Humility

What is humility?  We have all heard and are taught to be humble.  We think of humility as weakness, but it is the opposite.  It is the opposite of pride and arrogance.  It is really just surrendering our will to God’s will.  We try to be humble, but none of us have reached true humility.  True humility is to see others more significant than ourselves.

The Bible speaks a lot on humility.  Zephaniah 2:3 tells us to seek righteousness and humility.  We are to recognize humility is intertwined with all the attributes of holiness.  You can’t be humble and not be righteous and you cannot be righteous and not be humble. 

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” – Phil. 2:3

We need to be humble for many reasons.  For one God opposes the proud.  “All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” – 1 Peter 5:5 

“to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.”-  Titus 3:2.

“The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.” – Prov. 15:33

“There, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” – Col. 3:12

Jesus is the perfect model of humility and we are to be like Him in all we do.  Philippians 2:5 and 8 tells us our attitudes should be the same as that of Christ and that He humbled Himself and became obedient even to death on a cross.  He didn’t want to be tortured and die, but He put the will of God before Himself.

It is hard to be humble all the time.  “the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit” – Gal. 5:17.  We as humans have a sin nature and want to ignore God’s commands and not deny self.  We don’t want to work at being humble, because it takes effort.  It is also hard, because the enemy, Satan controls the world and hates God’s work.  He tries to control us.  His chief characteristic is pride.  He comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). 

Do you consider yourself humble?

Do you model the life of Jesus?

How is your life full of humility and patience?

Would others say you are proud or humble?

Here are a few ways and suggestions that I hope will help you be more humble: 

Listen more and talk less

Count to 3 before adding to a conversation to ensure the other person is done

Show interest in other’s conversation even if you don’t get to talk about your idea

Always give credit when it’s other person’s idea

Ask others for their opinion

Ask others to join in the conversation

You don’t have to be right all the time

Admit when you are wrong

Admit when you don’t understand or know something

Appreciate others

Be quick to apologize

Use moral principles to guide you

Remember you are God’s creation, not your own

Recognize your talents as gifts from God, not your own ability

Know how your skills have been developed by the help of others

Pass on what you have learned

Give thanks when others help you

Value other people’s time

Don’t boast about your achievements

Help other people with their goals

Realize the potential in others

Know that timing is everything and everyone excels at different times in life

Being the 1st follower is often the best way to lead

You don’t have to be right all the time

Recognize that you have faults

Remember you are a sinner and you are no better or worse than anyone else

Ignore first impressions of people

Give others the benefit of the doubt

Provide positive and encouraging feedback instead of criticism

Make a choice to act more humbly and practice it at least once each day

Be grateful for successes without boasting 

Know how to accept praise with a simple thank you

Share your core values and live them regardless of the circumstances

Prioritize things in your life

Be less significant

Forgive those who wronged you and move on without revenge or lashing back

Serve others first putting self last

Seek wisdom

Recognize there is always more to learn

Avoid explosive reactions and aggression

Accept new ideas and change

Ask God to help you be more humble

Learn from and model the life of Jesus 

In summary – humility is submitting ourselves to God’s will and obeying Him.  It is the attitude of the heart.  We learn humility by studying God’ Word and the actions of Jesus.  We are to love others and put them before ourselves.  We are to be very careful and not allow pride and self-centeredness take over us.  It is hard to be humble, but we are to make it our goal to please God. “… we make it our goal to please him…” – 2 Cor. 5:9. 

Ask yourself these questions - Would others say you are humble?  Would others say you are quick to forgive and difficult to offend?  Would they say you are patient and not easily frustrated?  Would they say you are a peacemaker?  Would they say you know when to be quiet and when to speak?  Would they say you like serving others?  Would they say you are thankful and live with a good attitude?  Would they say you treat everyone with respect?

I hope this has given you something to think about – and pray about.  Thanks for stopping by.  I hope to see you here next time.

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Encouraging Quotes

In the last year I have been involved in a faith-based ministry called Natalie’s Sisters.  My involvement is very minimal compared to what others in the ministry are doing.  This ministry partners with the police department and reaches out to women who work in the sex industry.  With police involvement security is provided as well as developing strong relationships with the women. 

Natalie’s Sisters extends hope, support, and God’s unconditional love.  They serve the women right where they are whether it’s in the night clubs or on the street.  They give the women support, build relationships, and trust.  The women are encouraged toward making positive lifestyle changes.  Then when the women are ready to change their lifestyle Natalie’s Sisters are there to help.

My involvement is making encouraging cards which go into bag lunches that are delivered to women on the street.  This is done several times during the week by other members of the group.  Cards are also given to women in night clubs for encouragement in times of difficulties and on special occasions.

My point is - as I make these cards I am continually searching for words of encouragement to put into the cards that will give the women hope and show God’s love for them.  A lot of times I use Scripture verses.  I also use encouraging quotes from others.  I thought I would share some encouraging words and quotes with my readers, because we all need encouragement as we go through life.

I hope these will lift your spirits and brighten your day.

God doesn’t love some future version of you, He loves you now.

