I, PRIDE, MYSELF

While listening to a sermon audio of a recent conference, I heard one of the speakers make the following statement, “I pride myself in usually knowing what to do.” What was it about this statement that just didn’t seem quite right? Three words, Pride sandwiched between I and Myself.

The dictionary defines pride as, “high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority.” Is God concerned with pride? Oh, yes! The word, “Pride,” is found 46 times in the KJ version of the Bible. We can all quote Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Romans 1 goes even further and lists pride as a sin worthy of death, right beside fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, envy, murder, backbiters, and haters of God. Whoa, pride the same as a hater of God? What’s wrong with having a little pride? Can’t I take pride in my appearance, my accomplishments, things I’ve worked hard for and earned? Look closely at your questions, pride cannot be mentioned without using the word I, my, me, myself or mine. Herein lies the problem with pride, one of the attributes God hates. Pride omits God from our accomplishments, who we are and with what we have been blessed. All glory belongs to God and He will NOT share it with anyone even you or me.

In the Bible we find an account of Saul, Israel’s first king. Saul’s humbleness was apparent when Samuel first spoke with him. Saul reminded Samuel that he was a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel and when the time came for him to be anointed king, he went and hid. Let’s jump ahead a few years; what a change. Saul began to believe his "own press;" power and position now defined him. Eventually pride totally consumed him and we read the sad conclusion in 1 Samuel 15:17, “And Samuel said, When thou was little in thine own sight, was thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel?” Verse 23, “Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” Pride cost King Saul his favor with God, his peace of mind, his kingdom and finally his life. What a high price to pay for “myself,” “I will,” and “my way.”

Mankind has had a problem with pride since he listened to the serpent in the garden. I have never met a person who does not struggle daily with pride. My personal war with pride always ends with a fall; either I fall on my knees or I fall on my face. I have found it to be a softer landing when I fall on my knees and let God strip my pride away. As His face comes into view and I allow His will to replace my plans, my accomplishments and my desires, I realize that I am nothing without God. “Dear God, I need your grace to help me to never again “pride myself” in anything but in all my ways acknowledge You.”

GIVE ME JESUS AND STARBUCKS AND......

When I was in college, I had to take a 300 level management class. One of the few things I remember from this class is the importance of a mission statement to an organization. It defines who you are as an organization, your philosophy, your goals and your targeted market. By having a written definition of your organization, management is able to narrow its focus to those things that will fulfill the organization’s goals and ultimate success. Many organizations have failed not because of bad ideas or personnel but because in neglecting to define goals their focus became too broad. I worked for an investor who became wealthy by purchasing distressed rental properties at a low price. This worked for him for several years until he decided to branch out into the hospitality industry. His focus changed and the new ventures became a drain on his proven companies. He eventually divested himself of the losing properties and regained his focus after learning a painful lesson.

Having been raised in dynamic churches, I have had wonderful examples in all areas of ministry. God has placed beautiful, dedicated pastor’s wives, Sunday school teachers, worship leaders, counselors, prayer warriors and people with other callings in my life. I have learned valuable lessons from each and many I have tried to emulate in the callings that God placed in my heart. As a young person, I found myself longing to be used in a specific ministry because the people involved seemed to be so happy, so loved and so blessed. Other times I have gotten involved in certain ministries only to find myself discouraged and frustrated. After many years of “spinning my wheels,” I finally realized that God would lead me into the perfect ministry He had planned for my talents and personality. Once I developed a “Mission Statement” based on God’s plan for me, I found joy in serving and spiritual fulfillment. I was able to pray for others to be used in their call without longing or jealousy at their success.

A few years ago, a man came to start a church in the town in which we were living. He came full of zeal, with a plan and a time frame. To his dismay, his plan included a Starbucks and our town didn’t have a Starbucks. Then he found out it also didn’t have a specific donut or ice cream shop. He continued for a few years but was never able to focus his vision on a strategy that would fit the field he had chosen for his labor. After a time of frustration, he left to fulfill another dream as a manager of a Starbucks. It doesn’t matter whether you work at Starbucks, a Fortune 500 company or are in full-time ministry, let the call of God not your place of employment define your ministry.

