Monday, September 15, 2008

Humble Pie

When we are seeking to please God we must be humble. In Luke 14:11 Jesus was in the home of a leader of the Pharisees (the religous elete). Jesus asked, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not? He took hold of a man with dropsy and helaed him and sent him away. He looked to the lawyers and Pharisees and asked, "If your son or ox fell into a well on the Sabbath would you not rescue them? The Pharisees spoke not a word. Jesus then went onto to share a parable about being invited to a wedding feast after seeing some of the guests picking out the places of honor to sit. He said, "When you are invited to a wedding feast by someone, do not take the place of honor, for there may be a more distinguished guest there, and the host may come and tell you to give up your place for the more distinguished guest. Disgraced you move to the lowest place at the table. Instead, go and sit at the lowest place, so when the host comes he may say to you, "Friend move up higher; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

How many times do I obey these words of Jesus? Do I graciously sit in the back at the table against the wall or do I want to be seen and insist on sitting "up front"? In all honesty most of the time I find myself not wanting to remain in the background waiting on God to exalt me. Lord forgive me for not being more humble. I need your power and strength in order to be humble; for I am full of pride. Abba, Father thank you for loving me even when I don't deserve it.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Being a God Seeker

All my life I have been searching for something to fill the void way down deep in my soul. I grew up in the church and was saved at the age of 10, but for various reasons, I failed to completely surrender to God until the age of forty. It was at this time, two years ago, that I found myself broken and humble. I returned to my first love, Jesus. Since that season I have been seeking God with all my heart, all my strength and all my mind. He has renewed my relationship with Him and restored broken relationships with family. My husband and I made a committment to God to no longer be lukewarm Christians.

There are many passages of truth from God's Word that have ministered to us. One of our favorites is 2 Chron. 7:14"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." We both have experienced the healing hand of God like we never thought was possible. We rejoice and praise Him for pouring out His love, grace, and mercy upon us. We have been REVIVED by the very breath of Jesus Christ. It is our prayer that Christians across our country will realize that they too can experience the POWER and the PRESENCE of the Lord!!