V.O.D.: Matthew 3:16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
M.O.M.: Ephesians 4:31
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.(English Standard Version)
Today's reading: GENESIS 7-9 MATTHEW 3
Behind The Picture
The timid child would quietly rustle in in the shadow of the the big people as they talked and gathered while some hurried around in the kitchen to get all the food on the table. She would find her way to the same corner at every monthly meal then study a framed print hanging above the serving window in the window of the small church. It is the same picture that hangs countless places in our world-the old man in prayer-head bowed and resting on his folded hands in contrition over a simple loaf of bread. The child was unaware of the old fellow who studied her every time she looked at that print.
This went on for a couple of years until the old fellow sensed the child had out-grown her fear of the big people at the little church. After the meal one Sunday the fellow had the chance to speak to the child,
"I have watched you look at the picture on the wall many times; you really like that, don't you?"
"Yes sir-I just have never seen that anywhere but on that wall."
The man knew what she meant. Yes, they gathered, stood, and prayed before the meals but... thankful humility?
One old man thanking God for bread alone?
The Bible has a similar word picture of where God wants us.
Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him...—Genesis 17:3-4
Micah 6:8....and to walk humbly before your God.
Two things: number 1, walk humbly...this is where God wants us.
Number 2-Philippians 4:5 ►Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Can the little ones see our gentleness, our humiliy? Can anyone else see these in our lives? There is a song that says "There's more behind the picture than the wall". The question is does God see any humility in us? Do you have an earthly hero? Let it be the old man in the picture. Pray and ask God to remove from your heart any feeling or ego that keeps you from being that thankful-that humble-that real-that gentle. Pray for the Lord's heart to be behind the picture of you that all see.
Because...they are watching-they all are watching-and, of course, God sees our hearts.
You may not be an 'on your face' type as you pray but God still desires humility in each of us. It is time we find that humilty in God's presence so we can live it before Him and the world.
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven,
Forgive me my pride and teach me heartbeat by heartbeat how to embrace humility before You and the world.
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