pride

Pride, prideful, temptation, forgiveness, prayer, humility, Oh Lord Help Us, Christian, women, mentor, ministry

Prideful: Resisting Temptation and Following Christ’s Example of Humility

DevotionalsJuly 24, 2019July 13, 2019

To our core, humans find it easy to slip into prideful character traits. We must resist the temptation to wear pride and follow Christ’s example of humility.

My husband and I closed on our first home on June 7. It’s a beautiful fixer-upper, built in 1920. We knew going in this would be a lot of work, but I think we underestimated just how much work.

For weeks now, we’ve been cutting, drilling and demolishing in that house every spare minute we have. It’s been challenging and growing, to say the least. But I knew it would be. I knew we would be exhausted. I knew our communication as husband and wife would be challenged and given opportunity to flourish.

But what I didn’t expect was something inside of me to crawl its way to the surface, revealing an ugly, sinful aspect of my personality: pride.

Doing vs. Hearing

I am a fairly independent creature. I love knowing how to get a job done and then just going and doing it. But I’m also a hands-on learner. Which means in order for the knowledge of how to do something to lodge in my brain, it’s a whole lot easier for me to physically walk through it than it is for me to listen to someone explain how to do it.

Let me tell you, when it comes to renovating a house, there’s a lot I don’t know. My husband has been gracious with me as I learn on the go, but I hate that I have to ask him so many questions. I hate that I have to wait for him to give a direction for certain things like roughing in the electric and creating framing for our new, beautifully-big kitchen window.

But that’s not even where my pride has reared its ugly head. The situations where that sinful little character flaw reveals itself has been in my meeting with contractors. With male contractors, I should add.

Prideful Scream

Now, I’m not the person who is all up in arms over women’s rights. I believe women are equal in intelligence and value to men, that we should have equal opportunity, but I’m not going to be protesting or arguing that the world is out to devalue women.

But what I will take a stand against is men assuming I don’t know what I’m talking about in a male-dominated field. That just gets me! I’ve met with a few different contractors during the day by myself, as I work from home and have the flexibility to do so.

What I’m realizing is that most of these men I speak with give my prideful nature a frustratingly simple path to the surface of my emotions. When they say things like, “You can have your husband call me if he has questions” or, “Do you know what I mean by this?” I simply want to scream.

And those are moments my pride sneers in success as I shrink back in failure.

“What Would Jesus Do?”

Allowing a prideful attitude to take control is something I know saddens the heart of Jesus. I could easily give excuses for why I feel the way I do. But to borrow from the old, Christian phrase, I must ask, “What would Jesus do?”

Jesus, the King of the universe, the One who created heaven and earth with the breath of His lungs and the words of His mouth — this Jesus was mocked, scorned, beaten and put to death. Evil, nasty men hurled insults at Him… At the Son of the Almighty God.

And what did He do? Did He scream back at them? Did He defend His Name and His knowledge and His power? No, He didn’t. Jesus didn’t allow the pride of who He is to tempt Him into sin.

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open his mouth.
Isaiah 53:7, NIV

If Jesus didn’t feel the need to defend Himself against His accusers, why should I feel the need to defend my knowledge and experience?

I shouldn’t, is the simple answer.

But it’s never that simple for us mere mortals, is it?

God is Faithful

We can easily say “What would Jesus do?” Yet that’s a phrase easier said than put into practice. But if I desire to look more like Christ each day, if I desire to glorify God with every fiber of my being, then I must set aside the pride that rises each time people assume I don’t know something simply because I’m a woman.

I don’t know what circumstances you face that cause your prideful nature to flood your emotions, but one thing I do know: We can rise above this temptation. We can not only push back our pride, but we can pluck it from the very core of our being.

How? By remembering God is faithful.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV

Enduring Temptation

God has given us an amazing promise when it comes to the temptation of pride. We can know, because of His faithfulness, He will always provide a way out for us. He will help us to endure the temptation.

But here’s the thing: We have to accept His help. Just because God provides a way doesn’t mean He pulls us kicking and screaming. We must acknowledge His faithfulness, take His hand, and accept His endurance.

We can do this through prayer and through repeating truth whenever faced with a temptation. Instead of allowing instant frustration at these men who assume I’m simply my husband’s puppet in regards to the renovation of our house, I need to ask God for help. I need to praise Him for His faithfulness. And I need to seek the way out that He will provide for me.

