Tired of reading how great you are!

JJesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NLT)

I love social media. It is a great way to communicate with friends, daughters, grandkids, and coworkers. I get a great deal of my news from social media and I love the inspiration people post. The one thing I've learned from social media that surprises me is not the vulgarness of some people, it's not the adult humor, or the senseless posts. My biggest shock is how social media exposes how conceded some people are. 

If your like me you get sick and tired of posts where people boast how great they are, how great they are as a mom, teacher, wife, or Christian. It seems so many people tout how hard they work, how great their impact is on students, or the value of their volunteerism. Don't people have any humility? Is humbleness even valued in our society? Do they need this format to feel self worth?

This verse may seem like boasting by Jesus, it certainly is not. It is not a statement of bragging, it's a statement of who he really is. After this statement of fact there is no doubt who Jesus is. It's like giving someone a calling card. When you make a calling card it's purpose is to tell others exactly who you are. Jesus wanted to leave no question so he told them. Yet, if anyone had the right to brag it would be the son of God, right? Yet, even Jesus was humble and did not exploit others for his purposes.

Dear Lord, please teach those around me to be humble. I'm not perfect and you are VERY AWARE OF THAT. I know my weakness and so do you. You know my sins and the battles I face every day. Please Lord draw me nearer to you heart. Give me an attitude of HUMILITY, service, grace, and love as I await your guidance. I praise you and thank you for loving us so much you gave your son for us!

Devotion!

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10 NIV)

How devoted are we to each other? Commitment used to be such a "final" concept. Marriage was the ultimate love commitment, "until death do the part". But with the crumbling of the family we have also seen the weakening of commitment throughout our lives. Employers are not nearly as dedicated to their workers as in the past. In our leisure we see people abandon teams to cheer for the "hottest" team of the moment. We certainly don't honor others more than ourselves. I've written before about our me society. I am amazed how many social media posts are so self serving, arrogant, and dangerously proud. 

We need to humble our selves before the Lord. We need to see ourselves as sinners only saved through grace. One of the best ways to do that is exalt him. Yes, start by praising God for his power, mercy, and grace. If we focus on him, we can't focus on ourselves. Another option is to focus on others. Prayers should not be a Christmas list of wants. Prayer should be focused on the needy and the lost. When I can drop down on my knees in humility with complete concentration on the needs of others, I can no longer be devoted only to me. 

Lord, thank you for helping me realize the value of humility. I praise you for my wonderful life. I praise you that even though I forget and drift back to "ME" you remind me of my sin and helplessness. Thank you Lord, I can not live this life without you directing my purpose.

Boastful people drive me crazy!

I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. (2 Corinthians 12:5 NIV)

What a great verse! I hear so many people brag about themselves. In education, part of our evaluation process is bragging about what you do. It's not a place to be humble. I always feel uncomfortable sitting in front of my evaluator talking about how great I am. I guess in that situation you have to do dome bragging. Yet, I know teachers appear to enjoy bragging. They view themselves as the greatest thing since teaching began. I see there posts on social media saying what great and cool things they are doing with their students. In fact they are good teachers. Yet, why do they feel it's necessary to boast like that. What ever happened to a humble spirit? Even a statement like "I should get teacher of the year...." in jest, is not what I consider humble. Politicians do the same thing. They can never admit their faults and do everything to share their "wonderfullness". Social media provides a tool that many use to build themselves up and to tear others down, If you have to tell someone of your greatness, you're probably not that great! I am confident that we are all sinners and fall WAY short of the glory of God!

Boasting about someone else is another matter. It is good to build others up with words. We need to be careful that it is deserved and not hollow praise. It's the same things with your kids. Give praise, "where it's deserved", to your kids. Praise Godly behavior, praise serving others, praise sacrficial giving, and praise hard work are all great with our kids, and others as well. My best advice, boast on others, keep praise for yourself inside your heart.

Dear Lord, help me have a humble spirit. I will boast on you and on other a Godly people. I will keep my self pride in check because I realize, I'm not that great. I am a sinner, I have rejected you on many occasions. I am embarassed to say how truly weak I am. Yet, I love you more and more each day. You are awesome Lord and I praise you for your wondeful grace and patience with me.

It's not about me!

And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:12 NKJV)

It's not about me!

I am in several leadership positions in my life. I'm not trying to brag, it's fact. It could be easy to get a "Big Head". 

It's not about me!

I am a leader as a teacher. If I lose sight of the needs and wants of the students, I'm a failure as a teacher. Students shouldn't have to adapt to me and my teaching style, I should have to adapt to them. If a student fails, I have to take responsibility. 

It's not about me!

In ministry, like CMA, I'm a leader. It would be easy to think of ourselves as being righteous. We are going out to share Jesus with people who don't know him. We are great, right? The Bible clearly states we're not. We are ALL sinners. None of us are righteous. If we can get to the point where we come to grips with our sin and humble ourselves before The Lord, then we can truly serve others. 

It's not about me!

I'm a leader in my family. When it comes to making decisions, I can't do it from selfishness. I need to be a team player with my family. I have to be able to share my thoughts and rally hear the thoughts of others. I need to make sure I help the family and sacrifice, when I need to, for the good of the family.

It's not about me!

I am a selfish person at heart and I need to make sure I keep my own selfishness in check! I am not that great and I have weaknesses I would like to say don't exist. These four words can help me keep from exalting myself. "It's not about me!" Lord help me humble myself before you, listen to your direction in my life and always remember these four words!

It's not about me!

I'm not that great!

2 Corinthians 10

 ¹² We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. ¹³ We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you. 

