King James Bible Study – “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34
Date: Monday, June 17, 2019
Chapters: Proverbs 25-26
Message: Striving With A Humble Spirit
Hello My Friend,
I have to give some props to the company I work for, they are global and have employees all over the world. We get paid very well, paid lunch, bonuses, incentives, sick time, two weeks off paid at the end of the year, but what is more amazing is that the managers and CEO’s recognize and care for each and every one of us. I have higher ups literally call me, thank me for a job well done, and encourage me to keep working my way up into the company. I am telling you this because there are many companies, organizations, and governments that count you just as a number, they will not give you the time of day unless you are one of their elite, and in order to be one of their elite you have to buy their recognition. Let me tell you, it is this exact way of doing things that is driving our countries into the ground, and it is time to stop supporting them. “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” – II Corinthians 10:12.
“or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves:” There are people who just have to be recognized, and strive on becoming one of the elite. They are proud and boisterous of themselves, often looking down on others. A meek person who works their way up to higher positions, is not doing it to be recognized and praised by the elite, they do it so they can be recognized and promoted for their job well done. A proud person seeks recognition by attracting the attention of the elite with their flesh, something God warns us against.
“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable. Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen. Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory. He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” – Proverbs 25:2-3,6-8,27-28.
“and stand not in the place of great men:” People want to be noticed and recognized by great men or women in an attempt to be noticed and recognized themselves just for being around them. Believe it or not, great people of this world are not billionaires, ivy leagues, and government leaders that climb their way up by deception, they are God fearing, and treat each other as equals. Truly great men and women serve their countries, employers, organizations, and communities by being God fearing servants themselves no matter what position they hold. And they are recognized for their hard work without even trying to grab the attention of the elite. The greatest example of this is when Jesus begins washing the feet of His disciples.
“Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” – John 13:3-5,12-17.
“and that he was come from God, and went to God;” Jesus knowing that He is the Son of God, King of kings, and had all the abilities of the Father, humbled himself to be a servant. Jesus teaches us that, whether a prince or a pauper, we all need to be as servants. And by the way, if you are a saved, born again child of the King, that makes you a prince or princess of the KIng, and are royalty. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” – I Peter 2:9-12.
“abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;” Believe it or not, pride is a lust of the flesh, and it wars against the soul. Those who walk around in the lusts of their pride do not care about a job well done, in fact, they are rather slothful, most of them climb their way up by getting others to do their work for them and taking the credit for it. There is great consequence to not only the person who climbs their way up to the top deceitfully, but to the one who trusts them as well.
“The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.” – Proverbs 26:10-15,24-28.
“He that hateth dissembleth with his lips,” Dissemble; To hide under a false appearance; to conceal; to disguise; to pretend that not to be which really is. Those who climb their way up through deceit are literally digging their own pit, and will eventually be found out, everyone will know about it. Those who seek to be recognized and strive on becoming one of the elite just to become one of the elite are fools. The true fool never learns and keeps doing the same thing over and over again to get things that have no value. Never let a fool have rule over you, and never let them knock you down, if they do, get back up with the power of Jesus in you, He will take care of you, and He will give you the strength to climb, and to keep climbing with that meek spirit you have until you are recognized and rewarded for all your hard work. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” – I Peter 5:6-9.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.” – Proverbs 25:13.
Today’s Prayer: God, You do not keep us in the world to be a part of it, but to be a reflection of Your Son as we learn and grow into His likeness. With the world full of deception we are challenged every day to hold on to our integrity, but You are our strength and guide to remain honorable, and keep climbing to be the best we can be while we are here. Lord, lead us and guide us, give us Your power, strength, mercy, and grace to be present in the world and not become a part of them. Help us to be cordial and friendly to all, even our enemies, while sometimes we must stand up and fight, other times we must humble ourselves as You did and wash their feet. Walk with us, protect us, and keep us faithful so we can prosper in all we do. In Your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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