Christ’s Humility

I wish I could give you a step-by-step guide to what this looks like. But what I can do is promise you that the more you seek God, and the more you remember Christ’s humility, the more you will begin to reflect His character. And the more you reflect His character, the more your prideful nature will feel foreign and unneeded.

For God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But you must follow His lead when He provides a way out for you. At least that’s what I plan on doing tomorrow when I meet with another contractor. No more prideful screams. I’m following Jesus’ example this time.

The more we seek God, and the more we remember Christ’s humility, the more we will begin to reflect His character. The more we reflect His character, the more our prideful nature will feel foreign and unneeded. Click To Tweet

Emily Saxe was born and raised on the east coast but currently resides in Indiana with her husband. Working as a full-time freelance writer and editor, her heart and her pen are drawn to stories of faith as she helps people share how God is working in their lives. Everyone has a story to tell, and Emily loves helping to give people a voice to share their own story.

Read more of Emily’s articles on her website, To Unearth. You can also find Emily here: Pinterest Instagram Facebook

Evie S.

comparison, identity, love, pride, Oh Lord Help Us, Christian, women, mentor, ministry

First: Longing for God, the Lover and Keeper of Our Souls

DevotionalsMay 7, 2019May 7, 2019

Slipping into the rhythms and mindset of comparison is dangerous. We have illusive visions of ourselves, promoting self. We must remember the first longing of our souls, God’s love.

To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,
‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: ‘I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

Revelation 2:1-4, NKJV

I first read the term Brocken Specter in “The Problem of Pain”, by C. S. Lewis, (Chapter 10).

According to Weather Online, the “Brocken Spectre (or Brocken Bow) is an apparently greatly magnified shadow of an observer cast against mist or cloud below the level of a summit or ridge and surrounded by rainbow coloured fringes resulting from the diffraction of light. The effect is an illusion. Depth perception is altered by the mist, causing the shadow to appear more distant and to be interpreted as larger than normally expected.”

Ah, of course…Lewis’ usage made perfect sense. We’ll come back to that…

Illusive Identity

Identity and image have become the cancers which are decimating our era – more specifically, self-identity and self-image. That isn’t to say we humans haven’t always been consumed with ourselves, but two decades of social media feeding insecure kids (and adults) has resulted in an obsession with self-satisfaction, self-image, self-identity, self-efficacy, selfies. Need I go on?

For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.
John 12:43, ESV

Sadly, much of it is fueled by comparison and envy, an illusion of lack…

I’m not pretty enough. My body isn’t thin enough. We aren’t involved in enough ministries. We don’t make/give enough money, go to the right church, have our kids in the right sports leagues.

It’s usually a subtle thing, hardly noticeable, but beneath the running thoughts of our daily minds is too often the ongoing shout: WHAT DO PEOPLE THINK OF ME?

For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
2 Corinthians 10:12, NKJV

Heads up – Jesus was referring to religious people who believed in Him but were afraid to admit it for fear of being ostracized from the temple. Paul wrote, as you know, to the church at Corinth. These people were believers, Christians, struggling with the sin of self-focus and comparison, too.

Comparing Whispers

When we compare ourselves with others, as in the Brocken Spectre (or a glory), an illusion occurs. While we gaze into that mist-altered perception, which is surrounded by rainbow fringes, (read razzle-dazzle,) it appears beautiful. We lose objectivity. We lose focus. Ultimately, we lose wisdom. In time, the self grows into an enormous, insatiable monster. It’s all we think about. In so doing, we give it the praise it hungrily grasps from God…but self is a cheater and a liar.

How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
John 5:44, ESV

One would think that when you reached a certain decade of life that one would realize how futile, yes, even ridiculous it is to give a moment’s thought as to what others think of you. However, I enter seasons when the enemy constantly whispers in my head a barrage of negative comparisons, which, at the time, when I am vulnerable, seem very true.

First Love

Then, beneath the desire for approval, beneath the longing for friendship or love, isn’t there something deeper for which we’re all longing? Something written on our hearts at the moment of conception?

…that something which you were born desiring, and which beneath the flux of other desires, and in all the momentary silences between the louder passions, night and day, year by year, from childhood to old age, you are looking for, watching for, listening for?
C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

Ah, Sister, that longing, which we can never completely quench, that ongoing desire of our hearts, that passion which we can’t quite fulfill here on earth is Jesus, the Lover of our souls. When we meet Him face to face, every longing and aching desire will be completely fulfilled.

