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Good morning. This week's video Low Life Part-1 , is the first video of a two part series. Part-1 is on the topic of humbling yourself. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous week in Christ Jesus our Lord. Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (KJV)
Thayer’s definition for ‘careful’: 3309 merimnao- 1) to be anxious, to be troubled with cares 2) to care for, to look out for (a thing) a) to seek to promote one's interests b) caring or providing for Why should we not be careful? Which by the way, many people tell others to take care thus endorsing the behavior of doing just that. Yes we should take care, take it to the throne of God and leave it there; then let His peace rule in your situation and not what the outward is trying to dictate or distort. This peace of God goes beyond our own understanding, similar to when our Lord was actually sleeping in the bow of a boat while a storm was brewing all around Him. Rather than panic and abandon ship as many do, He calmly spoke the word of God and the winds stilled, and on He went to His destination. Wouldn’t that be a neat way to live? Well practice makes perfect, so learning to be faithful in small things will allow you to grow and be faithful in bigger areas of your walk. 1 Peter 5:5-7 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (6) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (7) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (KJV) You know we hear about humility, being humble before our Lord, which as we see in the above verses is a good thing and one our Lord blesses. What is true humility? Well simply put it is casting all your care upon the Lord and then actually leaving it with Him, trusting in the Lord with all your heart and not leaning back to your own understanding. After all isn’t that the reason you sought the Lord in the first place, because you were looking for something better in your life, something complete that would supply all your need? What you found out was that the need was spiritual, something totally opposite to what you have been taught all your life, a life in the past that could only seek temporal things that only provided part of your answer but could never bring peace. God resists the proud because they are resisting Him thinking they know better. Anytime we cast something before our Lord only to take it back and try to fix things on our own we enter the realm of the proud, the haughty; you know, that pride that comes just before the fall? Sometimes the enemy gets people weighed down with cares and concerns, and then instead of being still and waiting upon the Lord they end up taking things to extremes thinking they can work themselves out of a situation, chasing a blessing or what they think is one and not letting the blessing overtake them. The reason many people miss out on a blessing and an answer to their prayers is because instead of being still they are off and running, like in football running out of bounds and not moving forward. Luke 10:38-42 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. (39) And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. (40) But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. (41) And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: (42) But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (KJV) Which category are you under today? Are you one cumbered, which means to be distracted or overly occupied with, or are you one that seeks first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and then all that is needed is provided? Did you make it a priority to hear the word of God and make Him welcome into your house, which you just happen to be the temple our Lord dwells in, or were you trying to impress Him with your works? Mary chose that one thing that would not be taken from her, that being the peace of God; while we see Martha running herself ragged and not at peace. Are you chasing blessings thinking you will impress God with your works, or have you found that just weight and balance of hearing the Lord first and foremost for yourself then following the path He has set for you? Some people are just lazy and sit around waiting for others to do things for them, while others are high strung and ready to snap because the enemy has them running in circles. I have seen people involved in so called church organizations who are so caught up with projects they think will be beneficial to the congregation, when in reality the simple truth is for them to hear the word of the Lord and then present the truth that will set them free from any bondage the enemy is trying to keep them in. When one humbles themselves before the Lord then they are exalted and lifted up to His standards and able to get the results He intended, instead of running to and fro being blown around with every wind of doctrine. Some people get themselves in financial trouble and then think they can work their way out of it, sometimes racking up many hours of overtime that takes away from their time with the Lord. It is of utmost importance to find the just weight and balance the Lord is asking so that you are not too cumbered with the things of this life and missing out on the things of the eternal realm. Psalms 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. (KJV) You have access to the throne of God today so that you can boldly enter into His realm and sit with our Lord at His feet, hearing the message He has for you this day. It is our Lord’s good pleasure to give us of His kingdom, a plan of salvation that is based on grace and not on our works so that none are able to boast. Have you truly cast your burden upon the Lord so that you can stay seated with Him in heavenly places, or have you taken it back and are running around this fallen realm thinking you can handle it? Give it to the Lord and leave it there so that you don’t have to be careful; how about peaceful instead? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. (8) For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. (9) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (10) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (KJV)
