Tag Archives: humility

Service

The Pulse of the Kingdom

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Serving as the Lifeblood of the Body

Beloved, hear what the Spirit says to the Body: If serving is not flowing through you, then the heartbeat of the Kingdom is not in you. Let us examine ourselves—not to despair, but to return quickly to His side. It does not matter what we build, what we declare, or how loudly we sing—if the blood of the Lamb is in us, then the love of the Lamb must flow out of us. Serving as the pulse of the Kingdom is not a ministry—it is identity. It is not an action—it is a manifestation of union with Messiah.

“By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.” — John 13:35, NASB

We cannot be in Him and remain unmoved by need. We cannot abide in the Vine and bear no fruit. The moment the pulse stops, the Body collapses. So it is with every soul that ceases to serve. God is love. And love serves. This truth is not seasonal. It is eternal. It flows from the throne of God like a river, and wherever that river flows, it gives life.

Serving in Love

Serving in love and humility

A Servant King Rules the Kingdom

The Kingdom has a King—and He is not seated on a throne demanding honor. He is robed in humility, kneeling with a towel. Yeshua, Son of the Living God, stooped to wash feet not once but forever. And all who walk with Him will take the basin and follow. The true glory of God is revealed in this: He serves.

“If I, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” — John 13:14, NASB

There is no crown without a cross, and there is no greatness without service. In the Kingdom, the lowest place is the nearest place to God. We descend to ascend. We give all to gain Him. If you have truly seen His face, you will long to pour yourself out for others. You will not ask, “Should I serve?” You will cry, “How can I love Him more?”

The Pulse Does Not Stop

Serving as the pulse of the Kingdom means it cannot be occasional. You cannot schedule a heartbeat. You cannot decide when it flows. This is why true service must be born of the Spirit—not pressure, not pride, not position. Only intimacy sustains the pulse.

“The love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all…so that those who live would no longer live for themselves.” — 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, NASB

When you walk with the Servant-King, His love compels you. It moves in you like blood, pulsing life into the Church. It nourishes the Body. It warms cold hearts. It revives what religion has dried out. It finds the feet no one else will touch. It carries burdens no one else will see. Beloved, this is not a burden—it is the joy of those who dwell in Him.

The Church Lives When It Bleeds Love

The Church does not thrive by strategy or spectacle. She lives when she bleeds. Not with empty effort, but with the precious pulse of Heaven flowing through her members. When each one gives, when each one moves with the rhythm of the Spirit, the Body becomes radiant and whole.

“From Him the whole body…causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” — Ephesians 4:16, NASB

You were not redeemed to rest in apathy—but to rest in Him, and rise in love. You were redeemed to rise and serve. He did not rescue you so you could observe—He saved you so that His life would become your own. This is not religion. This is resurrection. This is what it means to carry the pulse of the Kingdom within your chest.

We Are People of the Blood and the Basin

Do you not know? The blood that saved you is the same blood that calls you. He poured out everything—now He invites you to do the same. We are not people who admire the cross; we are people who take it up daily. We are not servants once—we are servants always.

Serving as the pulse of the Kingdom means we do not need recognition. We do not need applause. We only need Him. He is our portion. And if He stooped low, we will stoop lower still. The towel is not a lesser ministry. It is the ministry of Heaven. When we serve, we bear His likeness.

Flow through me, O pulse of grace, where mercy must be born—
Let every beat I offer serve the lost, the crushed, the torn.
If You have knelt, then so will I, until I see Your face—
And lift the low with nail-scarred hands, sustained by sacred pace.

The pulse of Heaven beats with love, and those who walk with Him cannot help but move.

Prayer

O Yeshua, Servant and King, awaken our hearts again to the holy call to serve. Forgive us when we have made worship about sound but not sacrifice. Let Your pulse be felt in us again—strong, steady, unstoppable. Make us people who wash feet in secret, who carry burdens with joy, and who serve not from duty but from love. Strip us of pride. Fill us with fire. Until Your whole Body lives and breathes and moves in the power of love. In Your holy Name, amen.

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See Also

Holiness and Revival

Testimonies that Glorify God

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Let God Be Glorified

Come and hear, all who fear God, and I will tell what He has done for my soul (Psalm 66:16, NASB).

This is the voice of one who has tasted the mercy of El Elyon and cannot remain silent. He does not draw attention to himself, but to the power of God. Every true testimony flows from this fountain—it glorifies God alone, not the one who speaks.

The Apostle John, who leaned against Yeshua’s chest and saw the glory of the Word made flesh, heard these words from Heaven: They overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony (Revelation 12:11, NASB). Notice where the victory rests. Not in strategy, eloquence, or charisma—but in the Lamb and what He has done. The testimony is not a platform for self—it is a declaration of God’s faithfulness and mercy.

Even our Savior warned, Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them (Matthew 6:1, NASB). The danger is not just in falsehood, but in misdirected truth—when we say the right things for the wrong reasons, and shift the spotlight onto ourselves.

