Be Clothed with Humility (7/10-13)

1 Peter 5:5 “… be clothed with humility …”

The word “clothed” [Greek egkomboomai] means to attach a piece of clothing to oneself. In the New Testament times slaves used to fasten a white piece of cloth or apron over their clothing so that others would know that they were slaves and working for their masters.

Peter has seen Jesus’ action of tying on his cloth over his clothing as a servant. Jesus took a towel and knelt down and washed the disciples’ feet (John 13:4-5). So Jesus demonstrated Himself as a servant and taught the disciples to do the same. Soon they would become servants of Jesus Christ.

This was how Peter understood this from Christ to “be clothed with humility.” So Peter encourages us as an example “to tie the cloth of humility on ourselves” so that we would be identified as believers in Christ when we act humbly toward others.

Our humility on our part should be able to identify (notice) as God’s people. Our lifestyle and our conversation should show that we are God’s children. How do we do that? Roman 12:10 tells us to “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.” NCV put it simple: “Love each other like brothers and sisters. Give each other more honor than you want for yourselves.”

What was the problem that sometimes among the Christians who don’t displayed (showed) their “being clothed with humility”? James 4:1 talked about “wars and fightings” among the Christians and how did it started? NCV gave a simple answer. “Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the selfish desires that war within you.” I say, “Ouch!”

This is the reason why we need to be “clothed with humility.” It is to prevent “wars and fightings” inside of us. The Holy Spirit is a gentle person just like a dove. Holy Spirit could help us to be “clothed with humility” as we surrender our lives to Him.

Once I was faced with this challenged problem that could not be solved so I quoted from memory verse on James 4:10, “Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.” I quoted James 4:10 several times until I could sense the peace from the Lord. This helped me to avoid the “arguments” with others. I presented the situation to the Lord and trust Him to handle it. I have seen the amazing results from the Lord’s work.

The only way to “be clothed with humility” is to let the beauty of Jesus” be seen in you.

Song: Let the Beauty of Jesus

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,

All His wonderful passion and purity;

Oh, Thou Spirit divine, All my nature refine

Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.

(Lyrics: Albert W T Orsborn)

 [Passion=love; purity=pure-clean]

[Nature=character sign N; refine=changed]

Grace to the Humble (7/8-9)

Verse for the Day by Dorothy Callies

                                                         

Proverbs 3:34b, NIV “But (the Lord) gives grace to the humble.”

KJV quote: “… but He giveth grace unto the lowly.” NLT quote: “... He shows favor to the humble.” The word, lowly means in a humble or meek ways; in a low position.  Humble means modest or meek in spirit; not proud or bold. Meek means putting up with wrongs patiently and without complaint.

Other reference I like to share: James 4:6 “… God resists the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” God resists the proud. It should make us realized upon our hearts and minds how much God hates pride. If we ever have pride or proud in spirit, it will cause God to turn from our prayers and withhold His presence and grace from us.

What is pride that would cause God to resist? Pride means too high an opinion of one’s own ability or worth; a feeling of being better than others; to think highly of oneself. This kind of pride shut out the help of God. It means God will not help those who thinks they are better than others.

Jesus gave an example of two men who pray. A Pharisee who was proud of himself.  He compare himself, his own opinion to be better than the lowly sinner. A man bow his head in prayer, asking God for His mercy upon him, a sinner. Which one would God show His mercy to? The lowly sinner who was humble before God. [Ref. Luke 18:9-14]

When we humbly submit ourselves to God and we draw near to Him, God gives us abundant or plenty of grace, mercy, and help in every situation of life. May God gives us His grace when we humble ourselves before Him.  I like this chorus to be a prayer to God.

       “Lord keep your hand on me.”

You laid your hand, mighty Lord, on the range,

    Laid your wonderful hand on the prairie.

Lord, you poured forth the fountains

    And raised up the mountains.

Oh! Lord keep your mighty hand on me.

    You touched your clouds, made them rain,

From the rain made the sea,

    From the sea, formed the clouds

To give us life abundantly;

    You have the earth and the sky in your command,

Lord, please keep your precious hand on me.

                (Inspiring Choruses)

A Refuge in Trouble Times (7/7)

Verse for the Day by Dorothy Callies

Psalm 9:9 “The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed. A refuge in times of trouble.” [A refuge is a shelter or protection from danger or distress (painful situation)]

Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior, my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my strong hold.  Psalm 37:39 The Lord saves the godly, He is their fortress in times of trouble.  Psalm 59:9 You are my strength, I wait for You to rescue me, for you, O God, are my place of safety.

David’s prayer asked God’s protection was from Saul who wanted to kill him. So God was with David wherever He was. It was a long time before Saul was finally gone through the battle of Philistines. So David was able to come out from hiding and He became a king of Israel. God had His timing and plan for David.

