Tag: devotional

Humility

Author, Nicole L. Ross1 Comment

Humility

What does it mean to be humble?  This is a word I have read a lot about, mostly in the bible and I have come to learn that humility is not something that comes natural.  It is something we should desire, just like wisdom but not something we are expected to know on our own.  The reason I say this is because so often we are taught differently.  Women are taught to be independent and know how to take care of themselves.  Men are taught to be the breadwinner and provide for his family.  Having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s own importance is a direct contradiction to what has just been described.  Or is it?  Do you believe it is possible to be humble, yet still take care of business at the same time?  People who aren’t humble are prideful.  Pride in my opinion is another form of insecurity.  It’s a mask people tend to hide behind when they can’t handle their reality or as I like to call it, the truth.  They are constantly talking about themselves, bragging and often considered to be conceited and stuck-up.  I’ve been around people who are like this and in spite of all they have accomplished, their personality seems to make me think very little of them.  I am a person who feels like your deeds and actions should speak for themselves.  You should not think it is necessary to tell people your list of accomplishments when they first meet you.  I applaud hard work and strongly believe that it will be rewarded in the end, but let your reward speak for you.  Once you talk about it all the time and feel the need to tell everyone, I begin to question your motive behind it all in the first place.  Were you only doing it so you would have something to boast about?  If that’s the case, all of what you are talking about will be very short-lived.

To be humble is something that requires effort.  You have to make a decision to not get the “big head”.  Decide that you will work hard, you will succeed, but you will never forget where you came from.  I always say no matter what new endeavor you pursue, never despise small beginnings. If you start small, it will be a constant reminder of where you came from and how far this journey has brought you.  Not only that, it will show you just how far you can still go.  When you are humble, you have an innate ability to always strive for greatness, which leads me to believe that continued success is inevitable.

The true and undying power of mankind, that’s you and me, is found in submission.  Submission to who you might ask?  Submission to God.  No matter what your social status, pay grade, or job title you must always be willing to submit yourself to the will of God for your life.  You should wake up every morning asking God what His will is.  Many times we tell God what we want to do and that is backwards.  Before Jesus went to the cross, He prayed and said not my will God but Your will be done.  He humbled Himself to the will of the Father for us.  In His short 33 years of walking this earth Jesus was the ultimate example of what it means to be humble.  Allow our Lord and Savior to be your guide as you live a life of humility.  Please do not misunderstand what I am saying.  I truly, truly, truly believe that hard work deserves acknowledgement but don’t do it for the acknowledgement.  Examine your motives.  Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.  It is a character trait we must make a decision to have.    #iDeclare #humility

 Humility.365

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you God for this day.  Please God help me to be humble myself every day.  Forgive me for times when I have operated in a prideful spirit.  I decree and declare that humility will be a part of my character for the rest of my life.  My boast will be in Jesus Christ alone.  Thank you Jesus for being the ultimate example.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Scripture Reference:

Proverbs 11:2 NIV “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

Luke 14:11 NLT “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

James 4:10 NLT “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”

Back to the Basics…

Author, Nicole L. RossLeave a comment

ltalManners

            We are now in the year 2013 and things have changed so much over the past two decades.  Technology has most certainly advanced and the way we go about our everyday life has just been transformed all together.  Right now, for a brief moment, I want to go back to the basics.  Not knocking technology because I think it is great to advance and move forward.  Certain things however, seem to have gotten away from us.  I can remember as a child not having to worry about issues such as obesity.  We played outside literally all day long.  Our parents would have to make us come inside in the evening time.  Now, children, teenagers and even adults are on the computer all the time or playing video games.  They have no concept of what it means to go out and play.  Another issue I’ve noticed and seems to get worse all the time is a matter of respect.  There was a time in my life where I could never imagine anyone asking for something and not saying please or thank you.  Unfortunately, that is not the case in today’s society.    People just seem to feel as though they are entitled and that the world owes them something.  It is sad because first of all, that is not true.  No one owes you anything.  Secondly, whatever happened to the golden rule?  You treat others as you would want to be treated.  Self-reflection is a good measuring tool.  Always consider how you would feel if another person acted the way you act.  Would you be happy with their behavior or would it make you angry.  If it makes you angry then that means that something is wrong.

As adults, we should be role models.  Not only teaching those younger than us proper conduct through our words, but by exemplifying proper conduct in our actions.  It is a known fact that our children will mimic us whether our actions are good or bad.  The same is true of grown-ups.  We should model good behavior by doing kind things for others.  And not allow the actions of other people to cause us to distort the example that we set.  What I mean is, if someone else is being rude or mean instead of copying their behavior you set the example and behave in a manner that is more becoming.

