What steps can you take to maintain a humble heart before God? The Heart God Welcomes Psalm 51:17: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” Step 1 – Admit Your Need Continually • Never outgrow grace; start each day acknowledging dependence. • Luke 18:13–14: “‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’… For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Step 2 – Confess and Turn Quickly • Keep short accounts with God. • 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Step 3 – Submit and Depend • James 4:6–7: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God.” • Surrender plans, preferences, and timetable to His rule. Step 4 – Let Christ Shape Your Mindset • Philippians 2:5-8: Jesus “emptied Himself… He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.” • Meditate on the cross until self-importance fades. Step 5 – Serve Quietly • Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” • Volunteer for unseen tasks; celebrate others’ successes. Step 6 – Keep Worship and Gratitude Central • Psalm 95:6: “O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker!” • Thank Him for specific mercies; bow physically to reinforce heart posture. Step 7 – Welcome the Father’s Discipline • Hebrews 12:10-11: “God disciplines us for our good… it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” • Receive correction without defensiveness. Step 8 – Stay Grounded in Word and Walk • Micah 6:8: “To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” • Read, obey, pray, fast, journal—habits that keep the soul tender. Living It Out: A Humility Checklist 1. Did I acknowledge my need of God? 2. Have I confessed sin promptly? 3. Am I surrendered to His will? 4. Have I gazed at Christ’s humility today? 5. Did I serve someone with no recognition? 6. Have I thanked and worshiped Him? 7. Am I learning from discipline? 8. Did I feed on His Word and walk with Him? Follow these steps, and the “broken and contrite heart” God welcomes will remain fresh and alive before Him. |
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