Pride....that annoying tag along

Pride likes to follow us wherever we go.  At times, it tags along and we don't even realize it.  It is never a good thing and should not be a welcomed guest.  Pride's goal is to seperate us from our Creator.  It tries to place us higher than God.  Impossible!

As I thought about pride, I came up with a few examples. 

I want my hair to look just right today.
I need to be a certain size so that I look good for __________.
Man, I rock!  I just accomplished __________________.
I refuse to forgive completely.  The other person is in the wrong.
Looking past our faults and finding fault in others.
Building walls.
Glorifying our children's achievements so that we can feel like a wonderful parent.
I need _____________ to accept me so that I will feel good.
Striving for popularity.
Comparing blog follower numbers.
Keeping up with the neighbors.

I could keep the list going and make it a mile long just from my own experiences.  The thought of that stings! 

Isaiah 42:8
I am Yahweh, that is My name;
I will not give My glory to another,
Or My praise to idols.

A gigantic obstacle in having an abundant life is pride.  Glorifying ourselves rather than God will only bring heartache.  God desires that we look to Him and glorify Him.  We MUST acknowledge Him.  He is not narcissitic in any way, shape, or form.  His desire for us  to glorify Him is for our own benefit.  He knows that when we set ourselves aside and look to Him, our lives are greater and freer than we could ever imagine.  When our focus turns to God, our life changes forever.  Looking good to others no longer matters.  Pleasing and praising God is what our life becomes.  Nothing is sweeter and more peaceful than giving God EVERYTHING. 

Prior to having a true relationship with Jesus, I wore pride everywhere I went.  I was greatly concerned with what other people thought.  I lived to please people over God.  When I would walk away from someone, I would play our conversation over and over in my head.  Did I say anything foolish?  I wanted to look just right for everyone I was around....physically and personally.

I am a walking, talking poster child for what pride can do to someone.  I used to have major stomach issues.  I did whatever it took to please people.  I have come to realize that I must have been one annoying girl!!  Releasing myself to Jesus and putting my concern in Him alone has made a huge difference in my life.  My relationships have meaning and my health is so much better.  I don't fret about my encounters and am free to love people the way Jesus wants me to. 

Does that mean I never deal with pride?  Absolutely not!!  It will sneak up on me and invade my thoughts and behaviors.  The difference now is that I recognize it much sooner and give it straight to Jesus.  I think that's the key to a relationship with our Savior, our Redeemer.  We must stay in constant communication with Him. 

Pride is nasty and brings nothing good.  It will steal, kill, and destroy our hearts.  May we look to Jesus and His opinion of us.  I love the thought of Him looking at His children and saying, "Well done my beautiful girl!!"

Have a wonderful weekend.  My love to everyone! xoxo

Marci

Redemption~Doubt (Part 1)

Genesis 3:1-5
1  Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made.  He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You can't eat from any tree in the garden'?"
2  The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit from the trees in the garden.
3  But about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God said, 'You must not eat it or touch it, or you will die.'"
4  "No!  You will not die," the serpent said to the woman.
5  "In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

Satan was trying to fill Eve's mind with doubt.  He asked the question in a way that made it seem like he was looking out for her.  Satan was trying to make God's command appear negative.  He tried to make God look controling rather than loving. 

There are many times when people, and the world in general, fill our heads with doubt.  Christians can be called boring Bettys and no fun Sallys.  We can be made to feel so ignorant and out of the loop that we question what God really wants for us.  Really?  I can't watch that TV program?  We try to be in charge of our lives.  We tell ourselves that we can handle it.  This little bit won't hurt.  We hear ourselves say, "I need to fit in because if I don't, how else will I share Jesus?"  Ah, we turn it around on our Savior.  We are hopeless creatures without Him in front of us leading our every step.  Any time we try and rationalize that something is for Jesus, it is most certainly not.