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
1 Corinthians 13:12, ESV

As Lewis wrote, when we see Him at last, God will look like our first love because He is the first love of every soul.

I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
Jeremiah 31:3, ESV

Let us continually remember His pure love.

Sister, that longing, which we can never completely quench, that ongoing desire of our hearts, that passion which we can't quite fulfill here on earth is Jesus, the Lover of our souls. Click To Tweet

Jesse Bowser

pride, worship, focus, Oh Lord Help Us, Christian, women, mentor, ministry

Pride: Resolving to Correct Misplaced Worship to Fulfill God’s Purpose

Devotionals, Stay SaneDecember 12, 2018January 13, 2019

Pride wears many faces. It is a sneaky thing that isn’t all bad but can quickly become a monster if it is misplaced. To fulfill God’s purpose, we must lay down those things we place above Him.

I asked the following question to a mixed group of folks, (some claiming Christ, others who do not), ranging in age from 11 to 70…

What’s the first thing that pops into your head when you think about pride?

Feeling good about yourself.
Lions.
Being proud of yourself and where you came from.
In your head; selfish.
Handling big things on your own. Getting a handle on it, trying to wrap it up pretty, then presenting an incomplete and shallow lie. Then wondering why it’s falling apart.
Honor and dignity, and when all is lost you don’t back down or stop trying.
Mega-nationalism; egotism.
The root of all evil.
Self.
When you have faith in yourself or something else.
The belief that I am self-sufficient and can be an everywhere it all, fix it all and know it all.
Fall—as in it comes before the fall (Proverbs 16:18).
Men.
Confidence; strong ethics.
Arrogance and self-focus; but also positive in a way like confidence. Like doing something well.
Self-consumed, lifting oneself up, thinking your wisdom is superior.

Focus

I found the variety of responses fascinating. Modern society teaches love yourself more. Evangelical culture preaches be filled with God’s love. But where the Western world falls short, spouting off “Jesus loves you” somehow fails to produce change. It doesn’t delve deep enough. I agree with how one author addresses this issue:

The love of God can be a profound answer to just about any human struggle, but sometimes we can use it in such a way that it becomes a watered down version of profoundly rich truth. For example, sometimes, because of shortcomings in us rather than Scripture, this answer misses the call to “consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3), or it ignores personal repentance. Sometimes it still allows us and our needs to be at the center of the world, and God becomes our psychic errand boy given the task of inflating our self-esteem.

Edward T. Welch, When People Are Big and God is Small

At the end of the day, it is about what and who we worship. What is most important? Comfort? Recognition? Peace? Power? All of those point back to self. As followers of Christ, anything we revere more than Him will ultimately be torn down. It is not for meanness sake, but because God’s purpose for those He created is to reflect Him.

Survey

Lately, I have been inundated with the topics of pride and humility. They are in the books I’m reading, the lectures I’m watching, and the sermons on Sundays. Uh…I hear you, God; loud and clear. Last week I filled out a pride and humility survey. Yeah, it’s a thing.

In the past when I completed personal assessments similar to this, I either felt weighed down by my ineptness or gratified with my growth. Ironically enough, both responses are manifestations of pride. Feeling burdened by my short-comings keeps the focus on me and does not honor God. Nor does it seek to be molded more into His image.

While it is good to be remorseful over my pride, I mustn’t stop there. The next step is repenting and asking God to keep working in me to do away with it! Feeling content with my progress in humility is still pride. But praising God for continuing to create a good work in me is worshipful.

Feeling content with our progress in humility is still pride. But praising God for continuing to create a good work in us is worshipful. Click To Tweet

So, are all forms of pride bad? No; but there is a micro-fine line between righteous boasting and every other self-focused version. God said it first to the people of Judah through Jeremiah.

This is what the Lord says: The wise person should not boast in his wisdom; the strong should not boast in his strength; the wealthy should not boast in his wealth. But the one who boasts should boast in this: that he understands and knows me—that I am the Lord, showing faithful love, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for I delight in these things. This is the Lord’s declaration.

Jeremiah 9:23-24, CSB

It pleases God when we brag about His power! Paul reiterated God’s instruction in both of his letters to the Corinthians.

Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, so that no one may boast in his presence. It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, in order that, as it is written: Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 1:27-31, CSB

So let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one the Lord commends.

2 Corinthians 10:17-18, CSB

Worship

Having a mind focused on God, the One in Whom all things are from, through, and to (Romans 11:36), fights against selfish pride. It is okay to feel good about ourselves when viewed rightly through the lens of God’s work in us. There is nothing wrong with having an appreciation for where we came from—understanding God is the One who birthed us into that place. It’s alright to be pleased with our own or someone else’s accomplishments, as long as we acknowledge it is God who works through us for His good purpose.

Exhibiting honor, dignity, and confidence isn’t a recipe for unholy pride. Jesus was confident in the Father, and He taught the highest principles of loving God and loving others. He accomplished the most honorable mission of all time by taking on human form, living a perfect life, dying a horrific death, and raising from the dead so we could be redeemed.

Jesus did not back down because He was God—He didn’t consider equality with God something to be grasped (Philippians 2:6). No, Jesus didn’t back down because He wholly trusted the Father to complete His work through Him. It’s the tiniest tweak that makes all the difference, but it’s monumental. It really is all about what and who we worship. Let us resolve to pledge our reverence to the King!

fake, pride, salvation, Oh Lord Help Us, Christian, women, mentor, ministry

Counterfeit: Why We Settle For Fake Jesus When He Offers the Real Thing

Devotionals, Stay SaneDecember 6, 2018January 13, 2019

When we apply addition to the gospel of salvation – Jesus + the Law, Jesus + works – it becomes counterfeit. It is no longer about Jesus, but about us.

My mom raised me with this example: Having grown up impoverished, she was determined to own nice things as an adult. She had a nose like a bloodhound for clearance racks with designer clothes and mom carried them like a beauty queen each day at work. She didn’t have a lot, but what she had was quality.

No counterfeits. No knock-offs for Betty, not even when it came to diamonds. Cubic Zirconias? Are you kidding me?! Don’t even. She kept her eye on a 1+ carat solitaire for quite a while leading up to their 25th wedding anniversary, then informed my dad that he was buying it for her. Poor dad. He had a hard time keeping up with all the money she told him she was saving him.

Genuine vs. Counterfeit

A lot of women like knock-off purses because they can’t afford the genuine article. Some are satisfied with CZs or crystals in their rings, or imitation leather shoes, but I was simply not raised that way. It’s the real deal or no deal. The real deal lasts longer, at least that’s what mom said and in this case, I’m prone to agree with her. I’ll just own fewer items of said thing. (I’m not sure my husband agrees.)

If we think much about it, our world is drawn toward inauthentic people, too. Rock stars, movie stars, sports stars…evangelical music stars or preacher stars (ouch!). Before you blast me, I am not implying all famous evangelical music/preachers are inauthentic. Genuine folks can be difficult to be around; you know, like looking in a mirror and not liking what you see.

I wonder if the prevailing, positive attitude toward counterfeit things or people is directly related to our tendency to accept and worship counterfeit forms of Jesus. Every denomination has done it since the early church, actually. In Galatians 1:6, Paul was astonished – think speechless with surprise – that the Galatian church had already turned away from the gospel he had shared with them.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel – not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

Galatians 1:6-7, ESV

Counterfeit Church

Paul was amazed! It seemed unthinkable that this church with whom he had shared the gospel of Jesus openly and freely had been swayed by Judaizers so swiftly into another belief system of Jesus+ legalism. He believed the matter was deeply important, so much so that he proclaimed that those who caused the Galatians to stray should be accursed – damned, doomed.

But even if we are an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

Galatians 1:8-9, ESV

In light of Paul’s strong words, perhaps we should take a closer look, as well.

Jesus +

We’re not even original with this false worship. Shockingly, you will see in Gal. 2:11-14, Peter – the rock upon which the Church was built – was also intimidated by the well-spoken Jesus+ folks.

But let’s just pretend that we are original for a minute. How do we add to the gospel today? Remember: none of us are immune to this.

Jesus+Works

I’ll begin with my own way: Jesus+ good deeds or works. Now, we all know better than to SAY this aloud, but deep in our place of knowing there is a tiny voice tauntingly saying if I don’t DO (enough) good things I’m not ______, (saved, an acceptable Christian, etc.) However, the gospel of Jesus explicitly states that the death of Christ is sufficient to satisfy all of God’s requirements for sin, (I Corinthians 15:3-5; Romans 3:23-24; Romans 6:23).

