I am always amazed at how imperfect I am.  Not that I ever think I am perfect; rather, how could God ever use me when I constantly struggle with my own imperfections. 

Thank God He can even use someone like me who continues to need to rely on Him for help with my imperfections.

The Lord's humbled . . .
John A. Reeves
Add Comment
 
 
"I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings" (1 Corinthians 9:23).

Years ago I worked with an individual who lost his desire to follow God.  He was bitter and angry at God.  He said that he had done everything right and God didn't bless him.

What was wrong with him.  Was he bitter for no reason.  Did he have a "works" oriented salvation concept.  Was he taught wrongly about "name-it-claim-it-faith".  Could it be that his understanding of God was wrong.  Who taught him what is the best blessing for us other than the love of God through Jesus Christ?  Was he humble before God?  Are you humble before God?

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves
Add Comment
 
 
"When God saw what they [the Ninevites] did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it" (Jonah 3:10).

All nations and peoples need to understand that God is God regardless of your desire to follow Him.  He sends His people to teach and spread the Word.  For nations who stray, God delivers warnings.  Those who repent will receive blessings but those who don't will receive curses.  How is your country in relation to the teachings of God?  Do you need to repent?  If you do, humble yourself before the Lord so that He may relent from the calamaty that will come because of spiritual neglect and wrongdoing.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves
Add Comment
 
 
"Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 'Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.'  But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.  He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish.  So he paid the fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD" (Jonah 1:1-3). 

If you have ever studied the book of Jonah then you know of the difficulty Jonah has in carrying out the commandments of the Lord.  Have you ever had similar failings in following the commandments of God?  Have you ever wanted to "run away" from godly tasks.  Please humble yourselves before God in all ways.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves
Add Comment
 
Overwhelmed? 08/06/2010
 
"The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot" (Proverbs 10:7).

Yesterday, my dog was taken to the vet.  It turned out to be a situation of dire-straights.  Surgery was needed or he would die.

It wasn't long ago that my wife found out that she had cancer.  Talk about dire-straights.  Well, she eventually died.  I have never been so distressed in my life.

I was amazed at how the situation with my dog flooded me with emotions.  I had to deal with a doctor, sickness, money, loss, lack of control, tears, and fear.  It took me back to my wife and the love and challenges that came with illness.

But in all things, I remember that I can turn and should turn to God.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves
Add Comment
 
 
"When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel.  The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba.  Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain.  They took bribes and perverted justice" (1 Samuel 8:1-3).

You may have heard the phrase, "The apple doesn't fall from the tree".  Unfortunately, this phrase is not applicable to Samuel and his sons.  Samuel was very focused on being humble before God.  He trusted God and was blessed for it.  However, whatever the reason, his sons did not follow their dad's example.

Samuel's boys perverted their leadership.  They conformed to the world and were not humble before the Lord.  Their reputation was poor and the people knew it.

You could be the best parent in the world for your children.  Sadly, they choose their life.  If your children don't walk in the path of righteousness continue to pray for them and continue to be there for them.  Yet, never-never-never give up on walking with God.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves
Add Comment
 
 
The apostle Paul said, "in humility consider others better than yourself" (Phillipians 2:3b).

Unfortunately, many people abuse the understanding of this passage by expecting others to be humble rather than choosing humility for themselves.  Husbands, is this what you expect your wives to do for you?  Parents, do you put down your children so they learn to disguise their need to be open with you.  Bosses, do you like seeking out a person with low self-esteem so you can feel better about yourself? (cf. Ephesians 5-6)

Is Paul stressing that Christians should put themselves down or that there are some people who are really "better" than you?  No!  We must remember that Jesus died for everyone - this makes us all worthy of equality.  We each have a precious soul worthy of the death of Christ.

Jesus, as God, became a man.  By doing so He lowered His status in the Godhead.  Yes, He was still God; however, as a man He limited Himself so that He could live like a human being.  In essence, He humbled Himself so that He could reach people who have been seperated from God by their sin.  He became a humble bridge.  A bridge to be crossed.  A bridge to be walked on.  A bridge that has meaning for people.

It is this example of humility that Christians need to follow.  By knowing our place and understanding our example we too can become a "bridge" to God by leading people to the bridge of Christ (cf. Phillipians 2:1-11)

May you be a godly bridge of humility.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves
Add Comment