HUMILITY – Boldly For Him

February 2, 2023February 2, 2023

The High Road of Humility

Often, the road less traveled is “The High Road of Humility.”

Intoxicated with pride, he circles “The Holy Mountain of God.” Every move he makes sends brilliant light shafts reflecting off the jewels adorning his body. Subtle glee escapes the lips of his heart as he whispers within himself, “Surely I can be greater than The Creator!”

Ezekiel 28:13-15 (AMPC);

“You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, the carnelian, topaz, jasper, chrysolite, beryl, onyx, sapphire, carbuncle, and emerald; your settings and your sockets and engravings were wrought in gold. On the day that you were created they were prepared.” “You were the anointed cherub that covers with overshadowing [wings], and I set you so. you were upon the Holy Mountain of God; you walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire [like the paved work of gleaming sapphire stone upon which the God of Israel walked on Mount Sinai],” “You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created until iniquity and guilt were found in you.”

From blameless to boastful, the enemy’s fall from “The Mountain of God” is swift and eternal!

Isaiah 14:12-16 (AMPC);

“How you have fallen from Heaven, O light-bringer and daystar, son of the morning! How you have been cut down to the ground, you who weakened and laid low the nations [O blasphemous, satanic king of Babylon!].” “And you said in your heart, I will ascend to Heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit upon the mount of assembly in the uttermost north.” “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like The Most High.” “Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol (Hades), to the innermost recesses of the pit (the region of the dead).” “Those who see you will gaze at you and consider you, saying, is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms?”

An alarming lack of humility today can be traced back to the fall of the “son of the morning!” Like the enemy, being enamored with our talents, gifts, and abilities leads us to think that we can be “greater than The Creator!” Forsaking “The High Road of Humility” for “The Pit of Pride.”

THE PIT OF PRIDE

Our contempt for God and man grows in this ditch of self-deception and pride.

Proverbs 16:18 (AMPC);

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Mesmerized with pride, we are blindsided by haughtiness, causing us to “crash and burn” amid our earthly race! Staying on “The High Road of Humility” will keep us “Alive and Well” for The Glory of God!

Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

HAUGHTY = Blatantly and disdainfully proud: having or showing an attitude of superiority and contempt for people or things perceived to be inferior.

Proverbs 30:13 (TPT);

“There is a generation rising that is so filled with Pride they think they are superior and look down on others.”

Perceiving people to be inferior to us diminishes their value, causing us to disregard their presence in our lives. By becoming “Perpetrators of Pride,” spiritual and natural bullying becomes an unconscious way of life for us as we seek to enforce our significance over our Brothers and Sisters in The Lord.

A Perpetrator of Pride

The Apostle Paul was a violent “Perpetrator of Pride” before his dramatic encounter with The Lord on the road to Damascus. In the Book of Romans, “God graces Paul to speak a warning about pride.” A warning filled with wisdom that we need to hear and embrace NOW! Heeding this warning empowers us to grow in our relationship with God and others.

Romans 12:3 (TPT);

“God has given me grace to speak a warning about pride. I would ask each of you to be emptied of self-promotion and not create a false image of your importance. Instead, honestly assess your worth by using your God-given faith as the standard of measurement, and then you will see your true value with an appropriate self-esteem.”

My friend, self-promotion, and pride walk hand in hand. If our accomplishments and opinions become the standard by which we judge the lives of those around us, deception will imprison our hearts. By distancing Ourselves from The Voice of The Holy Spirit, pride feeds the propensity to become cold, cruel, and demanding! We don’t know it all! God has strategically placed us within The Body of Christ to accomplish HIS WILL. We need each other’s input in our lives! No man, woman, ministry, or business on this Earth has all the God-given answers necessary at this late hour in human history.

Romans 12:4-5 (TPT);

“In the human body there are many parts and organs, each with a unique function.” “And so it is in the Body of Christ. For though we are many, we’ve all been mingled into One Body in Christ. This means that we are all vitally joined to one another, with each contributing to the others.”

