Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Shelly Says ~ "Walk Humbly"

Today, as I read Chapter 9 of Breaking Free, the phrase "walk humbly with your God" kept popping into my mind. I could not shake those words, so I looked them up when I got downstairs to the computer.

They are words from the Bible and found in Micah 6:8. This is the NKJV version:

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

I also like this version of Micah 6:8 from The Message:

"But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don't take yourself too seriously — take God seriously."

I have to admit, when I hear the word "humble" I often don't have a solid definition or picture of what that means. So, I looked that up as well. According to dictionary.com: When used as a verb with an object, it means "to destroy the independence, power, or will of."

Wow, that really shook things up! So, in the case that humble is the verb and I am the object, I'm supposed to destroy my independence and power and selfish will.

Here's how a sentence using that definition might look...

Shelly needs to be humble.

Here's the sentence I'd like to replace that one with...

Shelly walks humbly with her God.

Please Stop, Drop and Pray for me as well as your fellow companions. I know I'm gonna need some help rolling this boulder off of my path!

8 comments:

  1. One of the very interesting and insightful things Beth Moore suggests in Chapter 9 is to read Job 38. Try reading that passage and putting yourself in Job's shoes... wondering how you might feel if God said the same things to you. Would it humble you? It did me this morning.

    I really like the 1, 2, 3 she lists on pgs. 61-62 that will help us rid ourselves of pride. If you are having a problem with pride, those reminders might be good on some notecards... not to memorize them ; ) but to be tangible reminders of walking in humility.

    I think that pride is a dangerous enemy because it makes us think we're bigger than we really are. Even something as seemingly "harmless" as being "Miss Independent" and "taking care of yourself" can lead to pride.

    Whoa... I've got a crown and sash to trash!

    *** I don't believe that self-care in itself is wrong... but it certainly can become a stronghold and lead to captivity when you're too independent to rely fully on God. I'm guilty as self-charged.

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  2. I love this verse. I actually have it on my "plate" that I use to write bible verses down often that sits by my coffee pot. I haven't read the message version before and I love it. Thanks for the wonderful post today to remind us how humble we should be! Love it.

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  3. I think pride is so very dangerous. Several years ago I had a wonderful opportunity where I was allowed to do a great individual task and in the name of charity. I thought I was hot stuff and of course, what a good person too b/c it was for charity. Within two weeks of my crowning glory, my marriage was in serious jepoardy. I thought I could do no wrong. Wow was I wrong, and wow was I humbled. That was a season in my life which was long since passed, and my marriage is strong, but I will never forget that lesson. I truly believe that in pride, there lies the enemy himself. On a separate note, in another Beth Moore study(thinking a Heart like His). She talks about self esteem. Thinking too much of ourselves( pride) or thinking too little of ourselves ( low self-esteem) are both bad b/c our thinking is on us not Him. Lastly in that same study, she talks about shame being a tool of the enemy. If you (like myself) have ever struggled with low self-esteem, she says Never ever feel shame b/c you are a child of God, his pride and joy! Gives me goose bumps thinking about it! We are His pride and joy. Now we just have to act like it! :) Easier said than done, but I am going to try my best to start each day with a moment of praise and rejoice my King!

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  4. I think it's appropriate that as I am studying today's chapter and reading the chapter in Job, that a thunderstorm is going on outside. For me there is nothing like violent weather to remind me of God's creation and his power. The power of nature can make me feel very small and humble - especially here in Illinois where we sometimes cower in our basements during tornado season.
    I was also intrigued to learn that thinking I am too bad to be saved can also be pride. I think the key for me is balance- not to go too far to either end of the "pride spectrum".
    And jbm, I agree with you about the fact that we are children of God and his pride and joy. It reminds me of the saying, If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it!
    I am going to try to be more consistent and aware of humbling myself before God.

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  6. JBM, Thank you so much for being so honest and transparent with us. I also really appreciate you sharing the bit about high/low self-esteem. That's so important because we often don't think of low self-esteem being a problem. I am hanging on to that last part... acting like I am God's pride and joy!

    I tend to go from one extreme to the other and need to find that balance Sue was talking about. I need to know when to trash the crown without acting like I'm trash.

    Sue, I also appreciate your words and the connection with the thunderstorms. I, too, am humbled by the storms. Too crazy that one was going on outside, huh! I like your reference to the fridge, too! I bet He would still have our kindergarten artwork up as well ; )

    ***
    I hear liberty bells ringing, y'all! Whoooo Hooooo !!!!!

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  7. What I find so disturbing about pride is how easy and natural it is. I receive a nudge from the Holy Spirit to "love and esteem someone" and I usually follow through, but what I fail to realize is that I follow through because I want that person to esteem ME, to honor Me, to love ME, thus leaving God to shake His head and think, "Well, that makes an even million I have forgave her for, BUT as Beth said in Chapter 4 out God is tenacious and will not be thwarterd by our sins. This chapter has opened my eyes to my "unrecognized" sins of pride. My blessings today come from Beth and her desire for all of us to recognize our strongholds and fall on our knees and worship God for his unfailing love and faithfulness. Nothing is too hard for him to wipe from our hearts.

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  8. Amen, Jan!

    And, How refreshing is it to know that God is tenacious and not thwarted by our flesh nature?!?!? I love that! Thank you for allowing God to refresh me thru you today!

    I am praising God for your opened eyes!

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