Pride is an interesting thing-taking pride in your work, your appearance, & your communications is a good thing for example. However being "prideful" is a dangerous & slippery slope. There is a reason the Word says "Pride comes before a fall". It is the natural order of things that if something is off balance, out of line, etc. it is going to eventually run amuck! So it is with us when our pride gets in the way of our better behavior, our better choices, our appropriate speech. We have all at one time or another gotten puffed up probably and said or done something we shouldn't have, but often it is a way of life with a person-even a Christian! Oh horrors! Truly? Yes, truly! Pride is that sneaky little weapon of the enemy that makes us think we are all that & then some! We often think we "deserve" to treat ourselves (while letting others go without or when we should not, is the context I am putting this in) - or - we think we are justified in avoiding doing something we know full well the Lord would want us to do because we, after all, do so much else - or - we attempt to control situations because we think we have all the answers! (This person is easy to spot-they will always correct everyone or always have a better way than everyone else, down to the silliest things & things they truly know nothing about!) Intelligence & education do not always make us right. We all have areas we are knowledgeable in, but when we purport to be the authority on life we are straying far beyond our capacity-we are then playing God. So....BOOM! We fall, and we are surprised no less. Now why should we be? We shouldn't, but our pride has blinded us and we only see what we want to see-the us that we want everyone to believe & revere!
Humility is the exact opposite, and again there is sincere humility & false humility. I have seen people be quiet & unpretentious in public and be hailed as humble when in fact if you went home with them you would see a totally different person emerge! True humility is exhibited, I believe, in a genuine servant mentality. If you can take the time to help an old man in the grocery, or give your spouse a hand with chores, or visit the sick, write a note of encouragement, take that $5 you were going to spend at the DQ and buy a homeless person a lunch, babysit for a friend, etc. etc. simply because it is the right thing to do & it brings great joy to your heart then you are a person of humility. These are lessons we must re-learn every single day. One of the areas Satan works on a lot I believe is our "self", trying to make us care more about ourself than others because that WILL cause strife, hurt, and disorder. Christ cared SO much about us he laid down his life in a most painful way. We must learn to lay down our life in both the small & the big ways. The small ways are the hardest ones - they are the ways that often no one sees & we get little or no credit in man's eyes, so....we choose to ignore those chances to give glory to God by serving another in some way! Shovelling a friend's walk, giving a stranger a compliment, sending an anonymous gift or card to bless the day of a loved one (or a stranger!), saying "I'm sorry" (for being a jerk, for sounding like a jerk, etc.).
If you find life is going smoothly and you feel spiritual joy in what you do & say & can forgive the prideful folks you meet you are probably walking in humility. If you find Godly folks who know you well are annoyed with what you do & say more often than not & the joy and balance in life seems out of whack, maybe you are operating in a prideful way. If there are more "falls" than victories we need to examine what preceded the fall. There is an old saying "put mouth in gear, engage foot". Have you said or done stupid or hurtful things to suit your own agenda on a regular basis. Pride has tunnel vision-it only sees what it wants to see, responds only to what it wants to, and often attacks anything that might threaten that self-contained environment. There is an entitlement aspect to pride-that attitude that I am owed something, that often carries with it ungratefulness for things done for the individual. Humility has a loving worldview that defers to others without thought of personal gain or acclaim. Humility quite simply loves to give.
Christ was humble above all & we do well to strive to be more Christlike every day. It is a process, but one we should re-evaluate often.
Friday, November 19, 2010
JOY=STRENGTH
Have you ever thought about the fact that happiness & joy are two very different things. The Word says, "The joy of the Lord is my strength". What exactly does this mean & how is it different from happiness? I believe that material things make us happy, but Godly things give us joy! Examples of things that bring us happiness are new cars, new TVs, going to fun places, watching or doing fun things, etc. Things that bring joy are helping others, worshipping God, sacrificing ourselves for others in some way, reading the Word's uplifting messages, etc. See the difference. Think about a time you got a new "toy" & a time you gladly gave of yourself/your time/your finances for someone in need (however small). I am guessing if you are a believer that sacrifice made you feel much better for much longer than the new toy that may even sit idle & was not worth the money invested. Toys are OK, but sacrifice is better. Obedience trumps sacrifice! Why? Because IF we obey, we WILL sacrifice.
