Humility of Mind

"Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility." 1 Peter 5:5

"Humility is lowliness of mind, the opposite of pride and arrogance. It belongs to the essence of experimental religion. A humble spirit is the opposite of a lofty one. True humility is an inward grace based on a view of our own guilt, weakness, vileness, ignorance and poverty—as compared with the infinite excellence and glory of God.

Humility is one of the most lovely of all the traits of a child of God. It is opposed to all ostentation. It hides the other graces of the Christian from the gaze of self-admiration. Its aim is not to be thought humble, but to be humble. The godly man loves to lie low, and cares not to have it known.

Humility will not disfigure, but adorn you. As Rebecca was not the less lovely, but the more so, when she took a veil and covered her beauty and all her jewels; so the child of God is especially beautifiedwhen arrayed in humbleness of mind." William S. Plumer

So often it is hard to be sure of the reason why we do things, is it for God's glory or is it for our own pride and ego? This is an important thing to be sure of... Humility is one of the best aspects that seperates Christians from other people in the world, we should not seek glory for ourselves, but for God, and by doing so we should astounded the world and be seen as radical and crazy to them.

God's Grace is All Important

"By the grace of God — I am what I am!" 1 Corinthians 15:10

"Consider what you were — before saved by sovereign grace. Your heart was enmity against God, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked! You did not have one pure desire, one holy thought, or one feeling of love to God.

Further, what would you have been — but for the grace of God? Look at the vilest, the most debased, the most debauched of our race — and you may truly say, " Such I may have been — but for free and sovereign grace!" James Smith

So friend, can you say that today? Do you truly have Gods grace? And if so be thankful for it and remember that we not only enter a narrow gate, but we also walk a narrow path to heaven! (Matthew 7) So live for Christ like he died for you! In such a way that the world seems reckless and fanatical...and thank God if you do, because He's the only reason you could...
With love,
Jesse

Don't waste your life!

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:17. "Time is the gift of God. It is too precious a jewel to be worse than idly lavished away upon vanity. It is the wisdom of the wise to improve time to the noblest and best of purposes, in acquiring more knowledge of spiritual and eternal things. It is the foolishness of folly for God's wise virgins, at any time, so to debase themselves, as to sacrifice their precious moments upon heathenish altars, devoted to vain delights and sinful pleasures. We dare not, we cannot comply with these things, consistent with faith in Jesus, love to God, and a good conscience in the Holy Spirit. *

The days are evil; iniquity abounds; the love of many waxes cold; heresies prevail; the way of holiness is awfully neglected; but the Lord's arm is not shortened, that he cannot save: he can keep us close to himself, in the most perilous times. Constant watchfulness and earnest prayer are our daily duty, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Heb. 10:24, 25. " William Mason

Well today I decided to start posting what I get from these readings in hopes that it will help someone.

This passage makes me think very hard about the amount of time I spend or waste doing things that are pleasurable to me. Whether its spending too much time playing video games, watching movies and tv, or the most ridiculous case in which I sit and do nothing for hours, this passage shows me that time is a gift from God and should be used at least the majority of the time to give honor and praise back to him. I also really like the last verse that is written here, about encouraging each other with love, I feel like too often we point fingers out of hatred or other wrong motives, instead of how doing it out of a passion for the well being of the individual. It definitely makes me think about all the time I've wasted, as well as how my treatment of people can have an effect on them.

Also, check out this awesome video by the Christian rapper Lecrae. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RWEllqh5J0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Ps. I'm thinking strongly about starting a daily video posting, there are so many awesome inspiring videos out there that I have been blessed to see and would love to share with my brothers and sisters in Christ.