S) " 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out 15 and saying, 'Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God...'
18 Even saying these things, with difficulty they restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them."
Acts 14:14-15, 18 (NASB)
O) So, I wonder how long it would have taken God to smite Barnabas and Paul, had they not "rushed" out into the crowd to to assert their humility... I mean, just a few chapters earlier, in Acts 12:22-23, God strikes down Herod immediately because the people were saying he was a god and he didn't refute it. If God had recently defended His diety with such lethality, I think more people would be quick to declare their humility. That's obviously on the fringe of extreme examples, but Paul and Barnabas still provide a very, very good discipline here. If you're going to do great things for God, it is inevitible that there will be some who misappropriately place credit to you, instead of God. All believers, especially those who are in the public eye, need to "rush" toward humility. We need to take note of vs.18, too, which is why I included it after the ellipsis. Being actively humble will be hard work. People have a hard time accepting humility in those they esteem. It's seen as an admirable quality, but sometimes that actually fuels their praise even further.
A) I've been thinking of Tim Tebow a lot. I've been praying for him. He's a gifted athlete, but he embodies 1-1-Six better than most Christians I know. I don't actually want to be famous; in my past, I've struggled with humility enough as it is. But, I want to emulate Tim's boldness. I also want to emulate his humility. I'll be praying for Tim Tebow for as long as God is putting him on my heart. I'll also pray for my own humility. In order to remain humble, I have to be proactive, like Paul and Barnabas, and that starts with confession to God that He is great, and I am not.
P) Father, forgive me for my pride. I know there are always opportunities for me to declare Your goodness and my own insufficiencies, to glorify Your Name, and I know I've missed some of those opportunities. God, I want be used by You, however that looks, but never let it jeopardize my humility. Holy Spirit, speak to me strongly every time my pride swells. Help me be gracious while being humble, and to proclaim Your strength, wisdom, provision, protection, healing, and everything else You've done for me. You are good, I am unworthy, and that just makes Your grace so much more amazing. Thank You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
A) I've been thinking of Tim Tebow a lot. I've been praying for him. He's a gifted athlete, but he embodies 1-1-Six better than most Christians I know. I don't actually want to be famous; in my past, I've struggled with humility enough as it is. But, I want to emulate Tim's boldness. I also want to emulate his humility. I'll be praying for Tim Tebow for as long as God is putting him on my heart. I'll also pray for my own humility. In order to remain humble, I have to be proactive, like Paul and Barnabas, and that starts with confession to God that He is great, and I am not.
P) Father, forgive me for my pride. I know there are always opportunities for me to declare Your goodness and my own insufficiencies, to glorify Your Name, and I know I've missed some of those opportunities. God, I want be used by You, however that looks, but never let it jeopardize my humility. Holy Spirit, speak to me strongly every time my pride swells. Help me be gracious while being humble, and to proclaim Your strength, wisdom, provision, protection, healing, and everything else You've done for me. You are good, I am unworthy, and that just makes Your grace so much more amazing. Thank You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment