Quiet Humility

 "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3 ESV).

Two actions and behaviors we should not do if we are to have genuine humility; they are: selfish ambition and conceit.  If we have these when we do anything, well, we would not be noted for our humility.

I see selfish ambition and conceit pictured like a peacock that raises its tail feathers up into a most beautiful and elegant fan.  It is very beautiful and it catches our attention.  Yet the male peacock struts about squawking, showing off and trying to attract attention to itself.

If we 

"count others more significant than ourselves" 

we will need to see them as being more important than ourselves; we will  need to show interest in what they say and think.  We'll need to truly listen with our ears, eyes, hearts, giving the speaker respect.

This is the attitude like that of Jesus Christ we should imitate, so that in all things we look out for the interests of others and do what we can for them as the need arises.

Perhaps an opposite picture of the proud peacock would be being "as quiet as a mouse".  We can just do things quietly, even behind the scenes.

I know of a sister who does that.  She gets to church early on a Sunday and helps to arrange the chairs and prepares the bread and wine on communion Sundays. Most of this 'work' is done before others arrive.  All is set up and ready for the members.  Most would not know of, or even think of, what this sister has done in faithful service to the Lord, for years.

This is quiet humility in action.

Let's have ambition to achieve something but let's not be selfish or conceited about it.  This will be like our Jesus.

Lord Jesus, once again we thank You for the humility You showed us to come to earth and die on the cross for us.  You bowed to Your Father's will for our good and benefit.  Help us to imitate Your quiet humility on a daily basis.  I ask in Your name.  Amen.

                                              ~ ERC November 2025 ~

Based on Philippians 2:3 ESV.

Somg.Speak, O Lord, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty.

Looking Into God's Mirror (Humility)

 If you are desparately sick and beyond cure, what hope is there for you?  Did you know that this is the state of the fallen human heart?  Our hearts are desparately wicked, above all things (see Jeremiah 17:9 ESV, NIV, and KJV).

Praise the Lord there is hope and 'cure' in Jesus.  When we come to Him with humbled contrite hearts, seeking His mercy and forgiveness we will receive His forgiveness (see 1 John 1:9).

If you look up the definition of humility online you'll see the explanation that it's having 

"a modest view of one's own value and importance." 

When we stand in front of God's mirror we'll get just such a view.

This is not to look contemptuously at ourselves but to see and realize where we stand in the whole scheme of things.  As we believers in Jesus Christ live out our daily lives to please Him we will take honest and good looks at our attitudes and opinions of ourselves and in relation to others.

God's Word seeks to help us by telling us, 

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others (Philippians 2:4).

A good look at Jesus' parable about the Pharisee and Tax Collector may help us in our perception and estimation of ourselves.  Read Luke 18:9-14 before proceeding.

We often 

"trust in ourselves, that we are righteous and treat others with contempt"                  (Luke 18:9 ESV).

The Phariseee certainly did.  He proudly stated all his good deeds to God and then thanked God he wasn't like the tax collector.  He never looked at himself in God's mirror to see his own arrogant pride and self-righteousness.

Conversely, the tax collector couldn't even look God into the eyes.  He knew and understood his own sinfulness and seemed to be repenting of it.  He pleaded with God,

"God be merciful to me a sinner" (Luke 18:13)!

He went home, the Scriptures state,

"...justified, rather than the other" (Luke 18:14 ESV).

When we humble ourselves, the Lord exalts us (see Luke 18:14 ESV).

When we take such a good look at ourselves we will be humbled.  Careful now, not humiliated but humbled.  It is the beginning of cultivating an attitude of humility, that is, imitating Christ's humility.  This is something to be desired.

In turn, this can help us to look more into the interests of others, not busybody-like, but with genuine care and concern.  It's like the J - O - Y of putting Jesus first, others next and yourselves last.

I like the saying that is attributed to C.S. Lewis,

"Humility isn't thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less."

It could be a tougher call and sacrifice to ourselves and our own desires and interests but it is part of serving and loving others as did Jesus.

When we begin to don this attitude we will begin to heal, we will have found our hearts' 'cure' beyond our salvation.  We need to keep this all in God's perspective until He comes ... perhaps, today.

                                                ~ ERC  November 2025 ~

Based on Philippians 2:4; Luke 18:9-14; Jeremiah 17:9 

Sing, Christ Our Hope, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty.

HAIKU - Big Ben

 

What a beautiful

Sight to see Big Ben at night.

Bong!  Bong!  Bong!  Delight.

      ~ ERC  December 2025 ~

Joy In Jesus (Humility)

 "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others" Philippians 2:4 ESV.

This does not say we cannot look at our own interests at all.  Rather it says, "not only."  This means we can.  However, we must think of others' interests too.  Neither way is exclusive of the other.

A good way to put this command into persepctive and priority could be as follows.  We can put,

J - Jesus first.

O - Others next

Y - Yourself last.

This is how we can have joy in Jesus.

