pride a cheater

I am doing a bible study by Beth Moore and one day was on pride. I would just like to share a couple quotes and a poem from that day:

"Pride is the opposite of humility."

"Pride is self absorption, whether we're absorbed with how miserable we are or how wonderful we are. Humility is God-focused not self-focused."

Pride wears many masks...

My Name is Pride. I am a cheater.
I cheat you of your God-given destiny...because you demand your own way.
I cheat you of contentment...because "you deserve better than this."
I cheat you of knowledge...because you already know it all.
I cheat you of healing...because you're too full of me to forgive.
I cheat you of holiness...because you refuse to admit when you're wrong.
I cheat you of vision...because you'd rather look in the mirror than out a window.
I cheat you of genuine friendship...because nobody's going to know the real you.
I cheat you of love...because the real romance demands sacrifice.
I cheat you of greatness in heaven...because you refuse wash another's feet on earth.
I cheat you of God's glory...because I convince you to seek your own.
My name is Pride. I am a cheater.
You like me because you think I'm always looking out for you.
Untrue.
I'm looking to make a fool out of you.
God has so much for you, I admit, but don't worry...
If you stick with me, you'll never know.

So interesting how pride really is all of the above, just not puffing yourself up. It goes so much deeper.
pray with me today to rid pride from our lives and continue to pray that every moment of the day.
Because once pride gets a hold of you, and convinces you can do things on your own, that is when you fall...and with every fall...its harder to get back up again. . . BUT God can lift you up again and cleanse you inside and out if you reach out and call for Him every moment of the day.

Don't let pride control your world- - - let God take you to the places He desires for you.

{embrace the journey}

So, today I was just struggling with a lot of questions and worries and being dissatisfied and being not being fully content filling my mind in over abundance! So I just felt the nudge from my heavenly Daddy saying- read Philippians 4.
I was like uhhh I know what that says kinda so I dont really need to read it. well mistake. haha I kept going on with my day and all the worries and everything piled up more and the more they piled up in my mind the more i heard God saying- read Philippians 4. sooo i finally did.

[Let me just say- always listen to God the first time. don't hesitate when he is telling you to do something- because it is always going to be in your best interest and he knows what you need more than you do.]

Let me just outline some of the Key verses and points here. and this is how God directly speaks through His Word and how His Word is living and active.

Philippians starts out with Paul saying:

"Don't waver. Stay on track, steady in God"

then he goes on...

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice." (verse 4)

I keep reading and in verse 6 and 7 rock my word

"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

I mean God is answering all my concerns on the dot...but it gets better...verses 8 and 9 say

"whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."

I'm like okay God, I hear you...I will start putting these into practice more....so i keep reading.....
Paul says

"for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content."

He has been through sooo much- prison, hunger, even had things in abundance-- but he learned to be content in everything because:

"For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." (verse 13)

God gives strength through His Son. I can get through the day because Christ supplies my strength. So I am feeling refreshed relying on these truths i just read, straight from God. AND then he says this:

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (verse 19)

whoa!

seriously. God really knows what we need more than we do I believe. I think a lot of times that I need something, but I really don't. God has a future planned out for me...and its perfect. As long as I am putting into practice these things and obeying Him, living for and in Him, He will give a peace beyond my understanding and supply every need that i have. He knows me inside and out and for that I am very thankful. He made me. He knows how I think. He knows how to reach me. and for that I am grateful. And He still loves me. God spoke and answered all my questions, fears, worries, and everything today.

The cool thing is...all this is for you too. God knows everything about you and knows how to work specifically in your life. Pray Philippians 4.

Listen to Him. Read His Living Word. Dwell on His Word. Live for His Glory.

"Be still and know that I AM God." Psalm 46:10


{embrace the journey}