John 13:3-6 - knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.   NASU
 
John 13:6-7 - So He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, "Lord, do You wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him, "What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter."   NASU
 
1 Peter 5:5 - "You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another,…"   NASU 
​

• Peter Learned The Lessons 

The first lesson we should learn is about "Humility".

If you would ask Peter where he learned about being clothed with humility, I think he would say in the upper room on the night when Jesus took a towel and girded Himself and washed the disciple's feet.

When Jesus washes the feet of the disciples the lesson He was teaching was about "Humility".  

We don't have to wash a person's feet to show humility. There are many times in our life when we can show humility. How do you accept a promotion or a victory? How do you accept a defeat or a demotion?
 
We can display "humility" in life without washing a person's feet as we should be doing.
 
There is a very old saying that has been repeated many times by parents and coaches:
 
          "Win with Humility, Lose with Grace, and do Both with Dignity."
 
I have to admit I saw this saying with a slightly altered ending that made me smile:
 
                  "Win with Humility, Lose with Grace, but Don't Lose."
 
If only it were that easy in life to not lose.

Seriously, I would have to admit some of my greatest lessons I have learned have come by what I would classify as losses.
 
The second lesson is one I have found very valuable and that is we don't always understand what is going on around us at first.

Be calm.
Don't jump to conclusions.
Give the situation some time.
 
Jesus was washing the disciple's feet and Jesus tells Peter you don't understand what I am doing right now but you will. Give it some time and you will see what I am doing.
 
WOW!
 
Who can relate to that message?

I know I sure can. There have been so many times in my life where God did the exact opposite of what I wanted and had prayed for.
 
God has shown me time and time again if I am His servant then I will trust Him and accept that when my prayer is answered with a "No" it is my best interests God has in mind.
 
He has a better plan for you and me and that we can be sure of.
 
Think About These:
 
Stay Humble or Stumble.
 
The best way to be right or wrong is humbly.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word

 
James 4:6 - Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE ." NASU
 
James 4:10 - Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.
NASU
 

• Three Benefits Of Being Humble

 
The first benefit is a correct understanding of God. You will notice God is opposed to the proud and being proud is the opposite of being humble.
 
A person who thinks he or she is better than someone else according to the Bible is said to be a "proud person". If you think you are better than someone else you are going to be opposed by God. In other words, you will be having a head-on collision with God and you will not like the outcome.
 
I highly recommend you change your plan from being proud to be humble. If you don’t make the change God will oppose you.
 
We all know that will not be beneficial to the one who God opposes.
 
The second benefit is God's "Grace" is given to you. Now that is a great reason to be humble. By being humble we will be the recipients of God's Grace. What better reason would one need for being "humble"?
 
Humility will put us in direct contact with God's Grace. What an amazing blessing.
 
I have had numerous people ask me the difference between Grace and Mercy. Let me share this with you and hopefully, it will be helpful in answering the question of the difference between Grace and Mercy.
 
Grace is receiving kindness or favor from someone and you didn't do anything to deserve this kindness or favor.
 
Mercy is receiving help from someone because of their love or goodwill when you should have received punishment.
 
The third benefit of being humble is being "Exalted" by God. In a previous verse, James was talking about mourning and in the first century, it was common for the mourners to prostrate themselves during times of grief.
 
James is informing us that if we are humble and when we go through times of grief and this grief drives us to our knees there is good news and the good news is God will "exalt" the humble person. God will be there to help lift you from your despair.
 
I hope you were able to see the benefits of humility far outweigh being puffed up with pride.
 
Think About These:
 
Tempers some times get people in trouble, but pride will keep them there.
 
The best kind of pride is that which compels a person to do their best - even when no one is looking.

​Stay Pumped,
 
Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word