Here we go. Here we go. How are you doing?
What’s your desire? Dig deep. What do you see?
Then think about this:
In your walk with the Lord that you are stepping in, what’s your desire in that?
xxx
Last weekend, we were driving past a church sign and it said, “Do you feel far from God? Guess who moved.”
It’s absolutely true.
Examine yourself.
xxx
This is the Lord’s desire for you:
8 He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,[a]
and to walk humbly with your God?
Even though we are not fully obedient, God has grace for us. Through grace, we have been saved. Let us do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Growing our walk with God provides the power and devotion for us to engage fully. This grounds everything else that we do. Lean into His lovingkindness, mercy, and compassion. Your heart won’t get easily hardened and your mind won’t be clouded with judgment.
“Biblical references to the word “justice” mean “to make right.” Justice is, first and foremost, a relational term — people living in right relationship with God, one another, and the natural creation.”
There are a variety of areas in which we can do and see justice. It provides equal opportunity for all. In our lives, we all have the opportunity to do justice with actions that help people help themselves. Let us be taught and teach how to stand with one another.
Listen, listen. Is there any pride in you? If so, how is it holding you back? The thoughts that surround your mind, are they godly? Or are they worldy? Once we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, that is when the sanctification process begins. It’s a process. It’s not done overnight. It’s a whole lifetime.
There are moments when you will probably crawl, walk, run, and sprint. Let’s not forget leaping, dancing, skipping, hopping, and jumping. I want you to know this and really receive it.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Know this about pride:
6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
18 Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Haughty: “Haughtiness means having or showing arrogance. Other synonyms of 'haughty' are pride conceit, contemptuous, disdainful, imperious, overweening, scornful, and snobbish, to name a few.” - Google
Have you ever been humbled? I, myself, have many examples of being humiliated.
Is there any area you need to examine pride?
Don’t wait until your fall down and land on your face. Speaking from experience.
12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
This is also read in James 4:10:
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Do not promote yourself. Allow God to exalt you.
Humble yourself before God. Place your complete faith and trust in Him. Release your life into His hands. I know that sometimes we resist God and go in the other direction. A nice read about this is from the book of Jonah. I am here to tell you that the only one that we should be resisting is the devil (James 4:7).
Take this other Psalm to heart:
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts![a]
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting![b]
Pray it out loud for yourself. Know that you will be found.
On another note, you have to know that Jesus left heaven to do the will of the Father.
38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.
By doing this, Jesus humbled himself.
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
A prime example of humility.
Let us also submit, be obedient, trust, lean, and believe in God. You already know what verse I am going to bring up, winky face!
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Read all of John 6! Highly recommend it and hope that it encourages YOU!
Let us look and act differently than the rest of the world. We are light. We are salt. Let us not hide our light or lose our saltiness. But know that we have been called, and now through Jesus, we are sons and daughters of God.
Through all of this, God tells us what is good to do. I recall that this is His desire for you:
Act justly
Love mercy
Walk humbly with God
Let us not overlook this either:
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Verses to also read:
2 Chronicles 7:14
Psalm 25:9
Proverbs 3:34
Isaiah 66:2
Matthew 11:29
Ephesians 4:2
1 Peter 5:6
Zechariah 9:9
Keep walking with Him. Stay on the narrow path.