Apron of Humility

Apron of Humility

1 Peter 5: ⁵ In the same way you younger people must submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you must put on the apron of humility, to serve one another; for the scripture says, “God resists the proud, but shows favor to the humble.” ⁶ Humble yourselves, then, under God's mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time. ⁷ Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.

 

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“You are pretty good at this” were the words I loved to hear. I became more confident and took on more and more challenges. Soon I was “very good” in my own mind and wanted to make some demands or even leave for something better. After applying outside and not getting the position I had to tone down my demands.

 

• I had become demanding.
• I had become a bit arrogant.
• I had forgotten that I knew nothing when I first started out.

 

Peter turns to new believers to provide advice to them. They may have desired a higher position within serving, so he suggests taking a humble approach. He implied having patience by saying “HE will lift you up in HIS own good time.”

 

My Observations:

• GOD resists my pride, but shows me favor when I humble myself.
• GOD changes my heart when I practice serving others.
• GOD raises me up in HIS time, not mine.

 

Demanding that GOD “make me a leader right here and now” could come from a wrong heart. I mean, I may want to be a leader so “I” can take on the challenges I see fit. When I run into issues, I can simply call on GOD to beat up my enemies and fix all my problems. Unfortunately, HE doesn’t seem to work that way.

 

HE sees my heart and if it is full of pride, resists my efforts. But when I humble myself and ask HIM, “Is this wat YOU want?”, HE gets excited. HE then tells me to “leave all my worries with HIM” because HE cares for me. I am glad GOD takes care of me and raises me up in HIS time.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer emphasize serving one another?
• Have you ever thought you would do a better job than your leaders?
• Will you examine yourself to see if there are any opportunities to wear the “apron of humility” by following those put in leadership, whether you agree with HIS leadership appointment or not?

Heard From Inside

Heard From Inside

1 Peter 2: In the same way you wives must submit yourselves to your husbands, so that if any of them do not believe God's word, your conduct will win them over to believe. It will not be necessary for you to say a word, ² because they will see how pure and reverent your conduct is. ³ You should not use outward aids to make yourselves beautiful, such as the way you fix your hair, or the jewelry you put on, or the dresses you wear. ⁴ Instead, your beauty should consist of your true inner self, the ageless beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of the greatest value in God's sight. ⁵ For the devout women of the past who placed their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful by submitting themselves to their husbands. ⁶ Sarah was like that; she obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are now her daughters if you do good and are not afraid of anything.

 

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Ugh! Another tough message.. Here goes from a male… Ogling at body parts, they guys discussed what they would like to do and who they would like to do it with. I was scared to join in, but wanted to “fit in.” So I did. After a while, I was like the other guys.

 

• I discussed looks before discussing heart.
• I talked about sex before talking about service.
• I made jokes about body and never considered the soul.

 

Peter provides instructions to wives and husbands. He begins with the wife, stating a foundation that would address insecurity, namely inner beauty. He used a term “submit” that is hard to grasp because of its misuse and abuse. But his plea was written to women leaders who are in charge and maintained self-control given by the spirit.

 

My Observations:

• Serving GOD from the heart shows.
• My heart needs to look for the heart that serves GOD.
• I should desire what GOD wants versus fulfilling the lust of the eyes.

 

Communication goes both ways. I mean when a message is sent, the message needs to be received and understood in order to have good communication. GOD’s heart can be heard loudly when that message is sent.

 

HE lives inside us and provides the means for us to deliver unselfish messages that further HIS kingdom that external beauty cannot. I am glad GOD sees the heart first and wants me to do the same.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer make this plea?
• Has the world become more divided in different ways?
• What suggestion do you have for unity?
• Will you seek to love one another by looking at the inside of people as GOD sees him or her today?

Balanced

Balanced

Colossians 3: ¹⁸ Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, for that is what you should do as Christians.

¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

²⁰ Children, it is your Christian duty to obey your parents always, for that is what pleases God.

²¹ Parents, do not irritate your children, or they will become discouraged.

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Imperfect people with many life changes, needed a way to navigate ambiguity. With hurt happening all around, something needed to be said. But what could be the problem? Imbalance.

 

• Wives had complaints about husbands.
• Husbands had complaints about wives.
• Children had complaints about parents and parents complained about their children.

 

Paul addressed issues that continue to this day. Families had become imbalanced and looked for solutions. Unfortunately the solutions must not have worked so the complaints remained. He brings the ultimate solution to address imbalance.

 

My Observations

• Only GOD can bring families back into balance.
• With CHRIST as the foundation, imbalance can be cured.
• GOD wants me to look at my role through HIS eyes instead of mine.

