PRIDE

 

PRIDE

  Egocentric pride is a major stumbling block in life.  This I know.

  Recently I’ve observed racial pride, an attitude sinful regardless of skin tone.

  Ever wary of slip sliding in reverse, today I reexamined where my pride is parked. The following essay being a helpful review.

EBB4

 

GotQuestions.org: "What does the Bible say about pride?"

  There is a difference between the kind of pride that God hates (Proverbs 8:13) and the kind of pride we can feel about a job well done (Galatians 6:4) or the kind of pride we express over the accomplishment of loved ones (2 Corinthians 7:4). The kind of pride that stems from self-righteousness or conceit is sin, however, and God hates it because it is a hindrance to seeking Him.
  Psalm 10:4 explains that the proud are so consumed with themselves that their thoughts are far from God: “In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.” This kind of haughty pride is the opposite of the spirit of humility that God seeks: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). The “poor in spirit” are those who recognize their utter spiritual bankruptcy and their inability to come to God aside from His divine grace. The proud, on the other hand, are so blinded by their pride that they think they have no need of God or, worse, that God should accept them as they are because they deserve His acceptance.
  Throughout Scripture we are told about the consequences of pride. Proverbs 16:18-19 tells us that “pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.” Satan was cast out of heaven because of pride (Isaiah 14:12-15). He had the selfish audacity to attempt to replace God Himself as the rightful ruler of the universe. But Satan will be cast down to hell in the final judgment of God. For those who rise up in defiance against God, there is nothing ahead but disaster (Isaiah 14:22).
  Pride has kept many people from accepting Jesus Christ as Savior. Admitting sin and acknowledging that in our own strength we can do nothing to inherit eternal life is a constant stumbling block for prideful people. We are not to boast about ourselves; if we want to boast, then we are to proclaim the glories of God. What we say about ourselves means nothing in God’s work. It is what God says about us that makes the difference (2 Corinthians 10:18).
  Why is pride so sinful? Pride is giving ourselves the credit for something that God has accomplished. Pride is taking the glory that belongs to God alone and keeping it for ourselves. Pride is essentially self-worship. Anything we accomplish in this world would not have been possible were it not for God enabling and sustaining us. “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). That is why we give God the glory—He alone deserves it.

 

Recommended Resource: Landmines in the Path of the Believer: Avoiding the Hidden Dangers by Charles F. Stanley

THE NEVER ENDING EARTHLY STORY

 

THE NEVER ENDING EARTHLY STORY 

Romans [ISV] 12:1-2 I therefore urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercies, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God, for this is the reasonable way for you to worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but continually be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God's will is—what is proper, pleasing, and perfect. 

  From birth to death people live at various maturity levels. There is however no ultimate completely mature level for anyone . . . Jesus, God Incarnate, excepting. For all others, myself included, maturation is a journey; with progress determined by compliant effort, lack thereof, or deviation. This being something I discovered in primarily studying God’s Word, by the nudging by His Holy Spirit, dear Ann’s example and teaching, wise mentors, and John Bunyan’s PILGRIMS PROGRESS. And my stumbling immaturities.

  Lately, with my ongoing primary goal being mature development pleasing to the Lord and thereby helpful to others, I’ve been thoughtfully reading Biblical counselor June Hunt’s HOPE For The HEART series. At $1.99 each plus S&H I acquire the books from Christian Book Distributors, christianbook.com, is a good inexpensive source for Bibles, devotionals, etc.  1-800-247-4726 or POBox 7000 Peabody MA 01961-7000

  Thus far I’ve benefitted from prayerfully reading the topics highlighted in blue. Hopefully doing so will be manifested in exemplifying God’s first and second commandments.

EBB4

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HOPE For The HEART, Biblical Christ-centered counseling by June Hunt.  4x7 inches, 96 pages each. Easy to read & understand. Each topical book is divided in four sections:  1. Definitions. 2. Characteristics. 3. Causes. 4. Solutions.

I’ve read the ones in blue and am going to read them all.

Adultery

Aging Well   

Alcohol & Drug Abuse     

Anger            

Anorexia & Bulimia

Boundaries

Bullying                                  

Caregiving   

Chronic Illness & Disability

Codependency                   

Conflict Resolution

Confrontation                                              

Considering Marriage

Critical Spirit                                                                          

Decision Making                

Depression 

Domestic Violence            

Dysfunctional Family

Envy & Jealousy

Fear               

Financial Freedom

Forgiveness

Friendship

 

 

 

 

 

Gambling

Grief              

Guilt               

Hope             

Loneliness   

Manipulation                      

Marriage      

Overeating  

Parenting

Perfectionism

Procrastination

Reconciliation                     

Rejection     

Self-Worth

Sexual Integrity                  

Singleness   

Spiritual Abuse                   

Stress            

Success Through Failure

Suicide Prevention

Trials

Verbal & Emotional Abuse

Victimization                                                 

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THANKGIVING FOCUS

 

THANKSGIVING FOCUS

Gotquestions.org : "What should be the focus of Christians on Thanksgiving?"

