Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Humility: Root of All Spiritual Fruit



Throughout the Christian world, you will find people seeking after the attributes of Jesus:  good, gracious, holy, sinless, patient, just, righteous, faithful, wise, and loving. Of all the attributes listed, the one that is a rarity to see mentioned is probably Jesus’s greatest attribute: humility. We will seek all of the others, yet not even consider humbling ourselves.

Humility is the root of the tree that produces all spiritual fruit. What use are any of the fruit of the spirit without the foundation of humility? Love is ineffective. Joy is hollow and short-lived. Patience is false pretense. Self-control is a mind game. Etc. Without humility we don’t have the real fruit in our basket. It is artificial flavoring. People, especially the ones we long to reach, know when you are offering them plastic fruit instead of genuine.

Why is their so little humility?

Before Creation, there were several among the angels that became self-satisfied with how they had been made, and how well they could use their talents. This is where the loss of humility began. They forgot that they did not create themselves, God did. The exchange made was as they lost humility, their pride increased. They were expelled from heaven for it. The enemy then poisoned our “first parents” with the venom of being like God. Once again humility was forsaken for pride and self-satisfaction. . “Pride, or the loss of this humility, is the root of every sin and evil.” In heaven and earth, pride and self-exaltation, are the gate, the birth, and the curse of hell

“Nothing can be our redemption, but the restoration of the ‘lost humility’… And so Jesus came to bring humility back to earth, to make us partakers of it, and by it to save us.” The Son of God decided, in heaven, to humble and limit Himself into the form of a man, a baby no less! The humility He had in heaven, He brought with Him to earth.

“Here on earth ‘He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death’; His humility gave His death its value, and so became our redemption. And now the salvation He imparts is nothing less and nothing else than a communication of His own life and death, His own disposition and spirit, His own humility.  Jesus Christ took the place and fulfilled the destiny of man, as a creature, by His life of perfect humility. His humility is our salvation. His salvation is our humility.”
Our lives as saved ones and saints, should testify of ‘deliverance from sin, and a full restoration’ of our ‘whole relation to God and man marked by an all-pervading humility.’
“Without this there can be no true abiding in God's presence, or experience of His favor and the power of His Spirit; without this no abiding faith, or love or joy or strength. Humility is the only soil in which the graces root; the lack of humility is the sufficient explanation of every defect and failure. Humility is not so much a grace or virtue along with others; it is the root of all, because it alone takes the right attitude before God, and allows Him as God to do all.”


So how shall we begin? Do we pray for humility? No. Asking for humility usually translates into scheduling yourself for an opportunity to be humbled. We should seek humility, and patience so that everything can grow upon the foundation, this precious root.

“It doesn’t say in the Scripture to pray for humility or patience; it does say to pray for wisdom. From this, God can give you the measure of patience and humility that you need.” –Rev. Thomas Young

I am aware that the land we are about to step into is going to cost us everything, yet, in it, is everything.




(Unless otherwise noted, quotes are from "Humility" by Andrew Murray)

Monday, September 12, 2011

The Covenant



Through fiery trials and revelation, it is our belief that this covenant is the foundation for the great move of God that is on our door step:

I affirm that my weaknesses, resources, and comfort are placed under the Lordship of Christ.

I affirm that I will not call criticism, discernment. I will join with Jesus to intercede, not join with Satan to accuse.

I affirm that the spirit of Elijah must come, and by the grace of God I will honor my spiritual fathers who precede me in service.
I affirm I will place my gifts and strengths under the younger, not to exalt myself but to lift others. I will decrease so that those whom I disciple can increase.

I affirm that I will not seek any authority before Humility brings it to me.


Thursday, September 8, 2011

Great Expectations


Expectations lead to disappointment. When we place expectations on how our day should go, how certain things should happen or how we want a person to respond, we are going to be disappointed. 
How much of our lives are we spending mourning over what we thought should have been? Leave your days in your Creator’s hands. Observe and review where and when He shows up even in the simplest things. He is observing you, your comings and goings, your expectations and disappointments, your responses and rehearsals.

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change, He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.



Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake

To guide the future, as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know

His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.



Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on

When we shall be forever with the Lord.

When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past

All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.