 

Looking at CHRIST as the answer sounds easy, but can be difficult if things are out of balance. I mean, if CHRIST is used to wound people into doing a role that is expected by another person, regret, distrust and resentment can appear. The result is more imbalance. BUT GOD has this too.

 

HE has seen family after family after family try and make mistakes. HE knows the walking wounded need help and HE is willing to bring balance to a specific role. HE wants me to come into balance with HIM first so I can see my role through healed, not hurt lenses. I am grateful for my family and love the fact that GOD loves each person far more than I could ever imagine.

 

Challenge

• What words do you get stuck on from the writer?
• What words from the writer can throw things out of balance?
• Does looking at your own role hurt or bring excitement to you?
• Will you seek a balanced approach by understanding the love that CHRIST has shown can live in you today?

Marriage Expectations

Marriage Expectations

Ephesians 5: ²¹ Submit yourselves to one another because of your reverence for Christ.

 

²² Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands as to the Lord. ²³ For a husband has authority over his wife just as Christ has authority over the church; and Christ is himself the Savior of the church, his body. ²⁴ And so wives must submit themselves completely to their husbands just as the church submits itself to Christ.

 

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it. ²⁶ He did this to dedicate the church to God by his word, after making it clean by washing it in water, ²⁷ in order to present the church to himself in all its beauty—pure and faultless, without spot or wrinkle or any other imperfection. ²⁸ Men ought to love their wives just as they love their own bodies. A man who loves his wife loves himself. (²⁹ None of us ever hate our own bodies. Instead, we feed them, and take care of them, just as Christ does the church; ³⁰ for we are members of his body.) ³¹ As the scripture says, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and unite with his wife, and the two will become one.” ³² There is a deep secret truth revealed in this scripture, which I understand as applying to Christ and the church. ³³ But it also applies to you: every husband must love his wife as himself, and every wife must respect her husband.

 

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Seeing my beautiful bride walk down the aisle brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my face. I was finally married to someone until death do us part. I never expected any arguments, disagreements or opposite opinions, but they happened.

 

• I wondered how I could fix things under “my” energy.
• I questioned “my” every move and action.
• I felt lost and needed direction.

 

Paul addressed an issue brought to him, namely marriage. Knowing that marriage had the curse of inequity mentioned in Genesis, he mentions the only cure for balance and that is JESUS.

 

My Observations

• JESUS wants me to love my wife as HE loved me.
• JESUS wants me to leave my parents and have my own family.
• JESUS wants me to dedicate my family to GOD by HIS word, making all clean and presented without a spot or wrinkle or any other imperfection.

 

Hatred cannot exist in GOD’s marriage. I mean, the yearning for self-protection must be reduced beneath that of loving like JESUS does. Unfortunately this is not easy. Different styles, experiences and choices makes unity sometimes seem evasive. BUT GOD has a remedy.

 

HE gave HIS only SON as an example of true submission. JESUS never got caught up in the world’s tactics and showed what pure love looks like. HE, being GOD, suffered insults, never owned anything and was murdered by HIS own creation. HE said “FATHER forgive them” out of love. I am grateful for my wife and the example JESUS shows us and pray for continued growth in HIS love.

 

Challenge

• What do you notice about this passage?
• How do you think GOD brings couples into balance and back into full equality?
• If married, will you seek JESUS ways as the solution to true balance, peace and love today?

Recognizing the Curse

Recognizing the Curse

1 Corinthians 11: ² I praise you because you always remember me and follow the teachings that I have handed on to you. ³ But I want you to understand that Christ is supreme over every man, the husband is supreme over his wife, and God is supreme over Christ. ⁴ So a man who prays or proclaims God's message in public worship with his head covered disgraces Christ. ⁵ And any woman who prays or proclaims God's message in public worship with nothing on her head disgraces her husband; there is no difference between her and a woman whose head has been shaved. 

 

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Very confusing verse. I mean, I don’t have a story to associate with this because it is very unusual. Paul speaks about head coverings relating to men and “married” women.  He gives the hierarchy of CHRIST being over the man (or husband) and the husband being over the woman (or wife) and GOD being over CHRIST (or JESUS).

 

My head explodes trying to make sense out of this. The only thing I can figure is that before Genesis 3, man and woman were equal and shared the responsibilities. But an external source, Satan, came in and tempted the woman by tricking her into doing something she was told not to do.

 

After this, GOD cursed the relationship by putting a hierarchy in place. Who wants that? No one. But unfortunately it is there. Now, because of a curse, ill equipped men will need to seek CHRIST and lead a wife who was supposed to be equal.

 

How unfair is that?

