When we stop and think of all the variables in life, we soon realize that, short of a few of those variables, we too could have been that drug addict, alcoholic, bank robber, unfaithful spouse, etc. Humility, true humility, would admit that we could have been one of the worst dredges on earth!

In understanding humility, we first have to understand that it does not mean you walk around meekly with your head down, being a doormat for everyone that comes along. It does mean that you know you have gifts and strengths…but the difference is that you know they didn’t come from you…they came from God. And, in all you do, you acknowledge that.

Humility is really a protection against pride. God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5b-6)…and that grace covers all of your junk! Humility reminds you that you’re not God…God is!

News flash…this is a work in progress so don’t be surprised if it doesn’t happen overnight. If you want your life to change—you have to change your life!

Another news flash…if you’re humble, you can’t be offended—not by your spouse, family, friends, co-workers, etc. In true humility, you’ll know that God, not you, has all situations in control and will give you what to say (if anything) at just the right time and in just the right way. Your reaction to all things will be His reaction and not yours IF you are humble enough to let Him rule.

So the next time you think you’re “hot stuff” or that you’re one “holy son of a gun”…think again—you could’ve been the one you condemn and scoff or write off for hopeless. Remember, “There, but for the grace of God, go I.”

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He might exalt you at the proper time.”

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The battle plan is for prayer.

Then he told me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘You will not succeed by your own strength or by your own power [Not by might, nor by power], but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord. All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; of hosts]”. Zachariah 4:6 (EXB)

Many people believe that to survive in this world a person must be tough, strong, unbending, and harsh. But God says, “not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.” The key words are “by my Spirit.” It is only through God’s Spirit that anything of lasting value is accomplished. As you live for God, pray to determine not to trust in your own strength or abilities. Instead, depend on God and work in the power of His Spirit.

Although God asks us to do our part, we should remember that He is not limited to human effort. God often chooses to work through people, but only because it is good for them. He can accomplish all of His purposes without any help from us if He chooses. You are very important to God but on your own you have neither the ability to fulfill nor the power to disrupt God’s plans.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)

Pray for God’s guidance and direction before you act on your own and, most importantly, pray for His Spirit – His most powerful, Holy Spirit. That is the winning way. That is God’s battle plan.

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Warning: you cannot do the following unless you have Jesus in your heart and as the “motor” which runs your soul.

That being said, just the word "sacrifice" screams out that you are not the center of the universe. Do you tend to lean to selfish, rather than sacrifice – my comfort, my desires, my dreams, my plans – rather than your life being all about God?

This “giving up” stuff isn’t just money...it’s personal sacrifice, relational sacrifice as well as financial sacrifice. In praising God “no matter what,” people will think you’re nuts, Satan will work overtime to get you to stop, and your own mind will question what you are doing. Don’t listen to any of it. Listen to what God says.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 shows the scenario set up by Habakkuk of all the bad things that could happen (no food, no water, etc.), and yet he cries out that he will "Yet exult in the Lord…for the Lord God is my strength and He has made my feet like hinds’ feet and makes me walk on high places."

A “hind” is another word for a red deer. They are strong and swift and can climb to high and difficult places; they are always on the alert and can run fast from danger. God wants us to depend on Him (no matter what). Then when things go wrong, you give up on the complaining and move into the praising Him and you, too, will go to the “high places” and not the low.

Read Psalm 150, it won’t hurt!

(Listen to entire sermon below.)