1 Corinthians 15:10 - Grace of God

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Exposition

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me – Have you ever been in a situation where your ability has been questioned? It could have been your parenting skills, your ability to do a job properly without messing up, your religion etc. In certain parts of the world, the colour of one’s skin or accent might have led you been treated differently.

Apostle Paul’s apostleship was questioned in the Corinthian Church because of his past persecution of the Church. He might have waited for people who supported him to speak on his behalf, but he didn’t. Paul pronounced it for everyone to know that whatever he had achieved wasn’t by his power or intellect. (He was a well-learned man). It was the grace of God.

The grace of God is the very centre of Christianity. Grace starts and ends with God. It is the very essence of God. God gives to us out of His completeness and love for us. God has given gifts to us to enable us to do all that we need to do while here on earth. We do not need to do anything to receive grace from God. Grace is free. Learn to operate on the premise that ‘All we have is from God and all we are is from God’. That is why Paul said grace was ‘bestowed’ upon him.

Paul was confident of the availability of grace to him. Yes, he worked harder than his colleagues but without the grace of God, it wouldn’t have been possible. As Paul believed in the grace of God, you can believe too. You can be confident that the grace of God is available to you in your Christian walk with the Lord. It is available to enable you to fulfil the purpose of God for you.

You can trust that that His grace is sufficient for you. As you submit to God, He will seal you with His grace. James 4:6 says God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.

Prayer

Help me Lord to completely humble myself under your authority. Let the grace to obey you be part and parcel of my life. As you are the God of all grace, let your grace rest upon me. Let your grace steer me in the direction purposed by you O Lord. I am aware challenges are a part of the package. Help me Lord to overcome every obstacle that comes my way in Jesus name. Amen

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Psalm 131: 1-3 - Humility

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PRAYER

I ask that you take away pride from my heart such that I will not look down on anyone no matter their situation in life. Whenever I lift up my eyes let it be in prayer to you alone. Help me not to meddle in things that are of no concern to me. Yes help me to mind my own business. Help me to be focused on you and you alone.

As I wait on your promises to come to pass in my life, help me behave like a child that is well brought up. Grant me the strength to look at areas of my life that I need to improve upon and change, see me through this process in Jesus name. Lord a child weaned of his mother is no longer dependent on the mother, help me to be totally dependent on you.

I pray my hope will be on you forever and ever.

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1 Corinthians 8:9 - Good Example

Philippians 2:3-4 - Genuine Humility

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Prayer

Teach me true humility. Let me remember at all times what Jesus Christ gave up to save humanity.

Help me to give way to people who have more experience than I have.

Wherever I am, let there be love and peace in Jesus name. Amen

Ephesians 4: 2-3 - Humble and gentle

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves together with peace.

Prayer

Help me Lord to be humble and gentle at all times.

Let my focus be on obeying you rather than reacting to stuff that would make me behave contrary to your word.

Let my love for you cause me to make allowance for the faults of others even when it looks unreasonable to do so.

Jesus is the prince of peace. Help me desire a life of peace in Jesus name. Amen

Proverbs 18:23 - Humility at all times

The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly.

Prayer

At all times when I come to the throne of grace and mercy, I want to approach you with humility.

I pray that when I ask fellow human beings for favours, I will be humble too.

I pray that wealth will never lead to pride in my life in Jesus name. Amen