A “Spiritual Vitality” awakens in The Body of Christ when we stay joined to one another in the Love of God. This Supernatural “Life Flow” allows us to safely contribute our God-given gifts and talents within The Body of Christ. While synergistically receiving in return from the skills and talents of our Brothers and Sisters in The Lord.

Ephesians 4:16 (TPT);

“For His Body has been formed in His Image and is closely joined together and constantly connected As One. and every member has been given divine gifts to contribute to the growth of all; and as these gifts operate effectively throughout the whole body, we are built up and made perfect in love.”

My friend, we must remember that no one gift has a monopoly within The Body of Christ. Each of us is a Living Expression of God’s Will and Purpose “on Earth as it is in Heaven.” God created us to work in unity for His Glory.

It’s time for a systems check, my friend.

ARE WE TRAVELING ON “THE HIGH ROAD OF HUMILITY?”

ARE WE RECEIVING INPUT FROM GODLY MEN AND WOMEN IN OUR LIVES?

IF NOT, IT’S TIME TO ASK FOR DIRECTIONS.

So often, we refuse to “ask for directions” with the matters of our heart because we doubt God’s Will and Intent for our life. This lack of trust and humility keeps us isolated and vulnerable to enemy attacks, provoking us to take matters into our own hands.

Proverbs 18:1 (TPT);

“An unfriendly person isolates himself and seems to care only about his own issues. For his contempt of sound judgment makes him a recluse.”

For further clarity, let’s read Proverbs 18:1 (AMPC);

“He who willfully separates and estranges himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire and pretext to break out against all wise and sound judgement.”

Breaking fellowship with God and man is never a good idea, my friend. As the enemy broke fellowship with God through the pride of his heart, he set up a blueprint for “mass deception.” One easily reproduced as we shun “The High Road of Humility” for “The Low Road of Self Gratification.” Traveling on “The Low Road of Self-Gratification,” we encounter Billboards of Seduction, promising us lasting fulfillment as we exit onto service roads of death and destruction!

Pride is a tomb of insecurity built by fear. It will choke the very life out of our purpose if we give it a place in our hearts!

How do we avoid “The Low Road” of the “Self Life?”

There is an answer, my friend, found in 1st Peter 3:8 (TPT);

“Now, this is the goal; to live in harmony with one another and demonstrate affectionate love, sympathy, and kindness toward other believers. Let humility describe who you are as you dearly love one another.”

Does “Humility Describe Who We Are…..As We Dearly Love One Another?”

This critical question is, in reality, an evaluation of our hearts we must ask ourselves honestly. Why? Because it brings us face-to-face with The Living God! The One True God Who Humbled Himself for us so we can live!

Philippians 2:8 (TPT);

“He humbled Himself and became vulnerable, choosing to be revealed as a man and was obedient. He was a perfect example, even in His Death—a criminals death by crucifixion.”

Why would we think we are superior to another individual created in The Image of God if Jesus Christ does not believe that way?

Galatians 5:26 (TPT);

“So may we never be arrogant or look down on another, for each of us is an original. We must forsake all jealousy that diminishes the value of others.”

There is “VALUE” in “each of us,” my friend. Peter teaches us in 1st Peter 3:8 that “living in harmony with one another is a goal we should set our hearts on.” When we make it a habit of living this way, we develop an “affectionate love” for those around us. Obediently walking on “The High Road of Humility” as we choose to:

Be Strong and Live Free……Boldly For Him!

Photo: Johannes Hofmann

Psalm 133:1-3 (AMP);

“Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” “It is like the precious oil [of consecration] poured on the head, Coming down on the beard, Even the beard of Aaron, Coming down upon the edge of his [priestly] robes [consecrating the whole body].” “It is like the dew of [Mount] Hermon Coming down on the hills of Zion; For there The Lord has commanded The Blessing: life forevermore.”

March 24, 2022March 24, 2022

Kissed With Forgiveness

No matter how many times that we have been kissed, to be “Kissed with Forgiveness” is the Greatest Kiss that we will ever receive….or give!