God sends the storm to show that He is the Only Shelter.

Be as quick to kneel as you are to text.

Don’t pray for life to be easy, but pray for yourself to be strong.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” - 1 Peter 5:7

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases: his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentation 3:22-23

No matter how you started out, God can re-write your story and give you an ending you never thought possible.

When the world says, “give up”, hope whispers, “try it one more time.”

“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” - Albert Einstein

Feel like you need something to lift your spirits? Life is a struggle – whatever you’re struggling with, it helps to hear words of encouragement that remind us that we all take knocks in life, but the best things in life come through persistence.

“It is time for us all to stand and cheer for the doer, the achiever – the one who recognizes the challenges and does something about it.” – Vince Lombardi

“Press on – nothing can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Perseverance and determination alone are omnipotent.” – Calvin Coolidge

“Get going. Move forward. Aim High. Plan a takeoff. Don’t just sit on the runway and hope someone will come along and push the airplane. It simply won’t happen. Change your attitude and gain some altitude.  Believe me, you’ll love it up here.” – Donald Trump

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” – Helen Keller

”In essence, if we want to direct our lives, we must take control of our consistent actions.  It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently.” - Tony Robbins

“When written in Chinese the word “crisis” is composed of two characters – one represents danger and the other represents opportunity. “ – JFK

“God brings men into deep waters, not to drown them, but to cleanse them. “ – John Aughey

“Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do. “– Ben Spock

“If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you.  You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call ‘failure’ is not the falling down, but the staying down.” – Mary Pickford

“When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” – Franklin D Roosevelt

“You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality in the mind next to honor “– Aristotle

"When you get to your wits end, you will find, God lives there." - Unknown author

“I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.” – Mother Teresa

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” – Corrie Ten Boom

"Life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it." - Charles Swindoll

“Somehow I can’t believe that there are any heights that can’t be scaled by a man who knows the secrets of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four Cs.  They are curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy, and the greatest of all is confidence. When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable.” – Walt Disney

"Why should you continue going after your dreams?  Because seeing the look on the faces of the people who said you couldn't... will be priceless." Kevin Ngo

Life itself, it’s a challenge.  Courage and perseverance is the best defense.

The road to success is very challenging but only if you believe in yourself at the end you’ll make it.

The distance between you and your success is your attitude.

There is always a U turn at the End so don’t give Up.

Always be courageous in everything you are doing.  Don’t be discouraged. Never give up.  Never look at anything as a problem, if you want to be successful in life.  You are not born to fail.

“Everyone has inside them a piece of good news.  The god news is you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is.” – Anne Frank

I am very blessed to be able to use my hobby as a ministry.  If you want to view some of my cards, I have a craft blog where many of my cards are posted.  My website is  -  https://lindascardsandmore.blogspot.com

Next week I will be posting on “Ways to be Humble”.  Hope to see you here

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What will Heaven be like?

Since we have studied Revelation together, there has been discussion on Heaven.  So I thought I would explore it a bit more.

What is Heaven?

We see all kinds of images of heaven in movies and books.  They picture clouds, angels with wings and halos, harps playing, gold streets, and pearly gates with St. Peter standing guard.  We even picture ourselves in heaven with wings.  Some of man’s interpretation of Heaven is true, but for a true picture of what Heaven is like we need to look at God’s Word for the real truth.   

It is a physical place that God is preparing for His people, those who believe in Jesus as their Savior.  In John 14:2-3 Jesus tell us, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

It will be a place where believers will see Him face to face and all our questions will be answered.  All will be revealed to us.  “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” – 1 Cor. 14:12.

 It will be where God will live with believers for all eternity.  “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them.  They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” – Rev. 21:3

Rev. 21:4 tells us it will be a place of joy and peace and without suffering.  “He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – Rev. 21:4 

Yes, music is played and there will be singing and lots of praising and worshiping of God.  See Revelation 4 - 5.  No, we will not have wings.  Nowhere in the Bible does it say we will have wings.  Jesus rose from the grave and He didn’t have wings.  Only angels have wings.

Where is Heaven?

In Rev. 21 John saw a vision of a New Heaven and a New Earth.  The old heaven and old earth had gone and now there were new ones.  In Romans 8 Paul tell us that creation groans to be free from the bondage of decay and evil and eagerly awaits liberation from God.  John saw the New Jerusalem or the Holy City coming down from heaven from God.  This New Jerusalem is Heaven.  This will happen after the final White Throne Judgment where God will judge all unbelievers.  In this New Heaven, God will live with His people forever.  It will be perfect as God intended for it to be in the Garden of Eden.  The Lord is the source and Creator of all life, the only Redeemer, and the source of our hope of re-creation.

This Holy City of Jerusalem will be the center of the New Earth.  It will be a place where God’s people will dwell with Him.  We will receive our inheritance and reign with Him in His kingdom.  “… Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” – Matt. 25:34.

What will Heaven be like?