Let Boasting Die at the Cross

The Apostle Paul could have boasted. His résumé was unmatched—zealous, learned, bold. Yet he said, Far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:14, NASB). The cross is where all pride dies. It is where we remember that we were nothing, and He gave us everything. Any story that begins with “I did” must be reexamined. Let every true testimony begin with “God moved.”

Paul reminded the Corinthians, So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth (1 Corinthians 3:7, NASB). We are nothing more than vessels—fragile, breakable, and utterly dependent on El Shaddai to fill us. Testimonies should cause awe, not applause. They should humble, not elevate. If we speak of answered prayers or miracles, let us speak as those trembling in the presence of a holy God.

Break you jar before the Lord
Before the healing comes, the jar must break. This is where revival begins—on our faces, with nothing held back.

Where Is the Power We Preach?

We have the Word. We memorize the verses. We know what to say. But where is the power? Where is the Presence? We talk about revival, but do we carry it? Yeshua said:

I assure you and most solemnly declare to you that anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also perform the same actions as I do. Moreover, they will accomplish even greater feats in scope and reach, for I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name [as My representative], this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified and celebrated in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name [as My representative], I will do it (John 14:12–14, AMP).

We love to quote verse 15—If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments—but are we living verses 12 through 14? We say we follow Him, but where is the fruit? Where is the unmistakable evidence of His power and Presence moving through us?

If we are honest, we must ask: Have we crafted denominations, doctrinal statements, and creeds to soothe our lack of faith? Are we building altars of reason because we have forgotten the fire of God? When Peter was in the Upper Room before Pentecost, he probably cried out, “Lord, we have nothing left but You.” Have we reached that place? Have we truly died to self?

Truly Dying to Self: A Forgotten Cry

What does it mean to truly die to self? We speak of it often, but do we live it? Picking up our crosses daily sounds poetic until obedience costs us something. Listening to His voice is inspiring until He asks us to release our comfort, our pride, or our reputation. Is there anyone alive today who can say, “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20, NASB)?

If our hearts were truly right with God, these things would happen. Miracles would follow our prayers. Deliverance would spring from our declarations. Revival would not be a hope—it would be a holy eruption. The reason it doesn’t happen is not that God has changed. He is being true to His Word. He tests hearts. He purifies motives. He waits for a people who will make Him the center of their testimony, not themselves.

We need to keep pressing into Him, asking Him to search us and refine us. We must return to the altar, not to tell God what we’ve done, but to ask Him to reveal our motives so that we may be pure vessels. Our testimonies should reflect the cry of John the Baptist: He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30, NASB).

She broke her jar—and with it, her pride, her plans, her past. Only in surrender can the fragrance rise. This is where healing begins.

Let Testimonies Burn with His Glory

Even our best obedience is not a trophy—it is a response. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them (Ephesians 2:10, NASB). We are not the authors of greatness. We are the canvas upon which the Master Artist paints His glory.

Let every testimony burn with the truth: It was God. All of it. The mercy. The healing. The change. If He used us, it was not because we were worthy—it was because He is good.

Do not share to impress. Share to exalt. Let your testimony be a trembling offering that points upward, not inward. Speak not of how much faith you had, but how faithful El Olam was to you. Let the story glorify the Name above all names—Yeshua, the Lamb who was slain.

Let Us Pray

O El Shaddai, Mighty and All-Sufficient One,

We come before You with broken hearts, confessing how often we have spoken to be seen, shared to be praised, and testified to exalt ourselves. Forgive us, Lord. Purify our hearts, cleanse our lips, and strip away every hidden motive that does not glorify You.

Teach us what it means to truly die daily—to applause, to recognition, to the craving for man’s approval. Let our testimonies rise like holy incense—fragrant only because You have been faithful. Let them carry the weight of Your glory, not the weight of our names.

We lay our words at Your feet. Sanctify them. Let every syllable exalt the Name above all names—Yeshua, our Redeemer. Let our stories become songs of Your mercy, drawing hearts not to us, but to Your throne.

Burn away pride, expose every imitation, and silence the flesh. Let the fire of Your Spirit purify our witness until only Your power remains. And when we speak, let the world see not us, but You living through us.

We join with the saints, with the seraphim, and with all creation in one cry:

You alone are worthy.

Amen.

Made meek by the spirit
A weathered wooden cross stands silhouetted against a glowing sunset, marking the place where pride ends and surrender begins.

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See Also

Return

Return to the Lord Who Holds All Things

Romans 11:33–36, AMP

Return to the Lord. You have wandered long enough. You have tried to make sense of life through your own eyes, to map out mysteries with your mind—but the deeper you search, the more you realize: His ways are higher, His wisdom deeper, His presence nearer than you thought. Scripture cries out like a trumpet in this hour: “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unfathomable are His judgments and how untraceable are His ways!” (Romans 11:33, AMP).

