The gift of the grace of humility

"'When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited.If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ' Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored int he presence of all your fellow guests.'" - Luke 14:8-10

When I read this parable, I've already known that the lesson behind it is the importance of humility, for Jesus said, "He who humble himself will be exalted." And I said to the Lord, "God, what can I take away from today's readings - the reason is that more often than not, do I find myself boasting to others of my own achievements, and when I gain credentials for my work - I will always give thanks to God - so the lesson on humility was not a major revelation. Then the Lord spoke to me, and He said, "Do you not know that the humility you practice is not derived on your own, but rather, it is a gift of my grace to you?" When the Lord said that, I could only say, "God, thank you for your wonderful gift of the grace of humility unto me." - Sometimes, it is just so easy to take for granted our Christ-like traits without taking a second look back at who was the one that had made it possible in the first place.

On an additional note, the Lord had also guided me to a particular word in the parable, which is "least". He wants me to pick the least important seat, to be the most humble person, and not the second most important, or the second least humble person.

PRAYER:
"Heavenly Father, thank you for your faithful loving kindness upon me. Dear Lord, you have set your standard of expectations for your servant, therefore; from now on, help him to attain that level of standard you have set for all your servants, so that I may become your object of pleasure and honor to you. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen."

The vineyard caregiver

"'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'" - Luke 13:8-9

In this parable, the vineyard was like Jerusalem and the man taking care of it is God. God's love fo us is exemplified in this instance when instead of killing us for 'not bearing fruit', He is willing to spend more time on us, to 'fertilize' us spiritually so that we may eventually bear fruits and enter his Kingdom as His worthy servants.

PRAYER:
"Heavenly Father, thank you for your wonderful gift of love unto us. The gift that has given us a new lease of life. Father, help me in the remaining days to always live in this new lease of life you have breathed into me. Grant me, O Lord, the strength and courage to pursue victory over daily struggles with temptations of sin. So that when you come, I will be fully sanctified and partake in the glory of your wonderful kingdom in Heaven. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen."

Paying up the last penny

"As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled to him on the way, or he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny."- Luke 12:58-59

We do not know for sure when Christ's second coming would arrive, therefore then it is necessary for us to repent our every sin before his arrival. And if there are sins in us that we may not be aware of, then we'll have to ask God to search our hearts, and turn us away from ignorance and reveal our sins to us, so that we may seek repentance through Him.

PRAYER:
"Heavenly Father, help me to pay up the last penny of my spiritual debt before you come down to judge again. Father, where there is ignorance, Lord, I pray that you will teach my sin what that is wrong and reveal sin in its full ugliness to me; so that I can turn away from it Lord. Guide me always on the path to where my real treasure is, so that my heart may too follow. In Jesus' name, I pray Amen."

Nothing left but God

"So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, 'He is the Lord, let him do what is good in his eyes.'" - 1 Sam 3:18

"For whoever wants to save his life will lose, it but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?" - Luke 9:24-25

How often is it that when we are faced with news of the death of our loved ones, can we remain as calm as Eli, who has placed his trust in God so faithfully. Surely, it takes an immense amount of courage for one to be able to say that. Through that act, we also see how Eli had surrendered his life to God, allowing Him to what is good in His eyes.

PRAYER:

"Heavenly Father, we are indeed a generation lacking in patience, and often times when things do not go our way, like the Israelities we say, 'why did the Lord bring defeat upon us today?' Hasty to judge and often lacking in your godly wisdom. Father, help me to once again to place my trust in every little thing that occurs in my life - even if they do not go my own all the time. Grow in me a heart of patience and love and most importantly Lord, teach me to surrender my own life for You. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen."