Humility is the soil in which every other good virtue really grow, and the only doorway through which grace flows.

You can humble you.. before you get humbled. I like that option. Yes, let's live selfless and great with God (Matthew 20:20–25). Lord, how can I serve you -- I'm really need your grace today. 

It's a daily choice for each of us. Be real. Be Humble (not self-focused or presumptuous), Be Honest (keep all your promises like God does. Keep all your commitments on time or earlier. Why over promise and under deliver or under aka never promise to those you love. Ask God to help you), Be Honorable, Be Holy, Be Confident (not with excessive confidence, aka self-confidence) -- Yup, Live Happy with your Lord. You know how on the horizontal, people can often detect a hint of selfish-hubris, and that closes a lot of doors. Who doesn't want to see a track record of wise, humble, other-oriented decisions made? Do you want that? 

When was the last time you went out of your way to exceptionally serve another person? When did you go the extra mile for your employer beyond their expectations of you?

Are you a meek or self-seek type of person? Do you live arrogantly but are the only one blind to this? I say go to your Father quickly (turn, change, repent). Yes, tell on yourself before others do.. and then He'll show you more to do. 

You can be different and humble you.. before others do ..that.. to you. 

He gives grace to the humble, so choose to live that way. And stay gracious, ehrlich-sincere, straightforward -- be a blessing to be around. Keep all your promises.

You've got this in relationship with Christ -- meekness for today!

1. Matthew 5:5 – “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

2. Psalm 37:11 – “But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.”

3. Galatians 5:22–23 – “..the fruit of the Spirit is.. gentleness [meekness]…”

4. Colossians 3:12 – “Put on…humility, meekness, gentleness, and patience.”

5. James 1:21 – “Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

6. 1 Peter 3:4 – “Let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart…in the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.”

7. Proverbs 15:1 – “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

8. Ephesians 4:2 – “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

9. 1 Corinthians 4:21 – “Do you not know that the meek will inherit the blessings of God?” (paraphrase of the broader principle)

10. Isaiah 66:2 – “..But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.”

Who really could live like that, Kurt – you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.

1. Charles Spurgeon – “Meekness is the strongest quality a man can possess; it is not weakness, but power under control.”

2. Dietrich Bonhoeffer – “Meekness is not the absence of strength, but the self-restraint of strength for the sake of others.”

3. John Stott – “The truly meek person is not a doormat, but someone who channels strength in humility and grace.”

4. A.W. Tozer – “Meekness is the grace that enables us to endure wrongs without bitterness, in the spirit of Christ.”

5. C.S. Lewis – “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less; meekness is living it out.”

6. Thomas à Kempis – “A meek soul does not resist when others despise it, nor does it boast when praised.”

7. John Calvin – “Meekness is the temper of the soul that restrains itself from vengeance, that it may honor God.”

8. Oswald Chambers – “Christ calls us to meekness, to submit to His will and trust Him even when circumstances are harsh.”

In an age drunk as a skunk or punk.. on self-importance and addicted to self-promotion, (that self-seeking) opt to live humbly. Humility has become a forgotten virtue — dismissed as complete weakness, mocked as irrelevance, and replaced by the relentless chorus of “Hey, believe in yourself.”

Yet Scripture cuts through the fog and noise with a thunderclap of truth: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5). Those words are not mere suggestions for believers; they are according to a firm spiritual law. Pride stiff-arms the Lord in the face, puts a palm or finger up in his countenance so to speak. You want God’s favor right? Genuine humility before Him (who is loving, yet direct Authority too) flings the door of grace wide open.

You know that humility is not creepy groveling or thinking less of yourself — it is thinking of yourself less.

It is the posture of a heart that knows its real dependence is on God. Do you have a debt of mercy and love to pay?

It was Author C. S. Lewis who once voiced that, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” In truth, it is the soil in which every other good virtue grows, and the only doorway through which grace flows.

From the first breath of salvation, humility is essential. No one receives Christ while clinging to self-righteousness. Jesus told the Pharisees, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matthew 9:13). Only the one who confesses, “Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling,” will taste the sweetness of grace. And beyond salvation, humility remains the pathway to honor. “Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand,” Peter writes, “that He may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). The road upward always begins by bowing low.

But we live in a world that despises that low road. Do you put yourself up? God will lower you. The way up in His Kingdom is down. Jesus came down and graciously served -- so kind and generous of him!

Pride is now marketed as virtue. Social media seems to disciples us into self-glorification; companies aggressively sell us the gospel of self-esteem; even some pulpits (not all) sometimes peddle a say it, claim it, blab it, grab it weird prosperity message of another Jesus who exists to boost our egos and wallet thickness.

Yet pride is still what it has always been: the sin that turned angels into devils, that put low those who were.. who used to live way up high near God (See 1 Timothy 3:6).

Hubris is the poison that corrupts relationships, the rot that tears societies apart. George Barna's research shows us that over 80% of Americans now believe self-fulfillment is the highest moral good — but that's a philosophy that stands in direct contradiction to Christ’s call: “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross” (Luke 9:23).

Pride says, “What’s in it for me? I deserve better.”

Humility says, “I really deserve the cross and hell, so how can I serve the Lord and people better?”

Pride is strangely competitive as it grasps for more power, control and recognition.

Humility stoops down to wash feet. Father, help us obey you. Who did that? Jesus, the King of Glory, “made Himself nothing.. humbled Himself.. even to death on a cross” (Philippians 2:7–8). And because He did that obeying.. that serving, “God exalted Him to the highest place” (v. 9). The pattern is crystal clear: cross before crown, suffering before glory, humility before honor.

History’s giants understood this. Humble self, or others, eventually will. Live honest like God is.

Mr. Augustine observed, “Two cities have been formed by two loves: the earthly by love of self, even to the contempt of God; the heavenly by love of God, even to the contempt of self.”

Mr. Calvin warned that “self-love must be plucked up by the roots.”

Mr. Isaac Watts’ trembling lyrics still humbles the soul if we allow them to: “Would He devote that sacred head for such a worm as I?”

Mr. Charles Spurgeon confessed, “If you are too great for the Cross, you are too small for the crown.”

Yet humility is not just some theological concept to endlessly debate over — it is intensely practical. It heals fractured relationships, it strengthens churches, and it anchors communities, pointing them to the Word of God.

When believers walk humbly, they become conduits of more grace rather than competitors for more glory and positions with name badges and titles.

Got a position or title or nice badge? I encourage you in Him. May the Lord help us all to exemplify what Jesus did. He's the most high, but came so low to help and save people. Are you a soul-winner that serves yet? You can be in Jesus! You've got this in Him.

Humble people forgive more easily (like Erika Kirk just did). Humble people serve more joyfully and love more deeply. It's the happy way of life. As the old hymn pleads, “O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be.”

God’s economy is so upside down compared to ours. The first will be last. The servant will be greatest. WHAT!?

Those who lose their lives will find them. The world tells you to GO FOR IT FOR SELF AND CLIMB HIGHER, GO FOR THE GUSTO, TAKE WHAT YOU DESERVE. If others won't put you up higher, then you do it and climb higher, stepping on people if you need to, but Jesus says the way up is down. Don't step on anyone..step on your old fleshly nature and bad attitude. In God's Kingdom, true greatness does not come by grasping, gripping, or grabbing thrones and crowns for self but by carrying towels towards dirty feet.

So let us each, one by one, turn, believe God's promises, repent of this cult of self (such a lame mentality to have), and rediscover the forgotten strength connected to Jesus and real humility. So easy to say--saying it is the easy part. Can't do this alone, but let Jesus be seen in you.

Let us measure success not by the high seats with the prestigious locations of those seats that we occupy, but by the lowly feet we go wash. It's so refreshing to see great people accessible to the lowly.. hanging out with and helping the commoners like me. I often see this at my church with business leaders and other leaders in Plano, Texas. And when the corrup world calls humility weakness like they do, remember: it is the humble — and only the humble — who receive grace upon grace, who will one day wear a crown (please desire the soul-winners crown!), and even hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21). Like I'm sure Charlie Kirk recently heard.