Psalm 103:3 (TPT);

“You kissed my heart with forgiveness, in spite of all I’ve done. You’ve healed me inside and out from every disease.”

What kind of Love offers a “kiss of forgiveness?” What type of Love brings “healing inside and out from every disease?” It is The GOD kind of LOVE that the Psalmist King David intimately adores with his whole heart.

Psalm 103:1-2 (TPT);

“With my whole heart, with my whole life, and with my innermost being, I bow in wonder and love before You, The Holy God!” “Yahweh, You are my soul’s celebration. How could I ever forget the miracles of kindness you’ve done for me?”

David’s “Soul’s Celebration” is The One True God that longs to “Kiss His Creation with Forgiveness!” Gifting us with Eternal Life through God’s Son Jesus Christ! He Is The Savior Who restores us to intimate fellowship with The Father! We read about it in the following prophetic overture of David’s heart:

Psalm 103:4 (TPT);

“You’ve rescued me from hell and saved my life. You’ve crowned me with Love and mercy.”

The “Kiss of Forgiveness” rescues us from hell and “crowns us with love and mercy.” Why is this so important? So that we too can give “The Kiss of Forgiveness” with the same “love and mercy” that our Heavenly Father has extended to us!

HAVE YOU BEEN “KISSED WITH FORGIVENESS?”

John 3:16-17 (TPT);

“For this is how much God loved the world-He gave His One and Only, Unique Son as a Gift. So now everyone who believes in Him will never perish but experience everlasting life.” “God did not send His Son into the world to judge and condemn the world, but to be its Savior and rescue it!”

To be “Kissed with Forgiveness” is a Gift of God’s Divine Love that Brings Eternal Life and Healing to us, spirit, soul, and body! This “Free Gift of God’s Grace” (ref. Romans 3:24) prepares us to be bearers of “The Kiss of Peace” as we walk in God’s Redemptive Love.

THE KISS OF PEACE

“The Kiss of Peace” is a “Holy Kiss of Love” exchanged from one believer in Jesus Christ to another.

1st Peter 5:14 (TPT);

“Greet one another with a ‘Kiss of Peace’.”

2nd Corinthians !3:12 (MEV);

“Greet one another with a, Holy Kiss.”

When we exchange “The Kiss of Peace” with our brothers and sisters in Christ, that “Holy Kiss” extends The Love of God to them. Assuring them that their relationship with us is safe and secure, free from malice and strife. My friend, through our Salvation, we are “forgiven much,” therefore we have the power through Jesus Christ “to love much.” (Ref. Luke 7:47.) Enabling us to “Kiss with Forgiveness” those that betray us with “The Judas Kiss.”

THE JUDAS KISS

When the force of betrayal hits, it leaves behind the piercing sting of “The Judas Kiss.”

Matthew 26:48-49 (AMPC);

“Now the betrayer had given them a sign saying, The One I shall kiss is the Man; seize Him.” “And he came up to Jesus at once and said, Hail (greetings, good health to you, long life to you) Master! And he embraced Him and Kissed Him with pretended warmth and devotion.”

Judas betrayed Jesus Christ with a kiss and a lie. What has been the weapon of choice? A smile? A hug? A wave across the room? A gift, “just because”…..just because we want control over someone or something, not ours? My friend, if we choose to live contrary to God’s “Law of Love” (Ref. Galatians 5:14), we open ourselves up to be used as vessels of “The Judas Kiss.”

DO YOU HAVE RELATIONSHIPS THAT BEAR THE BIRTHMARK OF BETRAYAL?

Some friendships designed in the Portals of Heaven are severed, leaving behind “The Birthmark of Betrayal!”

Galatians 5:15 (NKJV);

“But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!”

We cannot simultaneously “bite and devour one another” and give “the kiss of forgiveness.” When we choose strife over forgiveness, we violate “God’s Law of Love.” Dangerously turning our hearts away from God, we distance ourselves from our brothers and sisters in Christ. By injecting the venom of “The Judas Kiss” into the vein of our relationships. Slander is “the poison of sedition,” blocking the Love of God from flowing freely through our lives. This is a serious affront to The Kingdom of Heaven because “God is Love.”

