Jewells

Q36. (James 1:19-20; Colossians 3:13) What is the relationship of patience to humility? What in us motivates impatient outbursts? What does it take for God to work in us "long-suffering"? Why is forbearance so vital in a marriage? It takes awhile for situations to develop or play out. It takes time to understand people since we are so different. Even the differences between males and females, adults and children, motivations, occupations, maturity levels, even disabilities all require understanding. If we are commanded to love one another, it requires us to understand one another, to meet the needs, make things impartial, to accomplish tasks, to meet time schedules. A plan can be developed based on the understanding of the people involved and the talents involved or tasks to accomplish. Patience is a must and patience is a part of humility as all is taking place. Patience means that perfection may be desired but may not happen. We strive for excellence, and we accept with gratitude what the Lord does among us as we work together. In order to have unity, we must have patience. We won't see perfection until we get to heaven. If we have understanding of what others are going through, we see they are doing the best they can in the place they find themselves. This ongoing compassion develops long suffering in us. To preserve unity we must have forbearance. Everyone sees life through their own eyes, their perception is theirs. We have to appreciate the ways we are the same, and respect the differences as well. This takes forbearance, endurance. In the midst of differences, we can still prevail and keep unity in our faith. In our day and age, it seems that differences are abounding. I heard of marriages breaking up over whether they got vaccines or whether to vaccinate the children. In this attitude of humility and patience and forbearance, I think we can work some of these difficult events in a way that would glorify God.

Q35. (Titus 3:1-2; Colossians 3:23-25). How is appropriate submission related to humility? Why does opposing church leaders so often exhibit pride? When you have to submit to a harsh person, how can you look at it in a way that is spiritual? How can we submit voluntarily in our hearts without being slavishly servile? The Lord commands us to submit one to another. He said the greatest among you will be the servant of all. Jesus was our example of servanthood. We must humble ourselves and submit one to another. The Lord is the one who is in charge. He places the leaders among us or that is what is suppose to be happening. The leaders submit to God and the church submits to the leadership and direction God is giving the church. We all submit and to do this we must stay in the place of humility. The Lord says that whatever we do we must do it as unto the Lord. So those being directed can do it unto the Lord, and the Lord is the one who will repay. That way if the leadership is harsh, or neglectful or someway out of order, we know in the end the Lord will make it right if we stay in the right attitude and serve as unto the Lord. Being humble in heart does not mean to slavishly cower before man. Since God honors all men and is not partial, as we humble in our hearts we have dignity before God. As long as we make God our priority and glorifying him our priority the attitudes of the others should not taint us. We can ask God for protection.

Q34. (1 Peter 3:15; Romans 12:10; 1 Peter 3:9) How is humility related to respect for others? To honoring others? How can we minister to someone for whom we have no respect? In what way does insulting speech trample upon humility? How does interrupting a person show disrespect? When we are humble I think we really learn to listen to others. We need to hear their heart, not exactly the words they may be saying. We need to hear without preconceptions, based on outward appearance. We need to hear them to find the differences or sameness that we may respect the differences or the places we need to have a boundary. A boundary to respect ourselves and them. We need to listen if we are a minister to them, if that be our role. We need to listen to hear what God is saying in the situations. If we see each person as a precious creation of the Father it helps us to know a humble place. We have no right to trample anything in God's creation. To be disrespectful does not bring God glory so we must retain the humble place before God. When we interrupt it does show impatience or that what we have to say is more important that what the other person has to say. Patiently taking turns and being completely heard is the most respectful way. The Lord tells us to treat others as we want to be treated. We all want to be heard and we all want to be respected. So if we can patiently listen to the other and respond in kindness God will be glorified.

