There are many characteristics of God that astound me – including a family of three qualities I yearn for when I behold them in Jesus. As He stood in silence or spoke to individuals or church leaders, Jesus personified His Father’s complete humility, wisdom and love. I love seeing these characteristics reflecting the likeness of our Father in leaders I look up to and in the family of God.
1. Let’s step into the big picture of God’s perspective of us and His purposes in our era.
At a time when we are experiencing rapid change, these relational characteristics enable us to be fluid and to flow together in trust. So Jesus can reshape us as One, removing competition, criticism, judgement, cursing and division, and releasing understanding, empathy, forgiveness, appreciation, love, reconciliation, restoring trust and intuitive communication in our relationships, enabling us to carry our Father’s heart in our world.
Lord, as we pray, give us Your perspective, power and steps so we move with You as One to fulfill Your purposes in this era on our planet.
Humility is our first step
Our restoration begins with the humble confession that none of us get it right all the time.
It’s not someone else’s fault. We are not the one who is right. We all fall short of the glory of God.
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34
Jesus asks us to be kind with ourselves and each other because we are confounded by the things we cannot see. There is so much that we don’t know we don’t know; things we can’t see about ourselves, so much hurt that is unintentional.
Lord, open my eyes to see what I’ve been blind to.
We are immature – to the extent we are not operating fully in humility, wisdom and love:
- When we have love and humility – but not wisdom, we can be vulnerable and cause unintentional harm.
- When we have wisdom and humility – but not love, we can be critical, cold-hearted, causing harm.
- When we have love and wisdom – but not humility, we can be very irritating. LOL
This is not who God made us to be, so it is unhelpful to stay stuck in these cycles. Struggle and striving, twisting and turning will not complete us.
But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. Romans 7:19
Lord, open my eyes to see all you are offering me.
Jesus invites us to trust His complete sufficiency:
Our next step is finding the trustworthiness of God’s humility, wisdom and love.
When God created free will, knowing we would mess up, He created a plan for our way back to complete restoration – of ourselves, our relationships, our messes and as a planet.
God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:7
… the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:7,9
Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.” Luke 11:4
“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” Romans 4:7-8
Jesus draws us to Himself, into restoration in His Shalom wholeness. He invites us to rest in the stillness of His love and peace. Here we grow and dance in intimate relationship with Him.
I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
I will build you up again and you… will be rebuilt. Again you will take up your timbrels and go out to dance with the joyful. Jeremiah 31:3-4
Jesus invites us to see who He says we are:
We take a huge step when we realise we are each perfectly designed and timed to fulfill our own part in God’s plan.
In Hebrew the “glory” of God is “His opinion.” As we behold His opinion of us, we are being progressively transformed to reflect His opinion of us.
Jesus himself prayed, The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one… John 17:22
…the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. Romans 8:22
…we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:12
As we behold the wonder of God’s love, humility and wisdom, we become like Him.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18
Jesus wants to restore you to who He made you to be
We can fulfill our part in God’s plan to restore our planet if we humbly, wisely and in loving trust, let Jesus restore us and position us.
Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? Galatians 4:6-9
Trust the Spirit of God to lead you to the Truth that you are God’s beloved child, His Son, His bride. Abide in the nourishing love of His arms until you are re-born and empowered to know:
- Who your Father created you to be
- Why He timed your birth for this era
- What purpose you are perfectly made to fulfill.
I love each of you with the same love that the Father loves me. You must continually let my love nourish your hearts. If you keep my commands, you will live in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands, for I continually live nourished and empowered by his love. My purpose for telling you these things is so that the joy that I experience will fill your hearts with overflowing gladness! John 15:9-11
When your inner being awakens to the Truth of this, you will unselfconsciously reflect the glory of God’s likeness – in the way that only you can. Be filled with humility, wisdom and love – and overflowing joy!
2. Now we see the big picture, let’s unpack a bit deeper the gifts of God’s humility, wisdom and love.
Humility
True humility is birthed as we grasp the wonder of the holiness, the goodness, the kindness of our God and bow low before Him in adorational worship.