Psalm 59:16 But as for me, I will sing about Your power. I will shout with joy each morning because of your unfailing love. For You have been my refuge, a place of safety in the day of distress.

I was thinking of Kim Murphy of what she was going through. Kim said, “My town was hit by a tornado, it wasn't a normal one with the tunnel. It's called a F1 due to high winds and this does as much damage as the tunnel kind.” Our prayers goes out to her. Still we quote Psalm 59:16 that God have been our refuge, a place of safety is in God, in our day of distress. (Read Kim’s news in #22 Prayer Request List).

The word, distress means [noun] great suffering of body or mind: PAIN, ANGUISH 2: a painful situation: MISFORTUNE 3: a condition of danger or desperate need like a ship in distress. [verb] 1: to cause to experience painful difficulties 2: to cause to worry or be troubled: UPSET.

The word, distress is an interesting word and I was curious about this topic in technology Bible and it had 53 references in distress. One impressed me was devotional, “Relief from Distress” Psalm 4:1, NLT “Answer me when I call, O God who declares me innocent. Take away my distress. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.”

Paul accepted distresses for Christ’s sake. Paul said, “For when I am weak, then am I strong.” [2 Cor. 12:10] Paul said, “... we were comforted over you in our affliction and distress by your faith” [1 Thess. 3:7]. Yet Paul held on to Christ in spite of all things he went through. Paul was comforted when he knew his Christian friends prayed for him.

Prayer: Thank You, God, for Your protecting love. Help us to be able to face those times when we must suffer. In Jesus’ name. So in time like this would be a good song to sing,  

“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.”

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face;

And the things of the earth

     will grow strangely dim –

In the light of His glory and grace.

   (Inspiring Choruses)

The Lord Gives Wisdom (7/5-6)

Verse for the Day by Dorothy Callies

Proverbs 2:6 “For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” [KJV]

It would be good to know the meaning of the word, wisdom and to be able to appreciate God’s Word even more. The word, wisdom means 1a: learning acquired over a period of time: KNOWLEDGE b: ability to see beneath the surface of things: INSIGHT c: good sense: JUDGMENT 2: a wise attitude, belief, or course of action [Dictionary: Franklin Merriam-Webster technology].

So wisdom has three things: knowledge, insight, and judgment. All three comes together so that is called wisdom. I never thought of that before. So the Lord gives wisdom: when wisdom enter into your heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto your soul. [Prov. 2:10]

I have an index card taped to my little lamp on the left side. It says, “If you, any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; it shall be given him. Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering (James 1:5-6 KJV). Many times I pray and ask God to help me with the study of His Word and to work on Manna.

“If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ask Him and He will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking” (NLT). Imagine that! God will gladly tell you. He will not get mad at you. This is what I love about Him. He gives liberally and upbraided not means He gives freely and He will not scold you for asking Him.

Paul, the writer of Epistle, did asked the Lord three times to remove some kind of the problems he had. God gave Paul wisdom to understand why God gives grace and strength in weakness. It was the power of God that revealed in Paul. Then Paul gladly accepted it. Paul learned the wisdom of God in all things that were hidden in God.

So only when God’s wisdom enters our hearts which are our inward motive, desires and thoughts, it will produce life and power. The Holy Spirit works within our souls and to make God’s Words and His ways a delight to us.

Prayer: Dear God, we are grateful for the help that You are so ready and willing to give us wisdom when we ask You. Help us to be willing and ready to help others. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. (Bread Card Prayer)

So let us trust God today!

Song: After All He’s Done for Me

After all He’s done for me,

     After all He’s done for me,

How can I do less than give Him my best

     and live for Him completely

After all He’s done for me.

        (Inspiring Choruses)

Forgive and Be Forgiven (7/4)

Happy 4th of July 2014 - Verse for the Day by Dorothy Callies

Luke 6:37c “Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven,” Jesus said.

I prayed and I asked God to give me the right verse for the day. I drew this Luke 6:37 from tiny box of Bread Card Verse. I admit, I was kind of surprised. I prayed, “Lord, is there a problem that we have about forgiving issue?” I assumed that we all forgive, don’t we?

A surprise replied from the Lord, “It was the way you talked. Study yourself carefully to what you say, you’ll see if that statement was actually forgiven or not.”

Then the Lord reminded me that I had talked about the wedding that was 47 years ago that I had ‘wished I had done things differently if I had my way.’ The Lord spoke, “You wish? Is that forgiveness? Or you haven’t forgive for what had already happened?”  

What made me talked about the wedding? I was watching several movies of Hallmark that involves the wedding issues. I saw how they handle it and I had wondered if I had done things differently. Then perhaps the influence of those movies causes me to ponder unaware that it creeps into my thoughts, ‘not able to forgive for allow this to happen.’

