Humility Over Pride

 By: Grace Metzger

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility
count others more significant than yourselves.
Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Humility is an amazing characteristic that I don’t think people strive for much anymore. In Christianity it’s incredibly important thing that God calls us to work towards. In fact, in Proverbs 16:18 God even talks about the destruction that not having humility can cause, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

But why is humility so important and pride so awful? The negativity of pride has kept me up for the last few nights. Is it wrong to be proud of my accomplishments, growth, or life? To be honest, the more I read on pride the more confused I got. The world says to be proud of yourself but the Bible talks about pride causing destruction in your life. I ended up taking a different path and started to try to figure what pride and humility truly meant to God.

The reward for humility and fear of the
 Lord is riches and honor and life.
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭22‬:‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The more I read about humility the more I noticed how humility was shown in favor to God, how He calls us to seek humility. I realized that humility was more than the world’s definition, it was more than “a modest or low view of one’s self.” But rather an acknowledgment of your own limitations and your imperfections, being humble is about knowing that without God we have nothing. 

One’s pride will bring him low, but he
who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭29‬:‭23‬ ‭ESV‬‬

While pride is about taking glory in your actions without acknowledging that it was God’s doing, it’s also about taking all of the glory that was meant for God. Now if you’re like me you probably instantly thought “well I don’t take God’s glory so this isn’t about me.” But when was the last time you thanked God for your skills, when was the last time you choose to show God’s greatness instead of bragging on your own skills? I think pride is something that every single person deals with but due to our pride and belief that we are better then everyone else we are unable to see our own prideful nature.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of
God so that at the proper time He may exalt you.
1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Pride is easy but humility is a difficult characteristic. Yet God is wanting us to humble ourselves so He can exalt us, He wants to bless us but first we need to acknowledge that we owe everything we have and everything we are to Him. Humility is not going to be an easy thing, but seek it daily! Spend time thanking God for all the things He’s done in your life, spend time giving glory to Him for his greatness. I challenge you this week to spend the first 5 minutes of your prayer thanking God and giving Him the glory that He deserves! Trust me you will notice a difference in your life!

Discussion Questions!
1.) How do you seek humility?
2.) What do you do when pride starts taking over your life?

6 Ways to Create a Peaceful Home This Fall

By: Jenifer Metzger

May the Lord of peace Himself

give you peace always in every

way. The Lord be with all of you.

2 Thessalonians 3:16

Everything inside of me craves peace and one of my deepest desires is to have peaceful home. A home that when my family walks in the door they can take a deep breath and feel the peaceful atmosphere. A home that doesn't create chaos but radiates peace. A home that even when there is noise -kids, dogs, life- we still feel peace. A home that is our haven.

Fall always feel like the perfect time to re-evaluate everything and work on creating a peaceful home. If you, too, desire a calm and peaceful atmosphere, even among the noises of life, here are 6 ways to create a peaceful home this fall.

Tidy your home. Whether you are a full time homemaker or also work outside the home, be intentional with setting aside time each day to tidy your home. It could be a couple of hours or just thirty minutes. On the days I have my grandsons over, I may only get thirty solid minutes of cleaning time. Where on the days I am alone, I can spend all day cleaning if I need to. Each morning as part of my get-ready routine, I spend ten minutes picking up our bedroom, master bathroom, and making our bed. This way even if I don't get to "clean" my bedroom, at least it gets picked up for the day. This makes a huge difference when it comes bedtime because I can unwind and relax far more in a tidy bedroom. Then, the kitchen and living room are my main focuses throughout the day. Even on days I don't get to deep clean -dust, vacuum, sweep, etc- my house can still be tidy. Every day the dishes get done, the counters get wiped down, the garbage gets taken out, and things get put in their place. It really helps to put things away as you go, instead of just setting things down anywhere.

