Quote from Forum Archives on December 12, 2002, 8:58 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

This week and during this month, we've been looking at the reason
for the season, which we know is Jesus Christ. We've looked at
aspects of the character of Jesus Christ, we've looked at our
response to the coming Savior, we've looked at our own attitudes
and actions and some of the things we can do, out of a sense of
gratitude, to accomplish what God intends in our lives and in the
lives of others.

Today, let's take a somewhat different look at ourselves and our
attitudes. Neil Anderson warns us against an attitude and
expression of pride, and he shares several passages of scripture
with us to tie together what the Bible has to say about pride and
humility.

How about you? Whatever it is in your life that God wants you
to do, when He asks you, will you remain silent (or even worse,
will you be like Jonah and run the other way, only to get
swallowed up by a large creature)? Or will you say, Yes, Lord,
Yes, to Your will and to Your way?

I've already determined that my answer is yes. Today, it's just
saying that I trust God with my present and my future. I have a
strong feeling that it will mean a whole lot more than that.
Now I've just got the "Dumbo (Big) Ears" out, listening for
what's next.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

Sponsor| Christmas cards & 13-month calendar now available from AWANA!
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N E I L A N D E R S O N D A I L Y D E V O T I O N A L
from Freedom in Christ Ministries

December 12

THE EXPRESSION OF PRIDE

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before
stumbling (Proverbs 16:18).

Pride is a killer. Pride says, "I can do it alone. I can get
myself out of this mess without God's help." Oh, no you can't!
We absolutely need God, and we desperately need each other. Paul
wrote, "We are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit
of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the
flesh" (Philippians 3:3). Humility is confidence properly
placed. Examine the instructions on pride and humility in James
4:6-10 and 1 Peter 5:1-10. The context reveals that spiritual
conflict follows the expression of pride. Pride is what caused
Lucifer to be thrown out of heaven.

Jesus said, "Simon, Simon [Peter], behold, Satan has demanded
permission to sift you like wheat" (Luke 22:31). On what basis
could Satan make that demand? The context reveals the answer:
"There arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them
was regarded to be greatest" (Luke 22:24). Pride was Peter's
downfall, and it opened the door to the devil's opposition.

The Lord says that pride goes before destruction and an arrogant
spirit before stumbling (Proverbs 16:18). We must confess areas
where we have not denied ourselves, picked up our cross daily,
and followed Him (Matthew 16:24). In so doing we have given
ground to the enemy in our lives.

Have we believed that we could be successful and live
victoriously by our own strength and resources? We must confess
that we have sinned against God by placing our will before His
and by centering our lives around self instead of Him. We must
renounce the self life and by so doing cancel all the ground
that has been gained in our members by the enemies of the Lord
Jesus Christ.

We must pray that God will guide us so that we will do nothing
from selfishness or empty conceit, but that with humility of
mind we will regard others as more important than ourselves
(Philippians 2:3). We must ask God to enable us through love to
serve others and in honor prefer others (Romans 12:10).

Loving Lord, I want my life to be marked by a humble spirit
today. Forgive me for my proud, self-centered ways and
independent spirit.

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This daily devotional is published and distributed by
Crosswalk.com. It is written by Neil Anderson at
link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.14.9281.1.293748.

Additional devotionals are available from Crosswalk.com:
link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.14.9281.2.293748.
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=====
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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