What does it take to drive a person to his/her knees? Let me ask it another way:
WHAT. DOES. IT. TAKE. TO. DRIVE. YOU. TO. YOUR. KNEES?
I hope you know I am not talking about a swift kick in -the-you-know-what or a thumb pressing on a pressure point. In a way, I am not even talking about a life event that we might say “it brought me to my knees.” Maybe I ought to ask the question another way again:
WHAT. DOES. IT. TAKE. FOR. YOU. TO. THINK. LESS. OF. YOURSELF. AND. MORE. OF. OTHERS?
Yeah…that should clarify where I am going with the title of “Going Down.” I am afraid that sometimes, and I include myself in this, we get to thinking that certain things are below our dignity. Cleaning toilets. Wiping up messes. Washing dishes or clothes. Changing diapers. Cleaning up vomit (I plead “Guilty” on that since I can’t handle the smell). 🙂 Giving a cold glass of water. Stooping down to help someone up. Taking care of someone who has sores all over their body (and you suspect what it is). Example after example can be put down here and still not cover the gamut of it all.
PLAIN AND SIMPLE: HUMILITY IS NOT ONE OF OUR MORE WIDELY KNOWN VIRTUES.
But…when you think about it…there is no greater picture of humility than Jesus. Check out Philippians 2:1-11 and it is all over that passage. Better yet, since we are coming into what is called the Easter Season, check out Matthew 21 where the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem is recorded. The King of kings riding on a donkey!! Do you know of any president-past or present-who would ride into office on the day of his inauguration on a donkey? (True, some have acted like one but that is not the point). Becoming human (God in the flesh) was going down (Point #1 in the message). Riding a donkey on His way to what would become His final week of his earthly life, was going down (Point #2).
As you can see by the header created by Dan (isn’t it awesome?), I begin a new series for this month I have called “Jesus, The Center.” I am using Zechariah’s multiple references to Christ and co-axing them with NT Scriptures. I have been so overwhelmed by the power of the Word, that I have already finished three of the four. It is literally blowing me away! Stuff I have read and preached about before is coming to life before my eyes! I ask each week, and will ask again: please pray for me and the church community I pastor. Thanks.
Two questions for you: 1) What does bring you to your knees?; 2) How can I pray for you this weekend? I promise you that sometime this week, you will be taken before the Throne. I would love to hear from you.
1. Answered prayers. I believe I see them answered almost daily. Can’t help but drop!
2. Although they won’t tell anyone a definite date or time, we’re thinking my wife will be on a plane from WA to TX to DE to Germany to Iraq this early next week. I’m asking that anyone praying for us would take me and the kids out of the equation for a bit and focus on my wife and the other 19 members of her unit who are about to enter the longest year of their lives…..all for the sake of the freedoms we take advantage of daily.
Thanks in advance.
Hey my friend! love seeing you here especially with the “weight” you are carrying right now. Answered prayers do that. And not only will you have my prayers but HERE IS A SPECIAL APPEAL. To all who read this: Toby’s wife, Ria, has been deployed to Iraq. Please be praying for her and the other 19 who are going with her. Thanks for sharing your request Toby.
Been praying for them and will continue!
God’s grace. Humbles me every single time. When I know I messed up and he forgives me, it’s so humbling.
You can pray for my mom and brother. They are not saved and I want God to rock their world with salvation.
Thanks Bill!
What a never-ending lesson we find in grace! Will pray for your mom & brother. Thanks for letting us know about your request, Moe.
I just finished praying for Toby’s wife and Bill.
2.There are plenty of others that need prayer before me so pray for them first. I don’t consider my self to be the best of followers yet.
If I am going to be taken before the Throne some times this week, This messy follower is really in deep trouble.
2.Praying to the Lord does it every time for me dispite my bum knees..
First, Larry. We all need prayer…messy or messier. Please feel free to share a prayer request you might have…or not. 🙂 Bum knees and all I am glad you are still praying. Thanks Larry.
Bill I have never ceased praying over the last few years. Mostly for others and a few times giving thanks for the crisis He has helped me through.
With out God, I am lost.
Your last statement says it all Larry. I will be praying for you this weekend.
Bill,
When I consider that Jesus came to serve and not be served, that, right there brings me to my knees, so to speak.
I do enjoy warfare. I do enjoy ripping bad theology to shreds and forcing people into a corner where there is no intellectual escape and realizing their theology is false. I do.
However….