I'm going to go with the old revelation (the Bible) instead of the alleged new one of crazy charismania. I'm going to go with the old cross instead of some strange new Liberqal one. “The old cross slew men, the new cross entertains them. The old cross condemned, the new cross assures. The old cross destroyed confidence in the flesh, the new cross encourages it. The old cross brought tears and blood, the new cross brings laughter. The flesh, smiling and confident, preaches and sings about the cross. Before that cross it bows, and toward that cross it points with carefully staged historionics. But upon that cross it will not die, and the reproach of that cross, it stubbornly refuses to bear.”

In The City of God, Augustine wrote, “Two cities have been formed by two loves: the earthly by the love of self, even to the contempt of God; the heavenly by the love of God, even to the contempt of self. The former, in a word, glories in itself; the latter in the Lord.”

John Piper says of today's self-love cult, “Today the first and greatest commandment is thou shalt love thyself. And the explanation for almost every interpersonal problem is thought to lie in someone’s low self-esteem. Sermons, articles, and books have pushed this idea into the Christian mind. It is a rare congregation, for example, that does not stumble over the theology of Isaac Watts, who wrote, `Alas, and did my Savior bleed, would He devote that sacred head for such a worm as I?’”

You and I don't need the world's new self-esteem ideas!

“A chorus of many voices is chanting in unison today that I must at all costs love myself.” ~ John Stott

Why go with the masses when often they are wrong? Self-love with hubris and self-confidence have SO easily been incorporated into the mindset of today's evangelical Christians. Follow God's living word instead.

John Stott said this, “A chorus of many voices is chanting in unison today that I must at all costs love myself.”

“As we have noted almost immediately, the Christian public felt warmly at home with their newfound friend. Self-love has been easily incorporated into the mindset of evangelical Christians. All one needs to do to verify this is to walk into a Sunday school class next Sunday morning and ask, ‘Should a Christian love himself?’ He probably will discover quickly that the tide of opinion flows strongly toward a positive response.” ~ Paul Brownback of Talbot Seminary

Should a Christian love himself or herself?’ The Bible says you already love yourself, so show love to God and others now. The honest believer will probably discover that the tide of opinion flows strongly toward a positive response to loving oneself far more than they already do.

I'm no hyper or other type of Calvinist, but I do love a lot of what he said. John Calvin wrote, “For so blindly do we all rush in the direction of self-love that everyone thinks he has a good reason for exalting himself and despising all others in comparison. There is no other remedy than to pluck up by the roots those most noxious pests, self-love and love of victory. This doctrine of Scripture does, for it teaches us to remember that the endowments which God has bestowed upon us are not our own, but His free gifts; and that those who plume themselves upon them betray their ingratitude.”

Statistic / Trend	Scripture	Christian Quote	Insight / Application
62% of Christians prioritize personal success/self-fulfillment over holiness (Barna, 2023)	1 Peter 5:5 – “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”	John Piper: “Today the first and greatest commandment is ‘thou shalt love thyself.’”	Modern culture elevates self; Scripture calls for humble dependence on God.
1 in 3 American Christians deliberately practices self-denial for God’s purposes (Barna)	Philippians 2:5–8 – Christ humbled Himself even to death	Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”	Humility is countercultural but central to true discipleship.
Social media increases self-promotion; 70% report social comparison affects self-worth (Pew Research, 2022)	Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”	Charles Spurgeon: “Pride is the devil’s masterpiece. Humility is the Christian’s crown.”	Online platforms amplify pride; Christians are called to servanthood and integrity.
45% of Christians admit to envy or resentment toward peers’ success (Barna, 2021)	James 4:6 – “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”	Augustine: “The earthly city is formed by love of self… the heavenly by love of God.”	Envy stems from pride; humility fosters contentment and grace.
80% of pastors say congregations struggle with ambition and competition for recognition	Matthew 20:26–27 – “Whoever wants to be great must be your servant.”	John Newton: “Humility is to make a right estimate of oneself before God.”	Church leaders and members alike must model servant leadership.
The average US adult spends 2.5 hours/day on social media, often curating a superior self-image	Romans 12:3 – “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought.”	Charles Wesley: “Our lives are meant to glorify God, not self.”	Excess focus on self-image undermines humility and discipleship.
60% of millennials believe personal fulfillment > spiritual growth	Micah 6:8 – “Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God.”	John Piper: “When the gospel becomes self-help, the cross is emptied.”	Fulfillment without humility is hollow; God calls us to mercy and humility.
Workplace studies: 55% report that pride and arrogance harm teamwork (Harvard Business Review)	Proverbs 15:33 – “Before honor is humility.”	Calvin: “Self-love blinds, prompting many to despise others and forget God.”	Pride disrupts relationships; humility builds collaboration and honor.
40% of young adults identify as “spiritual but not religious,” often embracing self-defined morality	Romans 1:30 – “…without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful.”	Charles Spurgeon: “A proud heart can never be satisfied with God’s grace.”	Rejecting God’s authority fosters pride; humility aligns us with His truth.
Global surveys: happiness correlates strongly with gratitude and service, not wealth (Gallup, 2023)	Philippians 2:3 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.”	Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “Humility is the foundation of all Christian virtue.”	True joy flows from serving others, not self-aggrandizement.

