Daily Huddle - Sat May 9, 2020 Creep Or Choose

Love you all, praying for you!
 
Yesterday’s huddle was about creep.  How pride will always try to creep in – unawares.  Are you prideful? Or humble?  So how do you actively choose humility so pride can never creep in? 
Pride is the absence of humility. Thinking of oneself higher than one aught, having a higher opinion of oneself than others - the opposite of humility.  So how do you choose humility?  Praying that you would listen sometime this week to several PRISM Topics (the power of God's Word on a single subject) – PRISM Topic - Humble – PRISM Topic – Humility, PRISM Topic – Obey, and PRISM Topic – Obedience, and the Relationship Topic - How To Be Humble.  The power of God’s Word – will always change you.  First it changes your perspective, how you think... then it changes your words, then your action, and then it changes you.  When you think different and talk different and act different, you are different.  Humility has two parts – Humility before God, and Humility before others.  Humility always starts with humble before God.  And the definition of that is obedience.  Philippians 2:8 - And being found in human form, Jesus humbled himself and became obedient unto death – even death on a cross.  Being humble before God means – you come under His authority.  You commit yourself to obeying whatever He tells you to do.  That’s what Jesus did.  And God exalted him to the highest place and gave him a name above every name.  Obedience always requires humility.  You have to come under His authority – choose His way instead of yours, His path and His plans instead of yours - it’s the demonstration of humility.  If every morning those 8 things you can do to Fear God… you bow down before Him, and commit yourself to obey whatever He says.   David said it continuously.  “I will keep your statutes…” (Ps 119:8), “I will keep your precepts with my whole heart.” (Ps 119:69),  "I will keep the commandments of my God," Ps 119:115), "I will keep your statutes" (Ps 119:145) "I will walk in your truth" (Ps 86:11)  If you humble yourself before God and commit with your mouth to obey - Humility will begin to take root in you.  Thick grass is the best weed prevention – thick and active humility prevents pride from creeping in.  Humble yourself before God and commit with your mouth to obey - that’s the beginning of Humility – it’s the fear of the LORD. And humility with the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, it brings wealth, honor and life.  Another way to humble yourself before God is to fast.  Just make sure it’s the fast He has chosen for you.  He would rather you do what is right - obey what He tells you, than stop eating something.  He spoke that to the Israelites. But fasting is recognized by God - as humbling yourself before Him.  The Bible speaks of many who humbled themselves with a fast - and what God did in response.  The other half of humility – is before others.  We don’t obey others like we obey God... God said we are to serve (come under the authority of God alone).  The only human we would obey are those God has put in a position of authority over us – and we honor that God-given position – whether we like them or not.  As for others - Humility towards others is not obeying them, but it is preferring them over ourselves – serving them – as God leads us to serve them, coming under His authority in how He wants us to demonstrate the love He has for them.  This humility towards others always begins in your mind and heart – and your words will reveal it.  Pray for others - don't talk about them.  Be careful with criticism.  When you criticize others – you can get close to judging them or slandering them.  A critical spirit – is an open door to pride.  It doesn't come from God.  Don't criticize others, pray for them!  Give them the benefit of the doubt, and trust God to take care of you.  God even promised that an undeserved curse will not come to rest.  Don’t treat or speak about people as they do to you… bless and do not curse.  Be humble toward others.  Pray for them, it’s demonstrating the humility of Christ.  Step two after pray for others - is listen - don't talk.  Interrupting is the opposite of humility - it's preferring yourself over them - valuing what you have to say more highly than what they have to say.  Always ask again... before speaking.  Understand their heart - not just their words.  And let your words always build up – never tear down.   When it comes to people - friends, family, those in your community and others - part of the fear of the LORD is to speak the truth, and say nothing harmful - you can do both.  When it comes to others – many things are better left unsaid.  Pray first - and speak truth and life.  Praying that Humility and the Fear of the LORD - is the Hallmark of you – just like Jesus.  That you will choose to bow down, to commit yourself to obey whatever He tells you to do.  His plans for you are good!  PiVAT before dinner and He will tell you, PRISM and He will confirm it.  Daily Call – and you will overcome in it!  Praying that you will fast when He chooses, that your words will always prefer others above yourself, that you will listen before speaking, and pray not criticize.   Humility and obedience is how you prevent pride from creeping in, and they are how you fulfill His purpose for you – it releases you to walk in it.  He promised to give you grace.  Philippians 2:13 – for it is God who works in you both to will and to act according to his good purpose.  He has good for you.  Praying that you will humble yourself – so He can exalt you – in due season.  You can always tell humility by your words – and you can tell when humility has become you – you desire and value humility – more than being exalted.   You just exalt Him! 
 
Love you all,
dad