A softened heart is a yielded heart, full of peace.

   This past week has been full of wonderful things happening in my family, some stretching things in my family, and for me personally a bit of a stretch in my own life. I have been truly seeking God on a decision I must make, and I can’t seem to get direction. While praying earlier this week I realized I was operating in pride. I had a certain city I thought would be nice to have on my diploma when I graduate next spring, and I am able to attend there. It just so happens I love that particular city and would have no problem doing my Practical end of finishing my degree there. I will need to be on campus and that will require moving. If that is where God would have me to graduate then so be it. If not I do not want to be there; I do not want to be anywhere He does not have in His plan for my life. I was however not being as open to that as I thought I was. Once I realized pride was blocking any direction I would ever get from God, I repented, laid the notion down and pressed into my relationship with, my Father. I had been sensing a lack of peace when considering certain avenues, and knew to stop going down that those thought paths, and have done so. Still overall, I don’t seem to be able to hear what I need to hear, and there is a time frame on this decision. 

   Mark 6:45-52 and Mark 8:8-38, are good passages to refer to if you are having trouble discerning things, remembering things, or hearing from God. We can see in those passages the matter of allowing our heart to be hardened in some way where God is concerned. So, after studying Mark 8 some on Wednesday evening, I took a nice 3 mile, 1 hour walk Thursday morning to sort that out. I thought I would share some of that walk here.

   Friday evening it occurred to me I might be struggling with hearing from God because I was constraining Him to the box we call a calendar. Yesterday morning I realized that was true, but the real box I was putting Him in was the whim of my personal preferences. Breakthrough! I love it when peace flows.

   Had you asked me before this week if my heart were hardened to God I would have have told you my heart was sensitive toward God, and that I did not have a hardened heart. That answer needs modified. I do have a heart that is sensitive toward God. I have had a bent toward the Word of God since I was a young girl. However, there is some hardness in some areas. I was devastated to realize that, but it did not take me too long to see the blessing in it that realization. 

   We all have areas that we have hardened our hearts toward God. Having a heart that has been hardened in some way, or ways, is not always a result of sin. God’s heart is never hardened toward us because of our sin, but our heart is hardened toward Him when we sin. That is pretty self explanatory and there are plenty of opportunities to hear those sermons so I will leave that there. Some hardening comes from another source. There are two accounts of Jesus miraculously feeding a multitude of people with barely enough to feed a handful. I am going to address the one in Mark 6:37-44 where Jesus fed 5,000 men with five fish and two loaves of bread with baskets leftover because I want to use some of  the remaining passage in Mark 6. Mark 6:45-52 happens immediately after this and is the account of Jesus walking on water out to the boat where the disciples were struggling in a storm. In verses 50-52 it says, “50 ...for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” 51 Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. 52 For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened. Let’s take a quick look at those last few verses. “... and they were utterly astonished,...” The disciples had just seen Jesus miraculously feed 5,000 men, who knows how many women and children, and yet “...they were utterly astonished...”. And why was that? The answer is in the last four words of verse 50, “do not be afraid.”, and verse 52, For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened. Fear is not a lack of faith; it is putting faith is something God did not author. Fear is a result of a hardened heart and will keep us from living the life of victory Christians should be enjoying. Verse 52 clearly shows us the crux of the answer. The disciples saw Jesus multiply the fishes and loaves. They knew it was a fact that happened, but they did not consider the spiritual meaning whatsoever. The Amplified Bible records verse 52 as saying, For they failed to consider or understand [the teaching and meaning of the miracle of] the loaves; [in fact] their hearts had grown callous [had become dull and had lost the power of understanding]. To consider means; think upon, deliberate, study, examine, ponder, or meditate on. The disciples did not give any attention to, or focus on, the miracle and the power of that miracle, or the meaning of how Jesus fed the multitude. They knew of the event, they had no understanding of it spiritually. Simply put, a hardened heart is a result of a person thinking more about, and relating better to the natural world than the spiritual world. That heart is a result of thinking about, considering, pondering or meditating more on what the world says about an issue than what God says.

   Hardening of our hearts toward God is a process. It happens one act of disobedience, one thought of doubt, one thought of unbelief at a time. It can be a result of sin, rebellion or in the case of an unbeliever, it can be hatred toward God. Often it is just continuing to see things from a carnal, natural viewpoint. To keep our heart softened from God we must stay focused on Him. Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. We can know plenty about what the Bible says, we can believe it is God's Word, but it is what we think on that determines whether our hearts are soft or hardened toward God. If you are on the internet looking up any possible disease you think you might have by studying the symptoms and how they may add up to something in your body, that is what you are thinking about ~ even after you get off those web sites. If you are reading what God has to say about disease and sickness in His Word, that is what you will be thinking about. The first venture will layer by layer callous your heart toward what God says about your body. The latter will develop your faith and soften your heart toward what God has to say about your body. That is an across the board principle. You can apply it to business ventures, finances, employment, choosing a field of study in college, a marriage partner... every area of you life. In my case I have been "spinning" about where I will be in the autumn to finish college. After a week of asking God to prune me, I am no longer spinning. I do not have my answer yet but the door of communication is wide open because I am not blocking God with my notions, concerns and whims. I am focusing on, and pressing into my relationship with God, and leaving it there. He will show me exactly what His plans are for me. And, He will speak His will for your life into you, just keep your focus on Him, not the world.

   Are there areas in your life that you think about that you find yourself weighing out all of the tangible and natural potentials. but neglecting, or at best minimizing any input from God? I would love to encourage you to turn that around and enjoy the peace that is so very available to you. 

Humility is the Power Fruit!

