Pride Cometh before A Fall

     When I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I didn't have a full understanding of what was to come of me. However, what I quickly learned was that I was hurting really bad, and that I desperately wanted peace, and not that I had a full gist of what that meant. But in time, and by way of God's mercy on me, I learned that the condition of my life (chaos and suffering) was the result of living a self-centered and selfish life. It was all about me. So as I began walking with God, He began to show me just how prideful I really was. It was a horrible revelation, to say the least, yet liberating in so many ways. As a result of  God's truth, acknowledging this pride that longed to consume me, and being transparent with myself and God, I have experienced transformation and an abundance of healing.
     This pride is so deeply imbedded within my heart, mind and soul, that only when God revealed it could I receive some help and eventually develop solutions for the "Oh woe is me" and "Life is so unfair" blues. Self-pity, self-importance, self-centeredness, selfishness, sexual-immorality, self-righteousness, unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred, judgmentalism, and self-sufficiency all come from pride, and as we all have pride, it is a true wonder that we haven't totally annihilated each other as we live together on this planet. But even with all that God has shown me, the ugly head of pride always finds a way to rear itself back into my life, and usually with no knowledge or awareness on my part until Jesus reveals it. It usually comes in the form of anger, offense, impatience, quarreling, always wanting to be right and high expectations. I found out that anytime I turn my gaze away from God and turn it inward, its a done deal. I either want the easy way out, or I don't want to go the extra mile, or humility is the last resort or "I want every one to feel my pain and understand the unfairness that is my life" (boo-hoo).
    The truth is that when we put ourselves to the side and freely give to others all that God has extended to us, like mercy-forgiveness-grace-patience-tolerance-and kindness, AND when we keep a position of gratitude, AND refuse to place unrealistic expectations on others so that disappointment doesn't consume us, AND when we love others unconditionally without expecting anything in return, AND when we sacrifice and put others interests before our own, here is where we kill the Pride Monster. How do we kill it?? WE CUT OFF ITS AIR AND FOOD SUPPLY!!!
     Jesus tells His people, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world, but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?" (Mark 8:34-37). In the name of Love and all that is Good, let's kill the pride monster lurking in all of us. Every day we must look inside and see where "self" is attempting to rule. Once we've spotted it, lets take out the big guns and put it to death. Be blessed!!

The Mercy of God

     We can best measure the mercy of God in our lives by how much we extend mercy to others. The Word of God says that "He who is forgiven little, loves little" (Luke 7:47), but when we receive this abundance of forgiveness by way of Jesus' death on the cross, we can experience this forgiveness firsthand for ourselves, and only then can we extend it to others without measure. I experience forgiveness every day as I cry out to God and ask Him for mercy for the things that I do that aren't pleasing to Him and that can very well negatively impact others. But it breaks my heart when others can't do the same. When someone hurts me, for as much as I long to cut them off or out of my life, I find out that I can't. But as painful as this may be sometimes, God has still given me an appreciation for the ability to forgive. Although I hurt when people fail me, the truth is that everyone needs to be forgiven. Sometimes it makes me angry when I can't cut people off. It hurts when people aren't accountable for the hurt that they've caused me. But I'm learning more and more every day that their wrong is first against God, and that I'm secondary in the order of things.
     Mercy and forgiveness are so necessary in this life. There will always be someone in need of forgiveness. Sometimes that person is me. But I am grateful to be in this place of extending kindness and forgiveness to others because torment comes with unforgiveness when we can't let our offenses go. The injustice that comes from this life is inevitable and theres no way of getting around it. However, the greatest injustice ever to be experienced was by Jesus in that He never committed any wrongs against anyone, and yet His innocent blood was shed so that many could be reconciled to God. He blessed, anointed, healed, prayed for many, and even resurrected the dead, and yet they still killed Him.
     From the cross, nailed and bleeding to death, He prayed for His murderers and asked the Father to "Forgive them for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34), and His example is one before millions, of mercy and goodness even when it is undeserved. Forgiveness is not for the "deserving", it is extended to those that can't help themselves. We are a people that are filled with pain and we are destructive in nature, mostly towards ourselves. But God saw fit to provide a way of mercy, and that way is through Jesus Christ. Let us love one another knowing that God loved us first. Be blessed!!!
    

