March 28

PROVERBS 16

 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
¹⁹ It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.
²⁰ Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
²¹ The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
²² Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.
²³ The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
²⁴ Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
²⁵ There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. – Proverbs 16:18-25

PROVERBS 16 BE OF LOWLY SPIRIT

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The path of righteousness is one that leads to eternity

While the way of the wicked follows pride leading to ruin

It is wise for the believer to be led by God’s word and laws

And it is better for them to have a lowly spirit so they won’t fall

Pride precedes destruction because it prioritizes the “self”

While the meek and lowly focuses on putting God first.

In this wise saying, we are cautioned against pride. How do we know we are proud since it is in our sin nature? It is important that we do not forget that even though we are believers, we are still going to battle with our flesh, the world and the devil. Most people have a wrong notion of Christianity. They think that Jesus has done everything for them and they don’t need to do anything else. They do not take into account “sanctification” which is the constant cleansing of our hearts, minds, souls and spirits in order for it to be “holy”. God requires his people to be holy because he is holy. He cannot be present to you if you are defiled or corrupted by the world, the flesh and the devil.

One of the hardest things to follow that Jesus sampled for us is “humility.” Many believers do not understand why Christ, who is divine, gave up his divinity and became part of humanity. That is precisely why he chose to be born out of humble circumstances. It is to teach us that material wealth or status or power are all meaningless in the kingdom of God. Most unbelievers do not know that there is eternity to be hopeful about. They live their lives for the world’s standards. Since this world is ruled by Satan himself, they have no clue that they do not see that their life’s destination is not on earth but in eternity.

Pride is one of the manifestations of our sinful state. As long as we live for ourselves, we won’t have an expectancy of the new heaven and the new earth. Our lives will be useless because we don’t see where it is actually heading for. We will be chasing things for the sake of pleasuring ourselves. It is a life of futility where we go around in circles and feel empty and never fulfilled. Only God fulfills us and if we don’t have humility, we are not going to acknowledge the One true God, but make ourselves the center of our lives.

REFLECTION

·       Share some insights on pride preceding a fall, ruin or destruction.

March 26

PROVERBS 12

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
¹⁶ The vexation of a fool is known at once,  but the prudent ignores an insult.
¹⁷ Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.
¹⁸ There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
¹⁹ Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
²⁰ Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.
²¹ No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
²² Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.

                                                                                       – Proverbs 12:15-22

PROVERBS 12 THE HUMBLE LISTENS TO ADVICE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

How do you know someone is proud or humble?

The proud is right in his own eyes but the meek listens

Because the humble has a teachable spirit, he is open to guidance

While the proud is foolish, he won’t heed or hear other’s advice

The humble follows what is good and what is right for him

While the proud caters to his cravings and easily tempted to sin

Because the meek is obsessed with wisdom and maturity

He humbly listens to advice from the wise who could counsel him.

The writer of the book of Proverbs gives an illustration of a humble person by distinguishing him from a fool. The book of Proverbs gives us vivid descriptions of the different kinds of people in the world. One of them are fools. It seems like the fool is someone who is wise or right in their own eyes as described in these verses. From this description, we could easily think of a proud or haughty person, one who thinks highly of himself and lowly of others. In verse 16, another trait of a fool is full of anxiety and vexations. It also describes the fool as a reactionary person or easily angered or defensive. The haughty person has a sharp tongue. In other words, they don’t think before they utter a word. They are reckless and quick to speak and react but not listen. When they speak, they destroy or ruin someone or something. The proud constantly lie and deceive others which leads them to their own deception. The proud can never please God in any way since their own god is the “self.”

The humble on the other hand listens to advice. Because he doesn’t think highly of himself, he is very open to learning and being taught. He wants to advance his knowledge and maturity so he would have a teachable spirit. The humble has peace and doesn’t react even to insults because he knows himself and doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone. The humble speaks only what is encouraging and only what will build up. They are protected and shielded by God from evil because only the truth comes out of their lips.

REFLECTION

·       Share insights about your own experiences with the humble and the proud.

March 25

ROMANS 11

¹⁷ But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, ¹⁸ do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. ¹⁹ Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” ²⁰ That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. ²¹ For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. ²² Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you too will be cut off. ²³ And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. ²⁴ For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.

                                                                                           – Romans 11:17-23

ROMANS 11 THE FEAR OF THE LORD LEADS TO HUMILITY

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

What causes people to fear and have unbelief?

