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I’ve been watching this new show on NBC called ‘Survival Mode” which is a weekly documentary series, showcasing how people have narrowly escaped natural disasters, like the wildfires of California and Hawaii, tornadoes, tsunami’s, hurricanes and other catastrophic events in various places, of great proportion and destruction.

They interview the very people who were in the midst of survival mode, at the center of these catastrophic events. The stories of how God delivered them from seemingly impossible odds, through the bravery and heroic efforts of others, and how they clinged to hope and were able to help others, while they were just trying to survive and escape.

Episode after episode, we encounter testimonies of people surviving and giving praise to God.

When your back is up against a wall, and there seems to be no way out of your situation, remember how God has come to your rescue in times past. Look to Him when your in a panic, in survival mode.

The righteous are those who look to God and trust Him with all of their heart, who lean not on their own understanding, who acknowledge Him in all of their ways, and He makes their paths straight (Proverbs 3:5&6)

Psalms 34:6-8, 17-19 NKJV
[6] This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. [7] The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. [8] Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
[17] The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. [18] The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. [19] Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.34.6-19.NKJV

the biblical principle and practice of Self-abandonment

Luke 9:23-25 NKJV
[23] Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. [24] For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. [25] For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?

https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.9.23-25.NKJV

In the Bible, self-abandonment refers to the act of relinquishing one’s own will and desires to God’s will, often in the context of trust, faith, and discipleship. It’s a process of letting go of self-centeredness and embracing God’s plan, even when it’s challenging or unclear. This can involve surrendering personal ambitions, desires, and even fears, trusting that God’s will is ultimately good and beneficial.

The greatest example of this biblical principle of self-abandonment is Jesus, in the garden of Gethsemane, on the day he would be betrayed into the hands of those who would arrest him and eventually crucify him. It was after three and a half years of ministry, and He was about to fulfill His purpose in coming. Even though he was fully God, he was also fully man. Yes he had freewill.

He has to choose the will of God, to go to the cross. He knew what His Father sent Him to fulfill, yet he had to pray for strength to let go of everything he wanted to do; perhaps to stay longer and spend more time with His disciples.

Self-abandonment is the opposite of self-centeredness. In order for us to be filled with and walk in the Spirit, we must put on Christ and become Christ centered.

Philippians 2:1-8 NKJV
[1] Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, [2] fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. [3] Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. [4] Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. [5] Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, [6] who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, [7] but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

https://bible.com/bible/114/php.2.1-8.NKJV

You and I, everyone of us, has a God given purpose for being here in this life,on this earth. Like Jesus, we cannot step into our purpose until we relinquish our own self-centered will;  that is, denying myself, taking up my cross and following Christ.

Self-centered or self-abandonment, which is to become like Christ, putting on the full armor of God. Self-abandonment is to become “poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3). Spiritual poverty means to recognize my own spiritual bankruptcy and coming to the truth that there is nothing good in me, that is, in my flesh (Romans 7)

What does it mean to be wretched?

Poor in spirit

Spiritual poverty or bankruptcy

Matthew 5:3 ESV
[3]  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.5.3.ESV

What does it mean to be “poor in spirit”?

Wretched, miserable, very unfortunate in condition or circumstances; miserable; pitiable.

Synonyms: unhappy, forlorn, woebegone, woeful, distressed, dejected.

characterized by or attended with misery and sorrow. despicable, contemptible, or mean.

In the Bible, “wretchedness” (often translated from the Greek word “talaiporos”) signifies a state of profound misery, distress, and spiritual poverty. It describes a deep-seated unhappiness stemming from a recognition of one’s own sinfulness and the inability to overcome it through personal effort. This concept is closely linked to the human condition apart from God’s grace and highlights the need for redemption and deliverance.
Key aspects of wretchedness in the Bible:
Spiritual Poverty:
Wretchedness is not merely emotional sadness, but a deep-seated spiritual condition where one recognizes their moral and spiritual brokenness.
Struggle with Sin:
It often refers to the internal struggle against sin, particularly when one desires to do good but finds themselves unable to consistently live up to God’s standards.
Need for

Deliverance:
The concept of wretchedness emphasizes the desperate need for salvation and redemption, highlighting that true fulfillment and freedom from sin can only be found in God’s grace and through Jesus Christ.

In Psalm 40, David describes the wretched man that he sees within himself, along with salvation and deliverance from God, the one and only source of everlasting life and peace.

Sin robs us of so much life and vitality.

Out of the horrible pit and miry clay; mud and muck of sin, the place where our sinfulness brings us to; morally and spiritually bankrupt; poor in spirit, spiritual poverty, rock bottom.