Do you not see? You were never meant to carry the weight of your own understanding. The Lord is not a puzzle to solve but a King to behold. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5–6, NASB). Yet how many have traded trust for control? How many have exalted their own insight above God’s perfect wisdom, forgetting to return?

“He looked at me—not past me. Not through me. At me.” On the shore of grace, Peter meets the eyes of mercy and knows—He came back for me.

It is time to repent—not just from sin, but from self-sufficiency. “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor?” (Romans 11:34, AMP). He is not waiting for your advice. He is calling for your surrender. The world tempts us to build kingdoms of knowledge, towers of self-made success—but the Spirit says, return. Return to the awe. Return to the trembling. Return to the wonder of a God whose ways are not like ours.

We often seek to give to God as though we must earn His favor, as if He owes us something in return. But the Word exposes this folly: “Who has first given to Him that it would be paid back to him?” (Romans 11:35, NASB). He is not your debtor—He is your Deliverer. What gift could you offer that He has not already provided? What return could you make for grace that was freely poured out at the cross of Yeshua?

So come now, weary one. Lay down your striving and your spiritual pride. Kneel before the God who holds galaxies in His hands and still remembers your name. “From Him and through Him and to Him are all things.” (Romans 11:36, AMP). That includes you. Your story started in His heart. Your breath comes from His Spirit, and your destiny is to return to His throne.

The prophet Isaiah declared, “To whom then will you compare God? Or what likeness will you compare with Him?” (Isaiah 40:18, NASB). The answer is none. There is no one like Him. And when the Lord reveals His greatness, the only response is worship. Not half-hearted songs, not routines in the flesh, but worship that flows from a heart undone.

Even now, the Lord is calling His people back—not to religion, not to routine, but to Himself. “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “Return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping, and mourning; and tear your heart and not merely your garments.” (Joel 2:12–13, NASB). He does not want your performance—He wants your heart making a return to Him.

Let the Church be silent before Him again. Let the self-confident be humbled, and the broken be lifted. Let the lukewarm be set ablaze by the fire of His holiness. For the days are short, and His return draws near. “From Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36, AMP).

So return to the Lord. Not later. Now.

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You are the fountain, I was dry,
You are the Shepherd, I walked by,
But now I run, I fall, I cry—
Lord, take me home, to live, not die.

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Prayer

Holy Father, I return. I have wandered in my own wisdom and worn myself with striving. But now I bow. You are God alone—unsearchable in Your wisdom, unstoppable in Your ways, and unmatched in Your glory. I give You everything, for everything comes from You. Let me walk in awe again. Let worship rise in me again. Let all I am return to You, now and forever. In the name of Yeshua, Amen.

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See Also

Personal Holiness

Cleansed and Delivered by His Love

“If My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves and pray…”
— 2 Chronicles 7:14a (NASB)

Beloved, this is the hour. The voice of the Lord calls not to the stranger but to His people — those who are called by His Name, who know His mercy, who sing His praises on Sunday but carry hidden burdens through the week. This word is for you. You can be cleansed and delivered by His love.

For many who read this, it has been weeks — even months — since your heart was truly laid bare before God. Not a whispered apology or a fleeting conviction, but deep, holy repentance — the kind that breaks the soul and heals it in the same breath. You’ve grown used to His grace, but distant from His presence. You have allowed sin to remain where surrender once dwelled. And still… He calls you, offering cleansing and deliverance through His love.

“If My people… humble themselves and pray…” (2 Chronicles 7:14a). This is not a suggestion — it is a rescue. A way back. A path of return. And today is the day.

Do not harden your heart. The Lord is near, not with wrath, but with mercy, longing to restore what sin has dulled, and offering you to be cleansed and delivered by His love. He removes your transgressions as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). He blots them out and remembers them no more (Isaiah 43:25). He is quiet in His love, resting in joy over your return (Zephaniah 3:17). He is not angry at your coming — He is rejoicing.

But you must come humbly. Lay down your defenses, your excuses, your pride. Let the Holy Spirit show you what He has longed to cleanse. Don’t delay. Don’t wait for a more convenient moment. This is the appointed time of mercy. Let nothing remain hidden. Bring it all to the foot of the cross, where every soul is made equal — where all fall short, and all can be made whole, cleansed, and delivered by His love.

You may feel unworthy. You may wonder if He’ll receive you again. Hear the truth: every word He has spoken is true. He has been faithful to every covenant, even when you were not. The cross still stands. The blood still speaks. It is enough.

So come.

Pray with your whole heart:

“Father, I come as I am — not clean, but willing. I humble myself and confess every sin You reveal. I plead the blood of Yeshua over my life. Wash me. Free me. Teach me to walk in Your truth. Grant me strength to turn from wickedness, wisdom to walk in holiness, and faith to believe you are enough. In Yeshua’s name, amen.”

Now stand. Let the shame fall off of you. Let the guilt break like chains. You are cleansed and delivered by His love. You are not who you were. You are not what you did. You are now who He calls you: forgiven, redeemed, beloved.

And now, look around. You are not alone. We are one Body, bought with one price, washed in one river of blood. There is no place for pride or comparison here. Let the Church arise in unity, not divided by judgment or spiritual arrogance, but joined in humble worship and truth.

As it is written, “There is one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism”(Ephesians 4:4–5). Let us walk together, fully alive, fully clean, and fully His.

Today is the day. Return to the Lord. Be cleansed. Be delivered. Be restored by His love.

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How long I walked with sin inside,
With quiet lips and lifted pride.
But mercy called, and I fell low—
And found a love I did not know.
Now free I stand, my heart made new,
And walk with saints, in robe and truth.

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See Also

Humility

Made Meek by the Spirit

The Cross That Breaks Us Free

You who long for rest, come closer now.

You were not made to carry this burden of self. You were not created to live in the realm of the flesh. “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you” (Romans 8:9, AMP). The Spirit of God, the very breath of Yeshua, now lives within those who believe. But many are still bowed under the heavy yoke of pride, of self-sufficiency, of pretending to be enough. And you, beloved, you were never meant to carry it alone.

I write to you with the love of John, the one who leaned on Yeshua’s chest and heard the heartbeat of Heaven. Listen with your spirit: God opposes the proud, but He gives grace to the humble. The cross was never meant to decorate your life. It was meant to crucify your flesh, destroy your pride, and lay your weapons of defense in the dust. The cross is not gentle, but it is good.

You cannot truly come to the cross unless the Holy Spirit leads you. You may admire its beauty. You may understand its theology. But only the Spirit of God can cause you to fall before it and say, “Not my will, but Yours.” Only He can break the stubbornness of the soul. Only He can expose the lie of your own goodness and bring you low enough to be lifted up by grace. This is what it means to be made meek by the Spirit.

God the Transcendent One Has Come Near

God is high and holy—El Elyon, the Most High. He dwells in unapproachable light. He rides upon the wings of the wind and commands stars to burn. But He has not remained far off. The cross has bridged the gulf. The Lamb has made a way. And He, the Transcendent One, calls to you even now: “Come unto Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest… for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28–29, AMP).

Do you hear it? Do you feel it stir inside your chest? That tug is not emotion. It is the Spirit of the living God calling you into the realm of the Spirit, calling you to surrender. He does not call with condemnation but with invitation. The blood of Yeshua still speaks, still cleanses, still makes you new.

But you must come.

The Process of Being Made Meek by the Spirit

You say, “I’ve already come to Him.” But have you truly laid down your weapons? Have you let Him dismantle your self-defense and pride? Have you let Him make you meek?

This is not a passive thing. This is not about being nice. Meekness is strength submitted. It is fire under control. It is the lion bowing before the Lamb.

The Spirit does not negotiate with pride. He breaks it. He does not adjust your image. He crucifies it. And in that breaking, in that surrender, in that yielding of all you are—you are made free. To be made meek by the Spirit is to walk in the footsteps of the One who humbled Himself unto death, even death on a cross.

A Cross-Carrying Life

The world offers admiration for the proud. The Church, sadly, sometimes does the same. But God exalts the humble. The ones who bow low are the ones lifted high. The ones who come undone before Him are the ones clothed in His righteousness.

You were not born to be impressive. You were born to be conformed to the image of the Son.This requires death—death to pride, death to performance, death to your own plans. But oh, what life flows from that death! Tozer called it being “meeked.” I call it being remade by glory.

Come and Be Undone

So, come. Fall at the foot of the cross again. Let the Spirit examine your heart. Let Him whisper, convict, correct, and cleanse. You will find no safer place to be undone than before the One who already bled for you.

This is the way to revival. Not stadiums. Not programs. But broken hearts. Bowed knees. Souls made meek by the Spirit.

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In silence deep, my soul lays bare,
Your Spirit moving soft as prayer.
No voice, yet all of Heaven speaks,
Where hearts are low and spirits meek.

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Prayer

Holy Spirit, I welcome You. Come and break my pride. Come and destroy every high thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Make me meek. Humble me, change my mind about my own goodness, and lay me bare before the cross. I yield my defenses, my excuses, my self-made righteousness. Come closer than my breath and make me like Yeshua. Let me find rest in His humility. In His name I pray, Amen.

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See Also

Prayers

Teach Us to Pray Like Moses

There are prayers born in silence, and there are prayers born in fire. Psalm 90 is the latter—a cry formed in the wilderness, where time stretches long and life is stripped bare. It is the prayer of a prophet who stood between a holy God and a sinful people. Teach us to pray like Moses—to stand where heaven meets earth, trembling, yet unshaken—rooted in the eternal.

