“The Antidote For Self-Destruction” - Humility

By Mary Lindow

"He has showed you, O man, what is good.

And what does the Lord require of you?

To do justly, to love kindness and mercy,

To humble yourself and walk humbly with your God."

-Micah 6:8

ALTHOUGH I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A FRESH EXPRESSION OF THE HEART OF THE FATHER STIRRING IN THE EARTH, I also see that there is a lot of "bashing" regularly occurring due to the abuse that others have exhibited in their places of calling, aimed at those who have been true to what the Lord has asked them to do in His name, and this has caused not just a little sorrow.

WE MUST CLEARLY SEE THAT CORRUPTION CAN RAPIDLY OCCUR IN ANY PERSON OR ANY GROUP, ORGANIZED, RELAXED, OR OTHERWISE, when the tendency to think that they have arrived at a new or deeper revelation about something more so than others who perhaps express the Lord's voice differently.

ARROGANCE IS THE ASSUMPTION THAT I, INDIVIDUALLY, 

OR SOME GROUP THAT I AM A PART OF, COLLECTIVELY, 

IS SOMEHOW SUPERIOR TO SOMEONE ELSE OR 

SOME OTHER GROUP OF PEOPLE.

AT THE HEART OF ARROGANCE IS SELF-CENTEREDNESS. And self-centeredness is the foundation of human sin. I believe any serious attempt at self-examination by an honest person will reveal that we humans are sinful and flawed beyond measure.

MARK TWAIN ONCE SAID, “MAN IS THE ONLY ANIMAL THAT BLUSHES— 

OR [FOR THAT MATTER] NEEDS TO.”

Paul writes, 

“So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand…Wretched man that I am! Who will save me from this body of death?”

WE ARE CONSUMED BY SELF. And every time we arrogantly place our own needs before others we are enslaved by sin.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO? HOW SHOULD WE LIVE INSTEAD OF IN THAT ARROGANT MODE? WHAT IS THE ANTIDOTE?

How about the words of Jesus? What did he say?

"Everyone who exalts himself (for example, "Aren't I great? Aren't I right? Don't I always have the best opinion?") will be humbled.

But he who humbles himself (for example, "This is my opinion but it may not be right. I don't have a corner on the market of truth") will be exalted."

THE LORD IS NOT SPEEDING UP THE DELIVERY OF ANY "FRESH THING" IN THE EARTH IN ORDER TO GET US TO HIS PURPOSES QUICKLY. No. He is testing the hearts of men and women everywhere, looking for humility, selflessness, and honor, for those who although not perfect, have also served and pointed the way to salvation for many years previously.

THE LORD IS NOT GOING TO HONOR THE INDIVIDUAL WHO SHOUTS THAT "CHANGE IS NEEDED" OR THAT "CHANGE IS COMING" AND THEN SLASHES AND BURNS ANYTHING THAT DOESN'T EMBRACE THEIR VERSION OF IT.

THE LORD IS INTERESTED IN THE SOUND OF HUMILITY, 

THE HAND OF MERCY, 

AND...

...THE VOICE OF GRACE.

These key character issues attract the pure and simple Presence of the Lord. Blessed are the PURE in heart...for they shall see God.

Until the Body of Christ that has been through many difficult and shattering events, rids itself of bitter and venomous words against one another and accepts that each one like sheep have gone astray and turned to what pleased them at the moment, there will be little evidence of much harvest .

THE LOST AND CONFUSED WORLD OUT THERE WATCHES CHRISTIANS TEAR EACH OTHER TO SHREDS DAILY AND WONDERS WHY WE ARE ASKING THEM TO JOIN US! Remember Christ’s two great commandments—love God with all your being, and love your neighbor as yourself.

SELF-CENTEREDNESS IS THE REVERSAL OF THE GREAT COMMANDMENT. Self-centeredness means to place ourselves first, in effect proclaiming our own form of self-government (not needing or wanting the advice or insight of others), therefore our neighbors become an afterthought, and God becomes simply a convenience to be considered only when it’s helpful to us.

It is evident even in our language that self-centeredness is woven into the fabric of the human experience.

