It’s nice, isn’t it, when other people value you – who you are, what you’ve done, perhaps even the potential they see in you. That’s nice. But we live in a world where all that’s been taken way, way too far. Becoming more like Jesus isn’t something that happens overnight, at least it hasn’t for me. How about you? Right, so now that we’re on the same page, what do we do with that natural desire to be liked, to be thought well of, to receive accolades for how truly wonderful we are? After all, it’s one thing to be valued by others. It’s another thing entirely to yearn for recognition and rewards. Enter, Jesus: Philippians 2:7-9 During his life as a man, he humbled himself by being fully obedient to God, even when that caused his death—death on a cross. So God raised him up to the most important place and gave him the name that is greater than any other name. What that tells me is that the single greatest act of humility in all of history, earned Jesus the greatest possible exaltation and reward. And that principle flows through to the likes of thee and me as well. As you bump along on your journey with Jesus – albeit some days one step forward, two steps back – you discover that the more you humble yourself, the more you step away from the recognition, reward trap of this world, the more you experience the blessed release of not having to impress; not having to be recognised; not having to win. And indeed, the more God blesses you in ways that you could never have imagined. Humble yourself. That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.
Proverbs 15:31,32 To be counted among the wise, you must learn to accept helpful criticism. If you refuse to be corrected, you are only hurting yourself. Listen to criticism, and you will gain understanding.
Ephesians 3:16-19 I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength— that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. (MSG)
Colossians 4:5,6 Be wise in the way you act with those who are not believers. Use your time in the best way you can. When you talk, you should always be kind and wise. Then you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should.
1 John 2:15-17 Don’t love this evil world or the things in it. If you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. This is all there is in the world: wanting to please our sinful selves, wanting the sinful things we see, and being too proud of what we have. But none of these comes from the Father. They come from the world. The world is passing away, and all the things that people want in the world are passing away. But whoever does what God wants will live forever.
1 Peter 5:10 Yes, you will suffer for a short time. But after that, God will make everything right. He will make you strong. He will support you and keep you from falling. He is the God who gives all grace. He chose you to share in his glory in Christ. That glory will continue forever.
2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.” (ESV)
Proverbs 12:16 Fools are easily upset, but wise people avoid insulting others.
John 14:1-3 Jesus said, “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back. Then I will take you with me, so that you can be where I am.
Colossians 1:28 So we continue to tell people about Christ. We use all wisdom to counsel every person and teach every person. We are trying to bring everyone before God as people who have grown to be spiritually mature in Christ.
Psalm 112:5-7 It is good for people to be kind and generous and to be fair in business. Such good people will never fall. They will always be remembered. They will not be afraid of bad news. They are confident because they trust in the LORD.
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