Praise

Have you ever considered what is said about you? Are you curious about what people think? Do they describe you as a good husband, a good father? We spend a life time working to be the best. We long to hear adjectives such as great or wonderful used in our descriptions. But some times the greatest things that can be said about us are the simplest things when used by the right person. Consider for a moment what Jesus said about the dear woman who anointed Him before His death in Matt.14:8. He said, "She hath done what she could!" Others criticized her sharply, felt they could have done more or found a better way to use the fragrant oil. But in the end, Christ himself gave his blessing on what she had done. Often the world will not understand what we do or why. But then it is not the praise of the world we should be looking for.
Have you done what you could? Have you used the blessings given to you to bring honor to Christ? All the praise on this earth could never match for one second the joy that it would be to hear “He was done what he could” come from the lips of our beloved savior Jesus Christ.

Forgiving

The art of forgiving is a spiritual grace every Christian should develop. Because this is so difficult to put into practice, Roy L. Smith offers the following suggestions:

1) Begin by assuring yourself that compared to Christ's suffering you haven't been seriously wronged at all.

2) Recall the many kind deeds that have been shown to you, perhaps even by the person who has harmed you.

3) List the benefits you have received from the Lord.

4) Thank Him for blessing you with His love and forgiveness each day.

5) Make an honest effort to pray for the one who has injured you.

6) Go even further by looking for an opportunity to help him.

7) If the offense is especially hard to forget, try to erase the memory by thinking gracious and generous thoughts.

8) Finally, before you fall asleep at night, repeat slowly and thoughtfully that phrase from the Lord's Prayer, "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."

You may find that this is sometimes easier said then done. But with time and and the Lords help it will happen.

Humility

Is it just me or does humility seem to be a lost art? The Apostle Paul in his letters articulates humility, but it seems to be absent today in the Lords church. Even meny "men of God" seem to have forgotten what humility is, Let alone the world.

Lets look at three descriptions Paul has of himself in his writing;

I am the least of the apostles. 1 Corinthians 15:9

I am the very least of all the saints. Ephesians 3:8

I am the foremost of sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15

With each description Paul seems to be a little harsher on himself. I can't help but think that as he grows in the Lord the more humble he became. The Bible is full of humble men bowing down before God. A Godly heart is one that bows down in humility and rises up in praise to a risen Savior.