THE ONE TRUE SACRIFICIAL MODEL TOLD US THAT HE WOULD SEND THE VERY SPIRIT OF GOD IN ORDER TO CONVICT ALL PEOPLE OF SIN, TO COMFORT, TO GUIDE, AND TO SET THEM FREE. Indeed. The very evidence of a redemptive type of life, is in one who washes the feet of his/her brothers and his/her enemies in an act of cleansing the dirt from the road of life off of the pathway to the Truth.

May we truly hear the sound of the unmistakable heartbeat of a redemptive model rising up in clear resounding purity, personal transparency, and in the covering of the multitude of sins by speaking and meditating only on those things that are noble, just, pure, and of a good report.

AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS NATIONS, THE ANTIDOTE TO ARROGANCE AND SELF-CENTEREDNESS IS A HEAVY DOSE OF HUMILITY. That is; a profound willingness to recognize the value and respect the dignity of every human life. And, furthermore, a humble heart calls us to seek and serve Christ in ALL persons by giving of ourselves willingly for the welfare of other people.

THE LORD SAYS, 

"Do not let a wise man brag about how wise he is. Do not let a strong man boast about how strong he is. Do not let  a rich person brag about how rich he is.

But here is what the one who brags should boast about. He should brag that he has understanding and knows me. I want him to know that I am the Lord.

No matter what I do on earth, I am always kind, fair and right. And I take delight in that". 

 -JEREMIAH 9:23-24 (NIV) 

Duplication and sharing of this message is welcomed provided 

that complete article, podcast link and website information 

for Mary Lindow is included. 

www.marylindow.com

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 Thank You Copyright © 2019 " THE MESSENGER "

Your Gracious Support and Donations Are So Very Helpful 

And Assist Mary In Publishing Her Teaching Podcasts 

And Blog Materials.

THANK YOU!

Please go to PAYPAL to donate 
or support this podcast

Donate to the tax deductible ministry name of: 

paypal.me/mlindow   (His Beloved Ministries Inc.) 

 Or You Can Mail a Check or Cashiers Check to: 

His Beloved Ministries INC 

PO Box 1253 

Eastlake CO 80614 

United States

“WEAPONIZED WORDS” - When The World Grows Harsh, What Does God Say?

By Mary Lindow

This message just "might" hit close to home.  : )

I have been thinking a lot this week about arrogance and those “finger pointing” individuals who enjoy belittling others and simply “love” to be plain old “snarky”.  Just look at the headlines of newspapers, Internet news and gossip columns! With the stroke of a key or two, words written imply things that can break hearts, ruin trust, hope, National Security and relationships.

THERE IS SUCH A HARSH “STING TO THE HEART” 

WHEN THE CRUEL WORDS OF SOMEONE ELSE INTENTIONALLY 

DOES A “VERBAL SLAP DOWN” OR SHAMES YOU.

Usually it occurs when THEY believe that THEY are absolutely right or have "superior" knowledge, and that others are the "lesser" and are the "wrong- big- dummies".

This mean and sour arrogance, which uses power to belittle or harm others, is something that crushes and cripples hearts and dreams. It’s a secret and deep seething storm inside of the soul of those who feel they have “rights” and superior thinking that justifies “weaponizing words”. 

Yes... weaponizing! 

 Words can deliver pinpoint missiles of pain, threats, ridicule, humiliation, subtle undertones of condescension but can also deliver payloads of healing, warmth, gratitude, encouragement, and above all, Hope.

As a believer, our faith should not be arrogant —nor should a person of faith belittle others! We should never use our faith or intelligence to pretend that we are superior or more informed than others! NO! NEVER! 

Belittling is a form of bullying!  It’s when someone makes you feel as though you are little, minuscule, not good enough.

Proverbs 11:17 says, “Your own soul is nourished when you are kind, but you destroy yourself when you are cruel.”

 Arrogance is the opposite of humility, and humility is supposed to be a Christian virtue.  Jesus Christ who, in coming into the world and living and dying alongside of us, lived out what humility is.

You will never reach the place of honor or full use by the Heavenly Father, (and can actually be disqualified from many opportunities) until your insecurities and need to needle, belittle, compete with, or shame others is addressed, repented of and buried! And, when mentioning, “reaching a place of honor”, I’m referring to this as honor before the face and rule of God.           

