Cultivate Humility - Part 2 by Ryan Townsend

Cultivate Humility - Part 2 by Ryan Townsend: "

"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
James 4:6

Here's more great stuff to read slowly and prayerfully from Stuart Scott's From Pride to Humility:

A list of 24 manifestations of what Christ exalting humility should produce in your life.

1. Recognizing and trusting God’s character (Psalm 119:66)

2. Seeing yourself as having no right to question or judge an Almighty and Perfect God (Psalm 145:17; Romans 9:19-23)

3. Focusing on Christ (Philippians 1:21; Hebrews 12:1-2)

4. Biblical praying and a great deal of it (1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Timothy 2:1-2)

5. Being overwhelmed with God’s undeserved grace and goodness (Psalm 116:12-19)

6. Thankfulness and gratitude in general towards others (1 Thess. 5:18)

7. Being gentle and patient (Colossians 3:12-14)

8. Seeing yourself as no better than others (Romans 12:16; Ephesians 3:8)

9. Having an accurate view of your gifts and abilities (Romans 12:3)

10. Being a good listener (James 1:19; Philippians 2:3-4)

11. Talking about others only if it is good or for their good (Proverbs 11:13)

12. Being gladly submissive and obedient to those in authority (Rom. 12:1-2, 13:1-2)

13. Preferring others over yourself (Romans 12:10)

14. Being thankful for criticism or reproof (Proverbs 9:8, 27:5-6)

15. Having a teachable spirit (Proverbs 9:9)

16. Seeking always to build up others (Ephesians 4:29)

17. Serving (Galatians 5:13)

18. A quickness in admitting when you are wrong (Proverbs 29:23)

19. A quickness in granting and asking for forgiveness (Colossians 3:12-14)

20. Repenting of sin as a way of life (Colossians 3:1-14; 1 Timothy 4:7-9)

21. Minimizing others’ sins or shortcomings in comparison to one’s own (Matthew 7:3-4)

22. Being genuinely glad for others (Romans 12:15)

23. Being honest and open about who you are and the areas in which you need growth (Philippians 3:12-14;
Galatians 6:2)

24. Possessing close relationships (Acts 20:31-38)

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Cultivate Humility - Part 1 by Ryan Townsend

Cultivate Humility - Part 1 by Ryan Townsend: "

"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
James 4:6

In his booklet

From Pride to Humility, Stuart Scott has compiled an insightful list of 30 biblical indicators as to whether pride is resident in our hearts. Read these slowly and prayerfully.