Run an essential oil diffuser. Each morning I fill the essential oil diffusers in my kitchen, living room, and dining room. Essential oils have health benefits as well as they just smell good. There is just something relaxing about having an essential oil diffuser running throughout my home. I love essential oils from Plant Therapy. they have quality oils while being affordable. In the evening, generally right before dinner, I light a candle in the living room and kitchen. Like the essential oil diffusers, the candle just creates a beautiful ambience. My favorite safe, non-toxic candles are from Antique Candle Co.

Play soft music or nature sounds. For most of my life I was the kind of person that always had to have background noise, whether that was the TV or radio, I just needed some kind of noise. Then about five or six years ago, I realized that noise was adding to the chaos, not the peace. I still like to have worship music playing from time to time, but most often I enjoy soft instrumental music or nature sounds quietly in the background. We will often tell Alexa to play "calming music" or "calming piano." One of my favorite things is Alley of Ambience on YouTube. He has hundreds of seasonal nature videos with nature sounds; you can hear the fire crackle or the waves lapping. I cast the video to my TV and it is so relaxing.  The quiet and calm sounds of soft music or nature sounds add so much peace.

Breathe. Even through all I do to create a peaceful home, the truth is, life happens. My dogs bark (I hate barking). Salesmen knock on my door. Grandsons cry. My family is loud. It just gets crazy from time to time. When this happens, breathe. Smile. Enjoy life. Embrace the season.

Give yourself something to look forward to each day. Whether you enjoy that first cup of coffee in the morning, afternoon tea, sitting on the porch, reading a book, crocheting, working on a puzzle, or a piece of chocolate, give yourself something to look forward to each day. It doesn't have to be big, expensive, or time consuming. Just something small that you enjoy and can look forward to each day. For me, it's sitting on the deck in the evening with my husband or lying in bed reading at the end of the day, I love those times.

Most important, spend time with God. While listed last, this is by far the most important step in creating a peaceful home. Be intentional with spending time with God. When you wake up in the morning, say a quick prayer thanking God for the day and asking Him to walk with you. Be purposeful about reading the Bible. Have a dedicated prayer time. Throughout the day go back to Scripture and meditate on a verse. Pray as things come to your mind. And before you go to bed at night, read a few verses and pray. As you spend time with Him, you will feel the peace of God.

Discussion:
1. What is one thing you do to create a peaceful home?
2. We mentioned having something you look forward to each day. For you, what would that be?

Names of God Series: "Bowing the Knee to Adonai"

  By: Rebekah Hargraves

Photo Courtesy of: Aaron Burden

"I  said to the Lord, 'You are my Lord;
I have nothing good besides you.'" ~Psalm 16:2

Last week we took a look at one of God's names, Yahweh. Interestingly, the name of God we will take a look at today is a title often spoken in place of the great and revered name, Yahweh, in a Jewish display of reverence and respect. The name we are looking at today, translated in Psalm 16 as "Lord" is the name "Adonai". The literal meaning of this name is "Lord", "Master", and "Sovereign over all". 

I don't know about you, but I feel like we are living in the midst of some crazy times (and have been for a while!). Political unrest and disagreements, economical uncertainties, cultural changes, family divides, community issues, church splits, and the list goes on. If we aren't careful, it can be very easy to quickly give in to fear, despair, anxiety, depression, and unrest in our souls. But what I love so much about Adonai being one of our God's names is what the truth and meaning behind the name do for us when we are feeling angsty over the concerning happenings and daily occurrences of life. 

If our God is Lord, Master, and Sovereign over all, then what does that mean for us on an average Tuesday when we hear yet another scary news report or receive yet another scary diagnosis or experience another scary occurrence with a friend or family member? 

It means we can rest, it means we can have peace that passes all human understanding, it means it can be well with our souls - even if it doesn't seem well with our current circumstances! - because our God is Lord, Master, and Sovereign over all. He is Adonai. And that means we can trust in Him. 

It also means that we owe Him and Him alone our bowed knee, our allegiance, and our obedience. He is our King, and there is no other. One day every knee will bow before Him, but until then, we as His children get to bow the knee to our loving, wise Sovereign in the knowledge that everything He does is good and right, and He is to be trusted. 

