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Challenges of Our Faith: Humbleness

Posted on May 31, 2015 by Jared Meredith

One of the next challenges of our faith is to learn how to keep our humbleness in balance with what we do not understand.

Matthew 23:12 – And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Why is humbleness important? (Defined as having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s own importance.) Humbleness as it is related to our faith is what keeps us grounded to the central point of focus. Without being humble we stray from the very ideal that God is able to perform our petition and that we cannot. And the further we go away from humbleness the more opposite of the outlook we obtain: instead of “I can do all things through Christ” we start thinking “I can do it on my own” Having no humbleness in your heart to strengthen you is like going to the pool and wanting to swim but the pool has no water. It is like trying to take a drink of water from an empty bottle. So it is like we try to do something by faith but we do not satisfaction while we are doing it.

1 Kings 17:14-24

Neither one of them blames God for their tragedy. Neither one of them tries to explain it away with easy answers. And neither one concludes that with the right amount of faith, there will never be any more pain in the widow’s life. They simply go to God, asking him for help, appealing to his mercy. They have what we would call a humble faith. It’s humble because they recognize that God often does things they don’t understand. But it’s faith because they never cease believing in the goodness of God.

A lot of people attempt to have faith without being humble. In order to believe, they demand that God do exactly what they think he should. If he doesn’t, then they lose their faith. In order for them to obey God’s moral instructions, for instance, they have to agree with them. But if God doesn’t say things that offend you or do things that confuse you, then you aren’t dealing with the true God; you’re dealing with a figment of your own imagination. A god who conforms to your mind is usually only a projection of your mind. One of the ways we know that God is a living God—and not just a projection of preconceived notions—is that he leaves us with so many unanswered questions. If I invented a god, he would always take care of the people I like and would never surprise me. But God is confusing. He is surprising. He is constantly doing things that make me say, “What?” A humble faith is willing to live with unanswered questions, yet is confident in God’s goodness.

So how do we stay humble?

Prayer: 2 Chronicles 7:14
Encouragement for others: Ephesians 4:1-3
Get rid of what tarnishes humbleness: Ephesians 4:31-32
Being patient when we do not understand: 1 Peter 5:6

Sometimes It’s Okay To Break Down

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Jared Meredith

We as people in general love to fancy ourselves as being strong enough to handle anything and everything that life decides to throw at us. And on a very personal level, I use to think as such as well. I tried to be the tough guy; always dealing with things and trying to never shed a single tear (or displaying any kind of emotion in any way). It never failed that in the end that there would always end up being some sort of emotional break up or down at the end of the day when I would be to myself. To make a long story short, it was never meant for us to live in a world where we suppress the emotions that we cannot deal with or understand.

God has provided a way so that we are able to cast all the cares (those things we are emotionally invested in) and weights (those things that bear weight as burdens) off of us! When life becomes to be too heavy, we have to learn to remember to pray and seek God for the comfort, peace, and strength that we will need in the days ahead of us. Trying to deal with these things on our own will never work, simply because we have no where for it to go. When we pray, it is not only a good outlet, but a spiritual one! You not only cast off what is of a burden to you, but God begins to replace it with the very thing that you need! He is the strength for your weakness.

So what are we trying to say today? It’s okay to admit you need help, or are hurting, or are burdened. It’s okay to reach out to God. It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to call out for those that believe God for help too! Reach out to God and begin to live a more joyous and peaceful life! You will not regret it!

Steps For A Blessed Life

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Jared Meredith

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Matthew 5:1-3

[1] And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
[2] And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
[3] Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Those who have a conscious need or (1) Humility. When we begin to apply humility, our view of what is important begins to be lowered and our lives can start to be humbled by God. This is an important step because without it we cannot unlock love and compassion for others!

Matthew 5:4

[4] Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

(2)Penitence (mourning for sin) – or mourning in faith for the comfort of God. When we practice penitence, it brings remorse for the sins we have committed and allows us to repent (or turn back) to God. If we learn to look at ourselves and recognize our mistakes, it helps us to not be afraid or to actually get down to our problems and allow God to help us with them.

Matthew 5:5

[5] Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

The birth of a new spirit in you through (3) Meekness. Meekness in use will become submissive humbleness, and how powerful that can be in your walk with God! We will learn to become patient in our trials and learn to be humble and know that God is surely with us. This will help us to cling to God and not search beyond that!

Matthew 5:6

[6] Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Growth – through a (4) Spiritual Appetite through the seeking after God. An appetite represents a strong desire for something, and we have a strong desire for God we will not be easily moved by anything (regardless of what we could define here)!

Matthew 5:7

[7] Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

An attribute of God that demonstrates (5) Mercifulness. Mercy is complete and total compassion. When we have compassion on others, we’ll look beyond their faults and help them find God and get them to a place where they are on the stable foundation (with a strong spiritual rooted life as well).

Matthew 5:8

[8] Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

An attainment of higher attitudes, where comes the vision of God, comes the (6) Purity of Heart. Purity is the freedom from contamination. When our heart is clean and not corrupted with what could come to break it, God can use a vessel that is strong and able to continue and endure!

Matthew 5:9

[9] Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

A Christ-like influence calming life’s storms is (7) Peacemaking. Peacemaking is applied practice in making peace and settling disputes. All that you ever hear is more disputes being made. God wants us to be peacemakers; for when we walk to please others and love them, it demonstrates God within you.

Matthew 5:10-12

[10] Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[11] Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
[12] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Reaching the pinnacle, when you are able to endure the (8) Suffering for Christ! When we learn to bear the pain and distress of being obedient vessels, it allows us to continue going forward to fight the good fight for those who need God and not the fight within ourselves!

A couple supplemental readings worth mentioning:

Psalms 149:4

[4] For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

1 Peter 3:3-4

[3] Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
[4] But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

When we stop worrying about the condition of what we see in people and get down to the condition of their heart, we can really begin to execute the true mission of Christ: that the world through Him would be saved!