What do I do now, Lord? “Confess in your heart that the wedding came out just fine and that all things worked out for good.” The Lord continued, “You had a good wedding, and a wonderful singing wedding that was unforgettable experience. Focus on that and you will have a good forgiving spirit.”

Boy, do I feel different! Thank you, Lord for showing me this card verse, “Forgive and you shall be forgiven” actually save me from falling into the trap of “unforgiving spirit.” I find the meaning of the word, forgive, interesting so I came up with the questions.

Were you able to give up *resentment toward other person? If yes, that is forgiveness. Were you able to stop feeling *resentment against those who hurt you or spoil your plan? If your answer is yes, then that is forgiveness. Were you able to give up the *feeling of angry with displeasure at something regarded as a wrong, insult, or injury? If your answer is yes, that is forgiveness. You want others to do the same to you, to be forgiven.

The song, ‘Just when I need Him most’ is good because you could ask Jesus to come inside of you and allow Him to say with you, “I forgive them.” Watch how the work of the Holy Spirit will make you feel different. Trust Him!

Song: Just When I need Him Most

Just when I need Him most,

Just when I need Him most,

Jesus is near to comfort and cheer,

Just when I need Him most.

(Inspiring Choruses)

Come Forth as Gold (7/2-3)

Verse for the Day by Dorothy Callies

Job 23:10 KJV, “He knoweth the way I take: when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” NIV, “But He knows the way I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”

What does the Scripture meant when it says, “He knows the way I take?” What does God knows about? The word, know means to have understanding of; to recognize the nature of; to recognize the identity of; to be acquainted or familiar with. I interpret this: He knows my nature. He knows me. He knows my heart.

The Amplified Bible quotes “But He knows the way I take [He has concern for it, appreciates, and pays attention to it.] When He tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold [pure and luminous, *shine by its own lights]. *Dictionary meaning of luminous.

The word, tried means found good, faithful, or trustworthy through experience or testing. The other word testing would be “to melt down and obtain in a pure state or something.” It is like a gold that need to be purified by heat. The gold that is being tried by melt down in a pot through the intense heat. The hotter it gets, the debris, the fragments of rock, a part or pieces that are broken off. At the final stage, the gold is refined and purified, and pour into metal shapes like into jewelry and coins.

What God knows will help us to understand what Job was saying, “He knows the way I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job felt confident that God still cared about his life and that God knew no adversity (friends who oppose him) would turn Job away from being faithful to Him. No adversity or hardship would make Job give up on God.

Job saw his suffering as a test of his faith in and love for the Lord. Job’s test was similar to that of Abraham when he was told to sacrifice his son Isaac (Gen. 22). Jesus Christ Himself was tested by the suffering He went through (Heb. 5:8). Now Jesus Christ is our example (1 Peter 2:21); we as His followers are required to walk in similar steps (Heb. 13:12-13).

I believe the Lord speaking to you. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:12-13).

 NCV: “My friends, do not be surprised at the terrible trouble which comes to test you. Do not think that something strange is happening to you. But be happy that you are sharing in Christ’s suffering so that you will be happy and full of joy when Christ comes again in glory.”

Song: It Will Be Worth It All

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,

Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;

One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase,

So bravely run the race, till we see Christ.

(Inspiring Choruses)

Power to the Faint (7/1)

Happy July 1^st of 2014 – Verse for the Day by Dorothy Callies

Isaiah 40:29 KJV, “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.” NCV, “He gives strength to those who are tired and more power to those who are weak.”

Even the strongest people get tired at times, but God’s power and strength never diminish. Diminish means to make less or cause to appear less or to become gradually less. Another word, dwindle also means to make or become less. It is amazing that God’s power and strength never run out. There’s always plentiful.

God is never too tired or too busy to help and listen. His strength is our source of strength. When you feel all of life crushing you and you cannot go another step, remember that you can call upon God to renew your strength.

He gives power means He has authority to give; the ability to act; do something to give the weak, dizzy, and who are likely to collapse or to feel faint. He has authority to give you strength. He has ability to give you more strength. He has strength for the weak and who are dizzy. He gives and gives and gives again.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me walk in the courage of my faith. God, help me to remember that Your grace is plenty for me. Your strength in me is made perfect in my weakness. Thank you for making me new, fresh, and strong again. Thank You for giving my body a fresh supply of strength. By faith, my body is newly made fresh. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!

Word of Encouragement from the Lord: In Jeremiah 31:25 “For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.” In Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not: for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am Thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.”

Let us trust our God for new strength in us!

Song: In the Name of the Lord

There is strength in the name of the Lord;

There is power in the name of the Lord;

There is hope in the name of the Lord;

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

(Lyrics and Music: Phill McHugh, Gloria Gaither,

Sandi Patti Helvering, Sing His Praise)