Selflessly Humble > Selfishly Prideful

I know it all (non-learner mentality) < I know so little of what God wants me to know (learner mentality)

Egoism and self-seeking sucks. 

What does “blessed are the meek” even mean?

What does the Bible say about hubris?

What does God think of arrogance?

What are the beatitudes?

What do the Scriptures say about pride?

What does it mean to live in the meekness of wisdom (James 3:13)? 

When you ask for glory, would that be kind of selfish of you? Man, what you'd be doing  is asking for pain or affliction (I don't mean intentional pain like the religious folk like to do, who think that will earn them more grace. I don't mean a pain you want or cause yourself--I don't really want pain cuz there is enough without wanting or asking for it. How many know that the path to glory is basically suffering as a servant of Jesus? True. 

Jesus: “You don't know what you're asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?"

Pain..huh!? What does Mark 10:38 mean?

You remember reading those words of Jesus before right? "You don’t know what you’re asking." Can I paraphrase some? With all respect, Lady, you are totally clueless here. You don’t even know what you’re talking for. You’re asking for glory, lady; and what you don’t realize is that the path to glory is suffering."

God bitte. Help us follow closely and serve the way Jesus did while here. Father, help us better know that the example of leadership is Christ, who served and gave His life even though he didn't feel like going to that cross for us. Help us to see and find the path to real greatness -- it's the path of genuine humility, of meek-brokenness, of selflessness. Father, we praise and bless Your holy name! We thank You for what You've prepared as a reward for those who have been faithful to Your living Word. You can help us today, Lord, to serve without asking, “Hey, what’s in it for me?”.. to humble ourselves.. to be willing humbly to give all.. that we may in a momentary light affliction receive that eternal glory. Father God, we love you--please keep and use us. All this that Christ may be glorified. Amen.

In 2024 if "work" is a four-letter word for those around you, let it not be for you. Cuz it ain't. Never has been.

Work can be a real blessing -- live with Jesus as Lord in the center of the will of God. If you're not there yet, then pray and obey your way into His will for you. I remember when I lived in Bavaria hearing from young Europeans about their trials of life. Trials to them were not relational so much, but they were related to how they really wanted to work and progress towards expertise in a career. The Bible says...

Photo by Maxime Agnelli

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters," Colossians 3:23

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.." Ecclesiastes 9:10a

Photo by Jesse Orrico

You know that work (in a general sense) ain't never been a four letter word (bad grammar, good.point).. like those of this world think it is. It's not a curse. Never was part of the curse -- was given to people before the fall. In 2024 let's not lose our God given work ethic or be workaholics too busy to take time out alone with the Lord, but wisely glorify Him in it all.

If a DC or State Administration doesn't want you to work, earn honestly, and pay your bills.. just do all those things anyways. Just sayin'.

"A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied." Proverbs 13:4

"All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty." Proverbs 14:23

"Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." 1 Timothy 5:8

"The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." Genesis 2:15

"The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops." 2 Timothy 2:6 (Do a study on all the labor related verses. Sure, it doesn't have to be Labor Day, Sport)

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Is there an aggressive masculinity that is positive and appropriate? Yes, but that doesn't mean you're to act insensitive or ungentle with people.. daily. Read the room so to speak. Recognize the needs. Let the Holy Spirit lead you, and don't miss bro. No excuses.