 

• GOD wants me to know the curse can be fixed.
• GOD wants me to know the curse has been lifted.
• GOD wants me to recognize the curse and follow HIM as the only master.

 

Leading a wife just because I am a male is a curse. I mean, I have no qualities to follow. BUT JESUS does. HE wants me to point my wife to HIM versus thinking she is “my” servant. Fortunately, CHRIST brings us back into equilibrium. When she speaks, she can recognize the curse and speak about JESUS.

 

No challenge questions today, only a prayer that we all seek peace through CHRIST who is the answer.

Mission Accomplished

Mission Accomplished

Acts 8: ³⁸ So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. ³⁹ Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. ⁴⁰ But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.

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Sitting on the trunk of my broken down car, a couple stopped and asked if I needed a ride. Cautiously I said “yes” to the elderly couple. They convinced me that a rest stop was not too far away and they could drop me there.

“Do you believe in GOD and JESUS, the SON of GOD?” they asked me. I answered “Yes” without too much explanation as I had not been worshiping or even acting like I knew GOD.

• There have been many people sent to me to rescue me.
• There have been many people sent to me to bring me back to GOD.
• There have been many people sent to me to tell me about the great news of JESUS.

Philip was sent to the desert and he went without question. When he arrived he met a eunuch who was studying the prophet Isaiah, reading specifically about JESUS. When the eunuch heard Philip explain who JESUS was and is, he wanted to be baptized. Philip’s mission had been fulfilled.

• GOD wants me to be open to be sent where HE wants me to go.
• GOD wants me to be open to speak about HIS SON wherever HE sends me.
• GOD wants me to be ready to be sent to the next place so HE can speak through me again and again.

“Do not grow weary” is the request of JESUS because the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. GOD wants me to continue to speak to many people about JESUS so they will believe in HIM and do the same. When HE sends me and I speak, the mission is accomplished.

• Are you being used by GOD?
• Is GOD guiding you wo speak about HIS grace?
• Will you accept HIS mission for you and speak about JESUS today?

GOD’s plan may include a journey

Genesis 46: ² And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

³ “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. ⁴ I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.”

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“Is there someone who will go with me?” was the question posed to me that changed my life completely.  I had never been out of the country before and my thinking at that time was “why would I?” I mean we have nice beaches, mountains, scenery and sinners.  If I wanted to tell someone about CHRIST or vacation I could do it here!

I don’t know why, but I found myself getting up and volunteering. After the exhilarated feeling, fear consumed me. We were going to go to a country in Africa and all I could picture was dirty water and dirt sandwiches for dinner. I am glad I was thoroughly wrong as I went on the trip twenty years ago!

• The reason I don’t “go” is out of my fear and self-preservation.
• The reason I don’t “go” is because I may not be informed.
• The reason I don’t “go” is because I love my lifestyle and I don’t want to feel uncomfortable.

Not everyone is cut out for missions work but it truly has opened my eyes to a global gospel. Every word spoken in the Bible has to apply to all humans, not just a segment.

• When GOD told me to “GO” HE took away my fears.
• When GOD told me to “GO” HE opened my eyes to global compassion.
• When GOD told me to “GO” HE already had a plan for my protection.

I’m not saying everything went according to plan on all my trips, but HE has enabled me to meet people who will spread HIS message around the world and I truly feel blessed.

• Are you stuck in a rut?
• Is your life confined to the four walls of your home or job?
• Can you listen to GOD and see where HE is sending you?

You mean I have to do what it says?

2 John 1: ⁹ Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

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“Don’t you want to go to church with us?” was the question I heard many times. My first answer was “No” and my second answer was “heck no!” I just wanted to get some sleep. Church started too early and they were always bringing me down, telling me how bad I was.

I mean don’t they say “you can do what you want to do as long as you’re not hurting anybody?” “Well… if they don’t say that then they should” was my thought. Is that in the Bible?

• Listening to my own opinion can sometimes put me on the wrong path.
• Living the way I want to live can sometimes lead me away from GOD.
• Ignoring what GOD says is only an excuse for me to do more of what I want to do.

Plainly, I didn't want to learn more about GOD because I thought HE had forgiven me anyway and I just wanted to live the way I wanted to live. I mean this is “my” life anyway so “I” can live the way “I” want to, right? Not quite.

• GOD wants me to love people the way HE loves them.
• GOD wants me to practice forgiveness the way HE has forgiven me.
• GOD wants me to tell people about the ultimate sacrifice of JESUS who gave up everything for me.

When I’m living for me I find it very difficult to live for GOD. My eyes get blind to seeing the necessity of learning about GOD. My teaching turns into items that oppose HIM and my focus quickly turns into “getting ahead” versus growing the kingdom. GOD says “take MY yoke upon you and learn of ME. For MY yoke is easy and MY burden is light.”

