God help me stand in your place today!

I was reading Proverbs 25: 6-7 today … what a powerful passage of scripture. When you read those words in Christian Standard Bible they jump off the page: "Don’t brag about yourself before the king, and don’t stand in the place of the great; 7 for it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here! " than to demote you in plain view of a noble."

I’m fearful that too many preachers are promoting themselves above the place that God has called them to be. I was taught humility as a young preacher and even today I still hold on to these truths.

I always allow the minister where I’m preaching or teaching to give my title that will be used such as Reverend, Doctor, Pastor, Bishop or Minister.

I always sit on the front row or with my wife if she is there until the pastor asks me to come to the platform.

I always respect the position of authority over me (Pastor/Bishop). I’m a guest at his church and acknowledge their position, and never assume that I have some special anointing or right to be there.

I fear that too many preachers/pastors have come to believe their own press releases on Facebook, LinkedIn, or their Website. It is time we sit down and be humble in the presence of God and allow him to promote us to his place of prominent.

Folks don’t misunderstand me, I’m very proud of who I am: President of a School of Ministry, having been active in ministry for 40 years, having earned three doctorates, and taught in churches and conferences throughout the Midwest and Northeast. However, all that doesn’t compare to when a Pastor allows me to humbly come into his pulpit and share God’s word. Remember, it is not about what you did yesterday, it’s about what you’re doing and peaching today.