we] care about” ourselves (CEV, Philippians 2:3-4).

And our greatest example of humility is our Lord Himself: “Christ was truly God. But he did not choose to remain equal with God. Instead, he gave up everything and became a slave, when he became one of us. Christ was humble. He obeyed God and even died on a cross” (6-7).

Being humble means to care for others. To serve them. To look out for them.

And when we are humble in this way, God gives us grace.

How can you be humble to another today? How can you show Christ-like humility?

To Sum It Up ... (1 Peter 3:8-12)

Today’s scriptures: 1 Peter 3:8-12

Like a great attorney summing up his case, Peter recaps much of his previous exhortations. And what a recap it is. And far from easy. Read through the list of things we’re commanded to do. And then read it again.

We’re to be “harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit.” Now sometimes, this is very easy. I can live in harmony with the nice guys, with my good friends. But this verse doesn’t say “only with those you like.” In fact, Peter makes it pretty clear. We’re not to be “returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead …”

Not easy at all. It’s really hard to “turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:39; Luke 6:29). That’s what we’re commanded to do, however. Why? Well, first, because we’re commanded … But God, our good Father, loves to bless His children. And He’ll bless us for “keeping our tongue from evil,” which includes saying nasty things about others. He’ll bless us for seeking and pursuing peace.

Peace. All of us, at all times, with all people. 

Pride ... Oh, So Ugly ... (Philippians 2:3-4)

Today’s scripture: Philippians 2:3-4

Pride. It’s something many of us struggle with, and it’s something that God abhors (see Prov. 8:13; 16:18; Mark 7:22). We look at “our” gifts and talents, or what “we’ve” achieved, and we think, “Good for me!” Even more, we sometimes look at what others do, and think, “I could do that better.”

We forget—often—that anything we have and anything we can do comes from God. So to be prideful about what we do is ironic. Instead, we’re called to be humble, to do all things with “lowliness of mind.” Not selfish. Not conceited. Rather, we should honor others.

Now this doesn’t mean we’re supposed to be doormats and let people walk all over us. We can look out for our “own interests.” We can—and should—do our best in all things. We should “do all in the name of the Lord” (Col. 3:17). But we also need to make certain we’re supporting our brothers and sisters.

Imagine your life if you could sincerely “esteem others better.” If you could genuinely celebrate the gifts and talents God has given everyone. If you trusted God to use each of us according to His will. If you truly believed none of us is better than another.

Imagine.

A Worthy Walk (Ephesians 4:1-3)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 4:1-3

We are unworthy of any grace or mercy, yet God sees us as worthy. We are sinful by nature, yet when we accept the gift of salvation, our sins are washed away.

So how do we—in even the smallest way—honor God and show Him gratitude for that gift?

By learning to “walk in a manner worthy of [God’s] calling.”

And how do we do that?

Paul lays it out well: We need to be humble, gentle, patient, and tolerant in love, and we need to preserve unity in peace.

Pretty tall order, isn’t it?

I’m pretty sure I can be gentle … and I’m pretty tolerant in love, accepting people as they are. And sometimes that does mean “love the sinner, hate the sin.” I seek peace in all interactions.

But patience? I’ve been working on that one for ages—or should I say the Spirit has been working in me. I still tend to want what I want when I want it. I am getting better at this, though, the older I get. I recognize how God has worked in the past, and His timing is usually not my timing.

And humility? This is another area in which I need help. I’m learning to put others ahead of myself (Philippians 2:3-4).

It’s not easy, but it’s part of the journey. And—praise God!—my walk is an ongoing, continuous action, and I’ll continue growing and learning until I meet my Lord face-to-face.

So how’s your walk? Are you struggling with any of these? Pray that the Spirit will work in you and through you, so you will be worthy of God’s calling.

I Am Nothing (2 Corinthians 10:14-18)

Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:14-18

I know I’ve written about this before, but we really have nothing to boast about in ourselves. Or perhaps I should speak only of myself.

I’m so flawed. So very flawed.

I want so much to be a godly, humble woman, but then my flesh rears its ugly head. And suddenly, I’m discontent. Or I’m discouraged. Or I’m prideful

I get a chance to use a God-given gift, and someone affirms me. Instead of immediately giving praise and honor to the Lord, I think, “Yeah. I did well. Good for me.”

Instead of boasting in the Lord, I boast in myself. And that truly breaks my heart.

I know—truly know—that nothing I have, nothing I am, nothing I can do is of my own merit. My abilities to speak and write and teach come directly from God. It is His voice that sings or acts through me. I live in a home that He gave me. I drive a car that He provided.

And as Job said (and I paraphrase), “The Lord gives, and the Lord can take away.” Because it’s all His.

We have nothing to boast about. Absolutely nothing.

Instead, we should give praise and gratitude to the One who chooses to bless us by entrusting our gifts and our things to us. 

Humility ... (Psalm 25:8-9)

Today's scripture: Psalm 25:8-9

Humility ... not a word that is used much in our society. We hear about the best and the brightest. The smartest. The most talented. The richest. The most powerful.

We take pride in ... well, being prideful.

We compare ourselves to others. We get "puffed up" when people tell us we've done well. We look in the mirror and say, "Good for me!"

This isn't how we Christ-followers should be. Time and time again, the Bible writes that pride is a sin and humility, a virtue. We read, "Pride and arrogance and the evil way ... [God] hate[s] ..." (NKJV, Proverbs 8:13) or "When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom" (11:2) or "A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor" (29:23).

Jesus Himself illustrated humility.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 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. (Philippians 2:5-8)

Besides, nothing we are, nothing we have, nothing we can do is because of us. If we have any abilities, it's because God has given them to us. So when we're prideful, we're taking credit for something God has done.

God loves humble hearts. He loves it when we praise Him for what He does in and through our gifts and talents.

So, the next time you're doing something, and someone commends you for your efforts, certainly graciously thank them. But then say, "I'm grateful to God for what He does through me."

Give credit where credit is definitely due!