In other words “Trust in GOD, couple myself with GOD and learn about GOD” and I will be alright.

• Are you living on sheer instinct?
• Have you stopped to check with GOD to see if you are still following HIM?
• Can you turn away from growing “your” kingdom for just a moment to grow “GOD’s” kingdom?
• Won’t you throw away your suppositions about GOD and “learn” about HIM this year?

What kind of wisdom do I have?

James 3: ¹⁷ But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

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Conflict seemed to be the center of discussion between our departments. There was no love lost between our group so when one of my employees complained about what “they” were doing I immediately sprang into action hoping I could flex a little muscle to get the issue resolved.

Little did I know “they” had already brought in the big guns and had swayed senior management toward their posture. The fight was over before it had started.

• My warring wisdom reaps a crop of conflict.
• My combative wisdom reaps a harvest of struggles.
• My confrontational wisdom reaps a defensive stance from that person rather than promoting unity.

“I’m right” and “they” are wrong leaves me seeking a much smaller group who wants to follow “my” thinking. Unfortunately I usually end up with a group of people with the same flawed thinking and we don’t go anywhere. I stand around looking at “them” blaming “them” for all the problems “I” am facing. Is my thinking too low?

• GOD says “ask ME for wisdom and I will give more than you can handle.”
• GOD says “MY wisdom seeks peace rather than being right all the time.”
• GOD says “MY wisdom seeks what the other person wants rather than blindly serving self.”
• GOD says “MY wisdom is full of mercy, submissive and good fruit rather than judgment and depletion.”
• GOD says “MY wisdom is impartial and sincere rather than thinking one group is better than another.”

GODLY wisdom says mankind is not changing rather it has always been in a fallen state and desperately needs a savior. Communities and neighborhoods do not “change” rather a new face that needs GOD appears and I must serve them the way GOD wants me to serve them, with GODLY wisdom.

• Do you think your country or neighborhood is “changing?”
• Do you see a big problem or a large opportunity to harvest more people?
• Have you looked at yourself to see if your heart needs to change toward other people?
• When have you actively sought to understand “that” person to win them over rather than trying to get them to conform to your ways?

Married folks work it out.

1 Corinthians 7: ¹⁰ To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.11 

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Seven O’clock was approaching rapidly and the guests would arrive soon.  The dimmer switch I had neglected to install was just sitting there.  “I know… I’ll install it now” I brilliantly said to myself!

I mean it would only take a few minutes. Meanwhile, my wife was busy cleaning and preparing for guests to come over. When a wire broke I had a sinking feeling this five minute effort would extend into a much longer venture. It did!

Marriage is not easy but it’s worth it. Marriage isn’t easy BUT it’s worth it. Yes I said that twice. Two personalities coming together to form one is usually met with turbulence and we were not immune. I can only speak for my half of my marriage. I brought baggage that needed to be unpacked.

• A reason GOD loves marriage is it makes me make concessions instead of going full force on my own faulty direction.
• A reason GOD loves marriage is it models a relationship I have with HIM.
• A reason GOD loves marriage is it shows me the need to bring others along rather than being a lone superstar.

Paul told single people he would rather they remain single so they could serve the LORD intently.  I understand but I view marriage as a blessed institution that I should be focused on GOD with similar intensity.

• Problems develop when I am not focused on GOD’s way of doing marriage.
• Problems pop up when I think “I’m all that” instead of being humble in marriage.
• Problems seep in when I focus on issues rather than GOD in marriage.

One thing I’ve learned to ask while being married is “LORD how do you want things to go?” Every time I’ve asked that question, HE has answered with LOVE.

• Are you fighting in your marriage?
• Can you take time to stop and work it out?
• Can you view marriage as GOD’s rather than yours?
• If you are single can you serve GOD intently without looking to be married?

I secretly want “that person” to fail.

1 Timothy 3: ¹ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

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Gruff was the best description that I could give one of my bosses without using foul language. It seemed like every turn all of us made he was there to criticize. I think I saw him make a few people cry or at least in my mind they should have. How should I handle a person like this?

• There are going to be people who are in charge that will rub me the wrong way.
• There are going to be people who lead corporations and nations that I don’t get along with.
• There are going to be people who lead volunteer efforts who can’t “lead” their way out of a paper bag.

It seems like I attract the weird bosses or people in charge who are very hard to pray for. They alienate their staff at every turn and are poster children for insults. GOD says HE wants me to pray for the person… Okay I will, but I secretly want that person to fail.

