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Home Sections The Daily B.R.E.A.D. July 15, 2009 - Wednesday Meditation (Simplicity and Humility)
July 15, 2009 - Wednesday Meditation (Simplicity and Humility) PDF Print E-mail
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Sections - The Daily B.R.E.A.D.
Written by Bobot Apit   
Tuesday, 14 July 2009 03:50
S implicity of heart is wedded with humility, the queen of virtues, because humility inclines the heart towards grace and truth
 
 
M atthew 11:25-27  At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; (26) yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. (27) All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and  any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."
 
* Meditation by Don Schwager

Do you want to know the mind and thoughts of God? Jesus thanks the Father in heaven for revealing to his disciples the wisdom and knowledge of God. What does Jesus' prayer tell us about God and about ourselves? First, it tells us that God is both Father and Lord of earth as well as heaven. He is both Creator and Author of all that he has made, the first origin of everything and transcendent authority, and at the same time, goodness and loving care for all his children. All fatherhood and motherhood is derived from him (Ephesians 3:14-15). Jesus' prayer also contains a warning that pride can keep us from the love and knowledge of God. What makes us ignorant and blind to the things of God? Certainly intellectual pride, coldness of heart, and stubbornness of will shut out God and his kingdom. Pride is the root of all vice and the strongest influence propelling us to sin. It first vanquishes the heart, making it cold and indifferent towards God. It also closes the mind to God's truth and wisdom for our lives. What is pride? It is the inordinate love of oneself at the expense of others and the exaggerated estimation of one's own learning and importance.

Jesus contrasts intellectual pride with child-like simplicity and humility.

The simple of heart are like "babes" in the sense that they see purely without pretense and acknowledge their dependence and trust in the one who is greater, wiser, and more trustworthy. They seek one thing – the "summum bonum" or "greatest good" who is God himself. Simplicity of heart is wedded with humility, the queen of virtues, because humility inclines the heart towards grace and truth. Just as pride is the root of every sin and evil, so humility is the only soil in which the grace of God can take root. It alone takes the right attitude before God and allows him as God to do all. God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6). Only the humble in heart can receive true wisdom and understanding of God and his ways. Do you submit to God's word with simple trust and humility?
 
Jesus makes a claim which no one would have dared to make – he is the perfect revelation of God. One of the greatest truths of the Christian faith is that we can know the living God. Our knowledge of God is not simply limited to knowing something about God, but we can know God personally. The essence of  Christianity, and what makes it distinct from Judaism and other religions, is the knowledge of God as our Father. Jesus makes it possible for each of us to personally know God as our Father. To see Jesus is to see what God is like. In Jesus we see the perfect love of God – a God who cares intensely and who yearns over men and women, loving them to the point of laying down his life for them upon the Cross. Jesus is the revelation of God – a God who loves us completely, unconditionally, and perfectly.
 
Jesus also promises that God the Father will hear our prayers when we pray in his name. That is why Jesus taught his followers to pray with confidence, Our Father who art in heaven . . . give us this day our daily bread.  Do you pray to your Father in heaven with
joy and confidence in his love and care for you?

 
"Lord Jesus, give me the child-like simplicity and purity of faith to gaze upon your face with joy and confidence in your all-merciful love. Remove every doubt, fear, and proud thought which would hinder me from receiving your word with trust and humble submission." 
 
 

* Supplementary Reading

Controlling Your Anger by OS Hillman
 

A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 19:11


S ometimes we may let the actions of another cause us to lose control of our temper.  Before we do, it is important to remember that;  An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins. Proverbs 29:22  For as churning the milk produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife. Proverbs 30:33
 
After all, My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19-20
 
So the next time that someone treats you wrongly turn it over to God to handle, and do not lose your temper or try to get even with them. For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." Hebrews 10:30
 
Therefore, try your best to keep your words soft and sweet.  For we never know from day to day which words we'll have to eat!  Also remember; Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
 
Amen. # # #

 

 



 
GOD BLESS US ALL!
 
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.


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Last Updated on Tuesday, 14 July 2009 06:11
 

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