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:23-24, NIV

Jesus+Daily Devotional

Another way we counterfeit the good news of Christ is Jesus+our daily devotional. A truckload of guilt and shame results from this mentality. Are daily devotions beneficial? Absolutely. Will they help you grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ? If they are Christ-centered, clearly, yes. Will they add to your stance of salvation before our Father? A resounding NO.

Jesus+Prayer

I argued with the Spirit, just a little, about this one because it truly is a sacred cow…Jesus+ a vibrant prayer life. I know, I know! Most of us long for it, again, have felt guilty about not having a “bam-you’re healed!” prayer life. But I’ve got to tell you, over the years my practice in prayer has traveled from the laundry list of needs to following some respected guy’s formula, to a lifestyle prayer, to a more meditative form.

Prayer changes me most when I come into His presence and adore Him. Seriously, though? Each time I ask God to forgive me for not ‘praying enough,’ I hear Him say in my spirit, “I’m here. I haven’t left you.” It’s incredibly humbling and washes me with His grace.

Jesus+Politics

How about Jesus+ how you vote? Whether you are a Conservative or Liberal (and all that entails)? Please.

Less of Me

There are many more things we add to the gospel in our modern day because, well, then it’s more about us and less about Him. If I have anything at all…anything to do with my salvation, Jesus didn’t have to come and die.

So you see, pride is at the core of wanting to add to the perfect gospel. It’s more of me and less of Him instead of more of Him and less of me, (John 3:30). Oh…there’s that snake in the grass yet, again.

Paul is clear in Galatians – the genuine gospel is preeminently worthy of a zealous defense.

Be alert, warriors.

Pride is at the core of wanting to add to the perfect gospel. If WE have anything at all to do with our salvation, Jesus didn't have to come and die. Be alert! Guard against this mindset! Click To Tweet

Material gleaned from Rev. Jamaal Williams’ sermon, 9/16/2018 and Charles Stanley, Galatians: Letter of Liberation, The Living Insights Study Bible

humility, pride, shine, esteem, Oh Lord Help Us, Christian, women, mentor, ministry

Shine: Dimming Arrogance and Allowing God to Shine

Devotionals, Stay SaneNovember 7, 2018January 13, 2019

In our attempt to shine brighter and brighter, we must learn that dimming the light of arrogance is the only true way God can shine through us.

If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realize that one is proud. And a biggish step, too. At least, nothing whatever can be done before it. If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.

-C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Mascara

I couldn’t believe I went through carpool with streaks of mascara running down my face. Really, it didn’t matter as the sunglasses hid a majority of the mess. And boy, what a mess I was…

The previous night was an evening of silence and staring off. But, the morning brought words formed from hurt feelings and confusion. There was a heavy stream of tears.

It’s difficult to filter through inner dialogues and actual reality; piecing together instances to justify a feeling, and forsaking the whole picture. That’s just what I did. I made the pieces fit so my bitterness was not in vain.

The pieces did fit fairly easy, but it was vain. I was the embodiment of pride…

It’s ironic that out of pride came a massive mess. The opposite of what I was trying to achieve. Those black streaks of mascara truly made me take a step back. They forced me towards, dare I say, humility.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3-4, NIV

‘Self’-Filled

We live in a world where meekness is rare, and the focus on ‘self’ is common. Self-esteem, self-help, self-affirmation, self-aware, self-care… there’s a LONG list of ‘self’ words. Seriously, Google it.

Listen, self-affirmation isn’t a new thing. But it seems to be more prevalent these days. Maybe my eyes are open now, but there just seems to be a heavy push to remember who we are. “Who I am.” And while I believe in affirmation (seriously I do), I can’t help but wonder if we are remembering that these truths are the same for our fellow humans too.

Most affirmations, especially if aligned with the truth of the Bible, are genuine and honest. But we can’t forget that we aren’t unique in that we are loved or chosen or beautiful or known. Guess what? If we are all created by God, we are ALL every single bit of those things. The Bible is for everyone who accepts its truth… We were created by God, in His image.