Hey men, let's each choose to be a good example this year (and then make the same choice next year..) by his power and remember some things about work.

• God is a wise diligent worker. (Think about it, hard vigorous work is good for you too). In Genesis (1:26, 27; 5:1) gives us a clear understanding of this through the creation story. God creates--He's the Creator who worked and works in this material world, who works "in relationship", and whose work observes good limits. We have the ability to do the same. Check out Genesis 1 and 2, and how develops human work in five specific categories: 1.) dominion, 2.) relationships, 3.) fruitfulness/growth, 4.) provision, and 5.) limits. (Sadly, too many of us people ignore the proper limits we should have with work). But this development occurs in two cycles, one in Genesis 1:26-2:4 and the other in Genesis 2:4-25.

• God is our ultimate Master so be diligent like he is. Whatever you are doing work at it with enthusiasm, as unto the Lord (He sees) and not for eyes of people because you know you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve and enthusiastically praise the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

• Be compassionate and purposeful in your work. Plan well and manage your time wisely.. all of your prep time too. Most of us get to provide for our families and God takes this seriously. He loves us all dearly. But if someone does not provide for his own, especially his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8. (Don't get mad at me, those are his words)

• Be totally grateful from the heart, and earnestly express it upwards and then outwards when people help. God gave a lot, still does, and He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ 18 Remember the LORD your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful', Deuteronomy 8:17-18. When I woke up this morning I wasn't entitled to anything. It was a blessing and every heartbeat and breath has been an unentitled unearned blessing as well. Yeah, I wasn't even deserving or entitled to wake up really. (I told some friends/workers downtown the other day that if they work smart for 8 hours (for however, many days they are scheduled) then they're entitled to a paycheck and a hug from me). "Owe no man anything, but to love one another, for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law." Romans 13:8-10

• Be very mindful that God values each of us individually not for how very skilled or "brilliant" we are, or for what we specifically do (good works-wise), or for how much we earn.. but for who we are (made in his image: God is Spirit and you too are a spirit inside created to intimately fellowship with Him. No idols fill that inner void--live for Him not work etc). You believers, are His beloved children redeemed through the costly sacrifice of His Son Jesus. knowGod.org

You know this, thanksgiving wasn't that long ago (and we can give thanks all year long). We should daily be dedicating ourselves to the Lord through our work (why wouldn't we?) and be allowing His Word to lead us step by step. He is our real Boss (and our boss'.. Boss). Yes, that we will all one day give account to.

What does the Bible say about work? What should be the Christian attitude regarding work (that doesn't hurt of destroy otherss), especially hard work?

What does it mean that the one who is unwilling to work shall not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10)?

What is biblical homemaking.. it's hard work and those who do this deserve our full respect?

Biblically speaking, how does one achieve a proper work/life balance?

What does it mean that God “began a good work in you” (Philippians 1:6)?

What does it mean to work out salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12)?

God some Bible verses about hard work, about vigorous diligent working?

What sort of careers can a Christian consider? 

What does it mean for God to establish the work of our hands (Psalm 90:17)? 

Will we work in heaven? Will we have jobs in heaven? Will God be giving us things to do in heaven?

How can we commit our work to the Lord and have our plans established (Proverbs 16:3)?

It's now a day of high tech and all (wasn't always) -- why does 1 Thessalonians 4:11 say to work with your hands?

How can we always be “abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58)?

Can I still be a person God uses to win and disciple people if I work at a secular job? Uhh, yes. All born-again believers are called to full-time ministry so to speak (and some provide by working full-time at a local church). Why are we told to work while it is day (John 9:4)?

Is there really a biblical theology of work?

What does the Bible say about work ethic? What is a Christian work ethic?

Jesus served other people. Each and every person is called to work, not like some idiot but wisely. Each Christian needs to work if they can work.. "or you have a full-time job looking for work" (says my dad, Rodney Kim). 

You know how some people work as students and at studying when they get home (hopefully, they're in a decent school), some work as teachers (hopefully in a decent school that doesn't go against what the Bible clearly teaches), some work as mothers (with, or without a side hustle job), some as businessmen (hopefully with integrity), etc. Everybody is to work for a living and not think the government owes them the income they need. 