This is no shallow prayer. It does not begin with man’s needs, but with God’s nature. It does not hide sin—it exposes it. It does not rush—it waits. It asks not merely for relief, but for wisdom, mercy, and eternal fruitfulness. If you would learn to pray like Moses, you must learn to pray in the shadow of eternity.

1. Anchor Your Heart in God’s Timelessness

“Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.” (Psalm 90:1, NASB)

The prayer of Moses begins with God as home. Before requests are made, worship rises. This is the foundation of true prayer—not panic, but praise. Moses teaches that God has always been the refuge of His people. He is not distant. He is not new. He is ancient, tried, and sure.

To pray like Moses, begin not with your fears but with the faithfulness of the Lord. Name His past works. Remember His unshakable presence. When you pray, let your soul rest in the truth that God is your dwelling place, generation to generation.

2. Exalt the God Who Was Before All Things

“Before the mountains were born…from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” (Psalm 90:2, NASB)

Moses speaks from the heights of revelation. He exalts the eternality of God—the truth that God existed before time and will exist beyond its end. This is not poetic flourish—it is spiritual clarity.

Prayer that moves heaven begins in awe. God is not a helper to summon; He is the I AM, the eternal One. To pray like Moses is to place your temporal worries into the hands of the One who reigns outside of time. This perspective reshapes the heart.

3. Embrace the Brevity of Life and the Need for Humility

“You turn mortals back into dust…a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday.” (Psalm 90:3–4, NASB)

Moses teaches us that prayer must be honest. We are dust. We fade. The God who made us knows our limits. In His eyes, generations pass like a breath.

To pray like Moses is to pray with humble clarity. It is to lay down pride, confess our frailty, and recognize the urgency of each passing day. This does not lead to despair—but to deeper dependence. For when we acknowledge our limits, we throw ourselves wholly upon the mercy of the limitless One.

4. Bring Sin into the Light

“You have placed our guilty deeds before You, our hidden sins in the light of Your presence.” (Psalm 90:8, NASB)

There is no hiding in the light of God. Moses knew this. He saw how sin kindled God’s righteous anger and how only confession and intercession could stay His hand.

To pray like Moses is to bring every hidden thing into the open. No excuses. No diversions. Only raw truth before a holy God. And yet this is not the end—it is the beginning of restoration. For God desires truth in the inward parts, and He covers the repentant in mercy.

5. Ask for Wisdom in a Wasting World

“So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12, NASB)

This is the great cry of the psalm—the centerpiece of the prayer. Life is short. Troubles are many. So what does Moses ask for? Not more time, but wisdom. Not longer years, but a heart rightly ordered before God.

To pray like Moses is to ask God to teach you the value of each day, to walk in purpose, to waste nothing. It is to exchange shallow living for eternal vision.

6. Cry Out for Mercy and Satisfaction in God

“Satisfy us in the morning with Your graciousness, that we may sing for joy and rejoice all our days.” (Psalm 90:14, NASB)

Here the tone turns. Moses, who beheld plagues and wonders, who endured rebellion and wrath, knows where true joy is found. Not in victory, not in ease—but in God’s steadfast love.

To pray like Moses is to ask for mercy daily, to rise with a cry for soul satisfaction in the presence of God. This is the prayer that sustains in desert places. This is the joy that outlives sorrow.

7. Intercede for God’s Glory to Be Revealed Again

“Let Your work appear to Your servants and Your majesty to their children.” (Psalm 90:16, NASB)

Moses does not end his prayer with himself. He looks ahead—to the next generation. He pleads for the glory of God to be seen afresh, for His power to move once more among His people.

To pray like Moses is to labor in intercession, to yearn for God’s majesty to awaken the hearts of children and grandchildren. It is to believe that the God who parted the sea can still move mountains today.

8. Ask God to Establish What Only He Can

“Confirm for us the work of our hands; yes, confirm the work of our hands.” (Psalm 90:17, NASB)

At last, Moses asks for lasting fruit. He does not want empty toil. He wants labor made eternal by the hand of God.

To pray like Moses is to cry out: “Make it count, Lord.” Let the work of my life—however small—be sealed with Your favor. Establish it. Breathe on it. Let it echo into eternity.

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O God who dwells where time has no end,
Establish the path where Your servants bend.
Teach us to walk with hearts made wise,
And let Your glory fill our skies.

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Prayer

O Lord, our dwelling place in every generation, teach us to pray like Moses. Let our prayers rise in reverence, shaped by eternity and rooted in truth. Help us confess what You already see, to number our days, and to walk wisely. Satisfy us each morning with Your mercy, and let our work endure by Your hand. May Your glory rest upon us and shine through us. In the name of Yeshua our Messiah, we pray. Amen.

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See Also

Personal Holiness, Sin

Humbled to Rise

Defeating the Pride of Life

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. – 1 John 2:15, NASB

Brother, sister—hear me. This is not a word of condemnation, but a call to awaken. There is a sin that hides in plain sight, a spiritual cancer that often disguises itself as strength, success, or self-confidence. It is the pride of life. This sin does not shout—it whispers. But those whispers grow into lies that lead you far from the presence of El Elyon, the Most High God.

