Putting Down Pride
Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence; they will be singing Your praises all the day long. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
—Psalm 84:4
Once in the habit of spending time with God, you will miss these encounters if you start your day without talking and listening to Him. You can spend time with God anywhere, while doing anything—in the grocery store, or while cleaning house, for example. I have had great encounters with God while driving my car.
God is always listening for the sound of your voice calling out to Him. Develop a ready ear for His voice too. Whatever you have to do today, do it with the Lord. Acknowledge Him and talk to Him about everything. You will greatly enjoy His company.
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.”
Luke 9:46–48
An English pastor of the 1700s, James Hervey, recounted a conversation that he had with a faithful layman in his church that gave him a new appreciation for the dangers of pride to the Christian life. They were talking about the things that hinder spiritual growth, and at one point Hervey said, “I believe the difficulty is our reluctance to renounce our sinful self.” The old farmer looked at him for a few moments and then replied, “No, I believe the greatest difficulty is to renounce our righteous self.”
We easily give in to the temptation of pride because it is such a comforting sin. There are many worldly activities that leave us filled with guilt if we indulge them, but the sin of pride soothes and uplifts us. It is, of course, a false comfort, but so often we fail to recognize that root of pride has taken hold in our heart, and has led us to think of ourselves more highly than we should. Again and again the disciples had a conflict over which of them would have the most important role in God’s work.
God is not interested in our high opinion of ourselves, for He knows us as we really are. If we insist on our honor and glory, we forfeit our access to His grace and He holds us at arms’ length. James wrote, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6).
Luke 9:46–48
An English pastor of the 1700s, James Hervey, recounted a conversation that he had with a faithful layman in his church that gave him a new appreciation for the dangers of pride to the Christian life. They were talking about the things that hinder spiritual growth, and at one point Hervey said, “I believe the difficulty is our reluctance to renounce our sinful self.” The old farmer looked at him for a few moments and then replied, “No, I believe the greatest difficulty is to renounce our righteous self.”
We easily give in to the temptation of pride because it is such a comforting sin. There are many worldly activities that leave us filled with guilt if we indulge them, but the sin of pride soothes and uplifts us. It is, of course, a false comfort, but so often we fail to recognize that root of pride has taken hold in our heart, and has led us to think of ourselves more highly than we should. Again and again the disciples had a conflict over which of them would have the most important role in God’s work.
God is not interested in our high opinion of ourselves, for He knows us as we really are. If we insist on our honor and glory, we forfeit our access to His grace and He holds us at arms’ length. James wrote, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6).
Today’s Growth Principle:
If we seek to make ourselves great, we will fail to receive the grace we need for victorious living.
Pray Anywhere
by Joyce Meyer - posted April 09, 2016Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence; they will be singing Your praises all the day long. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
—Psalm 84:4
Once in the habit of spending time with God, you will miss these encounters if you start your day without talking and listening to Him. You can spend time with God anywhere, while doing anything—in the grocery store, or while cleaning house, for example. I have had great encounters with God while driving my car.
God is always listening for the sound of your voice calling out to Him. Develop a ready ear for His voice too. Whatever you have to do today, do it with the Lord. Acknowledge Him and talk to Him about everything. You will greatly enjoy His company.
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