Week 39, October 1, 2011:  “Humility”

This week's Reading:  September 24 to 30

Old Testament:  Isaiah 43:14 to 62:5

New Testament:  Ephesians 3:1 to Philippians 2:18

Psalms:  Psalm 68:1 to 72:20

Proverbs:  Proverbs 24:1 to 24:12

Old Testament

What does it mean to “take refuge” in God?

Isaiah 57:11-13 (NIV)

[11] “Whom have you so dreaded and feared 
   that you have not been true to me, 
and have neither remembered me 
   nor taken this to heart? 
Is it not because I have long been silent 
   that you do not fear me? 
[12] I will expose your righteousness and your works, 
   and they will not benefit you. 
[13] When you cry out for help, 
   let your collection of idols save you! 
The wind will carry all of them off, 
   a mere breath will blow them away. 
But whoever takes refuge in me 
   will inherit the land 
   and possess my holy mountain.” 

New Testament

What is the Meaning and Importance of Humility for the Christian?

Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)

[2] Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 
Philippians 2:3-11 (NIV)
[3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 
[5] In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 
[6] Who, being in very nature God, 
   did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 
[7] rather, he made himself nothing 
   by taking the very nature of a servant, 
   being made in human likeness. 
[8] And being found in appearance as a man, 
   he humbled himself 
   by becoming obedient to death— 
   even death on a cross! 
[9] Therefore God exalted him to the highest place 
   and gave him the name that is above every name, 
[10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, 
   in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 
[11] and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, 
   to the glory of God the Father.