The most important life skill

David Murray:

There’s one characteristic that separates the successful from the unsuccessful in every walk of life: teachability.

Those who are teachable, and remain so, usually succeed. The unteachable usually fail. I’ve seen that in business, I’ve seen it in the ministry, I’ve seen it among students, and I’ve seen it in my children.

No matter how much talent and gifting we have, if we are, or become, unteachable, we will never reach anywhere near our full potential in our careers, our callings, or our relationships.

What does teachability look like?  What does unteachability look like?  What is another biblical name for teachability?  Read the rest of “The Most Essential Life Skill” by Murray to find out.

And parents, read David’s words to your children tonight!

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Humility puts us on God’s side!

Randy Alcorn.

Transcript here.

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Praying for humility, self-denial and meekness

We must pray for the grace of self-denial.

Lord, give us grace to deny ourselves, to take up our cross daily, and to follow Christ;Matthew 16:24(ESV) to discipline our bodies and keep them under control. 1 Corinthians 9:27(ESV)

Lord, keep us from being lovers of ourselves, 2 Timothy 3:2(ESV) from being wise in our own eyes and leaning to our own understanding. Proverbs 3:5-7(ESV)

Lord, give us to seek, not our own good only, but also the good of our neighbor. 1 Corinthians 10:24(ESV)

And grant that we may not live to ourselves or die to ourselves, but whether we live or die, we may be the Lord’s, and may live and die to him. Romans 14:7-8(ESV)

4.3.12

We must pray for humility and meekness.

Lord, give us to learn from Christ to be gentle and lowly in heart, that we may find rest for our souls; Matthew 11:29(ESV) and that herein the same mind may be in us that was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5(ESV)

Lord, conceal pride from us, Job 33:17(ESV) and clothe us with humility; 1 Peter 5:5(ESV) and put upon us the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in your sight is very precious. 1 Peter 3:4-5(ESV)

Lord, give us grace to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which we have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.Ephesians 4:1-2(ESV)

Let anger never lodge in our bosoms, Ecclesiastes 7:9(ESV) nor the sun ever go down on our anger; Ephesians 4:26(ESV) but enable us to show perfect courtesy toward all people, because we ourselves were once foolish and disobedient. Titus 3:2-3(ESV)

Let us be clothed as becomes the elect children of God, holy and beloved, with compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, Colossians 3:12(ESV) that being merciful, even as our heavenly Father is merciful, Luke 6:36(ESV) we may be perfect as he is perfect. Matthew 5:48(ESV)

From MatthewHenry.org

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5 ways we make much of ourselves

Paul Tripp is addressing pastors as his target audience but all can profit from his posts which lists 5 signs that you are glorifying yourself. Here’s the bullet listing. Read the whole post for elaboration:

Self-glory will cause you to:

1. Parade in public what should be kept in private.

2. Be way too self-referencing.

3. Talk when you should be quiet.

4. Be quiet when you should speak.

5. Care too much about what people think about you.

 

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Ten ways to grow in humility: a repost

Posted this back on June 17, 2011.  Good reminder as I touched on this theme on Sunday in preaching through 1 Peter 3. Ten ways to grow in humility:

1.  Pray for more humility.

2.   Understand the immense difference between God and us.

3.    Be aware of your weaknesses and limitations.

4.    Study God’s promises to the humble.

5.    Study creation.

6.    Spend time with people who are more gifted than you are.

7.    Learn a new skill.

8.    Spend time with humble people.

9.    Spend time with people who are honest with you about yourself.

10.  Serve others.

–Karl Graustein.Excerpted from: Growing Up Christian, P&R, 2005, p. 89-92.

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