Proud: having, proceeding from, or showing a high opinion of one's own dignity, importance, or superiority.
Humble: having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience; low in rank, importance, status, quality.
Two very different words. Antonyms actually. One, God opposes. The other He gives grace. Where do you want to stand?
When it comes to being a Christian, it is very clear where we should all be. This verse from Proverbs (3:23 God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble) is repeated two other times in scripture. That alone tells you how highly God thinks of this concept.
What is it about pride that is so hard to control? We all love those moments where we are given credit for a job well done. It is how we handle them that counts. Puff up your chest, smile and take all the credit and you fail in the eyes of God. Say a simple "Thank you, God has really blessed me in this area" (or something equally appropriate to the situation) and you have a entirely different story.
God deserves all the credit. We are His hands and feet. Simple. That is all there it to it.
Hopefully, I can remember this next time I feel like I have done a great job, or the next time I want to do something super special or creative just because I want people to think highly of me (this is the area where my pride issues are attacked the most).
James 4:10 hits it home, "Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up." It is in the very end where the recognition really counts. The only One we need to be proud of us is the One who enables us to do it in the first place.
Showing posts with label James. Show all posts
Showing posts with label James. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Dangerous Territory
I come to section in James I have heard and thought about many times. This is what I consider "dangerous territory" for my daily quiet times in the Bible. It is so easy to mull over them and quickly pass them thinking, "Been there. Figured it out. Lets move on."
But God so often has different things for us to learn each and every time we come upon a section of scripture. The section I speak of today is 2:14-26 where James speaks of faith and deeds.
A very needed part of scripture for every Christian to think on. As the popular Christian song says, "Faith without action is dead." For how real is our faith if it is not followed up in actions and deeds. If we bottle up our faith inside and do nothing about it, how does it grow? Is stagnant faith even really faith at all? These are the things I often think on and read about when studying these verses. Thankfully, my good friend Jen H. has taught me to ask the Holy Spirit for guidance when I read these scriptures. To ask Him to open my eyes and heart to something new, for something I wouldn't see on my own.
He did just that.
The part that got me most this time was 15 and 16 where he mentions passing by hungry people and wishing them well but doing nothing about it. If you have been reading my posts for the last months you know I have been diving into this kind of thing and wondering where God is taking me on this journey. I think this time He is telling me that I have the faith in this area and am searching in the right direction, but my actions are lacking.
I have had all sorts of ideas and thoughts on what to do with this new passion God has given me for the least of His flock, but I haven't done anything more than think on it. Time to get a little more serious, Shauna. I can hear Him saying it in these Words. I have been doing the faith part. Reading more about it, getting more informed softening my heart for its appearances, and finding the scripture that applies to it. But I have done absolutely nothing to put it into action.
I keep using the excuse that I don't know what He wants me to do yet. I keep thinking that I don't think my husband is quite on board with me just yet, and I keep praying that he will be. (Now before you think of my hubby as heartless, its just that we haven't really taken the time -yes, not doing the actions again- to really sit and talk about it a lot to where I can even let him know exactly where I am) As I type that out, I think that might be the first action I need to take....how is that for God answering a prayer. There isn't much I can do in this area without my husband on board, so get him on board I must. (Thanks for riding along with me on that little epiphany.)
So, chat with the hubby I will. Then, more actions must follow. I'll give you an update when I have one....that way you can hold me accountable.
But God so often has different things for us to learn each and every time we come upon a section of scripture. The section I speak of today is 2:14-26 where James speaks of faith and deeds.
A very needed part of scripture for every Christian to think on. As the popular Christian song says, "Faith without action is dead." For how real is our faith if it is not followed up in actions and deeds. If we bottle up our faith inside and do nothing about it, how does it grow? Is stagnant faith even really faith at all? These are the things I often think on and read about when studying these verses. Thankfully, my good friend Jen H. has taught me to ask the Holy Spirit for guidance when I read these scriptures. To ask Him to open my eyes and heart to something new, for something I wouldn't see on my own.
He did just that.
The part that got me most this time was 15 and 16 where he mentions passing by hungry people and wishing them well but doing nothing about it. If you have been reading my posts for the last months you know I have been diving into this kind of thing and wondering where God is taking me on this journey. I think this time He is telling me that I have the faith in this area and am searching in the right direction, but my actions are lacking.
I have had all sorts of ideas and thoughts on what to do with this new passion God has given me for the least of His flock, but I haven't done anything more than think on it. Time to get a little more serious, Shauna. I can hear Him saying it in these Words. I have been doing the faith part. Reading more about it, getting more informed softening my heart for its appearances, and finding the scripture that applies to it. But I have done absolutely nothing to put it into action.
I keep using the excuse that I don't know what He wants me to do yet. I keep thinking that I don't think my husband is quite on board with me just yet, and I keep praying that he will be. (Now before you think of my hubby as heartless, its just that we haven't really taken the time -yes, not doing the actions again- to really sit and talk about it a lot to where I can even let him know exactly where I am) As I type that out, I think that might be the first action I need to take....how is that for God answering a prayer. There isn't much I can do in this area without my husband on board, so get him on board I must. (Thanks for riding along with me on that little epiphany.)
So, chat with the hubby I will. Then, more actions must follow. I'll give you an update when I have one....that way you can hold me accountable.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Judging a Book By It's Cover and That Kind of Thing
Moving on in James this week, he hits me again. I've decided I like James. He is pretty forthright, honest and non-flowery. That is my kind of writer. We just finished up the first chapter and I already have 6 different highlighted sections (new Bible, so I get new highlights!). Moving on to chapter two, verses 1-7 and I am already convicted.
