Children at Heart

Jesus said, "The greatest person in the kingdom of heaven is the one who makes himself humble like this child.

Matthew 18:4

Jesus's disciples were waiting for a response. They had just asked Jesus an important question, one they sincerely wanted an answer to. It wasn't exactly spiritual in nature. It had to do with position and power. The disciples wanted to know who out of the twelve of them would be the greatest in God's kingdom. Jesus answered them by inviting a small child to sit on his lap. That child became an object lesson in how highly God values humility.

When it comes to power and position, children are at the bottom of the pecking order. They are dependent on others to fill almost every need. They are eager to learn, because they recognize their own ignorance and helplessness. They innocently believe everything they are told, and they share their love freely. Their goal isn't to be the best. Their goal is simply to be who they are. This is the kind of humble, authentic response that God desires from his own children.

Jesus's poignant words reveal that God's kingdom is vastly different from earthly kingdoms. In it, servants, not celebrities, are honored. Jesus came to earth to make it possible for God's heavenly kingdom to begin on earth. Take a lesson from the child in Jesus's lap. Go to God fully aware of your need and your dependence on him. That's the starting point for nurturing a childlike, humble heart.

It is good to want to do great things, but only for the right reason - to bring honor to God, not yourself. Let Jesus's words help you weigh your motives anytime you long to be praised.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God to give you a humble heart. To love like a child - with full dependency on the Lord's blessings for every breath, every thought, every movement you may take. Let your relationship with God be one of an interconnection held together like the strength of a bungee cord. Although the world may pull you down with intense force of gravity - God will catch you and bounce you back up to the safety of his presence every time. ~ MME Team

A Servant's Heart

In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:5

Modern culture encourages individuals to fight for their rights, push their way to the top, and always look out for number one. Jesus demonstrated a different way to approach life, with the attitude of a servant who lays aside his rights for the benefit of others. In his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul challenged the Philippians to make a counter cultural choice and to follow Jesus's example.

To understand what it means to have the attitude and actions of Jesus alive and working within you, read the Gospels. Note how Jesus treated people. Note his patience, his compassion, and his sacrificial perspective on life. He voluntarily put earthly limitations on his heavenly form in order to bless others. He continually asked his Father for "thy will," not "my will," to be accomplished. Out of anyone who ever lived on this earth, Jesus had more reason to demand that others put him on a pedestal than anyone else. He deserved to be honored and served. Instead, out of an attitude of humility, he chose to be the servant of all.

Your attitude influences your decisions and actions and, ultimately, the effect they have on the lives of others. A selfish, self-centered attitude will eventually lead to self-destruction. A humble, God-centered attitude will lead to deeper personal peace and a greater positive impact on the world around you. It also will bring joy and honor to God, who dearly loves you. Help keep your attitude in check by keeping this in mind.

Love is the motivation behind the attitude that you are asked to emulate. The closer you draw to God, the deeper your love will grow and the more like Jesus your attitude will become.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray and give thanks to God for one more day to walk in the footsteps of his son Christ Jesus. That your heart may be transformed to that of a servant's heart. To leave behind days of modern culture, focus on self. For our lives are but a whisper here today, gone tomorrow. Let us serve God and make an impact of love upon our brethren. Lord forgive us when we fail you and thank you for one more day to live through your will. ~ MME Team 

The Peril of Pride

Through the LORD is supreme, he takes care of those who are humble, 

but he stays away from the proud. 

Psalm 138:6

          In the ancient Middle East, there were many myths about powerful monsters and primeval sea creatures. One Canaanite legend told of a sea monster named Rahab who fought against God's creation of the universe. The word rehab is Hebrew for both "acting stormily" and "arrogance." In the same way that the sea creature refused to believe God's power could be greater than its own, arrogant people believe they can succeed in life solely by their own strength.

          The bases for human pride are as much a myth as that sea creature. Physical abilities, IQ, talents, and accomplishments are all God's gifts. You can add effort to what God has given you, but the basic building blocks are all courtesy of him.

         Basing your life on a myth is bad enough. However, the most destructive thing about pride is that it acts like a God-repellent and pushes God away form the center of your life. As God keeps his distance from the proud, his gifts of guidance, wisdom, and comfort move out of reach. While God notices pride right away, you may be unaware of its presence. Ask a close friend if he or she sees evidence of pride in your life. Ask God to help you become more aware of your true motives, and then battle pride with the truth of who God is. The more you come to know and understand him, the more accurate a picture you'll have of yourself - and the more humility will replace pride in your life.

         Whenever you feel pride raise its arrogant head in your life, picture the sea monster, Rahab, battling - and losing to - God's supremacy.

         Pray for humility, that your relationship with God may be without barriers created by pride. Thank God for the gifts and talents he has granted you and ask for wisdom upon how to add efforts to those gifts to glorify him. ~ MME Team