Doubt, in and of itself, is not a sin.  God made us to have questioning minds.  Because of our doubts, we are able to go deeper in our relationship with Christ.  We are able to search His word and pray about doubts.  If we never doubted, we would believe everything we ever heard and our relationship would be shaky, at best.  Doubt becomes a sin when we act upon it or we turn our backs on God's truths.  When doubt creeps into our minds, we must immediately turn to God's word.  We must determine what He wants us to do.  

Think about a time when you were filled with doubt and began thinking you were too uptight.  (It could be over a TV show, book others were reading, gossip, etc.)  What choice did you make and what was the outcome of that choice?

As I ponder that question, I realize that everytime I have turned my back on Jesus, I have been miserable.  Choosing Him will never disappoint you. 

If you are currently experiencing doubt in your life, turn to Jesus.  He hears His children call every single time.  He will redeem your heart and give you a peace like nothing else can.  When in doubt, choose God. 



 

Redemption~Searching for worth

For years, I had no idea who I truly was.  I thought I was what people made me out to be.  I was beautiful when someone would look at me, I was worthy when someone paid attention to me, and I was worthless when someone rejected me.  I allowed the world to define me.  While I pretended to be all that and more, I was secretly miserable.  Anytime we allow ourselves to be defined by others, we will never be fulfilled or satisfied.  We will be left needing more and wanting more. 

I am thrilled to say I no longer live this way. Because I have experienced life on both sides, I am more aware of women who are living for the world's approval over God's approval.  It saddens my heart when I see women searching for their identity.  Some look to men, others look to money, some look to their children's activities, while others pretend to have it all together because they would feel like failures if they admitted they needed help. 

Recently, I was around a woman who wants everyone to think she has it going on.  She is very into status and what other's think of her and her family.  She is quick to look down upon anyone who threatens her feelings of worth.  As I watched her and listened to her, I felt so sad for her.  She desperately wants others to believe she has it all together.  Sadly, nothing will satisfy her and quench her soul like the love of Jesus. 


Thankfully, when we come to Jesus, He will define us and complete us.  He redeems lives lost in the hustle and bustle of this world.  We will never find our worth in anything but Jesus.  When we compare ourselves to others and/or look for our worth in our surroundings, we will be miserable and lonely.  True peace and worth come from Jesus.  He doesn't care what size your home is, what kind of car you drive, how much money is in your bank account, and what activities your children are involved in.  He cares about your heart.  When we let go of the world's view of status and focus on status with Jesus, it is so freeing. 

Today, I pray for each woman by name that I know who is searching for worth.  I also pray for those I don't know.  May all women know that they are worthy and loved by Jesus.  May they slow down, take a breath, and realize the freedom to be Jesus's girl.  I can promise you that there is nothing more defining and wonderful than the love Jesus gives. Nothing will bring you more joy, peace, and fulfillment than when He whispers in your ear that He is proud of you for choosing Him over this world.

Redemption~closed mouths

Esther 4:14
If you keep silent at this time, liberation and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father's house will be destroyed.  Who knows, perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.

I love the story of Esther.  She saves the Jewish people from destruction because she has courage and strength.  She did not come from a strong home.  Both of her parents died and she was raised by her cousin.  She easily could have hidden behind her insecurities and the things life had dealth her.  She didn't.  She chose to take a stand for God's people.  She is an example of a woman who knew what was right and did it, despite the fear of severe consequences.

Let's look at someone else from the Bible who loved the Lord, yet did not stand up for Him or His people.  King Jotham became king after his father, King Uzziah, died.  For most of King Uzziah's life, he did what was right in God's eyes.  However, towards the end of his life, he became arrogant and went into the Temple to burn incense.  He was told to leave by the priests.  He became angry and refused.  A terrible skin disease immediately came upon him and he died due to the disease.  He was remembered for the disease rather than his accomplishements.

2 Kings 15:34-35
34  He (King Jotham) did what was right in the Lord's sight just as his father, King Uzziah had done.  
35  Yet, the high places were not taken away; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places.  It was Jotham who built the Upper Gate of the Lord's temple

King Jotham did was right, except (big except) he didn't speak up when people were disrespecting God and going against His ways.  