The one thing that really, and I mean really, brings me to my knees in accordance with how you say it in this post, is sometimes just being silent and helping others with a sure smile and a steady gaze and an arm around their shoulder.
Yes. Helping others without needing to war with them, or make some point, brings me to my knees. It’s how Jesus did it with me.
This is a deep post, Bill.
I have no prayer requests, but I shall endeavor to be attentive to any and all that are listed here.
I, too, am brought to my knees by the simple truth of “love came down and love came to serve.” What better example could there be? As you state, there is a time for war and there is also a time for servanthood. Thanks for committing to pray this weekend and for commenting.
To be honest, I think humility is one of the hardest virtues to have. I believe that authentic humility is void of any pretense or self praise. Jesus’ humility is beautiful because that is who He is; he never tries to garner favor or praise. I strive for that kind of humility.
If I could ask for prayer, it would be for clarity. I’m at a transitional stage, and just trusting in the Lord. I will also be lifting up you and your church community. Thanks so much, Bill!
You are absolutely right Jon: humility is one of the hardest virtues to have. You probably have heard the old saying: “the moment you think you got it, you don’t.” I will be glad to pray for clarity for you…and a big dose of wisdom. Thanks for your prayers for us.
my daughter right now brings me to my knees. When she was first born I would cry randomly – just break out into tears. I don’t anymore, but my heart just melts when I see her sometimes. And piano too.
Isn’t it something how children have a way of doing that? It has been a long time but I can remember when my two girls were born…even though they were girls and i was convinced they were to be boys. I can remember going into their room at night and kneeling by their crib and praying a prayer of dedication. Although you may not cry like that anymore, don’t allow your sensitive heart toward her grow cold. I know you won’t. Not sure about that last statement. 🙂 Have been and will continue praying about the job situation for you.
Charlie,
When my bride and I brought our firstborn home from the hospital, and she was in my arms, in my House, it would hit me. And I would weep openly in thanksgiving and unrestrained love. This small, tiny, sleeping baby that I was holding in my arms…wow…it would overwhelm me. I do that as well with our newest addition to my House. So, yeah, sometimes, if you sneak up on me, you might actually see me express emotion.
Oh No! The Donald is going soft on us!!! Glad to hear you are human my friend.:)
Bill,
IF you even whisper anything about this to anyone, I will bald-faced lie about it and deny it with my entire being.
I have a reputation to maintain, don’t you know. 🙂
You have a reputation…I have a blog! 😮 So take that!!
God’s love for me brings me to my knees.
I want you to pray for my friend that lost his mother and I also want you to pray that God should grant me wisdom and understanding everytime I read my Bible.
I’ll be praying for the church community.
Love,
Mercy
I will pray for your friend and for you as you try to help him. I will also pray for you wisdom in understanding the Bible. Thanks Mercy for taking the time to visit and for praying.
Me being honest – most of the time it has take a swift kick to take me to my knees. I am learning though.
Please pray for me as a share this weekend. Pray also for Wendy as she and her ministry partner ( Afterthemiracle.com ) are preparing for their first women’s ministry speaking engagement next weekend in North Carolina. Wendy is a tad nervous about this.
Just prayed that God would do something powerful there this weekend and through this series.
Often been driven to my knees with the realization I had nowhere else to go.
That is cool about Wendy & friend. Will pray for them and you while they are gone.
Thanks.
I am praying for Toby’s wife and I always pray for you and your church Bill and will continue to do so.
What brings me to my knees is usually a situation that is happening in one of the kid’s lives, I get on my knees and pray to God about my kids & 3 out of the 5 need salvation, which brings me to my knees. I would ask that you pray for 3 of my boys to be saved & for the youngest to get through a rough situation he is going through right now.
Thank you for the prayers, it’s like a big warm blanket around me knowing people are praying for my kids. 🙂 Have a great weekend Bill! And, the new banner is awesome!!!!
Thanks Jan. Toby was living in Germany and moved to Prairieton. Attends Maryland. I have had lunch several times with him but not since he has been back. Hope to do that soon. I know your boys and will be praying for them. Bring ’em here and I’ll put the hammer to them. LOL your prayers and you & Mike’s friendship is deeply appreciated.
1. Knowing the price He paid.
2. Pray for our services this weekend.
We’ll be praying here too.
Yep on #1 and you know you got them on #2. Always. I can’t wait to see what God is going to do through you, April and Hunter in LA. Thanks.
#2…go get ’em, man of God. They were praying for a shepherd. And here you are. God’s will, my friend, in all things.
Well said Donald.