Isn’t it a lack of knowing truth and a mind anchored on lies?

The unbelievers fear when they don’t live up to the world’s standard

They don’t acknowledge God which leads their hearts to be proud

Those who have the fear of the Lord knows their place and submits to God

They never forget that the giver and maker is God and all are under his control

Since God is love, those who fear God is shielded from folly and sin

Those who live in fear don’t know God and inevitably choose Satan.

In this account, Paul gives the metaphor of an olive tree which was described to have a nourishing root. The root is likened to God being the source of such life and the olive tree is the result of that life-giving Spirit of the Lord. Paul refers to the reason why there were some Jews that he allowed to have unbelief so that he could bring in the Gentile unbelievers into hearing the gospel and believe in God.  In other words, Paul’s mission and calling was to bring the good news to those who have not heard it so that they too can believe as Jews did. Interestingly, Paul, who used to be Saul, persecuted the Christians. How amazing God turns around our sins and uses it to convert the most sinful unbeliever like Paul. That was the plan of God: to use a former unbeliever and persecutors of Christians to be the messenger of the gospel so they too can be saved. When he spoke in verse 20 about being broken off from the tree, he was pointing out to them their “unbelief” which gives a chance for the unbelievers to be grafted into the olive tree. He admonished the new Gentile believer to stay humble and not arrogant or they too will be cut off if they continue to sin despite knowing the truth. The fear of the Lord will keep them meek. When a believer does not acknowledge God’s sovereignty and power, they will produce pride.

REFLECTION

·       Can an unbeliever have the fear of the Lord and be humble on their own?

March 23

MATTHEW 18

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” ² And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them ³ and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.⁵ “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, ⁶ but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

⁷ “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! ⁸ And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. ⁹ And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.

                                                                                                                      – Matthew 18:1-9

MATTHEW 18 HUMBLE LIKE A CHILD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Jesus Christ calls his children to be humble like a child

Children are pure and innocent, they are not full of pride

They have no preconceived notion of things yet

They are dependent on their caregivers and parents

They are meek, trust easily and free to explore

They are vulnerable and uncorrupted and thankful

God’s people are called to be like these children

The kingdom of heaven is open to all those who are like them.

Jesus knew the competitive spirit that dwells in all men, including his disciples. So, he explains to them which one is going to likely be greatest in the kingdom of heaven. We see how Jesus has a special spot for the little children. He tells them that they cannot be great in the heavenly kingdom if they do not enter it like a child. So, what did Jesus mean by this? Does it mean to be childish and act like a child? No, Jesus focused on the qualities of a child that he wants his disciples to follow to enter God’s kingdom. He specifically emphasized humility in verse 4 as a characteristic of a child that they need to possess. A child is humble because it is still developing and growing and the child does not yet have any notions of the world. He is just taking in all the things he observes and experiences. Why does Jesus specifically stress this trait of a child? It manifests purity, dependence on their parents and caregivers, innocence and open-mindedness. There is no corruption in their minds and hearts yet. They are open for teaching and reproof and correction. On the other hand, an adult is the opposite of all of these traits. An adult walking without the Lord is stubborn, proud, arrogant, rebellious and full of himself. They are deceived in their “self-centeredness and self-reliance.” They are proud and unteachable and corrupt. They don’t depend on God but rely heavily on their own understanding and strength.

REFLECTION

·       Are you childlike? Why do you think so? What are the proofs of your childlikeness?

March 21

MATTHEW 6

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.² “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ³ But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.⁵ “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. – Matthew 6:1-6

MATTHEW 6 PRACTICE RIGHTEOUSNESS HUMBLY

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As a servant of God, you ought to follow his example

Jesus did not announce all the good things he was doing

He obeyed the will of his Father discreetly and meekly

He didn’t boast or announce his salvation plan loudly

Instead, he obeyed his Father’s will submissively and humbly

He instructs his people not to make a show of their deeds but to do it silently.

In this account, Jesus teaches his followers how to do works of their salvation and how to pray in the humblest manner. He pointed out what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets and warned them not to follow such acts. The hypocrites do not do it for the love or service of others, but to seek praise for themselves. They love accolades and being elevated so they can gain rewards for their achievements or good behavior. But, isn’t it human nature to perform and do as the hypocrites did? Yes, our flesh wants attention for the “self” and wants to be proud of what we have accomplished. This is why Jesus warns us against following such natural tendencies to feed our sinful nature.