Our own selfish desires can be laid aside as we seek God's way.  As we serve the Lord to honor Him in doing justly, in loving mercy, and in walking humbly with Him (see Micah 6:8 NKJV).  Yes, and in imitating Christ who did His Father's will, who came to earth to care for the huge interests and needs of mankind.  He came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10).  He came to die and take their sins' punishment.

We can dispense with our pride, disobedience and selfishness.  We can ask the Lord to teach us His ways, His attitude of humility, obedience and to put them ahead of our own interests.

Let's find our joy in Jesus in this way.  Amen?

Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us Your way, for being that ultimate good example for us to follow and learn Your attitude of humility to imitate.  In Your name we give our thanks.  Amen.

                                                ~ ERC  November 2025 ~

Based on Philippians 2:4 ESV.

Sing, Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me, along with City Alight.

A Servant's Attitude (Humility)

 

A servant obediently does a lot of work for other people, usually in the home-based setting.  They do whatever they are told, when they are told and how they are told to do so.  They do not question the why's and wherefore's.

There are several Bible characters who named themselves as servants of Jesus Christ.  There were Peter and Paul, most significantly.  In Romans 16 Paul named Phoebe,

 "a servant of the church ..." (Romans 16:1 ESV).

Jesus Himself was a servant of God.  He served God by serving mankind.  He was sent to die on the cross for our sins.  He had a servant's attitude  even before that date, humbly and meekly walking about healing sick people, making whole the lame and blind, and speaking truth along the roads, in the towns and villages to which He came.

This is the servant attitude for us to cultivate in our Chrisitan lives.  We need to imitate Christ's humility.  In this I believe we will find joy.

I like Mary the mother of Jesus' attitude.  The angel Gabriel came to give her the message straight from God.  He told her she'd be the one to have the desired and long-awaited Messiah.  She would have the child who would be

 "called holy - the Son of God" (Luke 1:26-36).

Mary's humble reaction and reply was,

"Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to Your word"               (see vs 38).

Mary didn't kick up a fuss.  No, she was humble.  She was obedient and accepted this news and "work to do" like a servant.  What do you think of this attitude?  The result of Mary's attitude was joy.  She was happy in God her Savior (see Luke 1:46 ESV).

Mary wasn't a limp, subservient servant though.  She did ask a legitimate question about this news.  She did not ask in a rebellious manner but with genuine query.  After all, remember she was a chaste virgin.  She really wanted to know the answer and the angel graciously told her (see vs 34-35).

This is the humble and obedient servant's attitude to cultivate in our lives.  We should choose to walk in the fear of the Lord and imitate Christ's humility.  Let's praise Him because He is worthy of it all.  May we each find joy in so doing.  Help us Lord.  Amen.

                                                 ~ERC  November 2025  ~

Based on Philippians 2:7 and Luke 1:26-38 ESV.

Sing, Worthy Of It All, along with CeCe Wianans and More Like Jesus, along with Sounds of Hope.

                                            

Book Review - Phoenix Rising - by Michael Reit - Publication Date: 8 January 2026

 

Another memorable and remarkable offering from Michael Reit.  Phoenix Rising is a non-stop, page-turner full of suspense and nail-biting action.  As the reader reconnects with Adela, Felix, Karl, and Albert Goring, among others, the fight for or against the WWII atrocities ticks along in time-bomb detonation.  This is the second book in the Covert War Chronicles, and although it can be read as a stand alone, I'd encourage others to read Book 1 for connectivity and just because I believe Reit is an awesome writer.  Amazing historical fiction that can totally grip your heart.    He made the characters come alive for me and feel like I could reach out and touch them.  Another thing I really appreciate about this writer is that he keeps his work 'clean;' that is, minus foul language and intimate bedroom scenes.  This is always a plus for me.

I give this work a 5 Star rating.

                                          ~ Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger ~

                                                          January 2026

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Obedient Attitude (Humility)

 If we are to have the same mind and attitude as Christ Jesus does, we need to imitate Him.  We should imitate His obedience.

God's Word tells us Jesus was like this ...

"And being found in human form He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:8 ESV).

Jesus went all out in humility and obedience to His Father's will.  He obeyed even if it meant dying on a cross for the sins of all humankind.  He earned salvation for you and me...that was His mission on earth.

Jesus was in human form.  We are human beings, so it is not impossible for us to have humility and to be obedient to the Lord.

The great King of kings and Lord of lords showed His humility in being obedient to His Father.  Attaining an attitude of humble obedience to the Lord should be what we followers of Jesus Christ should do.

It may not entail dying on a cross, but we may have to sacrifice our pride, time, energy, or own opinions to what the Lord's will and ways guide us to.  As we read the word and become obedient to it, we should become more humble too.

By God's grace and mercy we can do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our Lord.  This is what the Lord requires of us and it is good (see Micah 6:8 NKJV).

                                                  ~ ERC  November 2025 ~

Based on Philippians 2:8 ESV.

Sing, Trust and Obey, along with the Vaigle Brothers.