Posts tagged ‘serve’

Vital Versus Vapid #3 – Humility

Jesus is The Model for our living. Sometimes we skip over some of the things that are in the Bible to hold us to true and faithful servanthood. Instead we hold to doctrines and teachings rooted in this life while ignoring the eternal lessons lived out by Jesus while here on earth.

Jesus lived holy humility. Jesus did not claim divine authority, or cosmic power, though both were a part of Christ’s persona. God Jesus submitted to God the Father in order to fulfill the divine mission of salvation, despite the trauma that lay ahead to fulfill that.

We humans complain about every inconvenience, ignoring what Jesus really did for us. Humility is a God-like attribute. It calls us to serve and sacrifice, as Jesus did.

Yet we humans, frail and mortal and truly finite, abuse messages like that “we can go confidently to the throne of God’s kindness” (Hebrews 4:16 God’s Word Translation©), using it as an invitation to confront God with authority and power in our arrogance instead of humble gratitude.

We claim what is due us, even when it is not due us!

We do not rejoice when God is glorified by our life, standing instead with satisfaction that we are gifted to do mighty things (so we think).

Humility is a forever attitude, which is too often replaced with power over, undeserved authority and claims for benefits here on earth.

Obvious?

If organized religion was faithful in serving Jesus they would not need public protest and media manipulation to replace their cultural irrelevance.

Note: [The evidence for faithfulness is love, and that is demonstrated by feeding the hungry, providing safe water for the thirsty, welcoming strangers, providing climate appropriate clothing to the naked, visiting those who are sick to provide for their needs and socializing with those in jail. (Matthew 25:35-36)]

Thursday Without the Maundy

With the CORVID-19 pandemic restrictions and isolation there was no Maundy Thursday worship service to attend. Read more…

5-fold Ministry 2

 

Decades ago I preached a Pentecost sermon and some charismatics were in attendance. When I showed the miracle on that occasion was not Peter speaking languages, but unbelievers hearing in their own language, these people interrupted me and condemned me. Read more…

5-fold Ministry

I was doing research for someone and came upon the teaching about the 5-fold ministry again. Something came together for me. Read more…

Another Model Gone

I just have seen that Elisabeth Elliot has concluded her earthly life and has begun her eternal one today. Read more…

Why Blog?

And so it comes down to this. Why do I blog? Read more…

Whose Case Is It 3?

God does not need you to defend the faith. God asks only that you exercise the faith given to you. Read more…

Whose Case Is It 2?

While I have always noted that our greatest gifts show up as our greatest weaknesses, I have only now recognized how I heard the lesson, but flunked the application. Read more…

Whose Case Is It?

Part of my call from God is to justice. Most of it is on a tiny scale, but on rare occasions it has had national exposure. I have been puzzled, though, that when it comes to justice for myself I have no success. Read more…