The same condition Paul saw himself in, while sitting in a Roman jail cell, writing to the church at Rome, and in Romans chapter 7, Paul’s discourse on the state of mankind without the grace and mercy of God. Paul comes to the honest truth about himself before God, when he declares himself a wretched man in total need of redemption and salvation in Christ alone (Romans chapter 7).

Poor in spirit; spiritual poverty, leads to “repent and believe in the Good News.”

When I’ve reached the end of myself, and I’m out of answers, my back is against the wall, so to speak;

like the Israelites in the wilderness, coming to the Red Sea, being hotly pursued by the enemy, and seeing no way to escape. They turn to God, through Moses, who delivers them. God parts the Red Sea and they cross over on dry land.

In the midst of our wretchedness and spiritual poverty, God makes a way.

Poor in spirit means just that; nowhere to go but up! Up from the miry clay and the mud and muck of sin.

Like the prodigal son, wallowing in the mud with pigs. Where shall I go from here? Repentance. Return to my Father and plead for forgiveness, for His mercy and grace.

Psalms 40:1-17 NKJV
[1] I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. [2] He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. [3] He has put a new song in my mouth— Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord. [4] Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. [5] Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered. [6] Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; My ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. [7] Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. [8] I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.” [9] I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness In the great assembly; Indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O Lord, You Yourself know. [10] I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth From the great assembly. [11] Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O Lord; Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me. [12] For innumerable evils have surrounded me; My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up; They are more than the hairs of my head; Therefore my heart fails me. [13] Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me! [14] Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion Who seek to destroy my life; Let them be driven backward and brought to dishonor Who wish me evil. [15] Let them be confounded because of their shame, Who say to me, “Aha, aha!” [16] Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let such as love Your salvation say continually, “The Lord be magnified!” [17] But I am poor and needy; Yet the Lord thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God.

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.40.1-17.NKJV

Matthew 4:4 NKJV
[4] But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.4.4.NKJV

“It is written.”

Matthews 4:1-10 records the temptation of Jesus, when he went into the wilderness to fast and to pray.

The Bible says that He was tempted in every way we are, yet without sin.

Fasting and prayer are essential for drawing closer to God. Abstaining from physical nourishment for forty days was the first thing Jesus did to prepare himself before God the Father.

After forty days with no food makes one very hungry, but Jesus knew that his purpose depended, not on physical nourishment, but spiritual nourishment.

The devil knew he was hungry, so the temptation to turn stones into bread was very real. Physical hunger can cause a person to take desperate measures to feed their own stomach. Yet, God the Father had a plan and purpose in sending His only begotten Son (John 3:16; Galatians 4:4&5) to redeem mankind.  This was the “spiritual food” that Jesus said the Father sent Him into the world to offer up!

Because Jesus faced and endured temptation, being tempted in every way we are, yet without committing sin, we can have a right relationship with God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

When Jesus was confronted with temptation from the devil, He did not fight back in his own strength. Being found in the appearance of a man, he humbled himself, (Philippians 2) turning toward and yielding to the authority and power of God’s word (Hebrews 4:12). In doing this, He would truly be a servant, laying down His life.

When you and I humble ourselves before God, take up our cross daily, and follow Him, we too become servants of the Lord, ready to be used by Him for His kingdom and His glory.

Romans 7:24-25 ESV
[24] Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? [25] Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.7.24-25.ESV

James 4:9-10 ESV
[9] Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. [10] Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

https://bible.com/bible/59/jas.4.9-10.ESV

Wretched: miserable, unhappy, pitiful, deplorable, despicable, and worthless.

Wretched is how Paul describes himself when faced with the sobering truth of his depraved sinful nature. He’s deeply disturbed and distraught because he finds nothing good in himself, that is, in his flesh.

Romans chapter 7 is a discourse into why we do the things we do, knowing they are wrong and sinful, even though we continue to do them, and that our helpless, miserable, deplorable and despicable state has no cure outside of the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who went to the cross to deliver us from these bodies of death.

When we realize and confess the truth of our own depraved sinful nature and our inability to do anything to appease a Holy God, we are led by the Holy Spirit to repent and believe in the Gospel; the good news of our risen Savior.

When we humble ourselves before Holy God, He will exalt us. When we come to him, naked and exposed, he will turn our mourning and misery into dancing and joy.

Do you see your own wretchedness? God sees and knows. He’s waiting for you with open arms. He’ll forgive you and set you free, and put you on a new pathway to righteousness. This isn’t something you can do on your own. God already did, once for all time, when He sent His only begotten Son into the world, to save those who call in His Name!