If your goals in life are to have men honor you first...

…You will be one who certainly tramples others with your words.

Those who have the sickness of pride in their hearts, speak of others’ weakness and sins with contempt, irritation, frustration, or judgment. Pride is crouching inside of your meanness and belittling of the struggles of others.

It’s cowering in your jokes about the 'craziness’ of your spouse, the mocking of that, ‘too sensitive friend’. It may even be lurking in the prayers we throw upward for our friends that are — subtly or not — often tinted with the color of exasperated irritation.

 Listen to Proverbs 15:4 from The Message translation.

 "Kind words heal and help; 

Cutting words wound and maim."

Sometimes, we use sarcasm to voice harsh, or cutting words we otherwise would not say, often intentionally hurting others. Once the pain is inflicted however, we retreat, saying, "Oh, I was just kidding”.  But the sting of those words hurts so much that those we have injured, withdraw. 

Our words don't feel like jokes at all.

 Jesus' words should be a warning to those of us who are tempted to use sarcasm as a weapon:

"But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment 

for every careless word they have spoken" (Matthew 12:36).

SARCASTIC REMARKS USUALLY SEEM LIKE “NO BIG DEAL” 

TO THE PERSON WHO MAKES THEM. 

BUT TO THE RECIPIENT, THOSE WORDS MAKE LASTING IMPRESSIONS

THAT SCAR TO THE VERY CORE OF THE HEART.

Many times, sarcasm shames a person, causing them to feel belittled and unworthy. When shame takes root in the heart, it can cause disastrous behavior, because the person now feels worthless and seeks desperately to find anything that will make them feel otherwise.

Shaming others is a serious offense with serious consequences. 

Jesus said, "Your very words will be used as evidence against you, 

and your words will declare you either innocent or guilty."

 (Matthew 12:37)

Are your words kind and constructive? 

Do they desire to seek peace and unity, or are they driven by your fleshy desire to sting, aggravate, retaliate, tease, belittle, control, alienate, shame and manipulate through sarcasm? YES ... alllll of those HURT PEOPLE!

The enemy is camping out at the gate of your every relationship. Children, spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, parents, co-laborers and more. He is lurking around every corner, seeking to find that one open crevice where he can enter. If he has been entering in and camping out in your home or relationships through the use of sarcasm, it’s time to boot this verbal enemy out and lock the gate behind him.

Die to your need to be snarky and always the one with a chirpy sarcastic comeback! Allow Christ to show you His ways that love, peace and compassion can be the source of every word that proceeds from your mouth.

"All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because, '

God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ 

Humble yourself then! Bow low under God’s mighty hand, 

that he may use you to the fullest at the proper time.  

-1 Peter 5:56

Prayer of Brokenness and Confession

(I Highly recommend praying this out loud.)

 Holy and All seeing Father God,

I confess now to You, that I do not always love my neighbor.

I confess that I have despised others, even to the point of hatred.

 I confess that I have been hurt by others.

I confess that forgiveness and reconciliation at times are just impossible for us. 

I realize that I have spoken words that have broken people or have humiliated them and although asking for forgiveness, they have distanced themselves from me, and rightly so because they don’t want to take any more of my unkind words,

Father I ask you to heal them from the things that I have said that caused broken and crushed spirits. 

 Restore them; bring them Friends that will treat them kindly.

I know that nothing is impossible in You.

So, I come to You, seeking healing and wholeness for myself.

Heal whatever is inside of me that needs to speak poorly of others, or to speak down to others.

 Show me the parts of me that are insecure or needy. 

Help me, whenever possible, to live in peace with others, to seek reconciliation and healing and forgiveness.

For Your Son Jesus came and lived among us, and was betrayed and denied, abused and put to death.

Yet, He rose again, and came with the message of peace to those who had denied Him and abandoned Him. 

Oh Father!  May I walk in His ways and model His kindness in my speech and actions.

 I pray this in Jesus’ loving name.

Amen.

  Duplication and sharing of this message is welcomed provided that complete article, podcast link and website information for Mary Lindow is included. 

