The Bible tells us in a number of passages that we should be humble. James 4:10 writes, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

Being humble goes hand in hand with being thankful. If we are thankful to God for the things we have, our skills, our health, our successes, it is much easier to be humble. Job 1:21 writes, “The Lord giveth and the lord taketh away.” Whether we do things just right, or make mistakes, God determines the outcome.

When we feel the desire to take the credit and explain what a great job we did with our success and achievement, we need to think about 1 Corinthians 1:31 where Paul writes, “If you must boast, boast in the Lord.”

Sometime when you are complimented on an achievement, try responding with something like this, “Thank you. God has truly blessed me.”

Dear Lord, all we have comes from your gracious love for us, working to grow and develop us. Help us remember to give you the credit and glory for the successes and achievement we experience in life,, and use them to further your work. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Recognition is one of the most sought after rewards for most people. Recognitions like certificates, plaques, public presentations, and “pats on the back” make us feel special and important. We need to be careful that we are not seeking recognition from people for doing the good God expects from us.

In Matthew 6:1 Jesus tells the people who gathered to listen to him, and tells us, “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.” In the following verses, Jesus writes about being subtle when giving to the poor, praying, and fasting. After each he says, when we do, “Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”

God’s recognition and reward is the one that matters, and is so much better than we could receive from people.

Dear Lord, it is tempting for us to seek other people’s recognition when we do good; It can sometimes even be a status symbol. Help us remember that it is your recognition that matters, and you will provide the joy and satisfaction for doing good. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

A business coach I follow describes the process of Four C’s he believes are required to build confidence,. Commitment, Courage, Capability, Confidence. He says you must first make a commitment to pursue something, then have the courage to try and likely fail early on. However, once you have practiced you will have built the capability, and with development of that capability you build confidence. The hardest part in this sequence for many people is Courage, because courage is always uncomfortable. In order to build confidence we have to go through this discomfort associated with exercising courage.

James describes a similar situation with our faith. He writes in James 1:2-3, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”

Either resulting from the discomfort of courage, or the joy in facing troubles with faith, our endurance and confidence in God’s power and love will grow when we count on it.

Dear Lord, when we face difficulties, disappointments, and fears in our lives, help us embrace them with the knowledge that our faith in you is what will carry us through, remembering what Paul told us in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” In Jesus’ name. Amen.

One of British Science Fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke’s three adages was, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” It is an interesting observation. I imagine a jet aircraft, cell phone, or microwave would look like magic to someone 100 years ago. I am sure in our lifetimes we will be amazed at technologies that are developed that will appear like magic to us.

What a fantastic time and opportunity God has created for us, and though it may be uncertain and possibly frightening, we do not have to fear, because we know as God tells us in John 1:1,3 “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…..All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

God created it all, and is master of all, we have nothing to fear when we trust in Him.

I get a chuckle from this story that you may also have heard;
Scientists decided that they had developed the technology to make living creatures from just the basic elements in dirt, so they told God they didn’t need him anymore and challenged God to a contest; Who could make life from dirt. God agreed to the challenge. As the Scientists reached down to pick up some dirt, God said, “wait a moment, create your own dirt”

Dear Lord, When we stop and look at the magnificence of nature around us, and within our bodies and minds, we cannot but be in awe of you. Help us not fear the amazing things you have given us,, or the abilities to develop new concepts and technologies, but use them for the good of each other. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I am sure there are some clothing styles and patterns that each of us are familiar enough to pick out on people; The Burberry plaid scarf, the Carhart work jacket, the Gucci shoes, the Canadian Goose coat, and probably many others.

Paul writes in Romans 13:14, “Clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

How would we pick out someone wearing that style?

He writes in Romans 13:8, “Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.”

I would say then, that clothing ourselves with Jesus Christ would be recognized by the unmistakeable love shown to all those we encounter.

Dear Lord, help us wear your presence so it is recognized by others as the love we show those around us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.