• GOD wants my attitude to truly desire “that” person to succeed.
• GOD wants me to love those who are very difficult to love.
• GOD wants me to truly want the best for “that” person as an example to others that love is greater than man.

People watch me constantly and if I show hatred, prejudice or malcontent for any one of our leaders, then my ministry of showing GOD’s love goes away. HE cannot use me when I secretly harbor ill feelings toward a person in charge. “Why?” because HE put them there and has a plan.

I don’t know why GOD raises up leaders I don’t want or agree with, all I know is that I am supposed to earnestly pray for them so that “we” can have GOD’s peace.

• Is there a boss or someone in leadership that you don’t like or agree with?
• Do you openly complain about your company’s or country’s leaders?
• If you do not openly complain, then do you secretly complain?
• Can you follow GOD in truly desiring them to succeed simply because HE wants you to?

Submit to me! No “you” submit to “me!”

Ephesians 5: ²¹Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Wives and Husbands

 ²²Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. ²³For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. ²⁴Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

 ²⁵Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ²⁶to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, ²⁷and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

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Guests were arriving within the hour and the floor still needed to be vacuumed, food needed to be set out but I noticed the dimmer switch that I purchased two weeks prior had not been installed. “This will only take five minutes” I said to myself.

DINK “Uh oh” I thought to myself. Yes I had broken the wire that supplied electricity to that part of the house. The door bell rang as I tore into the wall trying desperately to repair my faux pas. Finally a half hour into the party I got the switch repaired!

• Submitting my will to GOD enables me to hear HIM when HE speaks.
• Submitting to GOD’s ways keeps me out of worry, doubt and fear.
• Submitting my sinful life to GOD actually excites me to do more for HIM.

What a controversial topic. Submitting our wills to each other can sometimes be very difficult, especially when I want to be selfish. When I want to argue with my wife, you can bet I will stir the pot. BUT GOD wants me to seek peace.

• Washing my wife with the word means living my life as an “example” of mercy and grace.
• Presenting my wife as “blameless” means forgiving her shortcomings before GOD in prayer.
• Heading up my wife means worshipping GOD the way HE wants to be worshipped, constantly submitting my will to HIM.

CHRIST gave HIS “life” for me therefore I should give my “wife” to HIM. Since I am the king of making mistakes, I have an obligation to be the first to forgive just as GOD stepped out and did the same for me. Through this example, my wife can see that GOD means what HE says.

It’s quite amazing that I used to think this passage was about my wife submitting to me, when in reality it is saying “submission” is an act of worship and everyone should participate. The more I submit to GOD the easier it will be to submit to “my efforts” of submitting to GOD.

The purpose of submission is not to get “my way” rather it enables me to accept GOD’s ways.

• Are you trying to “get your way” in the marriage?
• Is “submission” to GOD hard for you?
• What part of your life are you trying to hold onto?
• Are you fighting GOD trying to control other people?

How to deal with a “stupid” boss!

Romans 13: 1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

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Wild spirits like me are difficult to tame. One major problem I have is submitting to someone who knows and does “less” than me. Why should I listen to this person, they don’t know what they are saying or doing anyway? Why are they in this position?

 

Many times I have run into a boss who lacked knowledge on many vital subjects and we would huddle and discuss his or her flaws. Little did we know that this person was appointed by GOD HIMSELF.

 

What? GOD appointed a stupid boss over me? No, GOD appointed this person over me and I am supposed to treat them with respect and trust just like anyone else.

•  GOD put “that” person over me for a purpose.
• GOD understands there is something in me that needs to change.
• GOD shapes me by putting tough people in my life.

 My thoughts are not always right. Yes I may be very experienced in a particular area, but what is it about my boss that I should appreciate? How can I get to know and get along with that person? What am I supposed to learn?

 

Many times I have rebelled against the new boss and I didn’t win. They came down hard with their authority and brought judgment instead of thanksgiving. Fortunately I had great support but I caused many unnecessary battles.

• When I submit to an authority work is easier.
• When I submit to an authority I open my mind to a new direction.
• When I submit to an authority I am blessed for helping and not tearing things down.
• When I submit to an authority I am submitting to GOD.

Each time I go to work I view my boss as JESUS which means I will always try my best. If I see something wrong happening I warn my boss. If I see a great idea then I let my boss get credit. Why, because while my boss has been placed over me by GOD then maybe HE put them there to see how one of HIS followers should really act.

 

The world is not mine to gain. Promotions are nice, but being an example of GOD is better. I am not weak rather I show my strength by submitting to GOD.

• Do you have a difficult boss?
• Why has this person been put into your life?
• What is it about “you” that GOD is trying to change?
• What personal issues is this person going through?