Q33. What is the difference between temperance and abstinence? How can use of alcohol and drugs disrupt the humble life? Why is self-control so important in the Christian life? How does self-control differ from the idea of "moderation in all things"? The difference between temperance and abstinence is temperance is to live within limits and abstinence is to do without. If one becomes dependent on drugs or alcohol it becomes an idol. The person will put it at the center of their lives instead of the Lord and his commandments. Over use of substances becomes and addiction. It can get to the point of not being able to live without it. There are dependencies in the brain as well as the body. It can break down the physical health. The addictions can become physical and psychological. This of course would destroy an ability to develop character or to be made into the image of Jesus Christ. Since addictions put self at the center of everything pride would be the fruit in everything as well. Self control is important in the Christian life because the fruit of the Holy Spirit is Self Control and the character of Jesus modeled self control in everything as he never sinned or lived in any excess or lack of virtue. Self control is being led by the Holy Spirit. The Bible instructs to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to constantly to be filled with the spirit and not much wine. Moderation is the belief that we can do a little bit of something but not too much. So it would imply limits but the philosophy in the world suggest we can do all things in moderation and the Bible does not say this. It does forbid some things completely. So if we are to be the temple of God we must not grieve the Holy Spirit in things he would not do. We would not be moderate in murder or gossip. Always mindful that God is with us and will give us power to retrain when tempted to overindulge in any way.

Q32. (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 3:1-2; James 2:17-18) How are good deeds related to humility and compassion? What kinds of good deeds were common in the early church? Is it possible to have faith without any fruit of good deeds that demonstrate your faith? Good deeds are considered actions or good fruit which are seen as we obey God's word instructing us to be kind, merciful, gentle, good, and caring of others. We are the workmanship of God created in Christ Jesus by the word of God who has instructed to love our neighbor as ourselves. The Holy Spirit reveals the love to us and we pour the love on those in and around us as God instructs or shows us the needs. We abide in Him. In the early church there was no social welfare systems or insurance programs or different organizations to care for the sick and the poor or the widows. Paul instructed them to reach out and fill these needs as they were everywhere. He instructed them to work and to give to those in need. He instructed them to give as God has given to them. This requires faith to believe that as we give more will come to give again. So good works and faith work together.

Q31. (James 4:1-3) How does pride fuel conflict? How do fighting and quarreling prevent a peaceable life? According to James, what is at the root of our fighting? How do we respond to conflict, knowing that peace doesn't depend solely upon us? Since conflict is inevitable, what are some ways we can disagree agreeably, humbly? We are living in a culture that are ruled by narcissists. Narcissism is becoming more and more the norm. Selfies are everywhere and as our culture divides more and more into various groups we have lost the ability to discuss things rationally and to see the other's point of view. There is bullying on the playground and in the public debate. We see in Ephesians 6 we have been called to battle and to put on the whole armor of God. I think humility is part of that armor. As we seek the Lord to find out his will for our lives we will know how to stand in each battle. He can give us the self control to face the battle in his holy spirit otherwise we come up short every time. Patience, long suffering, turning the other cheek at times or taking someone to court and saying enough is enough is all at his direction. We cannot win any battle if the Lord is not involved. If we choose to serve our flesh, or our emotions, or if we take vengeance for wrongs done we loose. I think if our desire is to build bridges to each individual whatever our differences and truly to love them as God desires we will do well. The Lord wants to save, to redeem and we play a part in His plan for each soul. However, he does not require us to be a door mat. When it is clear that the other will not hear us or cannot hear us, we can walk away from the conflict and turn it over to God. Humility I think is seeking God's will, God's way, and it doesn't really matter who can scream the loudest or carry a bigger stick. if we don't have our pride involved we can walk away, we can forgive as well, and keep our peace.

30. (Titus 2:15-3:2) How does living God's way require humbling ourselves before God? We come out of the world and the ways of the world and everything is different. In one place in the Bible it says to stop doing evil and learn to do good. Our mind has to be renewed. We have to admit we don't know it all or maybe we don't know what we thought we knew. How is life really working? How are our relationships? Are we light? Do we love? Do we even understand what God is saying? We have to come to Him and learn. We have to humble ourselves and let the light in to be changed from the old to the new. When conviction comes, it is a gift and gives us the light to turn to change to be new and in the image of the one who died for us. Repentance is a gift and we can only do it when we are humble enough to see what we need to change. I think most of us fear change and we need his help to even cooperate with Him. We humble ourselves and come unto Him.