For I know your power and presence shines on all your lovers. Your glory always hovers over all who bow low before you. Psalm 85:9
Let all his lovers who bow low before him sing, “His constant, tender love lasts forever!” Psalm 118:4
How joyous are those who love the Lord and bow low before God, ready to obey him! Psalm 128:1
The Son of God, the Son of Man, Jesus is our unique example of humility.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2: 5-11
Humble people know their identity – who and Whose they are – and purpose, so they are secure and “comfortable in their own skin.”
The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15
Humble people know their place and the responsibilities that go with it – even if that place is elevated and powerful.
Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:5-7
It is the joy of a person who know God’s Worth to bow low in worship before Him.
Then the man brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the temple. I looked and saw the glory of the Lord filling the temple of the Lord, and I fell facedown. Ezekial 44:4
A humble person is teachable and is neither defensive, striving or controlling.
Humble people serve others readily for the right reasons.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4
Humble people honour others and receive blessing and inheritance. Exodus 20:12
…the humble of heart will inherit every promise and enjoy abundant peace. Psalm 37:11
God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. Matthew 5:5
The humble will see their land healed.
…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
Wisdom
Our standard for wisdom is the perspective and understanding of God, not human intellect, knowledge or thinking.
With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding. Job 12:13
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55: 8-9
Wise people seek prophetic discernment but know they only see in part.
As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:8-12
Socrates says, “Wisdom begins with wonder.”
Wise people are curious and recognise the windows of opportunity to grow in what they don’t yet understand. Many mysteries of the Kingdom realm are being revealed in this era.
Pray with us: Lord, open our eyes, ears and hearts to see what the Spirits of God are saying to us in this era.
The cut-off stump of Jesse will sprout, and a fruitful Branch will grow from his roots:
2 the Spirit of Yahweh will rest upon him, the Spirit of Extraordinary Wisdom, the Spirit of Perfect Understanding, the Spirit of Wise Strategy, the Spirit of Mighty Power, the Spirit of Revelation, and the Spirit of the Fear of Yahweh. 3 He will find his delight in living by the Spirit of the Fear of the Lord. He will neither judge by appearances nor make his decisions based on rumors. Isaiah 11:1-3
Our deepest quest for wisdom leads us to seek to know God.
Because of this, since I first heard about your strong faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and your tender love toward all his devoted ones, 16 my heart is always full and overflowing with thanks to God for you as I constantly remember you in my prayers.
17 I pray that the Father of glory, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would impart to you the riches of the Spirit of wisdom and the Spirit of revelation to know him through your deepening intimacy with him.
18 I pray that the light of God will illuminate the eyes of your imagination, flooding you with light, until you experience the full revelation of the hope of his calling—that is, the wealth of God’s glorious inheritances that he finds in us, his holy ones!
19 I pray that you will continually experience the immeasurable greatness of God’s power made available to you through faith. Then your lives will be an advertisement of this immense power as it works through you!
This is the mighty power 20 that was released when God raised Christ from the dead and exalted him to the place of highest honor and supreme authority in the heavenly realm! 21 And now he is exalted as first above every ruler, authority, government, and realm of power in existence! He is gloriously enthroned over every name that is ever praised, not only in this age, but in the age that is coming! 22 And he alone is the leader and source of everything needed in the church. God has put everything beneath the authority of Jesus Christ and has given him the highest rank above all others. 23 And now we, his church, are his body on the earth and that which fills him who is being filled by it! Ephesians 1:15-23
Pray for Godly wisdom and power for our leaders and contributors across government, health, church, media, arts, education, business/workplace, neighbourhoods and families.
Love
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
“Lord, when I’m with You, I lose myself. Without You, I’m already lost.”
We love from the abundant overflow of God’s love in us.
And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
I have drawn on Ann Hamilton’s book, The Threshold Guardians & the Covenant Defender to develop teaching slides on Community Transformation. Section 3 relates to the way the enemy opposes that Paul & Silas were harassed by a python spirit that was probably from the temple Delph, across the bay from Corinth. The python is one of the guardians assigned by the enemy to prevent people from entering safely though thresholds/doorways that the Lord has opened in to new eras and assignments. The python tries to choke the life out of people – for example constricting breathing, freedoms, the church, movement, finance etc. Clearly this is at work through Covid-19.