The pride of life tells you that you are enough without God. It causes you to depend on your own wisdom, your own strength, and your own reputation. Over time, it builds a wall between you and the Lord. Pride makes people think they don’t need God. It turns churches into stages for human praise instead of places where the glory of El Elyon is worshiped. It shifts the focus from the throne of Heaven to the applause of men. And that shift, beloved, is deadly.

“God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” – James 4:6, NASB

You were not created to be independent from your Maker. You were formed from the dust, and it is only by the breath of Yahweh that you live. The way of the Kingdom is not like the world’s way. The world says, “Lift yourself up.” But God says, “Bow down, and I will lift you.” To defeat the pride of life, you must choose the lower road—the road of humility.

Let me tell you a story. There was a skilled craftsman, admired by many for the beauty of his work. One day, a curious boy asked him, “How did you become so great?” The man smiled gently and said, “I only became great when I stopped trying to be. I surrendered my talent to God. I asked Him to shape the work of my hands, and it became His, not mine.” That is the secret. When you humble yourself, God takes over—and what He builds will last.

You were not saved to impress men—you were redeemed to reflect the holiness of Yeshua. Defeating the pride of life begins with surrender. You must choose, daily, to lay down your ego, your rights, your desire to be seen. You must become like the Lamb—silent, obedient, and wholly dependent on the will of the Father.

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time.” – 1 Peter 5:6, NASB
Examine your heart. Do you bristle at correction? Do you crave the approval of others more than the presence of God? Do you rely more on your gifts than on the Spirit? Pride is subtle. But the Spirit will reveal it if you ask—and when He does, don’t delay. Repent. Get low. Open your hands. Humility is not weakness—it is the pathway to true authority in the Kingdom.
God is not looking for the proud. He is searching for those who tremble at His Word, who bow before Him in secret, who do not grasp for platforms but long for His presence. Will you be that one? Will you walk low so that He may raise you up, defeating the pride of life in the process?

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:3, NASB

Defeating the pride of life is not a single decision—it is a lifestyle. It is choosing the cross daily. It is remembering that every breath you breathe is mercy. It is standing before God, not with your résumé, but with your hands lifted in worship. The humble will see God. The proud will resist Him and fall. Let us be those who fall on our knees now, so we may rise with Him in glory.

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Prayer:

Father, I humble myself before You now. I confess the pride that has crept into my heart—every thought that made me feel sufficient apart from You. I surrender my plans, my gifts, and my desire to be noticed. I choose the way of the cross. Let me be poor in spirit, that I may be rich in Your Kingdom. Lift me up only when I have bowed low before You. Be glorified, not me. Be praised, not my name. Let me rise only by Your hand, and for Your glory. In the name of Yeshua, amen.

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Key Takeaways for Defeating the Pride of Life:

  • Pride of life distances us from God, but humility draws us close.
  • God resists the proud but pours grace on the humble.
  • Daily surrender is the key to true spiritual authority.
  • Humility opens the door to revival and the presence of El Shaddai.

Let your heart burn not for applause, but for His glory. Let your life become an altar where pride dies and holiness rises. It is time to bow low—so you can rise in Him.

See Also

Mercy, Religion

Walking in True Religion

True religion is not found in outward appearances, rituals, or empty traditions. It is a way of life that reflects the very heart of God—a life of mercy, justice, and humility. These are not abstract ideals but divine commands, given to shape how we relate to God and others. True religion calls us to love with purity, act with integrity, and walk in deep dependence on the One who teaches and empowers us.

The prophet Micah captures the essence of true religion when he declares, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you except to be just, and to love [and diligently practice] kindness (compassion), and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8, AMP). This is God’s call to us: to reflect His mercy, uphold His justice, and walk humbly in His presence. Let us explore these pillars of true religion and the essential role of the Divine Teacher in guiding us to live them out.

Mercy: Reflecting the Heart of God

Mercy is at the core of God’s nature. It is the unmerited compassion He extends to us and the attribute He calls us to embody in our dealings with others. The Lord declares, “For I desire [steadfast] loyalty and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6, AMP). True religion begins with a heart of mercy—a heart moved by the suffering of others, eager to bring relief and restoration.

Jesus reinforces this in His Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7, AMP). Mercy is not an optional virtue; it is a divine mandate. In the parable of the unmerciful servant, Jesus warns that those who withhold mercy will face the consequences of their own unforgiveness (Matthew 18:33). Mercy is not merely forgiving wrongs but actively seeking the good of others, especially the vulnerable and oppressed.

The Good Samaritan exemplifies mercy in action. He saw the wounded man on the road, and “he felt compassion and went to him and bandaged his wounds” (Luke 10:33-34, AMP). True religion moves beyond lip service to hands-on compassion, mirroring the mercy we have received from God. As Jesus commands, “Be merciful [responsive, compassionate, tender] just as your [heavenly] Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36, AMP).