When I finally allowed my mouth to shut up, the streaks of mascara to serve their purpose, and the Holy Spirit to take over, I was urged to surrender. Surrender my vanity and think back. Further… further… further still. So far that I thought on the creation of the universe and Who molded each intricate particle…

Shine of Humility

Humility, but also shame washed over me. This other human was knit together in the same fashion, molded by the same hands, and loved to the same degree by our Beautiful Creator. And, in this moment I allowed my heart to love what the Lord loves, and hate what the Lord hates…

Here are six things God and one more that he loathes with a passion: eyes that are arrogant, a tongue that lies, hands that murder the innocent, a heart that hatches evil plots, feet that race down a wicked track, a mouth that lies under oath, a troublemaker in the family.

Proverbs 6:16-19, MSG

It’s no coincidence that arrogance is first on the list. Pride goes before all destruction (Proverbs 16:18). Arrogance is dark, dull and, above all, an absolute liar!

Pride says – I can shine like the stars…

Humility says – Jesus shine through me!

Unity

It’s not as though my intentions are ultimately selfish. In fact, they seem to be the opposite. Outwardly, I’m excited when others succeed, but inwardly I become jealous… Oooh, that’s ugly! Maybe I can apply the fake it ’till you make it rule??

Our motivation in the world should be driven from our love of God and our love for our neighbor. When we get caught up in our own selfish motives and ambitions, the body of Christ starts to deteriorate. If we consider each other above ourselves, then we create a beautiful community. A community where everyone is esteemed in high regard and no one is looked down on…

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Philippians 4:1-3, NIV

Our motivation should be driven from our love of God and our love for our neighbor. When we get caught up in our own selfish motives and ambitions, the body of Christ starts to deteriorate. Click To Tweet

A By-Product

When pride and selfishness rule, there’s no room for the Holy Spirit. When we bring ourselves to a place of surrender, there the Spirit of the Lord can dwell.

If we are living now by the Holy Spirit’s power, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Then we won’t need to look for honors and popularity, which lead to jealousy and hard feelings.

Galatians 5:25-26, TLB

Here’s the thing… to think I can achieve this level of humility on my own is prideful too. The only real way is to surrender myself to the Holy Spirit. When we allow the Holy Spirit room, He does miraculous things. He makes us so much better. He shines so we don’t have to (and thank goodness because I don’t want that pressure).

In our attempt to shine brighter and brighter, we must learn that dimming the light of arrogance is the only true way God can shine through us. We are His vessels on the Earth. We carry His light (Philippians 2:15), the only way to shine is allowing God’s light above all else.

Ultimately, you can’t just gain humility through practice to make it a character trait. Humility is a product of drawing near and spending time with Jesus. When we seek after Him, we inadvertently become more like Him.

gratitude, humility, humble, Oh Lord Help Us, Christian, ministry

Humble: Accept the Thank You and Move On

Devotionals, Stay SaneJune 19, 2018June 28, 2019

Accepting gratitude for a job well done seems to be a hard thing to do. Our desire to be humble doesn’t mean that we can’t accept thank you without a qualifier.

“Thank you for staying late to help.” “No problem. It really wasn’t a big deal.” Even though I had to have my husband pick up my son from tae kwon do, change dinner plans, and cancel another meeting.

“That dessert is awesome.” “It’s just something I threw together.” Even though I had to make an extra trip to the grocery store, not go to the park to play with my little boy, and feed my family sandwiches for dinner since I had to baby sit the cake to make sure it didn’t fall.

“My kid loves being in your class. Thanks for all the extra help.” “It’s my job and I’m happy to do it.” Which I am, but it takes a lot of extra effort and time to text parents after school, put together meaningful assignments that help each child, and means I usually work from 7:30-5:30 everyday.

Maybe some of these situations sound like something you have encountered. Do you find yourself, like me, brushing off the compliment? I wonder why that is. Why can’t we just say “Thank you” and move on?

A Desire to be Humble

I have a theory that women have a predisposition to appear humble. Humbleness means we are gentle, cooperative and together therefore accepting a compliment that includes “thank you” is difficult.

But I submit to you lovely, humble readers that “thank you” is exactly what we should say and leave it there. Don’t diminish your work.

Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.

Proverbs 27:2, NIV

As long as you are not touting your own accomplishments, you should accept the gratitude of others. Let me ask you, do you want your daughter to brush off her accomplishments? Do you want God to brush off your accomplishments done in His service? Absolutely not. That sounds absurd doesn’t it?