The Goodness of God

     Next month I'll be 47 years old, and wow, how the years have gone by so quickly. As a young girl I couldn't wait to grow up. I looked forward to making my own decisions and living my life my way, whatever that meant. I just wanted to be free and I no longer wanted to deal with spankings and punishments for being disobedient (Not that the spankings or punishments stopped me from being bad, but it was still my hope). I didn't understand then what I understand now, and that is that consequences would come with my desired freedom. I wanted to be "Free", but in growing up I found out that Freedom wasn't free at all, and that for every poor choice or decision I made there would be a "price" to pay. So I grew up and experienced my new found freedom, and it wasn't what I thought it would be. The Bible says "All things are permissible, but not all things are beneficial" (1 Corinthians 10:23), and I found that out the hard way.
     Today I look around and I see the broken hearts and shattered lives of many that are experiencing this life of freedom, or rather, lives without boundaries or restrictions, and the misery is evident. I also lived in misery and so it's not very hard to detect that same misery in others. But to think that God has provided a way out for those that are tired and that want to live a life that is filled with peace and that makes sense, and yet many continuously refuse it. Every day the hardship that is this life continues to press upon many, and they have yet to make their escape.
     But the truth is that there is a way to get out of this rat race and to let go of the misery that comes from it, and its not by way of drugs, alcohol, sex, money or the like. Getting out and finding true freedom is in accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In Him they will find all the wisdom and love and understanding they need to overcome the burden that is this world. I know all to well what Jesus can do in the life of a believer because He's done so much in mine. Pain is inevitable, but destruction is optional. We don't have to lay down and die in the name of "Freedom", but we can actually live and experience true love and light in the midst of darkness. Living with guidelines, boundaries and even restrictions is a good thing, and even necessary. Why? Because we are extremists in nature and we need someone to put the breaks on for us, and God will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Freedom isn't free, "and the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Let's live life to the fullest, Let's give God a chance. Trust me, He knows what's best for us. Be Blessed!!

God Loves a Cheerful Giver

Today I started my day as I normally do, preparing for work and for the frustrating commute. Seeing as how it was raining, I wasn't looking forward to all of the dripping umbrellas and soggy clothes that would meet me on the bus. But off to work I went, all the way hating this type of weather, and determining myself not to be annoyed by all of the pushy and impatient people joining me on the ride. Finally, I arrive to my destination, barely making it on time of course (time management is not one of my strengths, but I'm working on it), but so glad that I did because a blessing was awaiting me at the front desk. An Officer and Sister in Christ comes to me and says "I bought you a salad for lunch, and seeing as how I went apple picking the other day, I put three apples in your desk." Truly blessed by her efforts, I gave her a big hug and thanked her. I then went to the corner store to get a breakfast sandwich and a cup of tea. While preparing my morning drink at the coffee stand at the back of the store, one of the officers from my job was there and he paid for my food without my knowing it. When I went to pay for it, the store clerk said "He paid." When I looked around, the officer was standing there with a big grin on his face. Oh my God! How wonderful was that, that this someone would want to bless me as well. I must admit I was blown away a bit. I thanked him with a smile and a humble "thank you" and returned to the job. Finally my day at work was over, and I went home to a waiting husband and he says to me "Honey, what do you want for dinner? We can go out or we can stay home and order out, I just want to take care of you tonight." Wow God! You continue to show me how much you love me by surrounding me with people that take care of me and long to meet my needs. The Heart that gives is always inspired by God! "You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully" (2 Corinthians 9:7); and as they have given unto me, they too shall receive!!

This life is so amazing when you realize that God is in it. Precious moments filled with His presence are too numerous to count. The courage to believe in Him is an even greater feat, but when you do, life makes sense and you begin to wonder why you didn't believe in Him sooner. The end result of life without God is suffering, pain and great depths of frustration. I know all too well this pain of life without Him, and it's a life that I would rather forget. However, my past is etched in my mind, and yet because of God, it no longer has a hold on me. My eyes were opened to the majesty and miraculousness of God and I found out that He takes the past, with all of its pain, and He gives it color and purpose. He even uses it to help others. Only a God of Love can do this. Every day we make decisions not really understanding where they may take us, but the greatest decision that I've ever made was in choosing Jesus, and In Him, my decision has led me to Life. I pray u make the same choice - "Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and cursings. Now I call  on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants may live"
(Deuteronomy 30:19). Be blessed!!