How strong do you want to be? If "the joy of the Lord is my strength" I submit to you that the more Godly things you have in your life-the stronger you will be! Godly thoughts, actions, and words will make us as strong as steel in the face of the enemy who will tempt, persuade, and derail us! If we submerse ourselves in worldly things, beliefs, and behaviors we will be as weak as a well cooked noodle in the face of adversity! That is scary. Our "house"-our temple of the HS must be built on solid ground ("On this the solid rock I stand") and must be crafted with the finest materials of holiness (the fruits of the HS). Think how much more peace there would be if more kindness & self-control were exhibited in the world. We CAN change the world for Christ, and be full of joy in the process. Or, we can skip through life gleefully counting our money, buying our toys, and taking part in self indulgent activities that serve no purpose except to gratify our human desires.
How strong do you want to be? If "the joy of the Lord is my strength" I submit to you that the more Godly things you have in your life-the stronger you will be! Godly thoughts, actions, and words will make us as strong as steel in the face of the enemy who will tempt, persuade, and derail us! If we submerse ourselves in worldly things, beliefs, and behaviors we will be as weak as a well cooked noodle in the face of adversity! That is scary. Our "house"-our temple of the HS must be built on solid ground ("On this the solid rock I stand") and must be crafted with the finest materials of holiness (the fruits of the HS). Think how much more peace there would be if more kindness & self-control were exhibited in the world. We CAN change the world for Christ, and be full of joy in the process. Or, we can skip through life gleefully counting our money, buying our toys, and taking part in self indulgent activities that serve no purpose except to gratify our human desires.
Is it harder to forgive a believer?
It often is....because we know - they know better! It can be so hard to show the grace to them that Christ shows to us...oops! Wait a minute! ;) Is that the answer to the problem? (BTW, if you are not a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem) Yes, it is the answer-IF we can remember the huge grace extended to us by Christ, then it is a whole lot easier to forgive them. Of course it helps if they see the error of their ways, but don't hold your breath on that one! Instead pray for the Lord to change your heart before you pray for God to change theirs. (Then you can wait out the time of divine revelation!)
Remember, we WILL be judged by the same measure we judge. Keep in mind-we ARE to be fruit inspectors, however. Fruit inspection is one way we should choose our friends. If the fruit of their lives is nasty we should not be going there. Judgement is harsh criticism that has no good purpose except to hurt the one being judged-it has no redeeming value whatsoever. Often, gossip is a part of judging others. There are fine lines in the sand sometimes between fruit inspection and judgement-lines we must heed. (Hint: don't let your prayer requests be gossip sessions-this is one way believers "justify" telling everyone they know about someone else's sin! Choose who you tell what with care, & watch how you tell it!)
Sarcasm can be a form of judgement. If we are sarcastic to or about someone it can reflect poorly on their character-but even more poorly on us! The next time you start to fire off a snide remark to someone or even under your breath-ask yourself if Christ would approve. Some folks think it is "funny" to put others down in front of friends or loved ones by making negative remarks about them. We all MUST be able & willing to laugh at ourselves but the way something is said makes all the difference. Lovingly joking & offensively joking are two very different things.
The Lord shows me things almost every day if I am paying attention, as I watch people interact out in public and as I watch news bytes about some senseless behavior. I am forever amazed at the rudeness, thoughtlessness, and self-absorption of the human nature. That is not the way the Lord taught us to be certainly. He taught us to always put others first & to not be so concerned with our desires that we fail to do the right thing. Sacrifice is not always "comfortable" but it is usually the correct avenue to take. I say "usually" as some folks have a misguided idea of "sacrifice" in that they give of themselves to the wrong people or places. The Word clearly outlines priorities & they have long been taught as God first, spouse next, then children, after that family, then friends etc. If we follow a logical order in our lives the outcome is much better.
