Pride's Illusions

For who makes you superior? What do you have that you didn't receive? If, in fact, you did receive it, why do you boast as if you hadn't received it? Already you are full! 1 Corinthians 4:7-8

"I earned everything I have." I've heard it a lot in my life and have even said it. Little did I know that I really couldn't have done it on my own. I was able to work because of God's blessing of health. I had the job because of God's blessing of favor with the employer. I was able to fulfill my job duties because of the abilities God gave me. I didn't muster up this stuff and I couldn't have. My life very well could have gone differently even with the same amount of effort I applied. Knowing the brokenness of this world, every single thing I tried could have been twarted, and even then I couldn't cry out injustice against God. 

This pride we have deep within us poses a problem. It allows us to cling to our opinions and our "abilities" as idols. It allows us to set ourselves in places where we don't belong and it keeps us far from our Creator, the one, true God. We have this idea that we are really the biggest deal since sliced bread, but that's because we've been listening to our enemy. Satan doesn't give us a healthy self worth; he gives us the illusion of power and control. 

I'm not talking self hate. I don't want to cause anyone shame; shame is not of God. I'm speaking of the importance of knowing our proper places, abilities and value. If any of these things come from our own desires or opinions, not from who we are in Jesus, we must repent and begin to agree with what God says over what we think. Yes, He values us. He loves us. He strategically places us when we are humble enough to listen. But those things come from who God is and not how good we are. Otherwise, grace would be a moot point. 

Your Own Backyard

If we were properly evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged, but when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned with the world. 

1 Corinthians 11:31-32

It's much easier to take notice of the sins and issues of others than to see them in ourselves, isn't it? And even when we do see our own junk, it's much easier to ignore it than to try to do anything about it. It hurts to stare our junk in the eyes - no matter how humble we are. In fact, I have to say that seeing myself for what's really deep inside is the hardest part of being human and the part that requires the most courage as a follower of Christ. But it's the most important since God looks at the heart, not just at the surface of the heart, but deep into it's recesses. And we can't do anything about anyone else's but our own. 

It takes more intention, courage and a closer walk with Jesus in order to evaluate ourselves as Jesus' followers are called to do. But have you ever noticed that when we're not focused on self evaluation, we have a tendency to evaluate everyone else? And when we spend more time evaluating others than ourselves, we tend to forget how fallible we are and our heart becomes dirtied up with pride and self righteousness. There is a consequence for not taking heed to the ways of God above our own desires. That consequence is the deterioration of our walk with Jesus, the ability to see Him working, believe Him, hear His voice and pray. 

Do you find yourself struggling in any of these areas? If so, it's not too late to turn back and ask for help. You aren't the first one to do so and you won't be the last. You see, one good thing about being human is that there are billions of others to relate to. Even better, God so dearly loves every single one of us as if we were His only one. Beloved, Jesus doesn't want to condemn you by exposing your heart; He wants to make a stronger and healthier you. He wants to prepare you for your purpose, one that only He knows. Once you believe that, the hard stuff becomes much more bearable. 

To Carry Our Crosses

For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers, by members of Chloe’s household, that there is rivalry among you. What I am saying is this: Each of you says, “I’m with Paul,” or “I’m with Apollos,” or “I’m with Cephas,” or “I’m with Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was it Paul who was crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul’s name? 

1 Corinthians 1:11-13

To cling to our denomination, teachers and preachers, church building, opinions, ideas and/or interpretation of scripture above Christ is idolatry. To think we already have it all figured out and refuse to be a student is to deny the cross and set our own selves up where only God should be. Idolatry not only puts stuff, people and ideas in front of God in proximity to our hearts, but it also causes division. It seems safe to say then, that wherever there is division there is idolatry. God may call us to step out and do things that our unbelieving or luke warm neighbor will sneer at us over. But He will never cause us to stop loving that neighbor and treat him/ her with disrespect or meanspiritedness. He will never cause us to take joy in the downfall of another human - whether they were a believer or not. 

He holds us to the standard, no matter how hard it is, to love our neighbor. Notice that He never said we had to agree on everything though. Based on the wisdom of the perfect God, it may hurt our flesh but it will heal our spirit when we persist in loving those who don't seem to love us and we show them in tangible ways. Which will you follow today, to feed the flesh or the spirit? Keep in mind that one of these will not live on. 

Necessary Affliction

Be careful that you do not turn to iniquity, for that is why you have been tested by affliction. 

Job 36:21

Moments where everything falls perfectly in line and there isn't a trouble in my world are rare. I know you can relate. As a matter of fact, the more I follow Jesus, the more trouble I seem to endure. The more trouble I endure, the more I learn about my own heart. I learn just how fragile and susceptible it is to the things of this world. 

I often wonder whether there is an age in life where the human heart's natural tendency isn't to become self righteous, harbor anger or feel ugly things towards fellow humans after being tested to some extent. But this verse, spoken to Job during his hardships, tells me it's common among every age group and spiritual background.

