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Humility—Filled with Christ

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. (Luke 5:10, 11)

It is a curious grace to reach the empty end of ourselves. Like frustrated fishermen, we have cast enormous nets for our own glory only to be disappointed with our catch. Whether we’ve hauled in knowledge or wealth, fame or stature, advancement or achievement, none have measured up to our expectations. Dissatisfied, we drop our nets again and again in search for more and more until we realize and confess the futility and mockery of “it’s all about me.” In these precious times of truth so convicting, we relinquish our pride so unfulfilling. Yet what God empties He also fills. We are thus twice-humbled: deservedly brought low in the pride of our sinful nature, then graciously raised up as partakers in Christ’s divine nature. Is it any wonder, when called to follow Jesus, Peter and his friends left it all behind to follow Him? Doesn’t His love compel us to do the same?

Then how amazing the things are that God does through people who are humbled in their flesh and living boldly in the humility of Christ! Who but hearts awakened by grace rise to seek and to serve those they once distanced in indifference or contempt? Who releases grudges held against others but those who sigh in relief over their own forgiveness? Who speaks as ambassadors of the Kingdom of God but those He has liberated from fear? Who stands in prayer against the powers of darkness but the one who has overcome them in Christ? And only in the love and power of Christ’s sacrifice for us do we gratefully offer our life to Him.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time,” (1 Peter 5:6) wrote the older, wiser Peter. Humility is the nature of Christ, and when we examine ourselves in the light of One so great, we cannot help but give Him all glory, for it is rightfully His.

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9–11)

Click here to read today’s Scripture in James 4:1-10

Today’s post is an excerpt from Christ in Me. Copyright © 2016 Paul Nordman. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Click here to order a copy of Christ in Me by Paul Nordman.

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Greater

Greater. There have been times throughout history when the world needed something—or someone—greater. Imperiled by a fascist Germany, for example, the world needed a dogged determination of Winston Churchill and, ultimately, America and the allied forces. Facing the spread of Soviet oppression, the world needed the triumvirate of Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, and Pope John Paul II and, ultimately, the protection of individual freedoms.

I don’t see the rise of global domination by a statist sovereign today, but I do sense our culture is clearly in need of something—or someone—greater. What is it that threatens us now? In just a few short decades, we have largely exchanged the liberating truth of God in favor of the coddling culture of relativism. We prefer to bend “whatever works for you” to our selfish liking, rather than to submit our selfish liking to the authority of Christ. What happens, then, when we trade solid truth for mere feeling? Whatever works for me clashes with whatever works for you, and there is no standard of right and wrong, no authority to which we turn together for guidance. Whoever screams the loudest rules. Rhetoric reigns, and chaos is king.

So who is this “someone” the world needs today? You. I really mean that. If Jesus Christ lives in you through faith, the world desperately needs you. Why? Because “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” Wherever you are, He is; wherever you go, He goes; wherever you serve, He serves. And when you rise above the fray of the day and give yourself over to the rule of Christ in you, people see this One who is greater, and they have hope. Yes, the world needs you.

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

Lord Jesus, you truly are greater than the deceiver who is in the world. Shine through me in what I say and do, so others may know for themselves the hope and truth that are found only in you. Amen.

[Click here to read today’s Scripture in 1 John 4:1-4.]

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Staring Down the First-time Jitters

Oh, those “first-time jitters”! We’ve all faced them, haven’t we? Do you remember trying to convince your childhood self to dive head-first into the water, or pleading with your teenage self to ask someone to dance? Did you lose any sleep over your first “real” job interview or your public speaking debut? Life is full of daunting “first’s.” What were some of yours?

Though we know him as one of the Bible’s larger-than-life figures, even Moses experienced anticipation angst. What was it that intimidated this legendary leader? Leadership! “Who am I, that I should go?” replied Moses to God in wavering self-doubt. When God promised to go with Moses, the man doubled down, asking, in essence, Who are you? Moses didn’t stop there, either, demurring three more times before heeding God’s call to lead.

Then how did this reluctant octogenarian mature from “Who, me?” to “Let’s go!” and become the “Moses!” we know today? In a word, “trust.” God called Moses to do some pretty bold things, so He calmed his doubts with some pretty bold signs, just enough to give Moses enough confidence to engage the leaders of Israel and confront the Pharaoh of Egypt. As Moses took these first steps in faith, God did as He promised, engendering even more faith. And so it went—Moses’ obedience following God’s promises, and God’s faithfulness solidifying Moses’ trust.

Though none of us are commanded to call down plagues or bid the sea to part before us, God does lead us to our share of “first’s.” In a sense, each day brings us new sets of circumstances and challenges, the outcome of which we do not know. We are tempted then to avoid them or to confront them our way, but God calls us to know His ways and to trust in them. Like Moses, we’ve seen enough of God’s presence in our yesterdays that we can trust Him to guide us through all of our todays. For His faithfulness is ever-new and never-changing.

Lord God, you wield all power in great love. I choose to lay aside my fears today and place my trust in you. Lead on. Amen.

[Click here to read today’s Scripture, Exodus 3:14-18.]