Justice: Living Out God’s Righteousness

Justice is the outworking of God’s righteousness in human relationships. The psalmist declares, “The Lord loves righteousness and justice” (Psalm 33:5, AMP). Justice is not limited to the courtroom; it extends to how we treat one another daily. God calls His people to uphold fairness, protect the weak, and ensure that everyone receives what is due.

Isaiah charges us: “Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the ruthless, defend the fatherless, plead for the [rights of the] widow” (Isaiah 1:17, AMP). Justice involves more than avoiding wrongdoing; it requires active intervention on behalf of the oppressed. The prophet Amos captures the urgency of this call: “But let justice run down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream [flowing abundantly]” (Amos 5:24, AMP). Justice is relentless, pouring out as a testimony of God’s kingdom on earth.

Jesus also emphasized the primacy of justice, rebuking the Pharisees for their hypocrisy: “You give a tenth… and yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness” (Matthew 23:23, AMP). True religion seeks to establish God’s righteousness in every sphere of life—our homes, workplaces, and communities. It is a call to live honorably, ensuring that our actions align with the truth of God’s Word.

Humility: The Posture of True Religion

Humility is the soil in which mercy and justice take root. Without humility, our acts of mercy can become self-serving, and our pursuit of justice can turn into arrogance. God commands us to “walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8, AMP). This means recognizing our dependence on Him, submitting to His will, and serving others with a heart that reflects Christ’s example.

Jesus modeled ultimate humility, leaving His throne in heaven to serve humanity. Paul writes, “Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example]… He emptied Himself [without renouncing His deity], taking on the form of a bond-servant” (Philippians 2:5-7, AMP). True religion is not about seeking status but about serving others with the same humility that Christ demonstrated.

The Lord exalts the humble and resists the proud (James 4:10). Humility acknowledges that we are nothing without God. It is the posture of Mary, who chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to His teaching, understanding that “only one thing is necessary” (Luke 10:42, AMP). Humility allows us to be shaped by God’s hands, aligning our hearts with His purposes.

The Divine Teacher: Empowering True Religion

None of this is possible without the guidance and empowerment of the Divine Teacher. From the beginning, God has revealed Himself as our Instructor, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go” (Isaiah 48:17, AMP). His Spirit teaches us His truth and enables us to live it out.

Jesus promised, “They will all be taught by God” (John 6:45, AMP), and this promise is fulfilled through the Holy Spirit. Paul writes, “We have received…the [Holy] Spirit who is from God, so that we may know and understand the wonderful things freely given to us by God” (1 Corinthians 2:12, AMP). The Spirit illuminates Scripture, convicts us of sin, and strengthens us to walk in obedience.

The psalmist declares, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you [who are willing to learn]” (Psalm 32:8, AMP). True religion is not a human effort; it is a divine work. The Divine Teacher shapes our hearts, aligns our wills with His, and empowers us to live in mercy, justice, and humility.

Conclusion: A Life That Glorifies God

Beloved, true religion is not about what we do for God but about what He does in us and through us. It is a life of mercy that reflects His compassion, a pursuit of justice that reveals His righteousness, and a walk of humility that glorifies His name. None of this is possible apart from the instruction and empowerment of the Divine Teacher.

Let us surrender ourselves fully to God, asking Him to teach us His ways and lead us in His truth. As we walk in true religion, we glorify Him and bear witness to His kingdom on earth.

Prayer:

Father, we thank You for calling us to walk in true religion. Teach us to be merciful as You are merciful, to seek justice as You command, and to walk humbly before You. Fill us with Your Spirit, that we may reflect Your heart in all we do. Guide us, instruct us, and empower us to live lives that glorify You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

See Also

Advent, Humility

Humility in the Manger

Luke 2:6-7 While they were there [in Bethlehem], the time came for her to give birth, and she gave birth to her Son, her firstborn; and she wrapped Him in [swaddling] cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no [private] room for them in the inn. 

Beloved, let us reflect deeply on the profound mystery of godliness revealed in Jesus Christ: “He was revealed in human flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory” (1 Timothy 3:16, AMP). The eternal Son of God humbled Himself beyond human comprehension: “Although He existed in the form and unchanging essence of God, [He] did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped…but emptied Himself [by assuming the form of a bond-servant]” (Philippians 2:6-7, AMP). Consider this divine paradox: the Ancient of Days became an infant of days to draw near to you.

In His humble birth lies a piercing truth: “The Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us” (John 1:14, AMP). The One who declared, “Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool” (Isaiah 66:1, AMP), chose a manger for His first earthly bed. Do you grasp the weight of this? The Creator of the cosmos wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a feeding trough—this is the humility of our King.