Jesus gave instructions to his followers which were all counter-intuitive to the world system. Here are some of those directives he mentioned in this account:

·       Do not do righteous deeds to be praised or else the rewards will no longer be in heaven since you have already claimed them when you have performed it in front of others.

·       When you give to the needy, do not announce it so that you can be praised; do it quietly instead.

·       Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing when you give to the needy because by doing so, you will have your reward in heaven and not on earth because you did it secretly.

·       When you pray, go into your room and make sure no one sees you so that your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

REFLECTION

·       How are Jesus’ instructions to his followers against the world system?

March 19

EXODUS 10

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these signs of mine among them ² that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the Lord.”³ So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, “This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, so that they may worship me. ⁴ If you refuse to let them go, I will bring locusts into your country tomorrow. ⁵ They will cover the face of the ground so that it cannot be seen. They will devour what little you have left after the hail, including every tree that is growing in your fields. ⁶ They will fill your houses and those of all your officials and all the Egyptians—something neither your parents nor your ancestors have ever seen from the day they settled in this land till now.’” Then Moses turned and left Pharaoh. – Exodus 10:1-6

EXODUS 10 ON REFUSING TO MEEKLY SUBMIT TO GOD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The Lord God is the only One who is worthy of praise

Refusal to acknowledge Him will deny you of God’s grace

You’ll create idols and gods that will compete with the Lord

You’ll think highly of yourself and follow the ways of the world

Your heart will be hardened and your mind deceived

You will be tossed and blown like the waves of the sea

When proud, you cannot expect anything from the Lord

He will punish those who are haughty and not obeying his laws.

Those denominations that do not see the bible as inerrant (without error), will probably view it as any other historical or storybook containing events and people. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says that ¹⁶ All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. When I was led out of false teachings from those denominations that didn’t see the inerrancy of the bible, these two verses became my life’s principle and light to live a godly life. It taught me what the truth is, it exposed my sins, gave me training to walk in the Spirit and constantly commune with God and with those who love the Lord. It also equipped me to hear and obey the purpose of my life according to God’s will.

The reason that led to the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt was clearly illustrated in the following verses. It is not just a story, but it is an account of the covenant promise of God to his people. It documented the cause of God’s hardening Pharaoh’s heart which was already hardened before all these happened. But it was to show God’s people his power   control over all things and his hatred for evil and wickedness. From this account, we see how God warned Pharaoh before he executed his plan to plague Egypt. It gives us a picture of how God hates and punishes the proud and haughty.

REFLECTION

·       Why do you think people continue to cling to pride and cite consequences of a haughty heart?

March 15

1 KINGS 21

²⁵ (There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited. ²⁶ He acted very abominably in going after idols, as the Amorites had done, whom the Lord cast out before the people of Israel.)²⁷ And when Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went about dejectedly. ²⁸ And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ²⁹ “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son’s days I will bring the disaster upon his house.”– 1 Kings 21:25-29

 1 KINGS 21 HUMILITY SAVES US FROM DESTRUCTION

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

No matter how proud and arrogant one has been

There is still hope for them if they repent of their sin

When Ahab humbled himself after being admonished

It saved him from destruction at that exact instant

If you are corrected by the Lord God, it means you are his

Repent and renew your mind and be saved from collapse.

The chapter where this verse came from is the story of Naboth’s vineyard. Naboth, who was a Jezreelite and owned a vineyard just beside King Ahab’s palace. Ahab wanted the vineyard to convert it into his vegetable garden since it was near his palace. He gave Naboth a good offer but Naboth was faithful to follow the Lord’s instruction not to sell it to him since it was also an inheritance from his father. Ahab’s reaction to this rejection was a clear example of narcissism. He wanted that vineyard and when he couldn’t get it, he pouted and got depressed. Narcissist’s world revolves around him. He cannot see anyone else outside of himself. Because of some insecurity, the narcissist won’t admit to defeat and will passively hide their disappointment. But Jezebel, his evil wife, who was another narcissist controlled everything she could have her hands on. She was mad that her husband, who was a king, was rejected by a mere farmer who lives beside them. So, she plotted to take that vineyard by force and kill Naboth by manipulating the whole thing. She wrote letters to the men of the city so they could hire some men to lie and accuse Naboth of something he never did. So, he was stoned to death and they got the land of Naboth.