  The original thanksgiving celebration was held by the Pilgrim settlers in Massachusetts during their second winter in America in December, 1621. The first winter had killed 44 of the original 102 colonists. At one point their daily food ration was down to five kernels of corn apiece, but then an unexpected trading vessel arrived, swapping them beaver pelts for grain, providing for their severe need. The next summer’s crop brought hope, and Governor William Bradford decreed that December 13, 1621, be set aside as a day of feasting and prayer to show the gratitude of the colonists that they were still alive.
  These Pilgrims, seeking religious freedom and opportunity in America, gave thanks to God for His provision for them in helping them find 20 acres of cleared land, for the fact that there were no hostile Indians in that area, for their newfound religious freedom, and for God’s provision of an interpreter to the Indians in Squanto. Along with the feasting and games involving the colonists and more than 80 friendly Indians (who added to the feast by bringing wild turkeys and venison), prayers, sermons, and songs of praise were important in the celebration. Three days were spent in feasting and prayer.
  From that time forward, Thanksgiving has been celebrated as a day to give thanks to God for His gracious and sufficient provision. President Abraham Lincoln officially set aside the last Thursday of November, in 1863, “as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father.” In 1941, Congress ruled that after 1941, the fourth Thursday of November be observed as Thanksgiving Day and be a legal holiday.
  Scripturally, we find things related to the issue of thanksgiving nearly from cover to cover. Individuals offered up sacrifices out of gratitude in the book of Genesis. The Israelites sang a song of thanksgiving as they were delivered from Pharaoh's army after the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 15). Later, the Mosaic Law set aside three times each year when the Israelites were to gather together. All three of these times [Unleavened Bread (also called the Feast of the Passover) (Exodus 12:15-20), Harvest or Pentecost (Leviticus 23:15-21), and the Feast of Ingathering or Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:33-36)] involved remembering God’s provision and grace. Harvest and Tabernacles took place specifically in relation to God’s provision in the harvest of various fruit trees and crops. The book of Psalms is packed full of songs of thanksgiving, both for God’s grace to the Israelite people as a whole through His mighty deeds, as well as for His individual graces to each of us.
  In the New Testament, there are repeated admonitions to give thanks to God. Thanksgiving is to always be a part of our prayers. Some of the most remembered passages on the giving of thanks are the following:
  "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
  "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6).
  "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men" (1 Timothy 2:1).
  Of all of God’s gifts, the greatest one He has given is the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. On the cross of Calvary, Jesus paid our sin debt, so a holy and just Judge could forgive us our sins and give us eternal life as a free gift. This gift is available to those who will call on Christ to save them from their sin in simple but sincere faith (John 3:16; Romans 3:19-26; Romans 6:23; Romans 10:13; Ephesians 2:8-10). For this gift of His Son, the gift which meets our greatest need, the Apostle Paul says, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15).
  We, like the Pilgrims, have a choice. In life there will always be those things that we can complain about (the Pilgrims had lost many loved ones), but there will also be much to be thankful for. As our society becomes increasingly secular, the actual “giving of thanks to God” during our annual Thanksgiving holiday is being overlooked, leaving only the feasting. May God grant that He may find us grateful every day for all of His gifts, spiritual and material. God is good, and every good gift comes from Him (James 1:17). For those who know Christ, God also works everything together for good, even events we would not necessarily consider good (Romans 8:28-30). May He find us to be His grateful children.

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"Perhaps no custom reveals our character as a Nation so clearly as our celebration of Thanksgiving Day. Rooted deeply in our Judeo-Christian heritage, the practice of offering thanksgiving underscores our unshakable belief in God as the foundation of our Nation and our firm reliance upon Him from Whom all blessings flow."
- Ronald Reagan, October 13, 1986

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WHERE TO FIND IT IN THE BIBLE, The Ultimate A to Z Resource, by Ken Anderson, indicates 17 “Thanksgiving” passages in God’s Word.

 

SOVEREIGN GRACE

 

SOVEREIGN GRACE

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

  Some see a conflict between sovereignty and grace. I do not.  But before going on let’s see the definitions.

Sovereignty is: Judging all; possessing the sovereign right of judging. Supreme total autonomous authority. Jehovah God Almighty bring the ultimate Sovereign.

Grace, as by and from God is unearned un-deserved favor and blessings. Sovereign God is the epitome of grace.

  To illustrate I present two Biblical examples. Both showing that trusting Sovereign God involves His grace. The first making the point that “When?” is not the issue. The second showing that as Sovereign He is unwavering, but as recipients of His grace with free-will “If?”, we individually decide to accept His grace or not.

