living by the power of the spirit

     Oh man, it's thursday evening and I haven't done any studying :( doubly sad that tickets for Youth Unlimited conference are sold out! =( Yep, God thinks I need to study too. I also think there's something wrong with my left ear... I've been hearing a lot of high frequency wringing and no, I don't play music real loud! My right ear is completely fine. Devo + sharing + prayer + fasting with two siblings in Christ for most of today... here's a long snapshot x) and currently looking for new devo material for my own use...

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your interests, but also to the interests of others. - Philippians 2:1-4

     Any gift or characteristic that you have been entrusted with is not for you to keep to yourself. You were entrusted with them for benefit other people. I got thinking about my definition of humility. I guess for me humility is giving glory and praise to God in accomplishments and embracing failures with perseverance to do better next time.

Humility could be seen as giving up the need to be greater than we are. It is giving up thinking that we know it all. Giving up thinking that we can do it all. Giving up thinking that we have to do it well all the time. Giving up the need to be seen as right or good all the time, and giving up defensiveness. Humility is seeing a true picture of ourselves.

Here are a few tips:

• Say you are sorry when you fail others
• Get rid of any defensiveness 
• The moment you think some task or position is beneath you, take a time-out. Go and spend time with someone performing that task, and you might meet a human being superior to yourself
• Root out any attitude of entitlement that you have. Embrace a spirit of gratitude
• When someone is hurt by you, listen. Try to understand their feelings 
•  Embrace and anticipate your imperfections and the imperfections of others

- 9  Things Graduates Must Do to Succeed in Life by Dr. Henry Cloud

 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

     Your spiritual journey is not meant to be walked alone. By having unity in our Christian comm‘unity’, we shine collectively and attract other people to our faith. How many times have you truly experienced fellowship? You might not even be able to think about community with a group of people but what about with just one other brother or sister? A Christ-founded and Christ-centred relationship, encompassed in God’s love, accepting one another’s flaws unconditionally with patience and rebuking ungodliness with love.