The only difference with workers is the pay. Am I the judge of what everyone should get paid for their work? Nope, haven't studied that. Some workers don’t get paid at all (healthy churches and para-church organizations need spiritual Christian volunteers), some workers get paid a little bit (so many feel like that), and some get paid a whole lot (and many people don't feel like that). 

There are some jobs we shouldn't take of course, but work in general is not a bad thing! Some people saved and unsaved erroneously think that work is a result of the fall of man (Gen 3:17–18). Go check it out in the Bible -- work was given before the fall. It was indeed Adam’s responsibility to work and till the grounding order to take care of the Garden of Eden (Gen 2:15).

The Bible lets us know that we believers will work in heaven and that people who are not spiritually born again sadly will not. In Luke 19:17, those who are faithful with their gifts and talents here on earth will be rewarded with the task of overseeing cities in the coming kingdom. That will be work. And working with other believers can be fun. 

Go look at Revelation 21:2. What do you see? There is the holy city of Jerusalem coming out of heaven to the earth. We will work on earth once again. 

Just the fact that heaven is called a city implies many characteristics about eternity. A city has commerce, cultural art districts, education, and government. In heaven, we will not be sitting around on some cloud doing nothing. You'll never be bored out of your goard there. We will have excellent, exciting times worshiping and serving the Lord together in the heavenly city and then on the earth again. This will be forever. It has always been God’s will for man to serve others. Following and knowing Him isn't about selfishness. 

God has never been selfish -- He is others-orientated as a worker too! He creates and sustains the world by the POWER of his living Word (Heb. 1:3). He is not idle, He won't get idle! He earnestly prays for His saints. Yes, we should too. He prays for people in order to save them to the uttermost (Heb 7:25). No charge. We serve a God who neither sleeps nor slumbers (Ps. 121:4). He is always active in his creation. 

Jesus answered people of his day saying, “'My Father has been working until now [He has never ceased working], and I too am working.' This made the Jews more determined than ever to kill Him, for not only was He breaking the Sabbath [from their viewpoint], but He was also calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God." John 5:17-18 amp

Work can be a blessing as we keep Jesus first allowing Him to lead us. It is something we do here on earth and something we will also do in eternity. When we need something we are to pray first..not merely wish first/only.. and then go to work. Prayfullying working is a way that we imitate Jesus and bring honor to the Father. Jesus did this. If work is something we will do throughout eternity, we would do well to ask ourselves, “How can I work and learn in such a way that God is glorified?”

Listen, regardless of what all the politicians are doing wrong or right (or others), let's work smart and hard as unto the Lord to please Him. I respectfully appeal and challenge you.. Let others see a sound Christian sermon before they hear a sound sermon (both are needed, more today than ever before). Try to be safe and keep others safe so you all can work another day. : )

If your gift is serving others, serve them well. —Romans 12:7

What to know before you go serve? Him.. and what to do?

Know Jesus. He would spend time with the Father, and then He'd practically serve people.

When ya read the Bible on through (I mean God’s love letter to the believing servant..) ask these three questions...

1. Is there anything in this passage that I can learn about God?

2. Is there a promise for me to pray about and claim in these pages here?

3. Is there a divine command for me to wisely obey?

So many riots still.  Hey, serving and helping people.. instead of harming and looting from them.. that’s great. 

What does it mean that God is great?

Jesus (God the Son) came here and served people, and sacrificed for us. 

Among many other places, Psalm 145:3 declares, “Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.” Dozens of verses describe God as “great” and give as evidence His wondrous works (e.g., Psalm 86:10; 96:4; 135:5; Job 5:9; 9:10; 1 Chronicles 16:24). In describing a person, the word great means “preeminent, above the norm, or distinguished.” It also implies superior character or quality, such as saying that Abraham Lincoln was “a great man.” So, when the Bible describes God as “great,” it sets the Lord apart from human beings we may consider “great” and calls attention to His worthiness to be worshiped and adored (2 Kings 17:36; Psalm 5:7).

The word great is used in many English versions of the Bible to capture the meaning of the Greek and Hebrew words describing God’s superior character qualities. First John 3:1 says, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (emphasis added). Romans 9:22 speaks of God’s “great patience.” Lamentations 3:22–23 praises the Lord for His great love and His great faithfulness.