1. Complaining against or passing judgment on God (Numbers 14:1-4, 9, 11; Romans 9:20)

2. A lack of gratitude (2 Chronicles 32:25)

3. Anger (Proverbs 28:25; Matthew 20:1-16)

4. Seeing yourself as better than others (Luke 7:36-50)

5. Having an inflated view of your importance, gifts and abilities (Acts 12:21-23)

6. Being focused on the lack of your gifts and abilities (1 Cor. 12:14-25)

7. Perfectionism (Matthew 23:24-28)

8. Talking too much (Proverbs 10:19)

9. Talking too much about yourself (Proverbs 27:2; Galatians 6:3)

10. Seeking independence or control (1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Ephesians 5:21)

11. Being consumed with what others think (Galatians 1:10)

12. Being devastated or angered by criticism (Proverbs 13:1)

13. Being unteachable (Proverbs 19:20; John 9:13-34)

14. Being sarcastic, hurtful, degrading, talking down to them(Proverbs 12:18, 24)

15. A lack of service (Galatians 5:13, Ephesians 2:10)

16. A lack of compassion (Matthew 5:7, 18:23-35)

17. Being defensive or blame-shifting (Genesis 3:12-13; Proverbs 12:1)

18. A lack of admitting when you are wrong (Proverbs 10:17)

19. A lack of asking forgiveness (Matthew 5:23-24)

20. A lack of biblical prayer (Luke 18:10-14)

21. Resisting authority or being disrespectful (1 Peter 2:13-17)

22. Voicing preferences or opinions when not asked (Philippians 2:1-4)

23. Minimizing your own sin and shortcomings (Matthew 7:3-5)

24. Maximizing others’ sin and shortcomings (Matthew 7:3-5; Luke 18:9-14)

25. Being impatient or irritable with others (Ephesians 4:31-32)

26. Being jealous or envious (1 Corinthians 13:4)

27. Using others (Matthew 7:12; Philippians 2:3-4)

28. Being deceitful by covering up sins, faults, and mistakes (Proverbs 11:3; 28:13)

29. Using attention-getting tactics (1 Peter 3:3,4)

30. Not having close relationships (Proverbs 18:1-2; Hebrews 10:24-25)

The Evidence Of Love

1 John 5

The Evidence of Love

1. Keep His Commandments v 1-3

God is love. 1 John 4:16.  God loved us and saved us.  We are to love others as we reflect the love of God to us in Salvation.  We did not deserve Salvation but but the grace of God!

2. Overcome the World - v 4-5

God has given us all it takes to live a victorious Christian life.  We are born of God and meant to overcome the world THROUGH FAITH!

Romans 8:37 We are more than conquerors

2 Peter 1:3 has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness

3. Witness of His Salvation - v 6-12

God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit - in perfect unity and yet distinct in function! God sent his Son to save us in our sinful estate. Was crucified and died on that cruel cross.  He rose from the dead and ascended to heaven to prepare us a place.  He left us the God the Holy Spirit our help and counselor! Witness of amazing grace in Salvation! Witness of His great love and mercy!  Beloved if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another - 1 John 4:11

4. Pray for needs to be met - v 14-15

Praying instead of fretting! Letting God know all our anxieties! And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE the petitions that we have asked of him. We are to pray in His name! John 16:24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name, ask and you will receive that you joy may be full. Asking in His name means trusting in His will, His Power and Righteousness!

5. Save Those in Sin - v 16-17

An evidence that we Love God is seen in the care and concern for those in sin - BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE! Prayerfully reach out to erring brethren,  but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ.  Before we can lovingly but sadly separate ourselves from those unwilling to leave the allure of sin and its influence - LET US DO ALL WE CAN TO HELP IN RESTORATION! Gal 6:1,2

Pst Onesmus Kibera

Mt. Kenya Baptist Church

PO Box 483, Nanyuki, 10400

Kenya

+254733600213, +254724626720

www.okibera.blogspot.com

Standing on God’s Sovereign Purposes

Standing on God’s Sovereign Purposes: "

Here are good words that encourage confidence in our sovereign God.

“We know that all things work together for good, to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

“All the afflictions, and all the temptations, and all the oppressions, and all the oppositions, and all the persecutions which befall a godly man, shall work for his good. Every cross, and every loss, and every disease which befall the holy man, shall work for his good. Every device, every snare, every deceit, every stratagem, and every enterprise of Satan against the holy man, shall work for his good. Every prosperity and every adversity; every storm and every calm; every bitter and every sweet; every cross and every comfort—shall work for the holy man’s good.

When God gives a mercy—that shall work for his good. When God takes away a mercy—that shall work for his good.

O Christian! What though friends and relations frown upon you, what though enemies are plotting and conspiring against you, what though needs, like armed men, are breaking in upon you, what though men rage, and devils roar against you, what though sickness is devastating your family, what though death stands every day at your elbow—yet there is no reason for you to fear nor faint, because all these things shall work for your good!”

—Thomas Brooks, “The Crown and Glory of Christianity, or, Holiness, the Only Way to Happiness“

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On Giving Financially to the Local Church by Aaron Menikoff

On Giving Financially to the Local Church by Aaron Menikoff: "

What does a young pastor do when faced with the reality of potentially not meeting our budget? He blogs, of course. Thankfully, in response to a need, dozens of members stepped up and gave sacrificially.God provided. Through it all, three questions came up that I sought to understand myself and answer.

First, what, generally does the Bible say about financial giving? Answer: give sacrificially. See more here.

Second, what does the Bible say about tithing? Answer: it is a floor, not a ceiling. See more here.

Third, what does the Bible say about giving to the church specifically? Answer: give to the church and, if you are giving sacrificially, you will have plenty to give to other ministries (like 9Marks!). See more here.

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Bible Reading Plans

Bible Reading Plans

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