Paul wrote God’s strategy against this spirit for the people of Corinth. 1 Corinthians 13 is not just relevant for wedding services. It is relevant to protect our bodies and the the body of Christ and the state of Victoria from python restriction today.
If every choice we make is based on love this enemy of God is powerless.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends. 13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8,12
3. So we come to the point where we can exercise humility, wisdom and love as the family of God.
Our faith in the humility, wisdom and love of God gives us the substance to deal with the things that divide us from being One with God and each other.
Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. Hebrews 11:1
Speaking the Truth in Love
Hold on to loyal love and don’t let go, and be faithful to all that you’ve been taught. Let your life be shaped by integrity, with truth written upon your heart. Proverbs 3:3
Truth without love is not Truth.
Sometimes, when we are discerning truth or delivering a message, we get stirred up and say more than love requires. We selectively conflate things, adding shock value, expressing frustration and judgement. If you are guilty of this, pause to repent to God and to the people you have sinned against.
See the Truth and speak the Spirit’s Words
We cannot speak the Truth until we can see the Truth of who we are made to be and who the other is made to be. Because everything we say needs to align with calling them into their understanding of their divine purpose.
We are called to speak out the truthful way to life that Jesus offers, with the gentleness of His Holy Spirit Comforter. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 1 Corinthians 2:13
The Truth will set you free!
Abide in what God says to you and be set free from other ideas and opinions of you.
If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:31-32
- Pray with me, “God grant us great humility, wisdom and love when we speak the truth in love.” If we speak God’s Truth in God’s timing, in God’s Way, His Words will offer others life and freedom. The person’s response is up to them.
- Pray with me, “God give me mature wisdom in discerning Truth in social media and ‘prophetic’ word.” Seek the Lord’s Word and pass on only what He prompts. When we post conspiracy theories, we show a lack of wisdom, humility, and love for those we mislead and falsely condemn. We may feel motivated by “wanting to protect those we love” but the danger is that our fear and powerlessness have opened us to deception. If we falsely accuse someone we have unwittingly come into agreement with the accuser of the brethren and our words and prayers can release cursing and witchcraft.
Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness. Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. Exodus 23:1-2
Speak the Truth in Love, Humility and Wisdom
- Pray, Spirit of God judge the thoughts and attitudes of my heart, so revelation wisdom, humility and love flows from Your heart to mine, and from my heart t0 theirs. (Hebrews 4:12) Pray but say nothing to the other person unless God prompts you with His words that carry power, the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. (1 Thessalonians 1:5)
- Responsibility is given to leaders to equip the saints until we all attain unity, maturity and the fullness of Christ. We are judged on whether we do this with humility, wisdom and love.
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Ephesians 4:11-16 - Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Paul could say, Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9
Hear the Truth of who you are called to be.
The Lord is speaking to us as to the Church of Thyatira in Revelation Chapter 2:21-24 about our sin, rebellion, great deception including adherence to the teachings of Jezebel and initiation in deep satanic secrets and a deadly plague.
25 Cling tightly to all that you have until I appear. 26 To everyone who is victorious and continues to do my works to the very end I will give you authority over the nations 27 to shepherd them with a royal scepter. And the rebellious will be shattered as clay pots— 28 even as I also received authority from the presence of my Father. I will give the morning star to the one who experiences victory. 29 So the one whose heart is open let him listen carefully to what the Spirit is presently saying to all the churches. Revelation 2:25-29
God is speaking to His people now, as He did to Esther in the time she was born for. The Lord is offering us authority to shepherd nations with a royal sceptre. Will you receive this Truth spoken in love?
In humility surround yourself with people who will speak the truth in love. Tripp Prince
Thanks to all who have contributed to these revelations which have specific application under the pressure of the era, the pandemic and racial protests and the distraction of conspiracy theory promoted through social media. This is based on the contributions of many in our Australia Watch, national Prayer Call community and Pray for Victoria team. God gives us each a part in the whole He is calling us to.