Q29. (1 Peter 5:1-7) Why does pride make God our adversary? Why is the power of example preferable to the power of one's office? What might God "lifting us up in due time" look like? God sets himself against the pride. Actually when one is proud, they are at odds with the way God created all to live graciously together. Since we oppose all he created, God opposes us until we can humble ourselves into the plan he has to live in the fruit of the Spirit. The power of example is what Jesus did when he was on earth and he leads by example. We contrast him to the Pharisees and religious leaders of the day who were proud and represented God but did not know God or his ways. If you lead by example, you have to know God. You can only give away what you have, you cannot give away what you don't have. Jesus was just full of the power of God, the wisdom of God, the love of God, the virtue of God and people sat and listened at his every word. He commanded them to go and do likewise. The Pharisees said no one has ever spoken with this authority. The authority was God's and so were the words. When we see people who truly know God we know something is different about them. We realize they are God's workmanship and they have humbled themselves and we must do likewise. Only God can produce these qualities and character in us. It is a process of humbling before God, just as we are and letting him develop these qualities and character in us as he will.

Q28. (1 John 2:15-16) What role does pride have in worldliness? How can we live holy lives in this world? What does "stealing the glory" look like? How can it be dangerous? The world promotes pride. The army advertises, "Be All You Can Be". And so it goes with the institutions of learning and the world system. When people graduate the celebrate those that come from that system as they make them "proud". After all if they institution wasn't great it would not promote one such as this. Hollywood and the stars are used to represent everything, whether charities or causes, or products or politicians. Obviously they know the insider info, and the success has elevated them to the top so they have the right to promote whatever it is the promote. Millions run to do what they promote because obviously they are success and success breeds success. Meanwhile, they fill the coffers on the money by promoting. They did it all for money not because of legitimate praise of a person, product, cause, charity. This is the worldliness we are surrounded with and it does affect us, our mindsets, attitudes, and sometimes the way we copy to get by or participate in. There is no mention of God usually in this or giving God glory. Stars usually thank the director or producer or maybe a mom or dad for sacrificing for them to get to the pinnacle of success but rarely do we see people giving God all the glory. We know God says every good and perfect gift comes from God and yet we adopt the ways of the world and attribute it to many other things. God warns us through John to not love the world or the things of the world or the love of the Father is not in us. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life[a]—is not from the Father but is from the world. If we know all comes from God, then all praise goes back to God and whatever we attain or steward is a gift from him and to be used as he directs we would do well and we would please God.

Q27. How can small businesspeople promote themselves without sinful boasting? What are the guidelines? I think small business people can promote themselves by qualities of integrity and virtue. We all ask each other who would you recommend when we come to a need. We ask friends, family, neighbors, etc. who they recommend. If the business people would let customers know to let the word get around about how pleased you are of the service, it would really help me. Customers who are really pleased would want to help support them because they want them again and want them to thrive and to be able to serve. When people build business by reputation it is really a win win for both the client and the professional. We are all weary of the false advertising schemes and the manipulative practices everywhere. There are so many scams everywhere. When people are honest and sell an honest product or service people are very happy to promote such a business. I think God will help promote them as well if they refuse to follow the crafty ways of the world to get ahead.

Q26. Is it okay to use flattery to smooth social situations? To get our way with a difficult person? If flattery is insincerity and manipulation of another's pride, how do you think God views flattery? I think flattery is insincere and therefore wrong. If we do something, while all the time with deception or hidden intent to control or manipulate I would say it is wrong. To think highly of a person, or to give a legitimate compliment, in the right time and place I think can be a bonding experience and part of relationships God intended as we all need encouragement or vision or we feel unappreciated or worn out or burnt out and the compliment comes just when we need it and lifts us up and God's wings to soar. Our motivations and intentions for praising a person can be many. And people who are courageous and and inspiration and work hard we do celebrate. We don't do it at the expense of anyone or to create a monster of someone. The Lord tells us to esteem all equally and even to give the lesser more attention to build them up or the weaker to accommodate the weakness. God has warned us that pride comes before a fall. And he tells us the wicked lay in wait. I would think someone who lays in wait to flatter to gain advantage would be considered deceptive and wicked.