Beth Moore puts it this way, "Jotham sought God faithfully and walked steadfastly before Him,  but he refused to demand respect for the one and only God.  Jotham was boss.  He could have destroyed the high places, but he obviously feared the people more than he feared God."

Ouch....big ouch!

As I read and studied King Jotham, I quickly saw myself in him.  I love God with all of my heart and I try and live a life that honors Him.  However, how often do I keep my mouth closed when people around me are mocking Him and blatantly disobeying Him?  Sadly, I have to admit a lot.  I don't want to appear to be sister Christian who thinks she is holier than thou and judging all those around me.  I struggle with what to say.  More often than not, I walk away feeling icky.  Instead of relying on the Holy Spirit to give me loving words to speak, I clam up for fear of offending the person.  I wonder, is merely serving God with a closed mouth so not to offend others offending Him?

My prayer for today is that I open my heart to God completely.  May I love Him with all I have and all I am.  May I be more like Esther than like King Jotham.  I pray that I will trust the Holy Spirit to lead me in situations where I am too weak to speak.  May I trust my Redeemer to give me everything I need, including loving words that have just the right amount of salt to be loving, yet honor God.  I pray this for all of you too.  May we all be Esthers today.




 

Redemption~Evil's Disguise

Satan used the serpent to tempt Adam and Eve.  He was full of manipulation and deceit, just as he is today.  Satan was not out to make friends with Adam and Eve.  His desire was to make certain that they were no longer friends with their Creator.  He made sure that he made them believe he was on their side and for their good.  In fact, he was only looking to his own agenda.  His goal then and now is seperate us from God.  Satan is crafty and sly enough to convince us that we must look out for ourselves.  He tries to tell us that number one is us and not God. 

Satan is forever angry that he lost his position in heaven.  He is beyond mad, he is humiliated and wants revenge.  He will stop at nothing to turn anyone he can away from God.  He wants us to be seperated from our Father by following our egos rather than following our Maker.  Charles Stanley says it this way, "If Satan could not defeat God the best thing was to defeat His prized creation."

Good ol' pride brought down Satan.  Funny, he uses pride to bring us down too.  Satan whispers in our ears that our choices to honor ourselves won't hurt anyone.  In fact, if we are happy, he tells us, then everyone around us will be happy too.  We hear the "I am" statements and believe them. 

I am unhappy with my spouse.  He's not fun anymore.
I am tired of pleasing everyone else.  It's time to focus on me for a change.
I am important, therefore, I can do what makes me feel good.
I am a child of God. (True)  He wants me to be happy so I choose to ___________(fill in the blank with selfish decisions.)
I am overweight so I choose to starve myself to feel better.
I am not my family's maid.  I refuse to keep my house tidy.
I am a good person so it's okay to make this choice.

We must never forget that there is only one I AM and that is Jesus Christ.  Proverbs 16:18 tells us that pride comes before destruction and an arrogant spirit before a fall.  I don't know about you, but that scares me.  Who on earth plans for destruction to enter her life?  Sadly, we do any time our hearts are full of pride.  Any time we puff ourselves up and think we are it, we have a prideful spirit.  We are to love ourselves as Christ does, but we must never think higher of ourselves than others.  Jesus blesses us in so many ways.  May we always give credit where credit is due.  May we boast in our Lord and Savior and not ourselves.  May our eyes be constantly on our Redeemer.

Redemption~Desires of the flesh

Genesis 2:16-17
16  "You are free to eat from any tree of the garden,
17  but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on that day that you eat from it, you will certainly die."

God lovingly provided everything that Adam and Eve needed.  They could eat from any tree they desired, except one.  No where does it state that the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was poisonous to the body.  Make no mistake though, any time God restricts us from something, it is always poisonous to our souls.  Disobeying God's restrictions will surely bring toxins to our lives.  I can say with perfect certainty that anytime I've disobeyed God, my entire body has felt it.  My heart becomes very heavy and a knot will fix itself in my belly.

