Morning Moments

Philippians Devotional Study continued

Chapter One

A Life of Burden 1:12-18

1. Humiliation - "things happened to me..." 1:12

When we will learn that "bad" things happen to "good" people for good reasons. The record is endless of humiliating things that have happened to followers of Christ. I selectively use the word humiliating because it is "the feeling or condition of being lessened in dignity or pride" The keyword here is "the feeling or condition" which does not necessarily mean our dignity has been lessened, though our pride should be.

Humiliating things happen to the innocent as well as the guilty. It is a test of our response. Look at the humiliation of Jesus, yet He never sought to defend Himself or retaliate for no one could lessen who or what He was for He KNEW. Sometimes we are not quite sure and our confidence is tested.

When I was a young preacher, I was preaching in the Panhandle of Texas and a young girl came forward to ask prayer for healing of a physical malady. I was full of faith and honestly felt God would heal her right there on the spot, so I asked Him to do it. He didn't. I had a choice: Question my faith, question my God, question her faith, or accept "NO" or "NOT NOW" as God's answer. I refused to question because I was confident of my faith and my God and did not think she would have asked if she had not believed, so I accepted God's answer. I don't think I ever had that kind of experience again, but it was a test for me. Was I willing to be "embarrassed" or "humiliated" or lay my own pride and dignity on the line for Jesus. I said YES.

Sometimes these kinds of things happen when we have sin in our lives. Many Christian leaders in recent years have been completely humiliated before the whole world because of sexual sins. Thank God that those experiences may lesson our pride and dignity but may expand our personal longing for reality and quest for God.

I am no judge of anyone but myself, but I know that every time I have ever walked the plank for Jesus and felt it cut off, it was for my own personal growth and the expansion of my ministry to others. That is why I write these devotionals every day of my life. I have always lived life in the fast lane, but cancer came and slowed me down, then arthritis in my feet, knees, and shoulders. But it doesn't matter for though this outward man perish, the inward man is renewed day by day.

Don't lose heart when you face those humiliating situations that make you look foolish. Be a "fool for Christ's sake." BUT NOT FOR SIN'S SAKE!

BLESSINGS!