After 25 years of working with amazing leaders-there are certain things that are always true. My heroes are men & women of deep humility. 2 weeks ago, @pastorbriangfisher taught 2 principles from Matthew 20 that gave us all pause! “We want honor without humility. We want authority without submission.” Zing! We get it-we all struggle here! Instead of asking a generic , “Am I proud?” Join me in asking yourself these questions.
1. How low am I willing to go?
2. How much of the world’s success have I brought into my faith?
3. Am I disrespectful to my current authority?
4. Am I known for a loving or critical spirit?
5. Is my heart living in awe toward God or anger toward God?
If you’re like me, these questions cut to the quick. Yet, we all want more of Jesus, more peace, more joy, & more satisfaction! Maybe it’s time to step up to going low. #matthew20#betterlife#humility#followwell#leadwell
My friend, Mary, added this pic and I thought ,”That is EXACTLY how I feel living under a GOD OF GRACE WHO LOVES ME NO MATTER WHAT! I want to live like this! Arms lifted high-RECEIVING.Lately, I find myself in awe of the overwhelming vastness of GOD’S GRACE. Is grace really free or do I need to do some things because I am in a “divine pay-off” relationship with God? Am I living in GRACE or LEGALISM?GRACE IS UNMERITED FAVOR-no question-but I think the depth of this would shock us. We often think of the word “SIN” as an action or thought when it can also be a state. Why does it seem as we live in 2 worlds? The busy, daily grind when we don’t think about God at all on Tuesday, yet we can experience the spiritual HIGH of a Sunday morning.
I CORINTHIANS 3 TEACHES US THERE ARE 3 TYPES OF PEOPLE.
“NATURAL MAN” (one not knowing Christ as Savior)
“CARNAL MAN “(person having come to know Christ, but not obeying Him as Lord)
“SPIRITUAL MAN”( person having trusted Christ as Savior & obeying Him.) With Romans 7 as our guide, we are stuck! When you can, read ROMANS 6-8 in one sitting. If you want, write down what you see. GOD’S incomprehensible GRACE breaks that ridiculous chain that we all wear- STRIVING FOR GOD TO LIKE US!
When I look through these chapters, I think, why do I do what I do? If I am a legalist, it’s because a vine of deceit has woven itself around me that says “work for God”or sadly, impress others with my devotedness. If I live in GRACE-REAL FREE GRACE-I walk with God BECAUSE I’M RESPONDING to Him in BROKENNESS. I know, I mean really, I can’t do it. I can’t obey without God’s Spirit, I can’t desire time in His Word without His gentle hand, & I want to be self-centered at least 30 times a day. YET, HE WAITS….KINDLY, WITH OPEN & GENTLE HANDS & ALWAYS A BETTER WAY!CHECK YOURSELF WITH THESE QUESTIONS. THEY HELP ME!
WHY am I doing this activity (bible study, speaking, or serving in the church kitchen)?
Do I believe God would STILL love me if I didn’t do these activities? Do I RECEIVE His kindness ?
Do I “feel good” about myself when I do “religious things”?
Do I reckon myself dead and crucified with Christ and that nothing good dwells in my flesh? I love it that LIFE STARTED AT A SYMBOL OF DEATH- A TOMB! ANY GOOD IN ME IS HIS GOOD.
I have to ask God to break me any spiritual pride, really, to help me see the true state of our humanity. When I do, I am be surprised (maybe discouraged, sometimes?). Then,& only then, do we awaken to see OUR COMPLETE NEED AND HIS MAJESTY…and THAT IS GOOD.
For 25 years, God has allowed me to share His heart with Texas college and high school women about our true identity. Who are we, anyway? All of us currently live in a world of pretend, heartache, and shame. Yet, we are more than filtered Instagram pics. Our collective beauty can be more than external. Our level of satisfaction in life should be more than just “the next thing” in life. All women sense there is something more to life than beauty, school, career, health, wealth, marriage, and motherhood. Is there something else to make us feel valued? Rather than a something, could it be a Someone? Could it be Someone who knows us because He made us? I cannot adequately express the joy of seeing young women choose to come to Jesus to be made new as someone cherished, valuable, and crucial to the plan of God. It’s no accident that the first person to see the Risen Christ was a radiantly new woman. (John 20) Remember, Jesus was -and is-perfect and yet He gave His first glimpse of resurrection purity to an astonishingly imperfect woman who loved Him. Mary could be my bestie! (Can I get a witness?)
He is still at work in the lives of women.
Now, ready for some next generation hope? For years, my daughter (and her dance pals!) joined me to speak about true identity every summer. These are more than just cartoon princess events. These are times we look at what Jesus -the true King-offers to every girl who believes in Him the role as Daughter of the King. The symbolism of this crown is never lost on these girls! They understand it’s a gift to be received and that crown means “princess”. When girls put on this crown and turn (for the first time) to see themselves in a mirror, they always smile at their reflection! Why? Because the unconditional love and favor of the King has been lavished upon them and they see it represented by the crown!
Many of are not girls anymore-yet we STILL want new identities. We don’t want a mere makeover. We want a MakeNew. Have yougiven up on feeling “special” in this world? Look out of this temporal world to the eternal Kingdom of Love. Jesus holds out a new crown for you with the inscription SHE WHO IS ADORED. He loves you. (John 3:16) We’ve all made mistakes. (Romans 3:23) Jesus paid for our mistakes and wants to give us new hearts and new lives!(Romans 5:8) Now what? Tell Him you believe Him . Tell Him you believe He is God and you are not. Thank Him for dying for you. Ask Him-now-to make you new! (Revelation 3:20) Are you ready? Your life is about to radiate His love, His purpose and His power! Learn about your King by reading the book of John. Then, look in the mirror and say, “This girl is special for she knows the King! ” 🙂
1. How low am I willing to go?