And that is some good news for our average Tuesdays! 

Reflection Questions:

1) How does the meaning behind the name "Adonai" meet you where you are today in your current set of circumstances?

2) What stands out to you about this name of God?

3) What difference will it make in your life knowing that God is Adonai, your Master, Lord, and Sovereign?

Life is a Process

 By: Joanne Viola

 

Moses is a most intriguing person to consider, no matter how familiar we are to his story.

Moses was born to a Hebrew woman at a time when a decree had been made to kill all Hebrew sons at birth. He survives due to the plans of his mother to hide him in a basket and let him set sail down the river.

Found by Pharaoh’s daughter, he lives the first forty years of his life in the Egyptian palace. He is surrounded by opulence, every luxury known to man, education, and position.

He spent the next forty years in the Midian region shepherding stubborn sheep, which probably prepared him for his leadership role, yet unknown to him.

It is here in Exodus 2, in the middle of this narrative, that we are given a most interesting insight:

“Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. 
Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; 
and their cry came up to God because of the bondage.” 
(verse 23, NKJV)

That is so it – time holds a process.

But what we need to remember is that God holds all of time, and He is overseeing the process.

Process, as defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is a natural continuance marked by gradual changes that lead toward a particular result.

God is in the process of working all things out according to His plan and His purposes. And He does all this in His own way.

“Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, 
we have received an inheritance from God, 
for he chose us in advance, 
and he makes everything work out according to his plan.” 
(Ephesians 1:11, NLT) 

It was at eight years of age that Moses finally saw the plan unfold to which he was called. It was then that God revealed Moses was to be the one to lead God’s people out of Egypt into the land He had promised them.

Our lives, too, will go through a process. Paul, in writing to the early believers, was confident God would work in their lives. And we can be assured that God is at work in our lives as well.

“For I am confident of this very thing, 
that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” 
(Philippians 1:6, NASB)

Our lives go through a process,
fulfilling the plans and purposes
of our most loving and gracious God.

 

Reflection: 
Have you ever had to wait for God to unfold His plan in your life? How have you seen the process better prepare you?

 

Image by Mollyroselee from Pixabay

 

Peace with God

 By: Lauren Thomas 

Is peace a feeling? Sure. When we feel peace, we have a sense of well-being, tranquility, serenity. Most people enjoy a sense of peace and calm. In fact, some people build their lives to increase feelings of peace. (It’s me – I’m raising my hand here.)

 

But peace is not just a feeling.

 

(And as someone who can put too much value in my feelings…)

 

Peace is an “objective reality, not just a subjective experience.” I came across this phrase in my ESV study Bible when researching Romans 5:1. And I can’t get it out of my head!

 

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1 ESV

 

For context, Paul is writing about the justification and reconciliation we have with God through our faith in Jesus Christ. Because of our faith in Jesus, we have peace with God. There is literally peace between us and God.

 

Even if I don’t “feel” peace, I am guaranteed peace between me and God. And that is where peace really matters, right? Because any sense of peace is artificial without having the peace that comes through reconciliation with God. Romans 5:1 reminds us that through faith in Jesus, we do have the kind of peace that really counts. Without this kind of peace, we have no real peace.

 

Regardless of my feelings, I have peace with God.

 

I – and all of us really – can’t always trust feelings. See Jeremiah 17:9. Our feelings matter. Our feelings can give us important information. Our emotions can feel really good or really bad. But they aren’t always accurate markers of what is real. Romans 5 assures us of our peace with God, but sometimes we don’t/won’t “feel” that we are at peace with God. Praise God, He is bigger than our feelings.

 

19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 

1 John 3:20 ESV

 

Today, remember that by faith in Jesus, you have peace with God. Even if you don’t “feel” peace, you have the peace that matters more than any other kind of peace. It is an objective reality.

 

Reflection:

Can you think of a time that your feelings did not reflect truth? What is your experience of peace in your relationship with God? How can you remind yourself of your peace with God today?