"Return, Israel, to the LORD your God. Your sins have been your downfall!" (Hosea 14:1 NIV)
In
the seventh chapter of Hosea, the prophet tells us that it is "pride"
that keeps people from returning to The Lord. Although, the reference to
the Children of Israel then was specifically for them, it is yet applicable to us, today. Understanding what God has said to others who came before us, is critical--knowing why it was said then and how it is applicable now!
When
God came down from heaven and hung on the cross--the ultimate sacrifice
for sin--He did it for everyone. "For God so loved the world that He
gave His only son so whoever believes in Him would be saved and not
perish." (paraphrased) Whoever believes! Are we not all--whoevers?
In
times past, God used those who were willing to speak for Him--though
their lives were constantly in danger from those who did not believe
God. His prophets--or spokespersons warned people time after time of the
dangers they would encounter if they did not repent of their sins.
God is yet using those who are willing to be His spokespersons to warn people about their demise if they continue in sin. Why won't people hear? Their pride and egos get in the way. It is not that they do not know they sin--they have chosen to defy God's Word to pacify flesh and to do whatever they want to do. These are the people who "think" they are the masters of their own fate and it is pride that gives them the impetus to feel that way. They have forgotten that "pride" is one of the seven things God hates.
When we refuse to obey those in authority--pride opens the door to our downfall.
We miss opportunities to achieve all that God desires because we don't
want anyone telling us what to do. Why? Because we think we know better
than God! Pride--has led people to public humiliation when they
refuse to tell the truth; it has led people to expose their foolishness
when they lie and think others are as foolish as they are; it has led to
entire nations crumbling and ceasing to exist. Pride--the open door--to destruction.
When are we going to close the door on pride and return to The Lord, obeying Him rather than man?
Man's wisdom without God's guidance is fallible at best, and dangerous at most--totally useless. We cannot afford to follow the wisdom of foolish men who allow their pride to make decisions to the detriment of all mankind.
It
is time to ignore the foolish pride of men who allow their egos and
self-desires to rule over anyone; repent of our sins, and return to
God--our Savior and Deliverer! We need to let pride go and let God abide
in hearts, in total obedience to Him!
Showing posts with label ego. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ego. Show all posts
Monday, January 19, 2015
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Are You The Ones?
"Those who walk righteously and speak what is right, who
reject gain from extortion and keep their hands from accepting bribes,
who stop their ears against plots of murder and shut their eyes against
contemplating evil—they are the ones who will dwell on the heights,
whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. Their bread will be
supplied, and water will not fail them." (Isaiah 33:15,16 NIV)
No matter what some people about those who do everything in their power to live right, God's promises never fail. Even though, the righteous have to deal with the same things as those who live ungodly lives, God has a plan to save those who honor His Word and those who don't--will be left to suffer the consequences of their actions.
When I look at the world and the chaos that abounds, I gain greater understanding of those things the prophets said--warning people about their behavior and associations. History--if not remembered and lessons learned from it--has a way of repeating itself and we see this every day. Everything that was prophesied about the descendants of the Children of Israel is falling into place. The hatred between the brothers is being played out right now in Israel and Gaza, Syria and Afghanistan--all because of jealousy and envy. How foolish we must appear to God to not have learned our lessons well!
Could it be that those who read the Words of the prophets read them in unbelief? Or is it stubborn nature that makes us foolish in our attempts to "prove ourselves" to others?
Whenever we think we are better or superior to another group of people--disaster is bound to come upon us and others because of our pride and ignorance. It is pride and ego that leads us to believe in our own superiority and ignorance of the truth of God's Word that makes us believe that others are inferior. This prevailing attitude often results in people cheating others, misusing and abusing people, lying, and plotting acts of violence and murder against others--superiority. Is there anyone really superior to another? When it rains--does the rain not fall on everyone at the same time or does it just fall upon those who think they are important?
Isaiah has said it well and it would profit all of us to remember that God is not a respecter of persons. His Word is truth and His promises are for everyone--the righteous and the unrighteous--shall receive their just reward for their deeds committed in the earth. I'd rather live with the understanding that I'm better off seeking God's wisdom than man's wisdom; doing what God decrees instead of what man commands; and speaking what God speaks rather than changing what God has said to accommodate man's ever-changing perspectives about God and what He has said.
I pray that God will see me as one who speaks what is right, according to His Word, and doing what is right always in His sight. I pray the same for all who love the Lord and have decided to live according to God's Word. Are you the ones?
No matter what some people about those who do everything in their power to live right, God's promises never fail. Even though, the righteous have to deal with the same things as those who live ungodly lives, God has a plan to save those who honor His Word and those who don't--will be left to suffer the consequences of their actions.
