To Make an Impact: Have Humility

Luke 14:7-14 >>

7 When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice:

8 “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited?

9 The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the tables

10 “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests.

11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

12 Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward.

13 Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.

14 Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.

—

1. After meditating on the words above, I learned that we need to be humble and not exalt ourselves, for “those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (v.11).” And we should not care about others because of reputation, but also invite those who are less in man’s standards, who cannot repay us.
2. My motivation in friendship building with others usually I think is convenience and history. Today I’m learning that appearance, wealth and popularity are not good motivations.
3. My treatment to poor, unattractive, unpopular people are okay I think. I try to treat them like anyone else.

Living as a Steward of the Lord

Luke 17:7-10 >>

7″Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’?
8Would he not rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’?
9Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do?
10So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”

–

1. I am usually motivated in obeying commands given by the Lord through my parents, spiritual leaders, teachers and boss, but sometimes I am not as motivated. But I want to ask the Holy Spirit to examine my heart and rid me of any pride and impurities so I can live in humbleness and repentance.
2. From today’s parable given by Jesus, the attitude I must have in order to be a steward of the Lord wherever I am is to be humble and not complain, but trust that God is ultimately in control and He has the best plans for us.
3.

To Make an Impact, Have Humility

Luke 14:7-14 >>

7 When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice:

8 “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited?

9 The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the tables

10 “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests.

11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

12 Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward.

13 Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.

14 Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.

—

1. Jesus here is teaching us not to do things based on obtaining honor, status, riches or popularity. Instead, we must do things in humility and with the motivation of serving others.

2. I’m not sure if I’ve chosen friends based on appearance, wealth, or their popularity, or more so because we have more in common with eachother, but if I did then yikes. Sorry God.  I want my motivation in friendship or building relationship with other people to be pure.

3. My views/treatment toward unattractive people, poor, unpopular, not smart, or not good can be improved. I sometimes see them as not as good as me maybe? I’m not sure to be honest, I will try to think about that next time. I hope not though! I usually still try to build friendship with them actually, but at the same time, I may have a bit of favoritism and pride sometimes. I want to make new commitment today.

Be it Unto Me According to Your Word

Luke 1:26-38
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34″How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37For nothing is impossible with God.”

38″I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

—

1. Mary’s reaction upon receiving the task that God gave her was that she said “I am the Lord’s servant,” and something along the lines of may God’s will be done. She humbly accepted the task with faith and initiative to declare God’s will in her life. She was not bratty either, but humble.

2. If I was Mary, I’d think, “Whattttt???” hhaha, but Mary simply was meek and declared her faith> I should be like that too.

3. In order to have a character like Mary, I should not think, “What’s the “cool” way to respond?” but rather “How does God want me to respond?” and “How can I respond with a character of Christ?” Also, don’t think I’m all that, but know that everything is because of God’s grace, mercy and love for me. Thank You Jesus.

True Repentance Brings Restoration and Mercy from God

Luke 15:11-21
The Parable of the Lost Son
11Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

13″Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17″When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ 20So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21″The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.[a]‘

—

1. When the son “came to his senses,” he realized that even his father’s servants have abundance, and that he should stop trying to do things his way and return to his father. He was “kapok.”
2. His father had compassion and love for him and embraced him when the son came back.
3. When I’m wrong toward God and others, I think I realize it but sometimes I can be faster in showing repentance with my actions. I should not delay anymore in the future!

Blessing for Persons with Humility

Proverbs 29:23,
23 A man’s pride brings him low,
but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.

Psalm 25:9,
9 He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.

Psalm, 37:11,
11 But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy great peace.

Zephaniah 2:3
3 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land,
you who do what he commands.
Seek righteousness, seek humility;
perhaps you will be sheltered
on the day of the LORD’s anger.

—-

1. From the verses above, the blessings that will be received by those who are humble are that God will lead them in doing right, teaching them His way. It will bring honor. The humble will live in peace and prosperity and perhaps the Lord will protect them (protect them from His anger on “that day of destruction).

2. The attitude of someone with humility when they’re taught or corrected is that they listen without complaining or grumbling.

Blessing for Persons with Humility (1)

1 Peter 5:5-7,
5Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.”[a] 6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Proverbs 18:12,
12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud,
but humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 22:4
4 Humility and the fear of the LORD
bring wealth and honor and life.

1. The blessings that someone with a humble character will receive is honor, and if they also fear the LORD, then also riches and long life. This person will also receive God’s favor.

2. A humble person handles anxiety by giving all their cares and worries to the Lord.

3. What will happen to an arrogant person is that God will oppose them, which is bad!!!

Building a Character of Humility: Obedient without Complaint

Philippians 2:12-16,
Shining as Stars
12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out[a] the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

Ephesians 6:1,
Children and Parents
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Titus 3:1-2
Doing What is Good
1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

—

1. Obedience is important in God’s eyes because God is working in us, “giving us the desire and power to do what pleases Him.” When we disobey, it’s like we denounce God’s authority over us.

2. The kind of obedience that God desires is one without complaining and arguing, and obedience that makes us shine liek bright lights; in a “world full of crooked and perverse people,” we are to live innocent lives as children of God.

3. Obedience to God will be mirrored in obedience to humans. The blessing of obedience to God is that if we honor and obey our parents, then we are doing the right thing and “things will go well for (me) and (I) will have a long life on earth.” I also should submit to the government and officers…but God is first. God’s number one! Jesus is number one!

Blessings for Persons with Humility

1 Peter 5:5-77,
5Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.”[a] 6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Proverbs 18:12,
12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud,
but humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 22:4
4 Humility and the fear of the LORD
bring wealth and honor and life.

—

1. The blessing that will be received by the humble person is that they will have riches, honor and long life and God’s favor!
2. A person that’s humble handles anxiety by giving all their worries and cares to God, for He cares for us!
3. What will happen to an arrogant person is that their haughtiness precedes destruction, and God opposes them. That’s bad and frightening, really.

Developing a Character of Humility: Don’t Compare Ourselves with Others

2 Corinthians 10:12-18,
12For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

13But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

14For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:

15Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,

16To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.

17But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

18For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

Galatians 6:3,
3For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

Philippians 4:6
6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

—

1. I think yes, I have felt dissatisfied with myself, my appearance wealth and conditions before, but I’ve learned to give thanks and know that all those things are not necessarily bad things, I just needed to change my perspective. Dissatisfaction is caused by negative thinking and comparing ourselves to others, but having a heart that is satisfied brings more happiness and a more positive outlook on life. What we do have, we are able to enjoy. There are rich people who aren’t content and they may be miserable because that’s what they create for themselves. On the other hand, there are parapalegics who feel blessed and have joy. I want to choose to give thanks to the Lord for He is good and His mercy endures forever.
2. The result of comparing ourselves with others is our focus is not on God but on shallow ways of measurements that are meaningless. What we do is in vain-means nothing- because everything in this world will pass away anyways. We should focus on the prize in the upward call of Christ Jesus.
3. To guard ourselves from having discontent and comparing ourselves with others is to make it habit to change the way we think. We need to remember to give thanks and speak with God always…not “anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petitino, with thanksgiving, (presenting) our requests to God (Phil 4:6).”