Just as gold is tested and purified, so we must also be. We only think we know our own hearts until life happens. Testing helps us to see ourselves for realistically, creating a sensitivity to the movements of our own hearts. It keeps the heart humble as it keeps us asking God for help. As it melts away pride, it creates a more mature heart - capable of following Jesus without trying to lead.

I've come to believe that real spiritual maturity has more to do with humility than how much we know or do. Without having experienced hardship ourselves, we can't relate to the orphans, widows, homeless and the sick. And without that, we can't expect them to take us seriously when we tell them about Jesus. 

Hang in there, brothers and sisters. No one ever promised this would be easy, but we know good awaits us. Don't give up. Encourage yourself in the Lord. He loves you. 

Warriors Wanted

Pay close attention to my words; let this be the consolation you offer. Bear with me while I speak; then after I have spoken, you may continue mocking. Job 21:2-3

We live in a society where hope is mocked and discouragement runs rampant. It's hard for even believers to stay encouraged with constant messages of hate, nit pickiness, negative labels and mean-spiritedness. Many believers have even given up on trying to be a light in a world of darkness because the pressure has become too much and discouragement has overcome them. The need for encouragement is more crucial than ever, for the body of Christ and for the rest of the world. The need for warriors who will surrender their tongues for the good of others is an urgent one.

Encouragement is a sign of love, compassion and understanding. It is key to living this life victoriously and is quite contagious. It is not flattery or empty words and it cannot be done out of obligation, but a desire to promote healing. Real, impactful encouragement is derived only from truth. It requires the sensitivity to see another's struggle and the wisdom to speak the truth that breaks down the lies behind it. It comes forth from a tender and compassionate heart and a life-giving tongue, all of which are fueled by the Holy Spirit. And when we surrender the power of our mouths, He provides the words and ensures their arrival in heart of the hearer. 

If we aren't before God on a regular basis, investing in a relationship with our Creator, we will lack the courage and understanding to meet the needs of others. That one relationship with God is the pivot upon which all our other relationships are healthy. He is the only One who can teach us how to be relational and how to truly love. He is the only One who can empower us to fulfill the law: to love God and love others. 

The Tattletale

If you get rid of the yoke from those around you, the finger-pointing and malicious speaking, and if you offer yourself to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted one, then your light will shine in the darkness, and your night will be like noonday. 

Isaiah 58:9-10

We can help set people free from things that hold them down by speaking words of life, avoiding blame, and offering ourselves to those in need. Scripture is clear that, in order to accomplish our calling, we're to have clean tongues. And since our tongues are the tattletale of our heart, it's important that we go about ministry the right way...from the inside out. We need ministering to before we can minister. We need cleansing and freedom before we can lead others to it.

I love words. But I can make as big a mess as those who struggle to find the next thing to say. I've come to realize that this place of acknowledgement is exactly where we need to be to surrender our mouths- words, tone and all to a holy purpose. I tend to need to surrender my tongue several times a day. I don't have to stop and think because words flow so quickly for me. But that's exactly why my mouth is so dangerous. And that's why God deserves all the glory for any good that comes from this tongue or even these fingers as they type the very words you're reading.

None of us have perfect hearts. Every one of us, no matter how strong our faith, need daily cleansing by our Creator. It's not enough just to keep your mouth shut. For scripture provides us many times when speaking up is absolutely necessary. And since the way we talk is telltale of our hearts, we cannot skip what's inside our own hearts as we we interact with the world. We can try to fake it, but eventually the tongue will win because our tongues are made to have power and that power should be used to bring life, not take it.

Trusting God

He said, "Don't be afraid, you are treasured by God. Peace to you; be very strong." 

Daniel 10:19

I had huge trust issues and they impacted my relationship with Jesus greatly. It's hard to practice faith without trust, a necessity of any healthy relationship. And so my whole life has been a struggle to find safety with anyone, anywhere. I imagine it broke Jesus' heart to see me feel so alone and afraid all the time because He grabbed ahold of me in the gentlest way and begun working through my mess diligently. His consistent message to me was, " Don't be afraid; I've got you. I will do right by you. I promise." 

He dealt patiently with me as He continuously affirmed me as His own and assured me of His love. He was not content seeing me in such bondage and He began to change my own heart to desire the same. He provided me many opportunities to practice trusting Him and He held me tight through every one. Each time, I came out more in love with Jesus than before and more sure of His love for me. And if I had to go through it all again, I wholeheartedly believe it is worth it.

God is not content seeing us stuck to mindsets and lies that hold us back from experiencing Him fully. Therefore, if we're going to truly follow Him, we're going to feel uncomfortable quite often. I truly believe it's in that discomfort that our chains are exposed and we have to make a choice- to continue following Him on the journey to freedom or to stay chained up right where we are. But I promise, there is no safer place, no greater adventure than to go through hard stuff with Him holding your hand.