[Jesus explaining] “The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at daybreak to hire workers for his vineyard. After agreeing to pay the workers the usual day's wages, he sent them to work in his vineyard. About 9 a.m. he saw others standing in the marketplace without work. He said to them, 'Work in my vineyard, and I'll give you whatever is right.' So they went. "He went out again about noon and 3 p.m. and did the same thing. About 5 p.m. he went out and found some others standing around. He said to them, 'Why are you standing here all day long without work?' "'No one has hired us,' they answered him. "He said to them, 'Work in my vineyard.' "When evening came, the owner of the vineyard told the supervisor, 'Call the workers, and give them their wages. Start with the last, and end with the first.' "Those who started working about 5 p.m. came, and each received a day's wages. When those who had been hired first came, they expected to receive more. But each of them received a day's wages. Although they took it, they began to protest to the owner. They said, 'These last workers have worked only one hour. Yet, you've treated us all the same, even though we worked hard all day under a blazing sun.' "The owner said to one of them, 'Friend, I'm not treating you unfairly. Didn't you agree with me on a day's wages? Take your money and go! I want to give this last worker as much as I gave you. Can't I do what I want with my own money? Or do you resent my generosity towards others?' (GW Mt.1-15)

The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness, but is long-suffering toward us, not purposing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (MKJV 2Pet.3:9)

  It is not God that wants us to be confused and anxious. That continues to be the goal of the wicked one. (Mt.13:19, 38;1Cor.14:33; 1Jn.2:13-14; 3:12; 5:18)

EBB4

JESUS' TESTIMONY

 

# 1 of Ten Reasons Why I Believe The Bible Is The Word Of God by R. A. Torrey

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FIRST, on the ground of the testimony of Jesus Christ.

  Many people accept the authority of Christ who do not accept that of the Bible as a whole. We all must accept His authority. He is accredited to us by five Divine testimonies: by the testimony of the Divine life He lived; by the testimony of the Divine words He spoke; by the testimony of the Divine works He wrought; by the Divine attestation of the resurrection from the dead; and by the testimony of His Divine influence upon the history of mankind. But if we accept the authority of Christ we must accept the authority of the Bible as a whole. He testifies definitely and specifically to the Divine authorship of the whole Bible.

  We find His testimony as to the Old Testament in Mark 7:13. Here He calls the law of Moses the "Word of God." That, of course, covers only the first five books of the Old Testament, but in Luke 24:27 we read, "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself," and in the forty-fourth verse He said, "All things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses and in the prophets and the Psalms." The Jews, divided the Old Testament into three parts-the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms-and Christ takes up each of these parts and sets the stamp of His authority upon it. In John 10:35 Christ says, "The Scripture cannot be broken," thereby teaching the absolute accuracy and inviolability of the Old Testament. More specifically still, it possible, in Matthew 5:18, Jesus says, "One jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled." A jot is the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet-less than half the size of any other letter, and a tittle is the merest point of a consonant-less than the cross we put on a "t,"-and Christ here declares that the Scripture is absolutely true, down to the smallest letter or point of a letter. So if we accept the authority of Christ we must accept the Divine authority of the entire Old Testament.

  Now, as to the New Testament. We find Christ's endorsement of it in John 14:26, "The Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." Here we see that not only was the teaching of the Apostles to be fully inspired, but also their recollection of what Christ Himself taught. We are sometimes asked how we know that the Apostles correctly reported what Jesus said-"may they not have forgotten?" True, they might forget, but Christ Himself tells us that in the Gospels we have, not the Apostles' recollection of what He said, but the Holy Ghost's recollection, and the Spirit of God never forgets. In John 16:13, 14, Christ said that the Holy Ghost should guide the Apostles into "all the truth," therefore in the New Testament teaching we have the whole sphere of God's truth. The teaching of the Apostles is more complete than that of Jesus Himself, for He says in John 16:12, "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit, when He, the Spirit of truth is come, He shall guide you into all the truth." While His own teaching had been partial, because of their weakness, the teaching of the Apostles, under the promised Spirit, was to take in the whole sphere of God's truth.

  So if we accept the authority of Christ we must accept that of the whole Bible, but we must, as already seen, accept Christ's authority.

 

ALL SCRIPTURE 

1Samuel chapter 17

  Are there those that never heard of David and Goliath? I suppose so.

  Are there those that’ve heard the story but didn’t/don’t know it is an account in God’s Word? I’ve met a few.

  Are there those that flew over what David significantly said in verse 29? I did until a wise mentor pointed it out to me. Something, including in waking this morning, that I ponder from time to time. Especially so in the light of “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2Tim.3:16-17) 

EBB4

ADULATION

 

ADULATION

Are, have been, some presidents, entertainers, etc. more popular than Lord Jesus Christ?

Does this reflect, effect, us as individuals and as a Christian nation? If so, how?

Is there Scripture pertaining to the above 3 questions?

EBB4