The Call to Follow Christ in Humility

Hear the unchanging call of Christ: “Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls” (Matthew 11:29, AMP). The stable preaches an eternal sermon: “God opposes the proud but continually gives the gift of grace to the humble” (James 4:6, AMP). Beloved, if you would seek Christ, you must walk the path of humility He has laid before us.

To those chasing wealth or status, consider: “For you are recognizing the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [His astonishing kindness, His generosity, His gracious favor], that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9, AMP). Let the divine condescension of Christ move your heart to abandon pride and worldly ambition.

The manger proclaims a hard but beautiful truth: “Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith [and as believers, to be heirs of the kingdom]?” (James 2:5, AMP). You cannot cling to pride and truly seek Christ. Instead, come as the shepherds did—simple, humble, and willing to bow low.

The Hope of Christ for the Broken

To the unworthy and weary, take heart! “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3:17, AMP). The stable speaks across centuries: Christ came for those who know their need for Him. The message of Christmas is one of hope for the humble and the broken: “Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever]” (Matthew 5:3, AMP).

Let this truth transform you: “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places…I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2, AMP). But the path to this glory begins at the lowly stable. Jesus Himself said, “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted” (Matthew 23:12, AMP).

Come to the Manger and Be Transformed

Beloved, this same Jesus who lay in the manger now reigns at the right hand of God: “He is at the right hand of God [that is, the place of honor and authority], with all angels and authorities and powers made subservient to Him” (1 Peter 3:22, AMP). Will you not come to Him? Lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles, for here is the paradox of our faith: “Whoever finds his life [in this world] will eventually lose it [through death], and whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity]” (Matthew 10:39, AMP).

Come with the faith that trusts, the humility that bows, and the love that surrenders all. For “to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God” (John 1:12, AMP). Just as He left heaven’s glory for a manger’s straw, He promises: “The one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out” (John 6:37, AMP).

Will you come? Will you bow low before the manger and surrender all to Him who gave everything for you?

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Jesus Christ, who humbled Himself to become a servant for our sake. Teach us to walk in His humility, to lay down our pride, and to come to You empty of ourselves. Help us to see the beauty of the manger and the glory of Your grace poured out for us. Transform our hearts and draw us closer to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

See Also

Advent, Humility

Lifted by God

Beloved, pause and reflect on the greatness of God. He sees you in your lowliest state, just as He saw Mary, and He has not turned away from you. He knows your heart, your struggles, and your hidden fears. Yet, in His infinite mercy, He lifts the humble, calls them by name, and uses them for His glory. Do you not see? He delights in exalting the lowly so that His power might be made perfect in weakness.

Mary’s words in Luke 1:48-49 (AMP) are not only her testimony but a song for you as well:

“For He has looked upon the low station and humiliation of His handmaiden. For behold, from now on all generations [of all ages] will call me blessed and declare me happy and to be envied! For He Who is almighty has done great things for me—and holy is His name [to be venerated in His purity, majesty and glory]!”

Mary’s humility was not a hindrance but a vessel for God’s glory. Her declaration reveals timeless truths about the heart of God. First, He sees and values the overlooked:

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18, AMP).

When you feel unseen, when the weight of life presses you down, know this—God sees you. He sees beyond your circumstances, beyond your shortcomings, and into your heart. And just as He chose Mary for a holy purpose, He has chosen you to glorify His name in your own unique way.

Second, God exalts the humble and fills their lives with purpose. Mary reminds us of this truth: “He has brought down rulers from their thrones and exalted those who were humble” (Luke 1:52, AMP). God delights in using the lowly for His highest purposes, because their lives point to Him, not to themselves. Do not despise your humble beginnings or the moments of weakness. It is in these that God’s strength is made perfect.

Finally, God is holy, and His greatness is unmatched. Mary declares, “Holy is His name [to be venerated in His purity, majesty, and glory]” (Luke 1:49, AMP). The same God who does great things for Mary is doing great things in your life. Have you paused to see His hand in the details of your days? Like Mary, let your heart overflow with gratitude and praise, for His works are good, and His promises endure.

Beloved, this is your calling: to magnify the Lord with your life. To trust Him in your lowliest moments, knowing that He is faithful to lift you for His glory. The same God who declared over Mary that generations would call her blessed declares over you His love and purpose. Will you surrender to His plans? Will you allow Him to do great things through you?

Take heart in these words from James 4:10:

“Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose]” (AMP).

Let the truth of God’s Word settle deep in your heart. He sees you, He knows you, and He has not forgotten you. Magnify Him with your life and declare, like Mary, “Holy is His name!”

Prayer

Lord God Almighty, You see us in our humility, and yet You call us beloved. Holy is Your name, O Lord, and greatly to be praised! Teach us to magnify You with our words and lives. Strengthen our hearts to trust You, even when we feel small and unseen, for You have done great things for us. Draw us closer to Your holiness and fill our hearts with gratitude and awe. Let every generation declare Your faithfulness and Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

See Also