Pride and Humility

Pride and Humility 

“Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud,

but humility comes before honor.”

(Proverbs 18:12) 

            My mom uses some interesting terms and expressions when describing humanity. One of her favorites was “fool hardy” when someone did something out of line. Another was that “It is better to be silent and be thought a fool that to speak out and remove all doubt.” Somehow, when we are proud in the context of today’s text, we are not paying attention. When we kid ourselves with false pride, it helps us grow to have an appreciation for the realities of life.

            We are often overconfident. It seems that the younger we are the more likely we are to suffer from “cockiness”. Somehow that is God’s way of teaching us. We constantly have to monitor our pride and confidence. The elders of society have knowledge and experience but are not always correct. Technology and society are changing faster than fifty years ago. Therefore many of the rules of life have changed.

In our spiritual lives, the rules have not and will not change. We need to take inventory on our pride and be real. The ethics, love and traditions taught to us by Christ will endure regardless of technology changes and cash flows. We need to hold up our values to serve the Lord in an ever changing world. 

Thought for Today: Every day is the first day of the rest of our lives. The mistakes and experiences of our past are nothing more than learning experiences and enable us to move forward with confidence. Today let us focus on being humble and dealing with the realities of our individual worlds. 

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, today we give thanks for the lessons we have learned and the great loves that we have. Through all that Jesus taught us and what we learned from the past, thank you for putting it before us.

Amen

Practice hospitality

Thought for Today: Today let us focus on ourselves and our talents. Let us recognize that we have special gifts given to us by the Lord to use for Him. 

John Wesley said it this way: Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can. 

Paul said it to the Romans like this:  

Romans 12 vs. 10-13

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.

Honor one another above yourselves.

Never be lacking in zeal,

but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and

faithful in prayer.

Share with God’s people who are in need.

Practice hospitality

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, today we are aware of the many gifts that you gave for us to use. We pray that we recognize people in need and that we have the judgment to use them to do your will here on earth. Amen

Endurance!

 Endurance 

“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” 
(Matthew 24 vs. 13) 

            “Endure to the end.” I am not sure what that means because to me there is no end! June and I have spent time in twelve step programs and as Stephen ministers working with people with life issues. Some fight chemical demons, some mental issues and others with social issues. Often we dealt with anger, depression and the “why me” syndrome. Asking the question “What did I do to deserve this?” is of no use to the recovery process. Dealing with the steps of growth to become happy and satisfied citizens is what matters.

            We are all here in a very interesting lifetime and do not know where it leads us. That is the wondrous mystery. What we do know is that while we are here on earth we will leave a mark; a legacy.

                        We Christians are told on Sunday and celebrate on Easter that there is no end; a mystery to others. What is not a mystery is that we will leave our mark in the memories of others; we will leave a positive legacy through our faith spirit and love of Christ. 

Thought for Today: For today let us go out and live our Christian lives full of enthusiasm and joy. Let us live like there is no end! 

 Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, today we give thanks for our wondrous lives and the many gifts that you have given us. We especially thank you for the opportunity through Christ to help accomplish your will here on earth through our faith by sharing with others.

Amen

Draw Nearer To God

"Therefore, brothers, since we have
confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,
 by a new and living way opened for us  through the curtain, that is, his body,
 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
 let us draw near to God
with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith..."
(Hebrews 10:19-22)

        We often slip into moods that weaken our spirituality and faith. In life, fear, anger, lack of trust (doubt) often get more attention than they deserve. It is normal for humans to let them dominate their thoughts but it is also not a healthy way to live.

        At a meeting recently, the subject of "angry unhappy people" was being discussed. There are unfortunate people that have not forgiven enough. They have hung on to so many resentments that they have become cynical, angry, unhappy or all of the above. It almost seems that this is a penance for not practicing forgiveness.

       We need to somehow live closer to Jesus example; to forgive and to believe that out of this life will come peace. Draw nearer to God. Spirituality and faith are works in progress. Let God take our hand to find peace and tranquility and continue spiritual growth.

Thought for Today: Today let us selfishly think about ourselves. Focus on our own faith. Certainly we will have opportunity to be angry and frustrated. This week we need to recognize when that occurs, act more like Jesus and "draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith... ".

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, today we pray for the world leaders.  We pray that the world draw near to you and that peace will prevail.
Amen 

New Beginnings

This is a story of personal recovery and spiritual growth that started with believing that a Higher Power could restore me to sanity! The Higher Power was a good start and has been followed by God and then Jesus. Enjoy and thank you for being part of my support team!

New Beginnings

"This is a day of new beginnings

time to remember and move on,

time to believe what love is bringing,

laying to rest the pain that's gone."

"Christ is alive and goes before us,

to show and share what love can do,

this is a day of new beginnings;

our God is making all things new."

(This is a day of New Beginnings;Vs 1 & 4;

Words: Brian Wren, 1978; Methodist Hymnal No. 383) 

            Those of you that have known me long enough understand that on March 21, 1977 my family and I started a true "New Beginning". That was the year of treatment for alcohol abuse and the adoption of the slogan "This is the first day of the rest of your life". My family supported me as did my friends and business associates. Each year I am reminded that through faith and friendship there is a good life. I thank all of you that have been my friends and associates since then.

            The story of recovery is repeated in our society every day with the grace of God ever present in the process. Often as Christians we see a need and get a chance to help. One of the beauties of being Christian is the act of helping.

Thought for Today: Today we will be out in the world interacting with friends and business associates. We may see a need to help. Many people will back away. Let us recognize needs in others and step forward with God's support and offer the Christian assistance that is needed.

Prayer for Today: Today the serenity Prayer:

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change,

the courage to change the things I can,

and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen

St Patrick's Day

Good News St Patrick’s Day

 

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

Stand firm, then,

and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

(Galatians 5 vs. 1) 

            Growing up in Boston there was always a very large St Patrick’s Day parade and celebration. There were stories about a saint who drove the snakes out of Ireland, green beer and buttons that said everyone was Irish for today. It was great fun; mythical fun without a grain of truth to it!

            St Patrick was an Irish saint and lived from 387 to 461. He is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. Wow, I never heard that growing up. Wikipedia does not mention green beer or parades. He was a great man who converted a country. He allowed the Irish to become free of their demons (maybe snakes?) and experience the grace of Christ. We need to honor him for that!

 Thought for Today: Today let us honor a person who spread our faith and the grace of Jesus to heathen population. 

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord and Father, today we give thanks to Saint Patrick and the many saints of the first millennium. They brought the grace of Christ to the world and made our lives special. We pray that in some way we are guided to carry on their work.

Amen

Spiritual Prosperity

Spiritual Prosperity 

“After Job had prayed for his friends,

the LORD made him prosperous again

and gave him twice as much as he had before.”

(Job 42:10) 

            Prosperity is generally the result of good work; some people are prosperous and some are not. The world economy works that way. It is competitive and some people end up with more than others.

            Today ask yourself where you are in this regard and become a guaranteed winner. You see, real winning is not a financial thing at all. In our competitive business world growth has been difficult. Regarding our physical selves; growth in fitness, weight loss, and staying healthy are challenges that few actually change from year to year. That is why New Year’s resolutions go by the board.

            One area where we can always grow healthier and have plenty of help is spiritual growth. If you are reading this devotional you are on the right track. You see, there is no limit to God’s love and the benefits of being a spiritual being. Spiritual growth is always available, unlimited and beneficial. That is where true prosperity is found. 

Thought for Today: Today let us ask if we are experiencing spiritual growth? …and why? 

Prayer for Today: Lord and Father today help me grow in you, grow in my faith so that I may be a better servant. Amen