Manners are in our heart.  Interpersonal skills such as listening, opening doors, saying please, thank you, you’re welcome, and sharing with others reveal the good manners in our heart.  These also correspond with the fruits of the spirit.  Manners cost nothing and are priceless.  True indeed, we all have super busy lives, but there is always time for courtesy.  Be polite, say hello, offer help, smile, pay a compliment and use please and thank you.  We have to get back to the basics, so we can be the example that Jesus Christ wants us to be.   #iDeclare #backtothebasics

please and thank you

Prayer:

Father God in the name of Jesus, I thank you for taking me back to the basics.  I repent and ask for your forgiveness in times when I have not displayed pleasant behavior.  I decree and declare that I will operate in love at all times.  I will say please and thank you.  I will be a good example for others.  And I will not allow the behavior of others to prevent me from doing so.  I will purpose in my heart to be the example that Jesus wants me to be.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Scripture:

Luke 6:31 NIV “Do to others as you would have them do to you”

Galatians 5:22-23 NLT “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

Two Simple Letters…N-O!

Author, Nicole L. Ross1 Comment

NO

Learning how to say no is one of the most difficult but most powerful lessons one can learn in life.  It’s funny because on the flip side, hearing no can also be one of the most difficult but most powerful things to hear.  This goes for children and adults.  We have a tendency to want what we want, when we want it.  As a parent, what I would call that is being spoiled. The desire to have is not always bad, but you have to know that everything you want is not necessary what you need.  God taught me this about a year after I graduated with my undergrad degree.  I got a job that I thought I had always wanted and ended up being so miserable.  He gave me what I wanted to show me that it was not what I needed.  If we would learn this concept, then I think it would be easier to receive it when someone tells you no.  I can also remember praying on multiple occasions asking God for this or that and when I did not get it, I would actually get angry because I did not understand why He was telling me no.  In fact, God wasn’t even telling me no, it was more of a not right now.  My inability to see beyond my present situation caused me to want something I thought was good, when God had great waiting for me around the corner.  Stop letting two simple letters make you feel like is the end of the world.  Whether you hear no from God or from man, take it in stride and learn from it.

We also have a tendency to shy away from telling people no.  Yes, we should help people.  Yes, we should bless them.  And yes, there are some times when we will have to be willing to say no.  It’s as simple as that.  Some times your no is what people need to hear because they have been told yes their whole entire life.  Every time they have ever asked for anything, they have gotten accustomed to getting what they want.  Saying no is a way to humble them.   It brings them back to reality.  Not to mention the fact that saying no gives your ‘yes’ that much more power.  If you say yes all the time, how powerful is it really?  A lot of times this could even cause you to be taken for granted.    Why are we so afraid to tell folks no?  I keep thinking about it and even as I write this I still do not know.  Is it because we are afraid to hurt their feelings or disappoint them?  Is it because we want to please people?  Is it because we feel as thought they will reject us?  Are we afraid of what the response will be?  I’m sure there are several reasons.  Nevertheless, I’ve learned that when we say yes to everyone all the time, there are instances when we could possibly be rejecting our self.  It is ok to bless others as I’ve mentioned before.  Selfless service is always great.  On the other hand, what’s not so great is doing so much for others that you completely forget about yourself.  If something happens to you, then what?

Just my thoughts that I wanted to share.  I hope you will truly think about them.  Ask God to increase your spirit of discernment as well as to open your spiritual ears so that when you are pulled on by others to do this or that, you will know which direction you should be going on instead of allowing kindness to get the best of us.  Never allow your kindness to be mistaken for a weakness.  We allow our emotions to get the best of us and put us in situations at times that we were never meant to be in.  If we are truly in tune with the spirit and the voice of God and our discernment is heightened we will know how to not only react but respond to people accordingly.  All in all, if you think about it, two simple letters N-O can truly be empowering.  I am not saying tell everybody no from now on.  I am saying when you say yes to others, make sure you are not saying no to yourself.  More importantly, make sure you are listening to the voice of your Father and being lead by His spirit and not your emotions. #iDeclare #twosimpleletters…N-O!

ltal365NO

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank you God for the power you are showing me behind these two simple letters.  Please God help me to say yes when and only when it is according to your will.  Give me the strength to say no when I should and not concern myself with how other people will respond.  I decree and declare that my spiritual ears are opening and my discernment is growing day by day.  I will not tell someone yes unless I am sure I am being lead by the Holy Spirit.  Thank you Jesus for hearing my prayer, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

Scripture Reference:

Ephesians 5:15-16 NLT “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

Proverbs 16:3 NIV “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

Matthew 6:33 KJV “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”