It is beneficial to the Church when one can accurately share their experiences with the Lord for the benefit of the body and not just a testimony to make themselves look special. A true man of God will point the people to the Lord and His work, and not toward mankind and what they claim they are doing for God. Paul was able to accurately describe his own personal experiences and insights with the people because it was done in humility and love, and not to build up his own following. Some think just because they have had a personal experience with the Lord that they are something special, and what was based on grace is now of works, or so they think. Some people hear the Lord through other people that God chose to speak through and thus base their salvation on the person, or denomination they belong to, rather than realizing it is God that was personally reaching out to them. And then we have those that think just because they spoke a word that brought life to someone, or even led to their conversion, it was their doing; thus causing them to think that in order to hear the Lord they have to listen to them. It’s the grace of God that allowed you to have access to His kingdom in the first place; and only His grace that will keep you there. So the more you realize this, the better relationship you will establish with the Father. Galatians 1:13-16 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: (14) And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. (15) But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, (16) To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: (KJV) Paul realized for himself that when he tried to establish a relationship with the Father based on his own works and zeal, what he thought was profitable, was actually a hindrance to the Lord’s plan of salvation. Once he realized that his calling was of grace and not of works then he was able to allow the Lord to make the changes necessary in order to walk with Him. Is your walk today based in Spirit and in truth or are you still holding to traditions that actually draw one away from the Lord rather than closer? Is it God’s plan of salvation still, or have you come up with an alternate plan or route that you think will draw you closer? Acts 9:3-6 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: (4) And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? (5) And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. (6) And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. (KJV) Acts 9:5 [It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.]. This is a proverbial expression, which exists, not only in substance, but even in so many words, both in the Greek and Latin writers. Kentron (grk 2759), signifies an ox goad, a piece of pointed iron stuck in the end of a stick, with which the ox is urged on when drawing the plow. The origin of the proverb seems to have been this: sometimes it happens that a restive or stubborn ox kicks back against the goad, and thus wounds himself more deeply: hence, it has become a proverb to signify the fruitlessness and absurdity of rebelling against lawful authority, and the getting into greater difficulties by endeavouring to avoid trifling sufferings. (from Adam Clarke Commentary) Maybe that thorn in your flesh, the thing or area in your own walk that keeps you from drawing closer to the Lord, is just your own stubbornness and ideas; things you think will be pleasing to God. You know, if you left the ox on their own they wouldn’t plow a very straight path but rather end up doing more harm than good, thus why they need someone to keep them in line. You may not always like the path the Lord is leading you on, but rather than fuss and rebel it is simple obedience that is pleasing in His sight. Sometimes one becomes unequally yoked with unbelievers and the world’s way of thinking, and rather than working in the field they end up off course and confused. Is it the grace of God through faith that is guiding you, or are you zealous and set in your own ways on how things should be done and end up kicking against the goad yourself; the more frustrated you become the harder you kick? I know for myself when I truly look honestly at some of the things I have done or ways I thought would be pleasing to the Lord, I cringe at how foolish my thinking was at the time and yet humbled that I am still a part of His inheritance despite myself. Actually sometimes when I have thought back on some things I am actually embarrassed to think that my right standing with God had anything to do with my own strength or abilities, which can at times prick the heart and be a healthy reminder of our own weaknesses. So I can understand that when Paul looked back on some of the things he did, and then was willing to share those experiences, it could have easily been described as a thorn in the flesh and yet a reminder of how weak one is when left to their own devices. Not that we spend our time in the past, but sometimes it can be a healthy reminder, or like the Lord described humility, coming to Him as a child. Titus 3:1-7 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, (2) To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. (3) For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. (4) But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, (5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (6) Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; (7) That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (KJV) Today can be described as a bit of a reminder of where we came from and how we got to this point in our walk. It is good to keep in mind what your source of strength truly is, and that your salvation has never been nor ever will be based on your works, but according to a plan that was developed for you by a loving merciful God of grace that allowed us to be partakers of His divine nature by the perfect sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ our savior. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. (KJV)
Did you know that one of the biggest stumbling blocks you can put in someone’s path is our own judgments toward them, or even yourself? When were you appointed to God’s Supreme Court? And when did God ask you to decide what is best for the brethren? The fact that God created man, and has been dealing with mankind long before we ever showed up on this planet, would it not be fair to say that He is more than capable of handling the situation? Luke 12:6-7 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? (7) But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. (KJV) You don’t even know how many hairs are on your head right now, and yet you know how to judge other people. If God has knowledge of the outward, do you not think it is fitting that He also can handle the inward, and knows what we have need of before we ask? Don’t you have enough to handle in your own walk without taking on someone else’s? John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. (KJV) Many make decisions and decide what is of God based on the outward appearance, and not what the inward man is dictating to them. Satan transforms himself and appears to be a minister of righteousness and leads many astray because they choose to walk