Proverbs 16:18-Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

As young children, we are groomed for pride.  Perhaps we have come to a time when we can freely admit that we have over done the congratulatory “praise”. You know which ones I am referring to- running through the house hoisting our children in the air, confetti flying, because they finally went pee-pee in the potty!  The party we throw when we find that “our” brilliant child mastered picking up their own toy!  It doesn’t stop at those first few years.  As children grow, we over praise every single effort made on the soccer field, football field, ballerina stage and even the classroom.

It’s not that we have set out to teach our child that their self-esteem and self-worth are made in the arena of competition, but my own personal experience taught me how, unknowingly, this is what I had done.  It has taken me many years to teach my son that no matter how good he is on a football field, or at math, his heart is the vessel by which love flows. When his heart is only set on himself and his own accomplishments, instead of love flowing out from him for others, he has a Dead Sea of self -just sitting stagnant within.  To lay down the desire to be better than or superior to is truly a work in progress our entire life. It’s one that our Lord is ready to help us face.

Pride holds us back in a life where we are meant to constantly go forward in the name of Jesus.  It is all around us and can halt that forward progress at any time.  A person’s motivation at success can stem from a deep yearning to out-do Joe Smith down the road.  One’s title within the church leadership may place that nose a little higher than God intended. Often we block the view of Christ because of our upturned noses or puffy chests!

Without releasing our pride, we are unable to fully see all that God has planned for us.  What we fail to realize when living in pride is the blessings that will flow if we live in complete humility.  To be humbly obedient to the Lord ensures a path of righteousness.  

Proverbs 3:6 tells us, “..in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” 

If we aren’t living a life in submission to our Lord, then we are living a life that brings us nothing more than a reflection of self-indulgent, disobedience.  Our outward walk will only reflect our inward, self-seeking desires, and at some point you will collide with the Lord’s desire for your life.  In his greatest love, our Father will gently “bring us down a few pegs..”

Whether we are teaching our children, or ourselves, how to let the “me, me, me” hunger go, we must take notice daily of our attitude in the different arenas we face.  At home with your spouse, at work, or at church, and often times within, as we encounter the Lord. You have to surrender that need to hold on to a pride that can interfere with the work of your Savior and all he has planned for you! 

Aligning your will with His will display just how powerful he is in the heart of a faithful servant! Though it’s not a competition, you will know you won and you will be humbled by His love!

It’s been a long time since I’ve written on social issues. Why? Because social issues become so opinion based, and often become more of a heated debate than anything helpful.

Even in the Christian arena do commentaries, blog posts and others write-ups become an active ground of openly judgmental, scripture flinging, chaos. I believe we become so personally attached to a specific moral stance, that we full heartedly think we are impacting others with our self proclaimed ‘truth’.

Here’s the bottom line. If we are Christians, we are studying our Bible every single day. We are digging deeper into scripture with every passing year. The life of a Christian is a constant educational opportunity on who God is, and what he is to be in our life, and also how we can be a reflection of his love to others.  Being a Christian is a very personal journey, and one that is never dull.

We are also called to “go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19)..  sharing the good news, telling others of the amazing love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The death, the resurrection, and why it was done.  Baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

So why is it, at some point we revert to acting more like those old guys who constantly accused Jesus back in the day, than we do Jesus?

There are many things in this world that are not of God, we’ve been told this many times in scripture.       

(1 John 2: 15-17, Romans 102:2, James 4:4..to name a few)  

And here we are. June 2015. Our world is not quite what I imagined for my grandkids. I love my little apples and cringe to see the changes taking place. This world is exposed to the core via technology of all kinds. For the first time in history, we have instant access to breaking news, finger tip control at its finest.  While the cascade of information flows freely, some appearing on our screens whether or not we choose, we still have the responsibility to love as Jesus loved.

Our words are available at incredible speed. So when the biggest story of the week is a man who decided to change his body to become a woman, I know it is hard not to have an ‘opinion’. It’s hard to wonder, ‘what would Jesus do, say, think’…  I’ve read many things this week from good to bad to unsure.

I have only one opinion on the subject. John 8:7. That’s all. That’s it.

They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”

Leave the rest alone.

“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”

Don’t let Satan distract you. Don’t let your words fuel hate and judgment among the people.  Perhaps when something doesn’t make sense to us, we should simply pray and let it go.

Adversity is inevitable, and often the Lord allows us to experience such adversity in our lives to bring us closer to Him. We are never promised a life of perfection, we are promised a life of never being without a God who provides through all circumstances.

Many people of the Bible went through difficulties- Joseph’s brothers conspired against him; still Joseph was raised by God. His brothers eventually bowed to him. David’s file cabinet of sin was quite full, but he was forgiven. God raised him up and destroyed his enemies. Job experienced much adversity in his life and again, the Lord lifted him up and blessed him double at the end of his story.

The ultimate example of challenge is our beautiful Savior, Jesus Christ. Who saw the worst of accusations and persecution and was eventually crucified. A death that was purposed from the beginning to reconcile us back to God. How did that come about? God raised Him from the dead!

Ephesians 1:19-20 (CEV)

I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power he used when he raised Christ from death and let him sit at his right side in heaven.

We will fall, but a just man will be raised by the overwhelming love of the Father.  It is far better to be a good, righteous person in Christ who falls, and be tended to by the caring hand of God, than to be wicked and be no more.