When I look at the world and the chaos that abounds, I gain greater understanding of those things the prophets said--warning people about their behavior and associations. History--if not remembered and lessons learned from it--has a way of repeating itself and we see this every day. Everything that was prophesied about the descendants of the Children of Israel is falling into place. The hatred between the brothers is being played out right now in Israel and Gaza, Syria and Afghanistan--all because of jealousy and envy. How foolish we must appear to God to not have learned our lessons well!
Could it be that those who read the Words of the prophets read them in unbelief? Or is it stubborn nature that makes us foolish in our attempts to "prove ourselves" to others?
Whenever we think we are better or superior to another group of people--disaster is bound to come upon us and others because of our pride and ignorance. It is pride and ego that leads us to believe in our own superiority and ignorance of the truth of God's Word that makes us believe that others are inferior. This prevailing attitude often results in people cheating others, misusing and abusing people, lying, and plotting acts of violence and murder against others--superiority. Is there anyone really superior to another? When it rains--does the rain not fall on everyone at the same time or does it just fall upon those who think they are important?
Isaiah has said it well and it would profit all of us to remember that God is not a respecter of persons. His Word is truth and His promises are for everyone--the righteous and the unrighteous--shall receive their just reward for their deeds committed in the earth. I'd rather live with the understanding that I'm better off seeking God's wisdom than man's wisdom; doing what God decrees instead of what man commands; and speaking what God speaks rather than changing what God has said to accommodate man's ever-changing perspectives about God and what He has said.
I pray that God will see me as one who speaks what is right, according to His Word, and doing what is right always in His sight. I pray the same for all who love the Lord and have decided to live according to God's Word. Are you the ones?
Monday, April 7, 2014
The Beginning of Wisdom!
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7 NIV).
This selection of wisdom provided by Solomon to his son is as relevant today as it was hundreds of years ago.
Who better to tell someone about respecting and reverencing God other than one who started life in His reign totally dependent upon God and then, turned away from God's instruction to pacify his flesh (namely all the wives)?
When Solomon admonishes his son by saying "fools despise wisdom and instruction" he knows what he saying. He did not completely follow God's instruction and although he was given wisdom beyond measure out of obedience at the beginning of his reign, he lost sight of what he had. He became a braggart, showing off all God had given and allowed his ego and pride to overrule common sense.
As a result, he did not live to see or receive all of God's promises to him fulfilled.
What do we learn from Solomon's experience? A study of Proverbs (or the book of Wisdom) helps us to understand self, flesh, others and God and what it means to obey His Word.
The first thing we have to do in order to receive and understand God's wisdom is to keep Him in the position greatest honor and reverence. This what "fear" means in this passage--not that we should be afraid of God, but to reverence Him and honor Him enough to always obey.
In many homes, children are taught to respect and honor parents and to some--it might appear that the children fear the parents. What is more important to note is that obedient children, when they are loved and nurtured and admonished about behavior, usually do not want to disappoint their parents, so they obey them as a matter of respect and honor. We should do the same with God--obey Him out of a desire to not want to disappoint Him.
This desire--to please God and not disappoint Him--is the beginning of Wisdom!
This selection of wisdom provided by Solomon to his son is as relevant today as it was hundreds of years ago.
Who better to tell someone about respecting and reverencing God other than one who started life in His reign totally dependent upon God and then, turned away from God's instruction to pacify his flesh (namely all the wives)?
When Solomon admonishes his son by saying "fools despise wisdom and instruction" he knows what he saying. He did not completely follow God's instruction and although he was given wisdom beyond measure out of obedience at the beginning of his reign, he lost sight of what he had. He became a braggart, showing off all God had given and allowed his ego and pride to overrule common sense.
As a result, he did not live to see or receive all of God's promises to him fulfilled.
What do we learn from Solomon's experience? A study of Proverbs (or the book of Wisdom) helps us to understand self, flesh, others and God and what it means to obey His Word.
The first thing we have to do in order to receive and understand God's wisdom is to keep Him in the position greatest honor and reverence. This what "fear" means in this passage--not that we should be afraid of God, but to reverence Him and honor Him enough to always obey.
In many homes, children are taught to respect and honor parents and to some--it might appear that the children fear the parents. What is more important to note is that obedient children, when they are loved and nurtured and admonished about behavior, usually do not want to disappoint their parents, so they obey them as a matter of respect and honor. We should do the same with God--obey Him out of a desire to not want to disappoint Him.
This desire--to please God and not disappoint Him--is the beginning of Wisdom!
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