In Galatians 5:16-26 God clearly describes the spirit vs. the flesh.  He tells us to walk by the spirit and we will not carry the desires of the flesh (v. 16).  The desires of the flesh are listed as well as the fruits of the Spirit.  They are complete opposites of one another.  They never compliment one another. 

Think about the desires of the flesh that pull at you.  As you make a mental list, think about what triggers your desires/actions.  What things cause you to fall victim to the desires?

At times, I can become jealous.  My trigger stems from insecurities I struggle with.  During these times, my focus is not on Jesus, but rather on me.  Giving into my flesh causes me heartache every stinkin' time. 

The fruits of the Spirit:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self control.

When we geniunely walk with Jesus and go to Him with all things, we are blessed with the fruits of the Spirit.  The restrictions given to us by God are not meant to hinder us in any way.  It's when we choose to ignore God's loving guidance that we are hindered.   Obeying Hin brings out the fruits of the Spirit.  When we obey God we are filled beyond measure with fruits.  I love the way that works.  He shows us redemption in the most awesome of ways!  The fruit for Adam and Eve was harmful, yet His fruit for us is freeing.

Isn't He amazing??  May you overflow with His wonderful fruits.  Eat up my friend! :)

Redemption...Whistle while you work

Redemption takes place when Jesus saves us from any sin, error, or evil.  I am so thankful that His redemptive love isn't just a one time thing.  Jesus redeems us anytime we ask for our hearts to be changed.  I don't know about you, but my human heart is in constant need of redemption.

Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Jesus Christ you are serving. 

We have huge impacts on everyone we come into contact with.  We can either resemble Jesus or we can resemble the world.  A very important place we impact others is in our place of work.  I am not only speaking of a job that gives you a paycheck.  I am referring to anything you are doing.  This can be motherhood, volunteering, etc.  Every kind of work we do is meaningful. 

Let's be honest.  Sometimes the work we do, regardless of what it is, leaves us feeling burdened and unappreciated.  We feel like we are working our tails off, yet no one notices.  This can lead to a bad attitude.  I speak from experience, I am in no way pointing fingers.  Our bad attitude will seperate us from God every single time.  I thought about the times I developed a bad attitude and it occurred to me that my pride cried out to be first every stinking time. 

I wanted others to realize my hard work...pride
I wanted to hear "thank you"...pride

And the list could go on and on...


I read Colossians 3:23-24 and realized that the work I was doing wasn't for the Lord, it was for recognition from others.  Ouch!  I bowed my head and asked Jesus to forgive me.  I thanked Him for allowing me and trusting me in my position.  Once my focus turned to Him, my attitude completely changed.

Are you feeling overwhelmed and unappreciated? 

A woman I know gave me the following.  It's a bit long, but well worth the read.  I have it on our fridge so I can read it often.  I need the reminder more often than not.

Continue On

By:  Roy Lessin

 

A woman once fretted over the

usefulness of her life.  She feared she was

wasting her potential being a devoted wife and

mother.  She wondered if the time and

energy she invested in her husband and

children would make a difference.

 

At times she got discouraged because so

much of what she did seemed to go unnoticed

and unappreciated.  "Is it worth it?" she often

wondered.  "Is there something better that

I could be doing with my time?"

 

It was during one of these moments of

questioning that she heard the still small voice

of her Heavenly Father speak to her heart.

"You are a wife and mother because that is

what I have called you to be.  Much of what

you do is hidden from the public eye.  But I

notice.  Most of what you give is done without

remuneration.  But I am your reward.

 

Your husband cannot be the man

I have called him to be without your support.

Your influence on him is greater than you

think and more powerful than you

will ever know.  I bless him through your service

and honor him through your love. 

Your children are precious to Me.  Even more

precious than they are to you.  I have

entrusted them to your care to raise for Me.

What you invest in them is an offering to Me.

 

You may never be in the public spotlight.

But your obedience shines as a bright light

before Me.  Continue on.  Remember

you are My servant.  Do all to please Me."

 

May your heart be lifted today of any burdens you are feeling.  Everything you do is for the Lord.  Know that He is well pleased with you.