1. Seeing God move in unexpected ways. It’s like a “ah-ha!”…. very grateful for those times.
2. Baby #3 will be here within 10 days…. prayers always welcomed. 🙂
Love those ah-ha moments. Praying for a safe & healthy delivery and baby.
Baby Valencia #3!!! Dude! So excite for you and your bride and your daughters!
Here is something I think our Father would say about you, Dustin:
“The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.”
Psalm 16:6
Actually it just takes Him being the center, For that reason He gets my first part each day and it is served on my knees lifting Him us as the center. After that it’s just the daily battle to keep Him as the center…
It is important Tom that He gets the best part of our day and is lifted up during that time. Thanks
hi Bill,
I know what it took to drive the Israelites to their knees. Foreign invasion, captivity and exile of their people.
I think one thing that drove the apostle Paul to his knees was gratefulness and thanksgiving for the faithfulness of the saints.
Crisis brings me to my knees, gratefulness brings me to my knees, praise can bring me to my knees, answered prayer can bring me to my knees, rejoicing can bring me to my knees.
I think that it takes a heart and mind change to think less of ourselves and more of others. Once change begins to happen in us we realize our capacity to obey the truth, our capacity to obey the words of Jesus and we start moving in that direction.
My prayer request is for Gods’ help and intervention in my legal case against my former husband. The case has taken some twists and turns. I have an upcoming appointment to see a family law counsel in Calgary. Pray for that too. thank you.
I agree with Mercy’s request in her comment here for understanding and open hearts when we read or hear God’s Word. that we receive it wholeheartedly, without fear and without reservation. Thank you Jesus.
I will pray for you and the church Bill.
Thank you Dan for the header, it is awesome!
Good point about the Israelites Linda. I will pray for you in this court case. It has got to be frustrating to see it go on and on. I pray for a good result and for it be resolved in a timely manner. Thanks.
when i see others doing something, that inspires me. or if no one around does it, there’s always Jesus who washed His disciples’ feet.
please pray for our new Church board. i am still there and so are a couple of other people from the previous board (besides my pastor and our Sunday school director), but the two with whom i was on the same page most of the time have left… the two people who came are great, but it’s still a change.
*hug* love ya bro.
Jesus is always inspirational. Studying His life should bring us all to the throne. I will also pray for you church board. Thanks Zee and hugs back at you. 🙂
oh, and by the way, Dan – that banner absolutely ROCKS!!! seriously – wow. love the fonts and the background.
I’ll tell him to look at your comment.
Hi Bill,
I think that Dan’s banner portrays Jesus well. The Name. I think that it is difficult to portray Jesus in a picture as a human because it seems that people all over the world think of Jesus looking like their own people group. We do this in North America and portray his look as a caucasian.
Thanks Linda. I do also. I don’t think it is wise to have a picture of Jesus and never encourage. The guy is so creative I don’t have to! 😛 Glad you like it.
Just a question. What does “taken before the throne” mean?
Sorry Jeff. That is my “Christian-ese” coming out. It is a fancy way of saying I will pray for you (since God is on the throne). You caught me. 🙂 Thanks for the reminder that I need to choose words wisely.
It wasn’t a gothcha…. I just didn’t know.
Seriously, I am glad you brought that out. I need to be kept on my toes. 😮
1. It takes Jesus opening my eyes to people and situations to get me to think less of myself and more of others. Honestly, I can be so self-centered and have extreme tunnel-vision. The only way to combat this is for me to constantly ask God to give me a heart for others.
2. What can you pray for me? That I would have patience as God reveals His plan to our family for the months ahead. We know He’s directing us back to the NW, but the details are still very few. Thanks, Bill!!
Thanks for your comment Melissa. I think many of us develop tunnel vision and see and even do only what “we” want.
I most definitely will pray about your move. Interested in hearing on your blog about the move to CA and now back to the NW. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for you and your family.
Being in the presence of God makes me fall on my knees. I think we all can benefit time on our knees.
When people ask me what they can pray for me about, I always say Gods wisdom. So Pray for Gods wisdom. Thank you for being willing to pray for me and the other readers.
Gotta agree with you Dan. We should have the “Isaiah response” when in the presence of God. I will pray for wisdom for you. Thanks for your comment.
Bill…strange…I’m brought to my knees more and more lately.
So many things…
…When I’m overwhelmed with gratitude
…When listening to a worship song and the words pierce me to my essence…
…when praying for my friend w/ cancer…
…when I’m hurting. Broken…
More often than not these days…I want to be on my knees.