Q25. What is the role of ambition in leadership? What does leadership look like without ambition? Ambition is the ability to set a goal, and follow through. It takes a certain determination to stay focused. It sets a direction and provides motivation. It has to work within conditions that may not be perfect and one is able to make adjustments and still hit the goal. Leaders must have a vision and find resources to accomplish the vision. Without motivation and determination and keeping people on task the vision or projects would fail.

Q24. (2 Timothy 1:7) How is faith related Christian assertiveness? How is courage related? What is the relation of assertiveness to submission? Is assertiveness opposed to humility? What factors might keep leaders from being assertive when they need to be? How does assertiveness display itself in the heroes of the faith? Faith is related to Christian assertiveness by God's Spirit. He gives us love, power and a spirit of self control so we can speak as he directs us as we seek him to accomplish his will. We submit to God, and we assert ourselves in ways to accomplish whatever task. I think factors that keep leaders from being assertive can be a knowledge there will be resistance, lack of support, they represent other leadership that just wants what the want and they are not of a servant heart themselves. Sometimes just feeling very alone with perhaps no one but God on your side would be instances of not being assertive. The heroes of the faith understand what God had told them to do and by faith went to do the assignment in the face of opposition and danger, often risking their lives. In courage, and confidence that they knew what God had wanted they obeyed and God gave them the victory. Today we celebrate their obedience and courage and they are used as examples of what God would want us to do.

Q23. (Numbers 12:3) Why is Moses called the most humble man in the world? What is the essence of his humility? What is the essence of Jesus' humility? What is the lesson for leaders today? Moses was called the most humble man in the world by God. We see how God chose him to lead his people and positioned him in Pharaoh's house as a baby. He had all the instruction of the world and was treated as royalty and yet the Lord knew he would lead his people. When the time came he took him to the desert to teach him about himself and his ways. Moses learned to hear the voice of God and obey. He was submitted completely under the hand of God and then God sent him back to lead the people. The total dependence of Moses on God is the essence of Jesus' humility. And it is the lesson for the leader's of today. Moses had a heart for the people and the mission but he knew only the Lord could accomplish the mission and God had the plan and the strength and so he just listened, obeyed, and followed the Lord.

Q22. (Matthew 6:1-4; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Proverbs 4:23) Why are motives so important to genuine humility? If the heart is deceitful, how can we ever have pure motives? What does it mean for us to guard our hearts? The motives are what drive us to choose a certain thing. So if what is motivating us is pure our choices will be in righteousness. The Lord wants us to serve him because we love him and want to obey him not to look good or put ourselves on display or deceive anyone or get unjust gain We have to always ask God to show us our hearts. Sometimes we have a divided heart and God has to cleanse the divide. Sometimes our priorities are not right. God wants us to seek him and ask for the help we need when we detect things are just not right. And when we just don't know what is not right we have to ask him to show us so we can serve like he does Sometimes we just don't have self awareness and we haven't had good examples in life. We can guard our hearts by humbling ourselves and being teachable realizing we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus and everyone is being changed into his likeness by his grace. When we surrender to him, he gently leads and guides us.

Q21. (Act 9:36-42; James 1:27; Luke 14:12-14). Why does caring for orphans and widows constitute pure religion? Why does helping those who can't help you show humility? Why are Dorcas and Mother Teresa so inspiring? Dorcus and Mother Teresa devoted their lives to serve others without any motive other than being of service. People who had no where to go in their condition went to Mother Teresa for help. She ministered to them. Dorcus was involved in everyone's life in her community. She just showed up in their lives and filled a need. They loved her for her kindness and for the availability of her life. The Lord tells us that pure religion is this kind of availability and service. It is not the outward show of temples and sacrifices and pomp and education but how in daily life it sustains and nourishes everything around itself. Motives are everything. And if one is led by God, the motives will be pure.

