It’s a huge thing when we face the fact that we are (by nature) self-centered. This delightful malady has infected every person who’s ever existed-except perfect Jesus Christ. (Colossians 1:15-20) When we accept this as our reality, we understand ourselves better. In every relationship, our flesh instinctively asks, “What’s in this for me?” When a human is faced with hardship, the human asks “How can I get out of this pain?” An embarrassing revelation of this condition always seems to show itself through photography and our response to pictures. Who do we look for first? Ugh.
Many of us are tired-very tired of being self-absorbed. Self-absorption always promises happiness and delivers nothing. We spend hours on ourselves feeding the flesh and still have no peace. How can we be freed from this? Is it possible?
There is one way-we go to Jesus and say, “I cannot make myself different, but you can!” We give Him our inability and He gives us His ability. Only He can give us a new heart. (Ezekiel 36:26) We all want to be absorbed by things that deliver joy-serving God and serving people. We can be free to love, free to initiate, free to focus on other people, free to experience true peace. Because He is the great Exchanger, Jesus can give us His eyes that look out at others rather than in at ourselves.
Honor without humility
After 25 years of working with amazing leaders-there are certain things that are always true. My heroes are men & women of deep humility. 2 weeks ago, @pastorbriangfisher taught 2 principles from Matthew 20 that gave us all pause! “We want honor without humility. We want authority without submission.” Zing! We get it-we all struggle here! Instead of asking a generic , “Am I proud?” Join me in asking yourself these questions.
1. How low am I willing to go?
2. How much of the world’s success have I brought into my faith?
3. Am I disrespectful to my current authority?
4. Am I known for a loving or critical spirit?
5. Is my heart living in awe toward God or anger toward God?
If you’re like me, these questions cut to the quick. Yet, we all want more of Jesus, more peace, more joy, & more satisfaction! Maybe it’s time to step up to going low. #matthew20 #betterlife #humility #followwell#leadwell
Want a better marriage?
The most important relationship you will ever have is with GOD. The second most important relationship is with your SPOUSE. We all have a habit of digging deep into the Word, joining Christian groups, and offering help in the name of Jesus. God always wants to move in our hearts and out into our relationships-especially marriage.
- Realize no marriage is perfect! This should encourage you-because we are humans with a sin nature and selfish tendency. If your marriage was perfect, you couldn’t see God change you or the situation. God loves to be needed.
- Realize we all want to grow in this area! Whether we can verbalize it or not, we all want a thriving marriage built on the constancy of Christ. He has designed His people to want to grow in all areas of life. God will show you where you need to grow-if you ask Him to reveal Himself through His Word and the counsel of godly friends.
- Realize encouragement is KEY! Begin now to “speak” the language of encouragement in your marriage. Come in deep humility and ask God to help you train your tongue now to speak words of life and not death to your spouse. Practice being kind-it’s just not natural. Start now: are there 3 things your spouse has done this week that you appreciated? Tell him or her verbally , in a note, or even in a text. Get ready! THIS will change your marriage relationship!