It will be like the original Garden of Eden.  The sky, stars, rivers and oceans, plants, trees, fruit and vegetables, and animals all were created for God’s pleasure.  It was a place of perfect harmony with beauty and purity.  The New Heaven will be like that again.  There will be no sin and now worries. People will live united and in perfect harmony.  There will be no locked doors, no passwords or nothing to disrupt our lives.  We will worship God passionately and unashamedly.  Everything and everyone will be holy as God is holy.  We will constantly give Him glory and praise.  It will be our perfect home as God intended.

In John’s vision he described that it as having brilliance like precious jewels, clear as crystal.  It had a high wall with 12 gates with 12 angels at the gates.  On the gates were written the names of the 12 tribes of Israel.  Three gates were on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west.  The city wall had 12 foundations with the names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb.  The city was laid out in a square, as long as it was wide.  It measured 12,000 stadia in length, wide, and high.  Its wall was 144 cubits thick and made of jasper.  The city was made of pure gold as pure as glass.  The foundations of the walls were decorated with all kinds of precious stones – jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx, carnelian, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase, jacinth, and amethyst.  The 12 gates were pearls.  The streets were pure gold like transparent glass.  (Rev. 21:9-21)

John didn’t see a temple, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.  It didn’t need the sun or the moon for the glory of God gives it light and the Lamb is its lamp.  It’s never nighttime.  The Lord’s glory will illuminated the city.  This city is full of the glory of God.  At no time will be gates be closed, because there will be no enemy to enter.  Nothing impure will ever enter it, only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Rev. 21:22-27)

John saw the river of life.  It was as clear as crystal that flowed from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the street.  On each side was the tree of life which bearing 12 crops of fruit yielding fruit every month.  The leaves are for the healing of the nations.  No longer be any curse.  The throne of God and the Lamb will be in the holy city and servants to serve Him.  They will be able to see His face.  His name will be written on their foreheads.  (Rev. 22:1-4)

There will be no sea, sun, or moon.  There will be no more death, suffering or pain.  There will probably be no gravity, since we see it described as a cube.  I think there will be eating in heaven, since we read about the wedding feast of the Lamb.  I also think all the things we love will be there – like our pets, our hobbies, anything that brings us joy.

What will we be like and will we recognize our loved ones in Heaven?

Our current bodies are perishable, weak and natural.  But in heaven we will have new bodies.  They will be perfect imperishable bodies that will be glorified, powerful, and spiritual.   “So will it be with the resurrection, of the dead.  The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.” – 1 Cor. 15:42-44.  “For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” – 1 Cor. 15:52.  I think we will still recognize people.  After Jesus’ resurrection he appeared to many people who recognized Him.

In heaven will be no racial differences.  There will be no marriage or sexual differences, because reproduction is unnecessary.  “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures, or the power of God.  For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” – Matt. 22:29-30.

In heaven not only will we receive a new body, but we will receive a new name and will be incapable of committing sin.  We will be able to enjoy each other without fear of being hurt.  It will be great to be physically and morally perfect and have perfect fellowship with others.

What will we do in Heaven?

First we will help judge the world, even the angels. “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?  And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?  Do you not know that we will judge angels?...” – 1 Cor. 6:2-3.

Then we will reign with God in heaven and will serve Him.  “You have made them to be a kingdom of priest to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” – Rev. 5:10.

Heaven will be a big celebration.  Revelation 4 - 5 tell us of all the rejoicing and worshiping that will be going on.  We cannot imagine exactly what it will be like.  “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” – 1 Cor. 2:9. 

The Bible doesn’t answer all our questions about Heaven, but since it will be a place of pure happiness and joy I am sure in Heaven we will have everything we enjoy from our hobbies to sports to pets and much more.  It will not be boring.  We will have work to do, but it won’t be burdensome.  It will be enjoyable and rewarding.  We will serve Him and have access to Him at all times.  We will even have access to the stars and the galaxies.  Can you imagine?

Do you want to live in Heaven?

We cannot enter heaven and the presence of the Holy God by our own efforts, but God has provided a way for us.  Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” – John 3:3.  He went on to explain that it is not a physical rebirth, but a spiritual birth.  We are born once and will die physically.  Those who are born twice (both physically and spiritually) will die physically, but will be live spiritually forever.  “For God so loved the world, that he have His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” – John 3:16.

If you want to go to Heaven, you must believe in the gospel – That God send His only Son, Jesus to earth in human form, that He died on the cross for your sins, that He was raised to life after 3 days, and that He now sits on the right hand of God. 

You must:

Admit you are a sinner – Rom. 3:23, 6:23

Confess Jesus is Lord – Rom. 10:9-10

Repent of your sins – Luke 13:5

Believe in Jesus – John 3:16; 14:6

Then be baptized in obedience as a testimony.  Then He wants us to walk with Him daily.  “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” – John 14:15.  Then to promote your spiritual growth – pray, read the Bible, and witness.  These things are not required to keep your salvation, but they will help you grow in your faith and experience more joy as you walk with Him.

We all have eternal life, but it’s your choice where you will spend it.  Heaven is not the default place.  Your certain future awaits you – Hell or Heaven.  God promises all those who trust and obey Him will live in Heaven with Him forever.  Where do you want to spend eternity?

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