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Deuteronomy, Chapter 11, Verse 25
What have you to fear with God at your back?
We as the heirs of God’s promises to the Hebrews must
have the courage to support and defend Israel at each threshold of change that
God brings about. Yes, there will be suffering, and we must be up to the
challenge; to carry our cross, as God wills it.
In John
McCain’s book Character is Destiny the 1st President of the United States is
McCain’s example of a man who demonstrates for us the characteristic of SELF
CONTROL. Self-control is the ability to control one's emotions, behavior,
and desires
in the face of external demands in order to function in society. (Matt DeLisi)
George
Washington was a warrior and a mensch.
Washington was a self-made man who learned to govern himself before he governed
our great country. Washington was a passionate man by nature, yet he was famous
for his reserve and graciousness to others. Washington worked on himself very
hard to control his temper and to not be sensitive to criticism. It was a
lifelong struggle and at times he was given to fits of anger. So much so the
Indian name for Washington was “boiling water”. His passion was a two-edged
sword that either cut for him or against him. His passion was also the source
of his great courage. History records his fury in battle where he wore out two
horses and stood in defiance of withering fire and having his coat tore by four
musket balls. Washington did not just tell his men to stand fast and face the
enemy but set the example; leaping headlong into battle and the men followed.
Washington disciplined his passionate nature with iron will and self-control.
Washington wrote, “Every action done in company ought to be with some sign
of respect, to those that are present” and, “Labor to keep alive
in your breast the little spark of celestial fire called conscience.”
He
strove to be a man of unquestionable dignity and manners. He was modest and
wore clothes that were fine and neat but never showy. He was consciously
groomed and was seldom discourteous to anyone, of higher or lower station in
life. He knew his strengths as well as his weaknesses; there was no hubris in
him.
“He
understood the nature of his countrymen as well as he understood his own. He
knew we are all flawed, that we must always be alert to the danger of
ungoverned appetites and must strive to control and improve our nature. He
understood his country at its birth needed a leader of towering honor, wisdom,
and selflessness, whose appearance must fit the role as well as his character,
did. And through the constant application of his self-control, he inhabited
that role as no one has again, and became, in fact, the father of our country.
He imprinted his character on this nation, and in that sense, we are all his
descendants, a people famous for our constant struggle to improve. We are never
so removed from the failings of our nature that we cannot stand more
improvement, but neither are we so removed from Washington’s magnificent
example that we dare not dream we can achieve it.”
In America, we have until now had no fear in
worshiping Him in holiness and righteousness. In fact, the model in America
since its founding has been one of “Many religions, but one covenant”.
We are certainly a blessed people because we as a
whole have not abandoned the covenant, nor shall we if the vision of George
Washington at Valley Forge is true. In it he saw that Americans would remain
true to our creator.
"Son of the Republic…Three great perils will
come upon the Republic. The most fearful is the third, but in this greatest
conflict the whole world united shall not prevail against her. Let every child
of the Republic learn to live for his God, his land and the Union." With
these words the vision vanished, and I started from my seat and felt that I had
seen a vision wherein had been shown to me the birth, progress, and destiny of
the United States.
Humility
may be the most difficult of all the virtues to truly attain. There seems to be
a paradox in that claiming to have humility may be an act of pride. Some people
might be prideful in their humility… or something like that. Either way, Be
Humble Day focuses on humbling yourself. There is no boasting allowed on Be
Humble Day. Choosing not to brag about your successes and abilities can prove
to be much more difficult than one might anticipate, as the culture surrounding
us is often centered on self and the successes achieved by an individual.
Throughout the age’s philosophers and the average Joe alike have pondered
humility and what it means to be truly humble. It is a difficult question to
answer and the final answer may never fully present itself. But perhaps the
seeking of humility is more important than the achieving. In a fascinating
twist of irony, the person responsible for the founding of Be Humble Day is
unknown. Whoever it was clearly took humility seriously and didn’t bother to
brag about starting a recognized day of celebration. Perhaps the person was so
humble that they didn’t even stop to think they might have instigated something
that would reach so far.
Observing Be Humble Day
The
observance of Be Humble Day can be gone about in many ways, but all the avenues
of observance should maintain the quietness associated with humility. There
should be no loud proclamations of the fact that you’re celebrating Be Humble
Day, as that would ruin the point. The first step is simply to bear in mind to
be humble. If you keep that focus, then the rest may follow along after quite
simply. Remember: don’t focus on your own greatness and the achievements you’ve
made. Be Humble Day is also about encouraging others and focusing on their
achievements and giving a friend or co-worker the props, they deserve is an
excellent way to keep in the spirit of Be Humble Day. If you’re looking for
further inspiration and more ways to dig deeper into humility on Be Humble Day
then perhaps considering these quotes from some great minds (a title foisted
upon them by others, not one they themselves took in keeping with humility)
will assist you in your journey.
The
Christian thinker C.S. Lewis, best known for his beloved Chronicles of Narnia
book series, said that “True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is
thinking of yourself less.” A perfect quote for Be Humble Day. Criss Jami, an
American poet and philosopher observed that “The biggest challenge after
success is shutting up about it.” And if you think you know something then stop
for a minute and consider the words of Albert Einstein: “A true genius admits
that he/she knows nothing.” If Albert Einstein can admit that he knows nothing,
then perhaps there is hope for all of us to be humbler in our everyday lives.
Opportunities to humble ourselves pass us by every day, and Be Humble Day is
the perfect inspiration to sit up and notice these chances to better ourselves
and to make the world a more pleasant place for the people around us.
The Devil and
Temptations Billy Graham[4]
·
The
devil certainly wants you to give in to temptation and do what is wrong,
because his main goal is to turn us away from God. When we yield to temptation,
you can be sure we make the devil happy.
·
But
the devil isn’t directly responsible for every temptation we face, nor can we
blame him when we give in and do wrong. Temptations come to us in many ways—but
when we give in to them, we alone are responsible for what we’ve done. The
Bible says, “Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged
away and enticed” (James 1:14).
·
Remember,
it isn’t a sin to be tempted; even Jesus was tempted by the devil to turn away
from God’s plan (see Matthew 4:1-11). But it is sin to give in to temptation
and go our own way instead of God’s way. Every sin is an act of rebellion on
our part, telling God we think our way is better than His way. But that
is a lie, for God’s way is always best.
·
Don’t
fight your temptations alone; if you do, you will fail. Instead, ask God to help
you by giving you the courage and inner strength to turn away. Begin by asking Christ to
come into your life, forgiving and cleansing your sins and coming to live
within you by His Spirit.
·
Then
learn to walk with God every day, through prayer and fellowship with other
believers and reading the Bible. The Bible says, “God is faithful. … When you
are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it”
(1 Corinthians 10:13).
"Read
these counsels slowly. Pause to meditate on these thoughts. They are things
that I whisper in your ear-confiding them-as a friend, as a brother, as a
father. And they are being heard by God. I won't tell you anything new. I will
only stir your memory, so that some thought will arise and strike you; and so
you will better your life and set out along ways of prayer and of Love. And in
the end you will be a more worthy soul."
A strict fast is a
penance most pleasing to God. But, what with one thing and another, we have
become a bit too easy-going. There is no objection — on the contrary — if you,
with the approval of your Director, fast frequently.
Daily Devotions
[1] McCain, John; Salter, Mark. Character Is
Destiny.
[3]https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/be-humble-day/
[4]https://billygraham.org/answer/does-the-devil-cause-every-temptation-we-face/
[5]http://www.escrivaworks.org/book/the_way-point-1.htm
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