Thank You Copyright © 2019 " THE MESSENGER "

Your Gracious Support and Donations Are So Very Helpful And Assist Mary In Publishing Her Teaching Podcasts and Blog Materials.

THANK YOU!

Please go to PAYPAL to donate 
or support this blog: 

Donate to the tax deductible ministry name of: 

paypal.me/mlindow    (His Beloved Ministries Inc.) 

or 
You Can Mail a Check or Cashiers Check to: 

His Beloved Ministries INC 

PO Box 1253 

Eastlake CO 80614 

United States

A PROPHETIC WORD - “MANY WILL BE PURIFIED AND REFINED - BUT THE WICKED WILL CONTINUE TO BE WICKED”

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 -  A PROPHETIC WORD  -

“MANY WILL BE PURIFIED AND REFINED…

… BUT THE WICKED WILL CONTINUE TO BE WICKED”

By the Holy Spirit through Mary Lindow

“How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust,

And has not turned to the proud for worldly advice,

Nor to those who lapse into tale bearing.”

Psalms 40:4

"My children. It is always amazing how people run to the power and strengths of man and to the voices of false hope. As if from these things they advise or promise might gain a place of security!

You can only be fully secure when you first come to ME!

I never break my promises to you! NEVER!

I use every opportunity in your life to train you to be an honest and humble guide to lead others to my way of success.

If you hear a man or woman boasting about too many great things that they have done, you will eventually find out that they are masters of manipulation and "embellished" liars.

It's all to make themselves look more powerful in your eyes.

I do not deeply fellowship with this type of person.

“If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. 

That prophet has spoken presumptuously.

Do not be afraid of them.”

Deuteronomy 18:22

"I only share My keys and treasures of victory and success with those who do not peddle pride and do not posture for an audience. False humility is obvious to Me even when others cannot discern it. Trusting Me means to really believe that I AM all you need to have a vision and a future.

Trust. Trust. Trust!

Trust ME!"

Be Quick To Listen,

Be Slow To Speak,

Be Slow to get Angry.

~James 1:19

"The real proof of your personal transformation in Me is in evidence when you can practice this truthful insight without having to think about it too much!

In order to sincerely be a voice for Me -  one who cries out into the wilderness of other people's lives, you must be able to hear My voice clearly!  Speaking only what I tell you to speak, and to not REACT with anger when you have those who oppose My Voice, challenge you!

If you are suspicious of others motives and have secretly hidden the things of insecurity or entitlement in your own heart, you will be looking for a way to cast suspicion on others if you are the guilty or presumptuous party of some wrongdoing. This opens a door to a hardness of heart, which allows the pride of life and love for position to blind you from a life of brokenness, and personal, private integrity.

Clean living creates a pure and clear conscience.

"Keep me also from the sins I want to commit.

May they not be my master.

Then I will be without blame.

I will not be guilty of any great sin against your word."

Psalm 19:13

“I remained silent, like a lamb ready for slaughter!

When My time to speak came, it changed eternity!

It is finished! Father!

Into Your hands I willingly turn over everything!

My body, My soul, My spirit!

Can you also turn all you hold dear in this life over to the Father?

You will never be the same again!

And you also will mark out a statement in eternity!"

The Lord's promises are pure....

Psalm 12:6a

"I have no ulterior reasons to make a promise that has a hidden agenda!

I am the spotless Lamb of God! All that I have ever promised to you and to

those who love Me has always been with only good and blessing in mind!

Purity has it's own deep well of uniqueness to draw from.

It looks for fairness for all.

It only operates with absolute truthfulness.

Purity is a value that never wears thin.

When you minister or care for others, do all of it from only a pure motive to help, bless and restore.

Impurity always shows up with self-preservation, intimidation and a pompous sense of personal power and personal vision.

"We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;

2 Corinthians 6:3-6

PURITY

It is only a refined vessel that can walk in the power of this attribute!"

“Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, 

but the wicked will continue to be wicked. 

None of the wicked will understand, 

but those who are wise will understand.”

Daniel 12:10

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Copyright 2013 " THE MESSENGER " ~ Mary Lindow

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