Ephesians 1:19 indicates that God’s might is unsurpassed—it is an “incomparably great power.” Titus 2:13 calls Jesus “our great God and Savior,” meaning that the Lord is of the highest rank, eminent in His authority. Hebrews 10:21 says that Jesus is “a great priest over the house of God,” signifying that Christ surpasses all other priests throughout history in nature, in power, and in ability. When Jesus cast a demon out of a boy, the crowd was “amazed at the greatness of God” (Luke 9:43).

All through the Bible, we see evidence that God is great, from the creation of the world, to the parting of the Red Sea, to the miracles of Christ, to the final judgment. Our response to God’s greatness is to humbly worship and adore Him: “Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness” (Psalm 150:2).

God is so great that He cannot be compared with anything or anyone else (Psalm 71:19). Since He created everything in existence, He is far superior to those creations. He is bigger, in the sense that He cannot be confined by time or space. He is wiser, using foolish things to confound those who think themselves wise (Isaiah 40:13; 1 Corinthians 1:27). He is infinite, while all created things are finite (Psalm 90:2). God, in fact, defines greatness, and all other uses of the word are mere echoes of that greatness.

Serving Others > Self-Serving

“If your gift is serving others, serve them well.” —Romans 12:7

Do you like serving people? Hey, whatever you’re doing for a living or perhaps volunteering in, whether you’re working at a sushi or burger restaurant, or serving in local church, or say working in healthcare, do this.. serve well. If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing with excellence. 

Here’s the mark of a human that God has called to serve.. they recognize a real need to be met, or a hurt to be healed (sure, God can heal when we pray for people), and then they prayerfully make themselves available. At God’s leading, they wisely jump in and do something about it.

Some people have the gift of complaining instead of the gift of giving. Some people live on the take, rather than on the give. Some people give when the Spirit leads, even if they don’t have “the gift of giving.” 

Some people seem so content with finding fault rather that with serving others—they grade preachers, and quickly voice all the things the church is doing wrong in their estimation.

But people with the gift of serving see a need and then practically meet that need because they want to help people out. They want to help people see Jesus who served sinners as He really is.. and then love Him more. 

Are you other’s oriented, or just self orientated? Giving what ya can, serving where you can.. has God given you this spiritual gift? 

What a wonderful gift this is. So, if you’re checking on your elderly neighbors, or friends.. and praying for them, that is super great, and if you’re out picking up the groceries for them or say mowing their lawn, that is great too. Because whatever you’re doing to serve the Lord.. to serve people.. it really matters. Directed service makes an impact for the glory of Christ. 

The Bible says, “Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received” (1 Timothy 4:14 NLT). Or, as The Message puts it, “Keep that dusted off and in use.”

Be faithful in the little things, and God will open up greater opportunities for you. Because, as Warren Wiersbe has said, “You can never be too small for God to use, only too big.”

Of course people should really want to, and do need to serve God first. I mean from the heart. That’s so normal and obvious in Scripture (see Luke 4:8). Why we should want to serve God is a more difficult question. Every Christian asked might have a different reason for serving God; different people are motivated by different things. However, the Bible does make clear that, when a person is in a real relationship with God, he will serve God. We should want to serve God because we know Him; an inherent part of knowing Him is a desire to serve Him.

It’s always been God’s intention to make us like His Son, Jesus (Romans 8:29). When we look at Jesus’ life, there’s no denying that He was a servant. Jesus’ entire life was centered on serving God—by teaching, healing, and proclaiming the Kingdom (Matthew 4:23). He came not “to be served but to serve” (Matthew 20:28). Then, on the night of His arrest, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, leaving them with a final teaching to serve one another: “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (see John 13:12–17). So, if Jesus is all about serving, and God wants to make us like Him, then it’s pretty obvious that we should be all about serving as well.

Directed service, yes following Jesus as you serve people is great. None of us want to get too busy working (like some idolatrous workaholic) that we don’t take time to be alone with Christ sitting at his feet, but we want to serve people as well. 