"When I was a child I thought as I child..." We sometimes forget that we are now grown ups, and as believing grown ups we have a different standard to live by than children & nonbelievers. I think perhaps if we remembered this there would be less need to do that difficult thing-forgiving the believer! We would not see so many adult belivers acting like heathen children! Children have a smaller scope of perspective, & so it is with us grown ups when our view is so narrow it doesn't include grace towards those around us. (Think about that the next time someone cuts you off in traffic!) ;)
Remember, we WILL be judged by the same measure we judge. Keep in mind-we ARE to be fruit inspectors, however. Fruit inspection is one way we should choose our friends. If the fruit of their lives is nasty we should not be going there. Judgement is harsh criticism that has no good purpose except to hurt the one being judged-it has no redeeming value whatsoever. Often, gossip is a part of judging others. There are fine lines in the sand sometimes between fruit inspection and judgement-lines we must heed. (Hint: don't let your prayer requests be gossip sessions-this is one way believers "justify" telling everyone they know about someone else's sin! Choose who you tell what with care, & watch how you tell it!)
Sarcasm can be a form of judgement. If we are sarcastic to or about someone it can reflect poorly on their character-but even more poorly on us! The next time you start to fire off a snide remark to someone or even under your breath-ask yourself if Christ would approve. Some folks think it is "funny" to put others down in front of friends or loved ones by making negative remarks about them. We all MUST be able & willing to laugh at ourselves but the way something is said makes all the difference. Lovingly joking & offensively joking are two very different things.
The Lord shows me things almost every day if I am paying attention, as I watch people interact out in public and as I watch news bytes about some senseless behavior. I am forever amazed at the rudeness, thoughtlessness, and self-absorption of the human nature. That is not the way the Lord taught us to be certainly. He taught us to always put others first & to not be so concerned with our desires that we fail to do the right thing. Sacrifice is not always "comfortable" but it is usually the correct avenue to take. I say "usually" as some folks have a misguided idea of "sacrifice" in that they give of themselves to the wrong people or places. The Word clearly outlines priorities & they have long been taught as God first, spouse next, then children, after that family, then friends etc. If we follow a logical order in our lives the outcome is much better.
"When I was a child I thought as I child..." We sometimes forget that we are now grown ups, and as believing grown ups we have a different standard to live by than children & nonbelievers. I think perhaps if we remembered this there would be less need to do that difficult thing-forgiving the believer! We would not see so many adult belivers acting like heathen children! Children have a smaller scope of perspective, & so it is with us grown ups when our view is so narrow it doesn't include grace towards those around us. (Think about that the next time someone cuts you off in traffic!) ;)
Time with the Lord
Do you know that if you spend 1 1/2 hrs. at church a week that is only about 1% of the time he has given you for the week? If you tithe that time and spend 10% you would spend about 2 1/2 hrs. per day-reading the word, praying, going to fellowship functions, witnessing in some way, worshiping etc. I don't necessarily think God expects us to be legalistic re. that but it does give perspective. I also think that our heart attitude counts-if we go through the day offering up prayer, thanksgiving, praise to the Lord we are putting in time with him. Who better to walk through the day with. Remember the word says to "pray at all times".
Two of my "heroes" are my daughters-they do this and they are an example of how a Godly woman walks & talks & always a challenge to me to walk in an upright manner before the Lord. As proud as I am of their accomplishments, I am most proud of the relationship with the Lord that they exhibit. God honors the righteous so I can know each day they are covered in whatever they do. One of the greatest blessings in my life has been to have Godly children-children who help others with no second thought (my eldest son has a wonderful gift of "helping"), children who will travel to faraway lands to spread the love of God, children who honor the Lord and live righteous lives. As I watch them nurture their children in the ways of God I see marvelous examples of his spirit shining through the children.
So much around us today is tainted with worldly, unrighteous, hideous examples of what people can be who are not grounded in the Word. TV is rampant with real-life examples of this on the news & even more so is flooded with ungodly behavior in programming. "Garbage in, garbage out" is a well known phrase about what we put in our minds and what then manifests in our lives. If you soak up negative ungodly examples long enough you begin to believe that is the way you should live & that is the way everyone lives. You can find so much material in the video store & the bookstore to pollute your mind! If you would be uncomfortable with Jesus reading over your shoulder or viewing what you do-maybe your spirit is telling you there is a better way! Were there movies & TV in Jesus' day I wonder how much he would have given a G rating? One of the most infiltrating ways our mind is affected is by music. Much of the secular music today is filled with horrible lyrics, but listening regularly to spiritual songs can really transform your thinking in a positive way.
