In HOPE

 

 

 

  In HOPE 9.26

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David Timms  

 

 

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 Prayer for Today

Lord Jesus, You know the level of my holiness, the focus of my hunger, and the sincerity of my humility. My weaknesses are ever before me. Create in me a clean heart. Renew a right spirit within me. Guide me in the way of the Cross -- sold out for You, dedicated to You more today than yesterday, yielded to You more now than ever. These things are beyond my own strength. May Your grace kindle a flame within me to grow in the holiness, hunger, and humility that will transform me and glorify You. Amen.

A Special Request 

I'm currently writing a book on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10) titled The Power of Blessings. It's due to the publisher by March 1, 2010.

I'd be very grateful if you'd take a moment and pray for this project, that the words might honor Christ and encourage His people.

 

 

www.growingdeeper.com 

 

Holy, Hungry, and Humble

Some students of mine recently completed over 150 interviews with leaders across the United States – CEOs, business owners, managers, military personnel, entrepreneurs, civic leaders, politicians, and pastors. The interviews sought to identify common key leadership principles, consistent with Scripture. The responses were fascinating and instructive, but none more so than one senior church leader who distilled his insights into a single statement.

“Be holy, hungry, and humble.”

Those three terms drive to the foundations of Christian discipleship, and present a challenge in a culture far more drawn to sin, selfishness, and celebrity status.

Holy. The pursuit of purity and the commitment to live set apart for Christ, sounds good but fades in the face of contemporary values and the pressure to “fit in.” We’d like just a moderate dose of holiness, thanks, but end up with little more than an inoculation. Yet the Lord continues to declare, “Be holy as I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:4-6)

Hungry. Do we live with an insatiable appetite to know Christ and draw close to God (Philippians 3:8), or find ourselves driven by other impulses; the hunger of personal ambition, recognition, or success? Do we long for the Lord as much as we might for a marriage partner, or a child, or a better job? What gnaws at us most and deepest in this season of our lives?

Humble. In lives filled with pride and pretense, this also confronts us. We like recognition, credit, and appreciation. It feels good when people notice us. So, we hang out shingles that display our achievements and accolades, beginning with our pre-school graduation certificate. But the fruit of this pride never ripens to something sweet. (1 John 2:16-17)

“Holy, hungry, and humble” describes the essence of Christian discipleship not just Christian leadership. This triumvirate of terms perhaps captures the heart of what it means to be a Christ-follower. They represent more than three nicely alliterated words. They denote lives on a collision course with our culture … and a transformational Journey with Christ.

Holy, hungry, and humble. May this become our mantra as we continue in the Way of Christ.

In HOPE –

David

 

 

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I'm always happy to explore these issues further.

You can find back issues of "In HOPE" (2005-2009) at http://www.hiu.edu/inhope/ .

David Timms serves in the Graduate Ministry Department at Hope International University in Fullerton, California. "In HOPE", however, is not an official publication of the University and the views expressed are not necessarily those of the Administrators or Board. "In HOPE" has been a regular e-publication since January, 2001.