Genuine service cannot be separated from love. We can go through the motions of serving God, but if our hearts are not in it we’re missing the point. First Corinthians 13 makes it clear that, unless our service is rooted in love, it’s meaningless. Serving God out of a sense of obligation or duty, apart from love for God, is not what He desires. Rather, serving God should be our natural, love-filled response to Him who loved us first (see 1 John 4:9–11).

The apostle Paul is a great example of how having a relationship with God through Christ results in a life of service. Prior to his conversion, Paul persecuted and killed believers, thinking he was serving God. But after he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, he immediately devoted the rest of his life to truly serving God by spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ (see Acts 9:20). Paul describes this transformation in 1 Timothy 1:12–14: “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” Once Paul became aware of the love and grace that God had given him, his response was to serve God.

The Bible offers several motivations for our service. We want to serve God because “we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 12:28), because our service supplies “the needs of the Lord’s people” (2 Corinthians 9:12), because our service proves our faith and causes others to praise God (2 Corinthians 9:13), and because God sees and rewards our labor of love (Hebrews 6:10). Each of these is a good reason to serve God.

We can give away only what we’ve first received. The reason we can love and serve God is that He first loved and served us through Jesus Christ. The more we are aware of and experience God’s love in our own lives, the more prone we are to respond in love by serving Him. If you want to want to serve God, the key is to get to know Him! Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal more of God to you (John 16:13). When we truly know God, who is love (1 John 4:8), our natural response is a desire to love and serve Him in return. Fish4souls.org

Ask, work, trust, serve and expect your needs to be met right on time ..from the Lord your primary Source, Lord and Friend. In Christ do good work, hard and smart works. Work, but not to earn your way into good standing and favor, but work wisely as if it’s all up to you.. as you simultaneously pray or pause to. Yes, prayin’ as if it’s all up to God while believing and fully trusting Him to do His part.. cuz He always keeps His promises. That’s the balance, both practical and spiritual. God is working and He will guide you.

https://fish4souls.org/post/617471481721618432/in-christ-do-good-work-hard-and-smart-works

Not sure if he ever did any carpentry work cuz there's no verse on that (probably did..), but we know Jesus served. Worked hard and smart with blessing others in mind.

Work can be fun, fascinating and fulfilling. Go for it! "One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys." Proverbs 18:9

Yup, laboring to serve and provide can indeed be fantastic, fun, fruitful, fascinating and fulfilling.. in a close relationship with Christ. 

The good prep and exercise for it can be as well. Jesus worked hard as a man’s man -- sure He did. Interesting this is how life works.. functioning pretty much blessing-other's-orientated. But work can also be the cause of great frustration at times -- why neglect loved ones as you look to your career or a project as your god.. or as your primary source? There is a balance to maintain.

"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Acts 20:35

You know practical-serving to meet needs can be such a good witness for the Lord.. if that's not all you're doing.. just working. He came here and served, yet Jesus prayed and did so much more!

"Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to." Deuteronomy 15:10

"But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!'" Luke 10:40 

The Bible tell us that work is honorable -- let’s keep our priorities in proper order as we do this. The Scripture says, that no matter what kind of job you maintain... no matter the occupation you have ..guess what!.. you can glorify the Lord in and through your work. Honest hard and smart toil, you know.. done with a joyful spirit is SO good. And it can be combined with the vertical relationship. It can be a form of worship and prayer to God ..if your focus stays right. You can do this. Prayerfully draw strength and encouragement from the Holy Spirit and these Bible verses with their contexts. Yes, go for it hard working people!

Originally posted by operationenvy

Deuteronomy 15:10
Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.

Deuteronomy 24:14
Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. (NIV)

Psalm 90:17
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us-yes, establish the work of our hands. 

Psalm 128:2
You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. 

Proverbs 12:11
Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense. 

Proverbs 14:23
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. 

Proverbs 18:9
One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.

Ecclesiastes 3:22
So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them? 

Ecclesiastes 4:9
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 

Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. 

Isaiah 64:8
Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.

Luke 10:40
But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" 

John 5:17
In his defense Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working."

John 6:27
Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval. 

Acts 20:35
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' 

1 Corinthians 4:12
We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 

Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 

1 Thessalonians 4:11
...and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 

2 Thessalonians 3:10
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat." 

Hebrews 6:10
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 

1 Timothy 4:10
That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.