New Perspective through Gratitude

"Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice." (Proverbs 13:10)

What is courage? Do you feel you are brave, or courageous? I certainly don't. I find myself always second-guessing decisions I make. Even after praying about them, I still waiver. Why? A lack of trust is where I always return; never totaling relying on God for my needs.

So, does that mean that if I do trust I will never have to wonder where my next meal is coming from, how I will pay the hospital bill?  Matthew 6:33 says to, "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you."

Those times when I begin to consider all that could go wrong with my life, my future, I have learned to take a deep breath and count my blessings. I know, that sounds so trite and illogical, irrational even, but it works. As the list grows, my eyes are opened to just how fortunate I am and then just how thankful I should be.

Life is filled with ups and downs and uncertainty, but that is exactly where our faith steps in. That is why our daily devotional readings often teach us that it is during these difficult times we grow. It is during the darkest hours we turn to God and He loves us through it all. He sends the Holy Spirit and we find peace and we discover the gift of thankfullness through gratitude and humility.


Proverbs 13:10-14

A Lesson in Confession

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)

This verse is a stumbling block to me. 

Isn’t it enough that I confess my sins to God? I’m not Catholic, after all. I believe in salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, for as Romans 10:13 proclaims, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Why then need I confess my sins to others?

Consider that other alone: Scripture alone. The Bible - the whole Bible! - is the inspired word of God and the sole infallible rule of faith and practice. That includes James 5:16. Further, this is not about justification; it’s about sanctification. We do not confess our sins to each other so that we may be forgiven or justified; we confess our sins to each other so that we may be healed.

So why don’t I do it?

Because people would think less of me. Confident though I may be in God’s amazing grace and unconditional love, I don’t fully trust His church to mirror His character. I fear their haughty eyes and self-righteous condemnation. I desire their approval, their admiration even, so under a veil of righteousness I hide my sinful heart.

Who then do I aim to please - God or man? Who do I glorify - God or self?

I must confess I have sought to please man that I might be glorified. This verse is a stumbling block to me because I have a pride problem. Pray for me so that I may be healed.

Who's in? Who's out?

READ: Acts 13:38-47

Who got invited to the party and who didn’t? Who made the team and who got cut? Who got the promotion and who fell short?

People love to ask these questions because if we’re in, we’re superior.

So, naturally, the Jews (who were in as God’s people) felt superior to the Gentiles (who were out).

Yet in Acts 13:39, Paul preaches that through Jesus everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.

We’re all in!

“But that’s not fair!” cries the voice of pride. “It’s because of my superiority and hard work that I got invited to that party, made that team, and earned that promotion! Doesn’t my extra effort count for anything?”

Jesus addresses this complaint in The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matt 20:1-16). Though many worked different hours, they all received the same wage - the full grace of God.

Again in Luke 7:36-50, a prideful Pharisee is offended by Christ’s association with a sinful woman. Jesus’s response? He commends the woman, for because she was forgiven more, she loved more.

For some, this idea that everyone is invited into the Kingdom of God is such an offense to pride that they join those who in verse 45 speak abusively against the Gospel.

To them Jesus responds, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God ahead of you.” (Matt 21:31)

Twice-humbled

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.”  So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.  Luke 5:10b-11

It is a curious grace to reach the empty end of ourselves.  Like frustrated fishermen, we have cast enormous nets for our own glory only to be disappointed with our catch.  Whether we’ve hauled in knowledge or wealth, fame or stature, advancement or achievement, none have measured up to our expectations.  Dissatisfied, we drop our nets again and again in search for more and more, until we realize and confess the futility and mockery of “it’s all about me.”  And in these precious times of truth so convicting, we relinquish our pride so unfulfilling. 

Yet what God empties he also fills.  We are thus twice-humbled: deservedly brought low in the pride of our sinful nature, and graciously raised up as partakers in Christ’s divine nature.  Is it any wonder when called to follow Jesus, Peter and his friends left it all behind to follow him?  And doesn’t his love compel us to do the same?

Then how amazing the things God does through people humbled in their flesh and living boldly in the humility of Christ!  For, who but the heart awakened by grace rises to seek and to serve those once distanced in indifference or contempt?  Who releases grudges held against others but those who sigh in relief over their own sins forgiven?  Who lives as ambassadors of the Kingdom of God but those he has liberated from fear?  Who stands in prayer against the powers of darkness but the one who has overcome them in Christ?  And only in the love and power of Christ’s sacrifice do we sacrifice our life, in turn, for him.  

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time,” wrote Peter (1 Peter 5:6).  He’d seen it modeled somewhere before ... 

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance of a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! 

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:5-11 

Who is Malcolm Butler?

1 Timothy 6

 

If you know the answer to the title question, then you either a) love NFL football; b) love the New England Patriots; or c) actually watched the Super Bowl game and not just the commercials and half-time show. Malcolm is the rookie free agent defensive back who single handledly put an end to the drive that would have allowed the Seatle Seahawks to win two consecutive Super Bowls.

 

Some players when they make a big play are all about making themselves the center of attention. Malcolm seemed to be the exact opposite. Following the game the NBC sideline reporter had to chase him down to get an interview. And when she asked him a question, he seemed emotional to the point that he could barely respond. He did anything but come across as if the whole game depended on him.

 

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment”.    1 Timothy 6:17

 

Apparently some of the believers in Ephesus had a problem with money – imagine that! Human nature hasn’t changed much has it? Even back in the first century people put too much emphasis; too much trust; too much hope in their money.