As long as you are not touting your own accomplishments, you should accept the gratitude of others. Click To Tweet

Gratitude

God invites us to a life of gratitude and thanksgiving. He is so proud of us when we choose to follow Him and the path He sets out for each of us. Sometimes that involves baking a cake, making a meeting that was unplanned, or teaching His children. Saying “thank you” acknowledges the hard work you did.

Pray like it depends on God and work like it depends on you.

Mark Batterson, The Circle Maker

These are cherished words in my heart because they show the partnership I have with my Heavenly Father. We are together in this world and He is always near. In a very real way I need to accept the “thank you” for both of us. And so do you.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV

The Take Away

This is something I need to work on. Recently I was talking about why I have such a hard time accepting “thank you” without a qualifier that makes it seem like it is no big deal. I think the need to be humble is part of it, but not all. Maybe some of it is because all the women in my life have made similar statements in the face of gratitude and I am following their example.

But I don’t want my children to do the same. I want them to feel proud of their accomplishments because we pray over them. We give thanks to God for His direction, we ask for help when things don’t seem to be going exactly right, and we give glorious praise when the course ends up being more wonderful than the bumps along the way. How can we not accept gratitude when He is part of the equation of our lives?

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Colossians 4:2, NIV

So in light of my new discovery, I want to ask God to help me be more accepting of the gratitude of others.

Dear God,

Please open my ears and heart the the thankfulness of others. Help me discern the difference between boastfulness and gratitude. Let me remember that You are a part of all gratitude and that in accepting it fully I am drawing closer to You and the path You have set before me.

love,

This is where the story changes…

Annie Spratt

Consumed: Too Many Choices Distract Us From What We Truly Need

Devotionals, Stay SaneJanuary 14, 2018September 8, 2019

Our culture is consumed with satisfying our needs however we deem best, but we still crave more. We are created to to be filled by Christ alone.

I’ve been asking myself the same question for the past month. It’s that scene from You’ve Got Mail where Kathleen Kelly says, “I’m wondering about my work and all. I mean, what is it that I do exactly? All I really do is run a children’s bookstore…” Except I exchange bookstore for ministry. Couldn’t anyone do this job?

There are days when my heart and flesh fail. I want to get through a Sunday morning with zero hiccups and have so many volunteers I have to turn people away. But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. He shows me how need leads to Him being able to show up at the last minute and save the day. God really likes to do that because He gets all the glory!

Consumed: Too Many Options

It’s easy to slip into the show up, fill up, go home mentality. It’s like an entire generation of pirates, “Take what you need. Give nothing back.” Every day presents us with scads of choices. Do you want a small or medium latte? Would you rather have chicken or hamburgers for dinner? Should you go with highlights, balayage or a solid color at the salon? Our options are abundant. When we walk through the doors of our churches it’s enticing to bring those expectations with us.

Options have been a thriving part of western society for the last few generations. As a result, self-absorption is now an inbred disease. We’ve all seen adults acting like toddlers, right? When they don’t get their way they whine and moan. Maybe you are that person. I’ve certainly digressed to infantile behavior on more than one occasion. It wasn’t pretty. I’m glad you weren’t there to see it.

Some churches succumb to giving tantrum-throwers a watered-down gospel that neither convicts nor produces change. At best, it offers a gold “I went to church today” sticker. Maybe we saw a few friends and got goose bumps during one of the worship songs. In our society we are easily bored. If something doesn’t dazzle us we’re on to the next thing.

Consumed: What We Need

Hold up! The gospel is dazzling! The Christian life is never boring! So what are we missing?

God takes our lives and changes our story. He fixes our mess and changes our want-to. Jesus doesn’t charge us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness so everything we need might be given to us. No; He said He will give us all the other things we need.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10, ESV

The early days of my faith were just that—faith. I professed Jesus Christ as Lord and by faith I continued to claim Christianity. But now I have come to know and believe the love God has for me.

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

1 John 4:16, ESV

He is the One and only. I want to be done toying around like this faith owes me something for being a long-standing member. Need motivates. Rapidly consuming and moving on to the next thing seems to merely produce more clutter. And don’t we all long for a simplified life?

His love heals the self-absorbed ego and enables us to notice and be sensitive to others around us.

Timothy Keller

If you have found this inspiring, share the encouragement…

Need leads to God being able to show up at the last minute and save the day. Click To Tweet

Evan Dennis

We are messy people who make messes, but God redeems those messes and makes us beautiful.

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