Psalm 37:39-40 ESV
[39]  The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. [40] The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.37.39-40.ESV

Psalm 3:8 ESV
[8]  Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people! Selah

https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.3.8.ESV

Psalm 9:9-10 ESV
[9] The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. [10] And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.9.9-10.ESV

I’ve been watching a new show on TV, Survival Mode in NBC. It’s very similar to dateline, except instead of featuring high profile murders, they focus on people who have survived incredible disasters; wildfires,  hurricanes, tropical storms and other major natural disasters. I love hearing the stories of the human will to survive and how incredible courage and fortitude takes over in the midst of great fear and tremendous odds.

A common testimony from all of the episodes I’ve seen so far is, people literally reaching the end of themselves. Here they are facing catastrophic events, like the wildfires and tropical storms in Maui, and the wildfires and mud slides in California.  In the midst of such devastating weather, death, and the loss of homes, businesses and entire towns/cities, heroes have emerged when ordinary people just prayed to God for His help.

God not only saved the ones crying out, but used them to save many more. This is how our God works, through ordinary people, who go in to do extraordinary things, like rescue dozens of others, selflessly, while trying to save themselves and their families.

We don’t all go through events like this, but many of us do. Sometimes the every day, ordinary events of life can seem like a tsunami or hurricane in our lives. Many seemingly smaller events like death in the family, the loss of a job and income, etc can combine to make it seem like God is against us, or he just isn’t paying attention. But when we look to Him in the midst of our own storms and tempests, He is there.

There aren’t many people who won’t call out to God, when they have reached the end of themselves and there’s literally nowhere else to turn. It is times like this when we see God coming in the clouds, in the midst of our own personal disasters. He truly is our stronghold and refuge; a very present help in the midst of danger and seemingly impossible odds!

Who are “the righteous?”

Those who seek Him, who search for Him with all of their heart. To rescue them from the enemy of their soul, even from themselves.

Jesus often spoke in parables, which are earthly stories that convey spiritual truths, through the use of illustration, hyperbole and figurative language..

One illustration that Jesus often used was that of farming and agriculture; something most people, especially 2,000 years ago, would understand, since most people grew and harvested their own food, hence the phrase, sowing and reaping, or reaping what you sow. When one sows or plants seeds, the intended purpose is to grow crops; fruits, vegetables, grains, etc.

The parables that Jesus told were intended for those who have ears to hear what Jesus is saying. There is an intended purpose in sowing the seeds of our faith into the lives of our family , friends and neighbors. People need to be given, or gain “ears to hear” what Jesus is saying.

That’s where preachers, teachers, evangelists, and ministers come in. When we work together, each using our spiritual gifts to serve the Kingdom of God, through our local church, God gives the increase. When we work together for the goal of harvesting souls, we will see His glory, as new people are added to His kingdom.

Matthew 13:3-9 NKJV
[3] Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. [4] And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. [5] Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. [6] But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. [7] And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. [8] But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. [9] He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.13.3-9.NKJV

I’ve learned, over the years, through observing agriculture in comparison with Jesus illustration of planting seeds and yielding a harvest of produce. There are steps to be taken in between sowing and reaping, and even before dropping seeds into the earth to grow.

There’s the preseason of planting or sowing, where the ground and soil are cultivated or tilled, where the soil is turned over, and rocks and other tough spots are worked out of the soil, before dropping seeds.

The work of evangelism is much the same way. The ground of your mission Field needs to be turned over and that fallow ground of hardened hearts needs to busted up and prepared for seeds of faith to be planted. This happens through preaching the gospel and through deeds; that is, providing physical needs, while feeding them spiritual food. Faith and works, working together to reap a harvest of souls. The soil of human hearts needs to be softened through acts of love and kindness. Serving both the physical and spiritual needs within each hungry soul ensures a bountiful harvest.

But this harvest doesn’t happen immediately or overnight. Just like planting crops, there’s a time to plant, and a time to harvest or reap. There is much tending and labor that takes place in between, along with phases of growth, leading up to the time of harvest or bearing fruit.

The crops must be watered, weeded, nourished with fertilizer, which is usually a dirty, sweaty, often smelly job.

Ministering to human souls is much like tending to crops and fruit trees as they grow their produce. This is where the hard work of evangelism takes place and causes the planted seeds to grow into a harvest of fruit and produce. It takes time and tender care to reap a harvest of human hearts and souls.

As Paul wrote in

I Corinthians 3:6-7 NKJV
[6] I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. [7] So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

https://bible.com/bible/114/1co.3.6-7.NKJV

It may very well happen, when one evangelist goes into a town or community, preaching the Good News of Christ,that others water, and yet others bring in the harvest, but it’s God who gives the increase, and it’s Christ who receives these human souls into His kingdom. It’s God who gets the glory.

When local churches and community ministries work together to provide for the needs of people in their community, a better harvest is yielded. It’s not all for one minister, preacher or local church. It’s Kingdom work for the glory of God and our risen Savior, Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit

🙏❤️💪