Q20. (Mark 9:41; Matthew 25:31-46) What do Jesus' saying about giving a cup of cold water and Jesus' Parable of the Sheep and the Goats have in common? What kinds of services might please Jesus that can we perform for needy people? Jesus said even giving a cup of cold water will be rewarded. So just noticing the needs of others around us and responding in even the simple needs is what he asked us to do. Being his hands and his feet in the earth, being attentive to the sufferings and opportunities to serve. The parable of the sheep and goats are the ones who obeyed his commands are separated from the ones who ignored his commands. He said if we love one another we love him. When we visit the sick, or those in prison, or support a charity or spread the gospel all these are like doing it to him. We represent him in the earth and he said even the littlest thing will be rewarded.

Q19. (John 13:4-17) Why did Jesus intend to shock his disciples by performing such a lowly act? What message was he trying to instill in them by this footwashing? He was demonstrating what he taught, the greatest among you must be the servant of all. He knew he was going to the cross and soon the disciples would be scattered. He knew what he was going to do and they were without any foresight of what was coming. To the disciples, even though he had tried to warn them that he would suffer and die they were not really hearing him. As he tried to tell them of service, they also were not really hearing them. And so he took a moment to demonstrate the lesson in actions. Instead of just telling them the greatest serves, he demonstrated the greatest serve. As they looked back on that fateful night, that changed the fate of humanity, Jesus was serving them even though he knew what he was about to endure. He took off his towel, and served the disciples in the last moments he had with them, trying to prepare them for when he would no longer be with them.

Q18. (Mark 10:42-44) What is the basic difference between the world's pattern of leadership and Christ's pattern? What does servant-leadership look like? Can you be a "great" Jesus-follower without serving humbly? Mark 10:42-44 King James Version (KJV) But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: and whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. The main difference between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the world is love. In God's kingdom love motivates and humbly serves and with kindness, and generosity, caring for the smallest of needs, love covers all. All service is done without attention being drawn to itself. In the world system, it is just the opposite. Every decision and motivation is to gain more power, more status, more dominion. If people have to be trampled on, or used and abused and exchanged to elevate oneself they do and they will. Everything is objectified and it is only as good as the purpose it serves to the person it serves. There is strife and contention and alliances based on pretenses of what appearances are. The one kingdom operates in the light and the other in the dark but appears light. Everything is based on appearances not the substance. In our world today, the political, the entertainment, even the church world are being shaken and we are seeing it is not what it has appeared to be, often rotten to the very foundation. It is being rocked and shaken. However, God is building his kingdom also that will not be shaken, living in the hearts of men and women and built on love, and kindness, and service, where he sits on the throne of their hearts and they truly love and care and serve one another and their hope in in Him.

Q17. (James 4:6-10) In what way does pride make God your opponent? (vs. 6)? What does submission to God have to do with humility? How do we "wash our hands and purify our hearts"? (vs. 8b) What does that require us to do? Why does humbling have to precede God lifting us up? I think pride makes us God's opponent because we are exalting self and not exalting the Lord. Self is on the throne of our heart with the lusts or selfishness or reckless desires which will cause conflict with everything in our paths. When we come under the mighty hand of God we are in self control and right order with everything in our path and we glorify God. As we come and sit in God's presence and learn of God we are washed by the water of the word. We correct our ways and thoughts and desires and hopefully relationships and eventually God can exalt us or place us in service. He did say the greatest among us with be the servants of all. So to be exalted is not about pomp and circumstance but of service.