It is so easy to compare ourselves to others. I have two YOUNGER brothers who are over 6' tall. I envied them and their stature compared to my shortness. I would have given anything to be taller. I also envy people who have the gift of prayer. They always seem to have the words to say. I've heard people envy people in education. They think it would be great to have the summers off. If they only knew!

I think we all know someone who thinks they are the greatest thing since "Sliced Bread". They don't ever look at anyone else in envy. They're too busy posing for the mirror! I am the first to tell you, I'm not that great. Lord knows, (and Stephanie has seen it first hand!) I'm not what I want to be. I am on a mission to be what God wants me to be. I'm not there, but I just want to take more steps forward than I do steps backward.

Humility is important for Christians. We, of all people, should know we're not that great. We are sinners, ALL of us. We should also be the first to acknowledge, any gifts we have come straight from the one who created the universe. Without God, without the saving grace of Jesus Christ, we are nothing. If we can boast anything, we should boast about the number of people we have led to Jesus Christ. Can any of us boast in that area?

Oh Lord it's hard to be humble!

Psalm 149 

⁴ For the LORD takes delight in his people;
   he crowns the humble with victory. 

It's not popular to be humble. Our society values people who are arrogant and confident. It doesn't matter if they really know what their talking about. As long as they act like they do, people  believe them. 

In reality, the humble are the most confident people we could ever meet. They don't have to throw their power around. They don't have to have all the answers. They don't have to be right all the time and they aren't afraid to ask others opinions. What the world needs now is Humility and Humble people. I think God must know how rare it it to be humble. That's why he rewards those humble people with victory. Wouldn't it be great to have leaders who are humble. Can you think of an industry, church, school, or community that wouldn't benefit from a Humble Leader?

As the song says, "Oh Lord It`s Hard To Be Humble Lyrics

Oh Lord it's hard to be humble
when you're perfect in every way.
I can't wait to look in the mirror
cause I get better loking each day.
To know me is to love me
I must be a hell of a man.
Oh Lord it's hard to be humble
but I'm doing the best that I can.

Wow, It's hard to believe someone could write that, even for fun. We all need to be more humble. We need to serve others and do it from the humility of our savior. Oh, Lord help me be humble because I'm not perfect in anyway. 

Look... Up in sky...It's a Bird...It's a plane.. No....It's Superman!

Psalm 45 (New International Version, ©2011)

 ¹ My heart is stirred by a noble theme
   as I recite my verses for the king;
   my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
 ² You are the most excellent of men
   and your lips have been anointed with grace,
   since God has blessed you forever.
 ³ Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one;
   clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.
⁴ In your majesty ride forth victoriously
   in the cause of truth, humility and justice;
   let your right hand achieve awesome deeds. 
⁵ Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies;
   let the nations fall beneath your feet.
⁶ Your throne, O God,^[c] will last for ever and ever;
   a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. 

I'm sure some of you remember the 1950's version of Superman. I loved that show. These verses from Psalm 45 give me the same feeling I got at the beginning of that show. Here is the opening:




Actually, these verses are about Jesus. Jesus is our Super Hero. He is faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound! Why don't I treat him more like the Super Hero he is? Many of us have more reverence for this fictional super hero than the Creator of the universe or his Son that was sent to save us from ourselves and the evil around us. We also hold in reverence other "Famous people" of this world and completely ignore our Savior. How can you be more famous than the Son of God. Who can match the honor and Grace of our Lord and Savior!

Lord, you are awesome. I have seen so many times where you have rescued me from evil. I am an example of the grace that comes straight from your lips. I have been protected by you piercing arrows. You ARE Truth, Humility, and Justice in this world. Please forgive me for not honoring you like I should. You are worthy of all our praise. You are worthy of all our worship. We Praise You Lord! Amen!

The Rich and Famous!

Luke 1:52-54 (New International Version, ©2010)

⁵² He has brought down rulers from their thrones
   but has lifted up the humble. ⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things
   but has sent the rich away empty. ⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,
   remembering to be merciful


Power corrupts.  I think we have seen a lot of that in this country lately. We have seen greedy CEO's and Banks create major disruptions in this country. We have seen powerful politicians abuse power, make poor decisions in their social and political lives, then ultimately loose their influence. It is a common theme throughout history all over the world. Many of these men and women don't make any connection with their loss of power and God. But, God has a way of dealing with rulers and powerful people. Sometimes I wish he were more open about bringing these people down off their thrones, but the result is the same.
God has his hand in world events. He takes care of the weak and humble. He holds the rich and arrogant responsible for their actions. I know that their are good CEO's out there. I know that not all bankers, lawyers or politicians are evil. Some of them are very humble people, but we sure do see a lot that are not.   We see many that start out as humble servants and end up consumed with power and selfishness.

The Christmas story is about lifting up the humble. Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zechariah, they are all humble servants of the lord. They have lived lives that were just focused on God and living life. They had no power except the power given them by the creator of the universe. The Christmas story is also about the rich and powerful being brought low. There's no better example than God's choice of who to deliver and raise the Son of God. The most important task of raising the Christ Child wasn't given to the rich and famous, it was trusted with a lowly carpenter and his wife. He wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he probably used a wooden spoon.

We should all take heart in this. I will never be rich and powerful, but God loves me and loves me just as much or more than those people. He wants nothing but the best for all of us. But, he knows the corruption behind money and power. He can't stand being second place. He deserves to be first!

Dear Lord, Thank You for caring for all of us. Thank you for giving the lowly and the humble a love which never ends. We are truly humbled by your love for us. We don't deserve it but accept it with gratitude. Please lord help us to always remain your servants, to love you regardless of our position in life!