   

   Yesterday we looked at how true humility is not the opposite of confidence and it is not low self~esteem or any other self depreciating behavior. We saw how just the opposite is true. Genuine humility is when we walk in complete confidence that through the work Jesus finished on the cross we are the righteousness of God and nothing less! We do that because we have abandoned ourself and bowed our knee under His mighty hand. We choose to let God be God, therein is where we humble ourselves, and then He exalts us.

  
   Humility is a word that typically brings about a negative response in people.  People tend to think it connotes weakness or means they must abandon what they want and selflessly sacrifice for others. Humility as it relates to being humble in that we put others first is not a chore we must finish on our  “to do" list when we are enjoying the fullness of God’s love. When we are spending time with God and walking in His love, kindness and goodness toward others will roll out of us quite easily and in abundance.

   Jesus made Himself low for us and God exalted Him. Saul was brought out of his lowliness and God made him the first king of Israel. He became prideful and was destroyed.  Should we play nice so we can attempt to be lifted up or to get things? No! I am not talking about religious works to appease or attempt to please God. I am talking about the outflow of God’s goodness that is developed in us. God is love and everything in our Spirit is birthed out of love. If we are spending time with God, reading His Word and allowing Him to speak to us, we will experience and develop that love relationship. That time in the Word will renew our mind. That time of fellowship spent with our Father will cause His love in our spirit to beautifully infuse our souls with itself. That love is what will pour out of us and onto others. Putting others first will come naturally, well supernaturally ~ but it will be effortless for us. God loves to shine through us! I am always amazed when I realize He is using me. That is another post though.
   
   When watered and given sunlight fruit will effortlessly grow on a tree. Meekness is a fruit of the Spirit, but there is no real definition for the Greek word in English. The Greek word “meek” in Matthew 5:5 and the word “meekness” in Galatians 5:23 both are “praus” or “praos”. This Greek word is not easily defined in English but the words gentleness, mild and humility or humble are what best translate. One thing Vine’s Dictionary says is that this can be translated as “It [meekness~humility] is not occupied with self at all but with what can benefit others. Another definition is “to be totally dependent upon God.” True humility begins when we embrace John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."  When we do that we empty ourselves of ourselves and God can fill that empty vessel with the kind of love that expresses itself to others with their benefit as its goal. That is where "meekness ~ humility" which are most often named "gentleness" in the fruit of the Spirit, shines out as the fruit of the Spirit with great power. If you read on down to John 15:7-8 you will see the power of that humility, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples”. And then again in Philippians 4:13 we see what happens when we humble ourselves and let God take over, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And it will be as effortless as grapes growing on a vine.
 
   The world is looking for real love and if we have the real deal in our relationship with God and freely give it to others, they will recognize it and receive it. If we teach children young how to develop their relationship with God, really show them how to spend time with their Abba~Daddy, we will not have to explain the importance of being a kind person because the love they are receiving and experiencing from their Heavenly Father will flow out of them. Imagine the ripple effect of that!

Is there an area of your life that spending more time just enjoying your Heavenly Father's company would be of help and an encouragement to you?

“So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven."

 Matthew 18:4

Be clothed with Humility.

   Donna Partow, author of Becoming a Vessel God Can Use has penned a statement about humility that is absolutely spot on as far as I am concerned because it is completely scriptural.

Humility is not the same as beating yourself up or letting other people put you down. Humility is not the same as low self~esteem and it’s not the opposite of confidence. In fact, the truly humble person walks with absolute confidence, knowing that we are simply empty vessels through whom God wants to accomplish His work.   Donna Partow    

   In the Old Testament we see the phrase “put on” primarily in reference to the donning of garments, adornment or armor, or the application of oil or water on someone or something, or setting an article of some kind on something. The New Testament has a few similar references using the term “put on”, but the New Testament ushered in a far more personal and powerful kingdom principle with that phrase.

   In the Old Testament there are many verses and passages telling us what righteousness is and is not, and how God’s people can benefit from it. The New Testament shows us something very beautiful about righteousness that only the born again Christian can experience. Righteousness is a force and an integral, vital and powerful force. Because of the finished work of the cross, Jesus took all of our sin, past, present and future on Himself and gave us His righteousness, the righteousness of God!

   If you are a born again believer of the Lord Jesus Christ, you are the righteousness of God Himself!

   But we must wear that righteousness and not leave it in the closet. This “putting on” is going to take more than slipping into trousers, a dress or shoes though. And to believe you are the righteousness of God and walk it out before others will take the total abandonment of self and the trust in God that IS true humility. Unlike those in the Old Testament we have the very Spirit of God living in us, and all the fruit of His nature is a part of us. “Putting on” one the characteristics of God’s nature is not “putting on” pretense. This is receiving without hesitation or apology what God bankrupt Heaven to give us. To “put on” the righteousness of God, or anything else He promised us, we simply must believe God, agree with His Word and choose to walk and talk that alone.

   1 Peter 5:5 tells us to be clothed with humility. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Ephesians 6:14 tells us to put on our righteousness. And then, 1 Peter 5:5 tells us God gives grace to the humble. In our own strength, and since pride gets in the way, we need God’s grace to be able to walk in the kind of confidence we can have in God and in His Word. It takes true humility to do that. Humility is not self degradation, but understanding our right standing in Christ, and Christ alone. Jesus knew Who He was every step of the way to the cross. No matter how it looked to man, He, the King of kings, walked out the highest calling of all.

   When we have understanding, a revelation, of what God’s Word is saying about something to the degree that we make the quality decision to actively receive it, we will apply it to our daily lives and refuse to allow anyone, any thought, or any circumstance try to persuade us out of that promise.

   When you are tempted to say things about yourself are self degrading or are contrary to who you are in Christ, stop and think about how God sees you and the right standing you have with Him. Meditate on that for a few minutes and then see what it is you really want to say.

For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous;

With favor You will surround him as with a shield. 

Psalm 5:12