Q16. (Mark 9:36-37; Matthew 19:13-15; Matthew 25:31-46). What does welcoming and associating with low-status people have to do with humbling ourselves? Where do the people in your community live who are the poorest economically? Who are somewhat isolated from the rest of the community because of their language or national origin? How do you and your church reach out to them? What could you do? I am chronically ill and am home bound. I did do jail service for several years. And when I was able to go to church I loved the churches who had all races and all economic levels in them. I always felt that they represented the heart of God. I have noticed that people gather around people who are like themselves and resist change. I think God is calling us out of the comfort zones, the prejudices, and to grow in love.

Q15. (Matthew 18:1-4) In what way does "becoming like little children" require us to humble ourselves before God? The first thing that comes to mind is obeying the word of God. Children are subject to the parents authority. From the time they get up to the time they go to bed they are obeying the directions given to them. As we yield to the Bible and the instructions and listen to the still small voice and walk in the Spirit we are humbling ourselves. Children innocently believe what they are told. They replicate the parents behavior. Jesus said if you love me keep my commands. Also that His yoke is easy his burden light. I think to simply believe Him and obey Him is being in the simplicity of a child.

Q14. (Matthew 23:7-12) Why do the Pharisees love to be called "Rabbi." How can titles and recognition exalt our pride? When people fail to recognize our work or accomplishments, why does it hurt? How much of our motivation is to puff up our ego? In the area of seeking recognition and praise, how can we meaningfully humble ourselves? The Pharisees loved to be called Rabbi because of the status and recognition. Scripture says they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. At one point, Jesus calls them white washed tombs. It was all an outward show and because it built them up in pride they were truly far from God, the one to whom they were representing. I do think there is a place to respect and admire those who have worked hard and succeeded in areas of expertise and they are using the gifts to serve others. I think the Lord is teaching us about not demanding others elevate, or put us on a pedestal, because we have achieved more or have gifts others don't have. When these things build up the ego it is only a way to divide and not to build up in love and God is not honored. If we realize all gifts come from God, and even the chance to use the gifts comes from God, and without him we can do nothing the Lord will get the Glory. We must all realize we are running a race and in the end all our works and motivations will be judged. Some have one talent, some two, some five or ten so to seek ego gratification based on the comparison to others is truly missing the point of why God even gave us the gifts! Which is to serve.

Q13. (Luke 18:9-14) How does the Pharisee in this parable exalt himself? How do comparison and looking down on others reflect pride? How does the tax collector humble himself? Jesus says that the tax collector is "justified before God." Is deep repentance or humbling oneself before God necessary for salvation? Does repentance have anything to do with faith or "believing in Jesus"? The Pharisee sees himself through whatever advantages life has given him, education, good family, finances, status, personal gifts such as add value such as public speaking etc., social alliances, physical strength, and compared to others he is doing just great!! He thinks to himself that he is in right standing keeping all the laws and is worthy to come before God. The Lord is showing us he looks at the heart and the Pharisee is not seeing what God sees at all. The Pharisee is thanking God that he is not like other men so has put himself above and distancing from anyone God would have put him there to help. The Pharisee can't see his true condition. The tax collector realizes that he is not in a good place. He is a social outcast. He has betrayed his people. He courageously approaches God depending on mercy with his head down. He knows he is weak. He knows he has no righteousness. He has no answers. He must come to God for answers and so he humbles himself. He wouldn't even know where to begin. I do think we have to humble ourselves to be saved (repent for the kingdom of God is at hand). We have to be willing to admit what we are doing is not working and to receive guidance and direction (entrance to the kingdom principles) for kingdom living and Holy Spirit led life not a self directed life.

Q12. What is the basic sin that drives all other sins? Why is it so important who is truly in charge of your life? Why are repentance and humbling so vital? Pride is the basic sin that drives all other sins. When we come to Christ we are surrendering control and putting our will in His Will. We want him to be on the throne of our hearts. Since he gives us free will the humbling comes from us to go to him and ask and seek not to assume we know what his will is out of our intellect. We spend time and study his word and pray to ask for guidance to know his will and strength to do his will. Pride makes us spiritually blind and we don't even perceive it but when we come to God he removes the blinders and causes us to see what only he can show us. He can also strengthen us where we are weak if we ask him to do so.