How to Live Low

0:00As we begin to wrap up our week on living poor in spirit, today we'll examine the life of Jesus as our example and how he always put others first. As we seek to understand how to live a lonely life of love, may you be envisioned and encouraged today to love God and others well. God wants to use you as a vessel of his grace and love in this world. Welcome to the first 15 podcast. Our scripture for today comes from Proverbs 22 verse 4.

1:03Scripture says, The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. All throughout scripture, God paints a clear picture of what it looks like to live poor in spirit, to live low. As we dive into the depths of God's word, I pray our lives will begin to be molded and shaped by the capable, loving hands of our potter. I pray that we will look to the grace of God as our source and strength to pursue a lifestyle of humility. And I pray our lives will be enriched and blessed by the loving, powerful presence of a God who dwells with those who live low. Philippians 2 verses 3 through 7 says, Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

2:05Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God as a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. Living low always begins by looking at the life of Jesus. He is the author and perfector of our faith. He is the example of what it looks like to live perfectly by the grace of the Father in a lifestyle of humble surrender. And Scripture makes it clear that he is our standard. A life like his is the goal. Jesus, although King of kings and Lord of lords, did everything out of total love for God

3:07and man. The only man to ever live a perfect life looked to the interests of others above his own. One of the most powerful depictions of his commitment to loving those in need at all costs is found in Mark 2 verses 13 through 17, where Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus loved others at the continual sacrifice of his reputation. He lived without a care of how he was perceived by man because his life was continually laid down to the will of his Heavenly Father alone. To live in the will of God will always cost us our pride. Pride and God's will are in direct opposition. God is calling us to a lifestyle of love. To be poor in spirit is to count others more significant than yourselves.

4:08A common misconception in living low is that we must try and find ways that we are worse than others. God is not about comparison. His ways are not like ours. Rather, he is calling us to stop looking to ourselves at all and solely look to the significance of others. Jesus knew he was sinless. He knew he was God. Still, he counted others more significant because of his love and grace. We don't have to pursue false humility to love others well. Rather, by the grace of God, we must stop looking to our own needs, our own sense of pride and reputation. Lay down our lives at the cross of Christ and love as He has called us to love. To live low is to look at the life of Jesus, look at our own lives and acknowledge the difference, as well as obeying the command of Scripture to live like Him.

5:13And in our inability, we must come before our Heavenly Father in full knowledge that will never be like Jesus on our own. We must seek to abide in Him and receive His wealth of affection, love and grace that we might bear fruit. If we seek to live low by ceasing to look to ourselves and instead look to God and others, we will always unfailingly be empowered by God. Take time in guided prayer to look at the life of Jesus, look at your own life and receive the power of the Holy Spirit that comes from abiding in the love of your Heavenly Father. As we begin, meditate on Jesus' commitment to humility and living low.

6:28Allow His life to be the example by which He lives yours. Philippians 2 verses 3 through 7 says, Do nothing from rivalry 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. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God, a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And next, in what ways are you living in pride?

7:50In what ways are you looking to your own interests above the interests of others? Where do you need to count others as more significant than yourself? And last, take time to abide in God's love. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you yield your life to Him that you might bear the fruit of

8:50His dwelling within you. Talk to God as your source and supply rather than your own strength and live today in a constant pursuit of living low. Jesus says in John 159, As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you, abide in my love. Proverbs 224 says,

9:51The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. When you humble yourself before God and man, the pressure of finding your own joy, success, provision and worth falls off and is replaced with the peace, love, security and grace of your Heavenly Father. Living low does not mean you will be without joy, peace or possessions. Rather, it positions you to receive all the incredible fullness of heaven your good Father longs to give. Live low today and rid yourself of the weight of pride so that the foundation for your emotions, thoughts and actions would be the love of a good, present and powerful God. Thanks so much for listening to today's podcast.

11:01I'm Josh with First 15. I hope this week has been impacting your life as we look at what it means to live poor and spirit. Make sure to come back tomorrow as we wrap up this series looking at the freedom that comes as we learn to live low. Have a wonderful rest of your day and may God bless you as you seek Him.