James 4:11 (TPT);

“Dear friends, as part of God’s family, never speak against another family member, for when you slander a brother or sister you violate God’s Law of Love. And your duty is not to make yourself a judge of the Law of Love by saying it doesn’t apply to you, but your duty is to obey it!”

Remember that we are not called to shun “The Love of God” by “judging The Law of Love.” Instead, as The Body of Christ, we are called to “Live in The Love of God.”

“LIVING IN LOVE”

1st John 4:16 (TPT);

“God is Love! Those who are living in Love are living in God, and God lives through them.”

Recognizing that we are a “part of God’s family” will keep us “living in love.” Obeying “The Law of Love” with every Faithful Word that we speak and every “Holy Kiss” that we give, as God Expresses Himself through us.

HOW DO WE OBEY “THE LAW OF LOVE?”…….WITH THE KISS OF HUMILITY!

Nothing moves the Heart of Father God more than the “The Kiss of Humility.” Because it is from the position of a heart, free from pride and arrogance that “The Kiss of Forgiveness” can be freely given and freely received!

Luke 7:37-38 (TPT);

“In the neighborhood there was an immoral woman of the streets, known to all to be a prostitute. When she heard about Jesus being in Simon’s house, she took an exquisite flask made from alabaster, filled it with the most expensive perfume, went right into the home of the Jewish religious leader, and knelt at the feet of Jesus in front of all the guests.” “Broken and weeping, she covered His Feet with the tears that fell from her face. She kept crying and drying His Feet with her long hair. Over and over she kissed Jesus’ Feet. Then she opened her flask and anointed His Feet with her costly perfume as an act of worship.”

“The Kiss of Humility” is an “act of worship.” It is costly and knows no shame. Being free from pride and arrogance, “The Kiss of Humility” is willing to risk it all for LOVE! The Heavenly Love, that only God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, can give us.

Who in your neighborhood, family, church, office, etc., needs “The Kiss of Forgiveness?”

Are you willing to open the door with “The Kiss of Humility?”

My friend, the prostitute in Simon’s house, teaches us a valuable lesson. She took her most cherished earthly possession and exchanged it for “The Pearl of Great Price.” (Ref. Matthew 13:45-46). The Kingdom of Heaven that can only be found at the feet of Jesus Christ! Unashamed and unafraid of her appearance before men, this despised woman of the streets bravely enters Simon’s home. With a repentant heart, she “bows at The Savior’s feet and gives, “The Kiss of Humility!” Not just once but over and over again! Her sacrificial offering of tears, kisses, and costly perfume are an “extravagant act of worship,” that troubles Simon’s, hard heart.

Luke 7:39 (TPT);

“When Simon saw what was happening, he thought, This man can’t be a true prophet. If He were really a prophet, He would know what kind of sinful woman is touching Him.”

It is incredibly uncomfortable to watch someone else’s heart be “Kissed with Forgiveness” while ours remains unchanged. Yet this is what Simon and his dinner guests do. They choose to despise the “Ways of Peace” (Ref. Luke 7:50), as they judge, “The Law of Love.”

“WAYS OF PEACE”

Luke 7:48-50 (TPT);

“Then Jesus said to the woman at His feet, “all your sins are forgiven.” “All the dinner guests said among themselves, “Who is The One Who can even forgive sins?” “Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith in Me has given you life. Now you may leave and walk in the ways of peace.”

Faith in “The Kiss of Forgiveness” gives us life and releases us to “walk in the ways of peace!”

Where is our faith? Are we sitting at Simon’s dinner table, Looking Down our nose in disdain at the open act of worship from a repentant heart? Or are we at the feet of Jesus Looking Up into, “The Face of The One Who Has Just Kissed Us With Forgiveness?”

It’s time to humble ourselves and walk in “The Ways of Peace,” my friend! “Healed inside and out from every disease!” (Ref. Psalm 103:3).

Be Strong and Live “Venom” Free…….” Kissed with Forgiveness” Boldly For Him!

Photo: Alex Shute