by sight and not by faith; while promising liberty they themselves are actually servants of corruption, whose end will be according to their works. Lots of marriages are based on the outward as well. There is a big difference between what God joins together and what man chooses as his/her perfect mate. Ever read or hear the verse ‘the last shall be first and the first last’? The last person you thought about marrying may end up to be the first one God had for you, and the first person you thought was best for you may be the last one God had in mind for you. This holds true as well with many other situations you may encounter; what employment you may be seeking, which fellowship God may be leading you to, and most importantly where your place is in the body of Christ and what your calling may be. Many judge themselves and put themselves in places God has not asked them to be because it was appealing to the outward rather than the inward. Some choose to be in a place of leadership in a church, when in reality they can’t even manage their own home, but think they should be telling others how to manage theirs. Luke 14:8-11 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; (9) And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. (10) But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. (11) For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (KJV) How about some humility people? How many times have we thought ourselves to be something, when in reality we are nothing? In other words, how many times have we exalted ourselves in positions God hasn’t put us in, and then wonder why we fall on our face? How many times have we put our own judgments on other people and tried to lower them to some other standard, only to find out that God had put them there for a reason and knew exactly what He was doing. If you don’t learn to be faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in larger ones either. 1 Corinthians 12:18-20 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. (19) And if they were all one member, where were the body? (20) But now are they many members, yet but one body. (KJV) God has set His table, and put things and people in the order that is pleasing to Him. So what gives you the right to question His judgment, or the people He saw fit to place there? If you don’t have peace in your life, maybe you need to ask yourself if you are in the place God has asked you to be, or are you playing musical chairs and dancing to the beat of a different drummer. James 2:1-4 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. (2) For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; (3) And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: (4) Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? (KJV) Man judges success and blessings based on the outward appearance, and ends up overlooking and downplaying some of the most vital and important members of the body. So instead of utilizing them and putting them at the head of the table, they end up sticking them at the lower end and ignoring them. 1 Corinthians 12:21-23 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. (22) Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: (23) And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. (KJV) Again we see how backwards things get when we decide to take judgments into our own hands and not rely on who and what the Lord knows is best for His body. Try going a day with one hand tied behind your back, or blindfold yourself and see how far you would get in a day. The blind leading the blind; they have covered their eyes and rather than having those overseeing the congregation that God has chosen, they have put people in this position that are willing to look the other way rather than look out for the welfare of the body. Ever hear the term being put in your place? I pray it is a good place you end up in, but only if you let the Lord do the placing and leave the judging department to Him as well. He has done just fine and doesn’t need our input. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Galatians 3:1-3 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (KJV)
It’s really quite obvious to see those that are really running the race that is leading them to the destination the Lord intended for them because they are doing it by faith, and not works. Those that have been blown off course with every wind of man’s doctrines are those that begin the heavenly race with good intentions, but end up getting derailed by religion. I see many who claim to be called of God actually naming their organizations after themselves and not the Lord, which in reality tells you who they are getting their instructions from. Those that put themselves or others up on pedestals will find how quickly the Lord will kick the chair out from under them when it comes time for their reality check. Philippians 2:3-5 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (KJV) Those that have aspirations of serving the Lord should know what they are really getting into before asking for something they may not be ready to finish. Putting self before others and trying to make a name for yourself or any other nonsense of the flesh is something you will need to leave at the door before the Lord will use you. When running this race are you really willing to put others before yourself? Philippians 2:6-9 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: (KJV) The Lord did not come to make a reputation for Himself. If He were here today you wouldn’t see Him standing in front of the cameras in some three piece suit getting a standing ovation. Walking in the Spirit involves a way that totally contradicts the way of the flesh, and those that are willing to take the lowest place here on earth will find themselves exalted to the highest one in heaven. The flip side is those that settle for their reward here on earth, which is what the people pleasers do, will find themselves put in their place; that being the lowest one in the pits of hell. Those that put their own names on a ministry have actually exalted their name above the highest one, that being Jesus Christ, and if you recall the devil made that same feeble attempt; look where he ended up. Luke 14:10-11 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shall thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. 11 For whosoever exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted. (KJV) Somehow man has gotten things backward which is why many are running the wrong way, following the blind into a ditch. Dearly loved, be not wise in your own eyes, but in the will of the Lord. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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