Narcissism is the highest form of pride anyone can possess. The narcissist’s world revolves only on himself. He has to cover up all his insecurities, weaknesses and phoniness so they could continue to caress their ego and be the center of their universe. It is interesting that as soon as he heard the verdict of the consequence of his and his wife’s sin, he immediately repented and humbled himself. By doing this, he was saved instantly even though the consequences of what he and his wife have done will still have a bearing on his son’s days. We can never gain anything from pride, haughtiness, manipulation and murder. It will always come back at us. So, let’s humble ourselves and focus on giving God the glory.

REFLECTION

·       Give other examples in the bible that were humiliated to ruin because of their pride.

March 13

DEUTERONOMY 8

“The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers. ² And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. ³ And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. ⁴ Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years. ⁵ Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you. ⁶ So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him. – Deuteronomy 8:1-6

DEUTERONOMY 8 HUMBLED IN THE WILDERNESS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you belong to the Lord, he will strengthen you

He will test you so you can be resilient and strong

It is his way of humbling you so you can rely on Him

You will be like his child who needs nurturing and caring

He will allow you to go through life’s wilderness

So, you can stay meek and be led to righteousness

Remember that he will always provide for your needs

He never forsakes his children and never forgets them.

The writer of this book reminds the Israelites what God has done for them while they were in the wilderness for forty years. Most of all, he reminded them to keep the commandments and follow them so they can multiply and possess the land that God promised them. Moses reminded them of the covenant that they made with their Lord and that agreement had expectations from their end to fulfill. That part of their covenant entails that they go through all the tests and obstacles that will lead them to take the promised land so that the promise will be fulfilled.

In this account, Moses explains to them the purpose of the forty years in the wilderness. It was to keep them humble and dependent on God. Many of them were grumbling about why they had to give up all the things they loved in Egypt. They couldn’t recognize the benefit of being free from slavery because they were attached to the things that they were used to even though they were in bondage. It is like Stockholm syndrome where the victim begins to love the victimizer and the things done to her because it became so normal and part of her life. They cannot see that they are being abused. The abuser tries to bring some pleasurable things so they forget that they are being used and enslaved.

Moses tried to remind them of all the provisions that God brought them as they went through the wilderness for forty years so they can remember the covenant promise they made to God.

REFLECTION

·       Share how you have been humbled in some of your wilderness journeys?

March 11

MATTHEW 20

²⁰ Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. ²¹ And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” ²² Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” ²³ He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” ²⁴ And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. ²⁵ But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. ²⁶ It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, ²⁸ even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:20-28

MATTHEW 20 HUMILITY AND SERVING OTHERS LEAD TO GREATNESS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

In the world system, greatness comes from position and power

In God’s kingdom, greatness is a result of humility and serving others

If you want to be great in God’s eyes, serve your neighbors willingly

Stay meek and never aim for greatness through your own abilities

If the Lord God has chosen you to be one of his children

You will be equipped with blessings to enter his heavenly kingdom.

It is interesting that the mother’s request here is assurance for her two sons to sit on both right and left side of him in God’s kingdom. Don’t all mothers want what is best for their children? That is clearly indicated in this account. But what she asked Jesus here is a guarantee that her sons would have those two places she requested beside the Lord. We humans don’t know sometimes what we ask for. It seems like she doesn’t have enough knowledge of God and his covenant and salvation plan. If she did, it would have been wrong for her to ask for assurance for her sons because that would mean that she didn’t know the plan of God for humanity. It is only God who chooses who would inherit his kingdom.

I love how Jesus answered this when he pointed out the authority of his Father as he is ultimately the only one who chooses who sits beside him and also the only one who elects his own people. In Scripture we know that the right-hand side of God is reserved for Jesus alone and so Jesus corrected her in verse 22 when he said that she had no clue what she was asking for. In his reply, he manifested humility and worship of his Father. He knows exactly where he stands with God. He wasn’t going to give her assurance of the salvation of her sons since that wasn’t his place to do so. Jesus also challenges the mother that her sons must be able to endure the same suffering he would be enduring to fulfill God’s salvation plan. When the other disciples reacted in anger against the two brothers, Jesus explained to them that those who want greatness must have humility and be slaves of the other.

REFLECTION

·       Why do you think it was wrong for the mother to ask for positions for her children?