 

But, this verse has a much wider application for us than money. The question isn’t do you put your hope in wealth, but what do you put your hope in? It could be money; but it could just as easily be a relationship, your career, your abilities – really almost anything.

 

Our human nature trusts in ourselves. We trust in what we can see and control. We live in an earthly body that is prone to desire what is here and now, and then to take credit for it when we get it. It’s called pride, and we all struggle with it.

 

It would have been easy for Malcolm Butler to take all the credit; to say I worked hard to get where I’m at and I deserve this; to say my hope all along has been in me and my efforts. But he didn’t. In fact, after intercepting the pass, as he ran to the sidelines, he pointed up. I took this to mean, give God the glory.

 

What do you hope in; trust in; have faith in? In the above verse Paul wrote Timothy to tell the rich Ephesians to “put their hope in God”. Like the rich Ephesians, we need to identify what we hope and trust in other than God; confess it and embrace our Heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally and gives us every good gift.

 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20timothy%206&version=NIV;MSG

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/1Tim.6

 

Sarcastic Tone - 1 Corinthians 4:8-13 (MSG)

Have you ever been the brunt of someone's sarcasm?  Have you felt the sting a sarcastic remark inflicted? Sarcasm is a negative word and is often used to put another in their place.  It would seem that is just what Paul is doing in verse 8 when he says, "You already have all you need. You already have more access to God than you can handle. Without bringing either Apollos or me into it, you're sitting on top of the world—at least God's world—and we're right there, sitting alongside you!

Paul is talking about their pride and arrogance in this passage. These words remind us today to be careful not to boast about ourselves or judge others.  The Corinthian believers viewed the apostles as trash, coming from the wrong side of the tracks.  The Corinthian believers were worldly, treasuring money and prestige.  Paul was calling them to task, warning them and reminding them of their heritage and encouraging them to repent.

This is a lesson many of us could learn as well.  How often do I value 'things' more than people?  God, help me during this Lenten season, to turn from worldly ways and seek you only, trust you only. Show me how to set aside any arrogance or pride I have that would get in the way of your will.

Read our passage for today at Biblegateway and 1 Corinthians 4:8-13.

Jesus, have you noticed my boys? - Matthew 20:17-34

For many years my mother worked as a waitress in a supper club. She often told stories of a customer's demands from the evening; a menu item they wanted changed, requests for free sample plates, and so on. I was always impressed with the kind, but firm come-backs she would have for them.

In our Scripture for today, Jesus uses a mother's exuberance for her sons' well-being, to give us a lesson in servant hood. It is comical to read this passage and realize the sons were in on this venture to get second and third billing. It is comforting to hear Jesus' response, His kind but firm reply to them. He simply said, “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” (Matthew 20:22)

My mother's job was to serve others; she got paid to do this. I learned from our talks that serving wasn't always fun, serving others often caused her to swallow her pride and put up with another's foolish demands. Jesus wanted to be sure these brothers, as well as the rest of His disciples, knew what lie ahead. He used this time to teach them they would suffer for His sake. He taught them that to love is to serve and to serve is to love.

This lesson is true for us today.  Do you have a story to share about serving with love.  What does it mean to have a servant's heart?

Read the entire text for today here.

Tax Man and the Pharisee - Luke 18:9-14

It takes effort to practice humility.  Keeping pride under control isn't easy.  I must examine my heart and my motives daily and acknowledge my sinfulness. I guess that is why it is called practice.  It doesn't come naturally for me to admit this shortcoming.  My pride gets in my way every day.

Any writer will tell you it is fun to create a mystery, reveal a strange turn of events, step by step, while taking a few liberties by changing things up a bit to keep you, the reader, engaged and on your toes.  The good guy, bad guy theme appears in most stories, one way or another.

I have read and heard this story many times, but I never noticed before today, the role reversal going on. The 'good guy', the one who should have been wearing the 'white hat', is actually the one we do not want to be like.  But, the man who wore the black hat of tax collector is lifted up as worthy of emulating.

The script goes something like this, with the religious leader saying:  "Oh God, I thank you that I am not like other people--robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man." (Luke 18:12).  It continues with the tax man, the one everyone loves to hate, saying: "God, give mercy.  Forgive me, a sinner." (Luke 18:13)

I need to look into the mirror and see just what color hat I am wearing today.

To read the complete text for today click here .  To return to this posting hit the back arrow.

God's Unstopable Perfection Genesus 27

Have you ever had an instance where you prayed God would use you despite your imperfections? I have prayed countless times that God would intervene and be glorified in spite of my ignorance. I have prayed that he would intercede or open my eyes to my short comings. Why God continues to use me after I fail Him over and over is a miracle in itself.

In today’s scripture we see Jacob, the man God chooses to continue his covenant through, being very deceitful. He is scheming against his brother, coercing him into giving up what is rightly his and then deceiving his own father. This is not who we would call a man of God. Jacob rarely acts with integrity when we see him in scripture, but God continues to bless him. God has a plan and not even Jacob’s self-centered actions will stop that plan.

God can and does work even with our sin. I praise Him for that. I don’t ever want to act like Jacob, but the reality is I do. There are times when I look out for myself or my family and act in ways that do not bring God glory. I am not proud of that and I pray I will act more like God each day, but I am grateful that His plan will not be stopped. His will for all of creation will be carried out to the end.
Read the entire scripture on Biblegateway Genesis 27