James tells us not to show favoritism. Don't give a man in fine clothes wearing gold rings the nicest seat in the temple and leave the man dressed in rags to sit on the floor. God has chosen those who the world sees as poor to be rich in faith and the rich often exploit us.
Who says the Bible hasn't stood the test of time? I am so guilty of this. If in a new group of people or moms I often gravitate to the moms who look most like me; decently dressed, make-up on, hair done, all matchy-matchy (well I try to look presentable most of the time, but you get the gist of what I am trying to convey here). If I see a gal come in looking a little 'disheveled' or in obviously worn clothes, etc., I automatically put up a sensor that tells myself, "What would I have in common with her? What would I say?" and all those kinds of excuses.
Oh man, typing this out makes me feel so guilty. I am awful. But it is the truth. I judge a book by its cover. Completely. How many awesome relationships and learning experiences have I missed out on just because I think I won't have anything in common with a woman in a 'lesser' state than I? How much could I have learned? How much could my heart have opened?
God has really been working on me in these areas lately. Loving the poor, the widowed, the oppressed, the orphan. So here He is again, showing up and telling me how to love. Stop judging them, girl. Just give them My love and I will guide you. Who cares if you feel a little bit uncomfortable at first? Who said it was all supposed to be comfy and easy?
So, time for some life application. I hope I will pass the test when the time comes. I want to show Him I understand the love He has shown us by sharing it with those that might need it the most.
James tells us not to show favoritism. Don't give a man in fine clothes wearing gold rings the nicest seat in the temple and leave the man dressed in rags to sit on the floor. God has chosen those who the world sees as poor to be rich in faith and the rich often exploit us.
Who says the Bible hasn't stood the test of time? I am so guilty of this. If in a new group of people or moms I often gravitate to the moms who look most like me; decently dressed, make-up on, hair done, all matchy-matchy (well I try to look presentable most of the time, but you get the gist of what I am trying to convey here). If I see a gal come in looking a little 'disheveled' or in obviously worn clothes, etc., I automatically put up a sensor that tells myself, "What would I have in common with her? What would I say?" and all those kinds of excuses.
Oh man, typing this out makes me feel so guilty. I am awful. But it is the truth. I judge a book by its cover. Completely. How many awesome relationships and learning experiences have I missed out on just because I think I won't have anything in common with a woman in a 'lesser' state than I? How much could I have learned? How much could my heart have opened?
God has really been working on me in these areas lately. Loving the poor, the widowed, the oppressed, the orphan. So here He is again, showing up and telling me how to love. Stop judging them, girl. Just give them My love and I will guide you. Who cares if you feel a little bit uncomfortable at first? Who said it was all supposed to be comfy and easy?
So, time for some life application. I hope I will pass the test when the time comes. I want to show Him I understand the love He has shown us by sharing it with those that might need it the most.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Shut Your Mouth....
Oh how many times do I think this thought in my head? I am a talker. I like to be part of the conversation and I usually always have something very worth wile to contribute (cough, cough). That is just me. Oh how I struggle with what James tells us in Chapter 1 verse 19: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. (OK, so I struggle with the anger part with my kids too, but lets just dwell on one issue today. Just for the sake of my ego.)
I do like to be there for friends and family. I love to hear about their days, their joys, their struggles. I want to know what is going on. But for some reason, I always have something to add or to share of my own, and, sadly, the thought usually comes to me 'mid-their-story'. So what do I do? Yep. I usually interrupt or wait for the first silent moment to interject my two cents.
I have prayed a lot for God to help me with this. I want Him to make me a better listener and I have seen changes. Just in being aware that this is a problem area for me I catch myself in 'interrupt-mode' and keep my tongue wrangled in. I can't say it makes me a much better listener though because as I sit and nod and smile, I am thinking, "Keep your mouth shut, you don't need to share that now," and other things to convince myself that what they are sharing with me is much more important that my little quip or experience wanting to jump out of my mouth.
So, when it comes to James 1:19 I am a work in progress. I want to be the kind of friend people come to and share their hearts, not the one they know their story will get interrupted by or the one they'll end up listening to instead.
I guess it comes down to being who God made me to be, an outgoing, chatty girl, but learning when the appropriate time is to shut my mouth and put others before my own personality needs.
How about you? Are you a good listener or a talker? Any tips for me?
If you have fallen prey to my running mouth, I apologize for not listening better and I promise to do better in the future. Please give me another chance. I am really working on this and seeking help from the Holy Spirit to reign in my tongue.
We'll get to the anger issue another day.... ;)
I do like to be there for friends and family. I love to hear about their days, their joys, their struggles. I want to know what is going on. But for some reason, I always have something to add or to share of my own, and, sadly, the thought usually comes to me 'mid-their-story'. So what do I do? Yep. I usually interrupt or wait for the first silent moment to interject my two cents.
I have prayed a lot for God to help me with this. I want Him to make me a better listener and I have seen changes. Just in being aware that this is a problem area for me I catch myself in 'interrupt-mode' and keep my tongue wrangled in. I can't say it makes me a much better listener though because as I sit and nod and smile, I am thinking, "Keep your mouth shut, you don't need to share that now," and other things to convince myself that what they are sharing with me is much more important that my little quip or experience wanting to jump out of my mouth.
So, when it comes to James 1:19 I am a work in progress. I want to be the kind of friend people come to and share their hearts, not the one they know their story will get interrupted by or the one they'll end up listening to instead.
I guess it comes down to being who God made me to be, an outgoing, chatty girl, but learning when the appropriate time is to shut my mouth and put others before my own personality needs.
How about you? Are you a good listener or a talker? Any tips for me?
If you have fallen prey to my running mouth, I apologize for not listening better and I promise to do better in the future. Please give me another chance. I am really working on this and seeking help from the Holy Spirit to reign in my tongue.
We'll get to the anger issue another day.... ;)
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