The Bible says we are to "be transformed by the renewal of our minds". This must happen every day-not once in a lifetime or once a year or even once a month or week. We must continually have an "attitude adjustment" so that our speech, our actions, and our thoughts are "taken captive to Christ". We are just grown up children. If you look at a child, they imitate what we do, what we say, and they learn what our words & actions teach them. There is a poem that says a child learns what he lives. If we live selfless lives before them, as Christ lived for us, sacrificing our own desires & comforts for that of others, so shall they. Although they will learn bad things in the world, the home is where they spend about 3/4 of their time in the formative years.
Spend time with God today-this week-and reflect on how you can renew your mind, taking it captive to him, and therefore being a Godly example in the world. If we were to add up the hours spent with God & then the hours spent in useless endeavors, glued to the TV for hours, or even just doing nothing we would probably be pretty shocked at ourselves! I do this every once in awhile and it centers me with a new perspective. One of my favorite scriptures is the one about "when I was thirsty you gave me water..." Time spent helping others is time spent for God! It is actually a form of worship if done in a cheerful, loving manner. Yeah, sorry grumbling time doesn't count for much in God's eyes. (Remember the Israelites!)
Here is the BEST part-time joyfully spent with & for God will make you feel SO GOOD! Way better than that off color movie you watched, that sleazy article you read, those hours vegging & feeling sorry for yourself, and even those hours you helped your neighbor all the while muttering to yourself that "you" shouldn't have to do this! It isn't about you! It IS about Jesus & living upright before & because of him!
Two of my "heroes" are my daughters-they do this and they are an example of how a Godly woman walks & talks & always a challenge to me to walk in an upright manner before the Lord. As proud as I am of their accomplishments, I am most proud of the relationship with the Lord that they exhibit. God honors the righteous so I can know each day they are covered in whatever they do. One of the greatest blessings in my life has been to have Godly children-children who help others with no second thought (my eldest son has a wonderful gift of "helping"), children who will travel to faraway lands to spread the love of God, children who honor the Lord and live righteous lives. As I watch them nurture their children in the ways of God I see marvelous examples of his spirit shining through the children.
So much around us today is tainted with worldly, unrighteous, hideous examples of what people can be who are not grounded in the Word. TV is rampant with real-life examples of this on the news & even more so is flooded with ungodly behavior in programming. "Garbage in, garbage out" is a well known phrase about what we put in our minds and what then manifests in our lives. If you soak up negative ungodly examples long enough you begin to believe that is the way you should live & that is the way everyone lives. You can find so much material in the video store & the bookstore to pollute your mind! If you would be uncomfortable with Jesus reading over your shoulder or viewing what you do-maybe your spirit is telling you there is a better way! Were there movies & TV in Jesus' day I wonder how much he would have given a G rating? One of the most infiltrating ways our mind is affected is by music. Much of the secular music today is filled with horrible lyrics, but listening regularly to spiritual songs can really transform your thinking in a positive way.
The Bible says we are to "be transformed by the renewal of our minds". This must happen every day-not once in a lifetime or once a year or even once a month or week. We must continually have an "attitude adjustment" so that our speech, our actions, and our thoughts are "taken captive to Christ". We are just grown up children. If you look at a child, they imitate what we do, what we say, and they learn what our words & actions teach them. There is a poem that says a child learns what he lives. If we live selfless lives before them, as Christ lived for us, sacrificing our own desires & comforts for that of others, so shall they. Although they will learn bad things in the world, the home is where they spend about 3/4 of their time in the formative years.
Spend time with God today-this week-and reflect on how you can renew your mind, taking it captive to him, and therefore being a Godly example in the world. If we were to add up the hours spent with God & then the hours spent in useless endeavors, glued to the TV for hours, or even just doing nothing we would probably be pretty shocked at ourselves! I do this every once in awhile and it centers me with a new perspective. One of my favorite scriptures is the one about "when I was thirsty you gave me water..." Time spent helping others is time spent for God! It is actually a form of worship if done in a cheerful, loving manner. Yeah, sorry grumbling time doesn't count for much in God's eyes. (Remember the Israelites!)
Here is the BEST part-time joyfully spent with & for God will make you feel SO GOOD! Way better than that off color movie you watched, that sleazy article you read, those hours vegging & feeling sorry for yourself, and even those hours you helped your neighbor all the while muttering to yourself that "you" shouldn't have to do this! It isn't about you! It IS about Jesus & living upright before & because of him!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
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