If God has placed a burden on your heart ask God to show you where to start. If it is sharing the gospel with hungry hearts, don’t get hung up on the brand of coffee you want to serve, the style of music you envision playing or the fact that you don’t have the personnel for multiple programs. If God wants you to write, don’t worry about who will publish your book, God will open that door. If you have a desire to speak, find a volunteer opportunity that will get you few pats on the back and little applause. In due season, God will reward your efforts and provide the stage. If you will keep your focus on developing a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, all these “things” will fall into place. Remember, you and Jesus are a majority and He can accomplish His will through you without a Starbucks, a magnificent building or flashing lights. Just give me Jesus!

THE SWEETEST HOUR

As I walked into the kitchen, I could feel it; it would be “one of those days.” Actually, it had been “one of those weeks.” You know what I’m talking about, we’ve all had the experience. Nothing was going as planned. I had a pile of laundry to wash, Christmas shopping to finish, the cookies were over baked, music still to be selected for Sunday Service and the view outside the window proved that even the weather was refusing to cooperate. In addition, my opinion had burst out at the wrong time; I couldn’t believe that he actually thought…and that she was still…. I’m sure if I still had dogs, there would have been muddy footprints tracking through the house. I WAS AGGRAVATED!!!!

Finally, the first load of laundry was folded and the bed was made but the dark cloud hanging over my head just wouldn’t lift. The whole world was against me and I was just trying to serve the Lord. Suddenly, the words of an old hymn found their way through the fog into my thoughts. “Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care.” Nice song, I definitely need something to “call me from a world of care.” I continued into the living room, and the words of the song continued in my mind, “In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief, and oft escaped the tempter's snare.” The fog lifted and everything suddenly became crystal clear, I had missed the sweetest hour of the day. Actually, it had been a couple of days.

The laundry could stay in the dryer, the dishes would still be waiting and the Christmas Cards could be mailed tomorrow, I had an appointment that was just too important to miss. I knelt down in my favorite spot and let the peace of God flood my spirit. “Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! Thy wings shall my petition bear. To him who’s truth and faithfulness engage the waiting soul to bless. And since he bids me seek his face, believe his word, and trust his grace.”

Our lives become so cluttered with so many ‘absolute have-tos”, some are even service to God. The demands on our time can become overwhelming and emotionally draining. The only antidote is to make the “sweetest hour of the day” a part of your routine. It is amazing how setting aside only one of your twenty four hours smoothes the way for the other twenty three. Oh, Sweet Hour of Prayer, my day became brighter, the tasks were accomplished in record time and I was able to view my friends with more love and compassion. “I'll cast on him my every care, and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!”

THE PEOPLE GOD WANTS!!!

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Rebecca Manley Pippert tells the story of Bill from Portland Oregon. Bill was a brilliant, eccentric student at the Oregon College who moved to his own drumbeat and refused political correctness or societal expectations. There was a well-dressed, middle-class church across the street from the college. They felt a burden to reach out to the students and welcome them into their service. It just so happens about that time, Bill found the Lord. One Sunday, Bill decided to worship at the church across the street. He walked into church wearing blue jeans, a t-shirt and of course no shoes. The church was quit crowded and Bill, finding no seat, simply walked down the aisle to the front pew and squatted down on the floor. Suddenly, an elderly man began walking down the aisle toward the boy. What was he going to say to the brash college student? He would probably “straighten out” this young man, such disrespect simply could not be allowed in the House of God. The congregation held its collective breath. When the elderly man reached Bill, he simply lowered himself to sit beside Bill on the carpet. He and Bill worshiped together on the carpet that Sunday morning. There was not a dry eye in the congregation.

How many “Bills” have walked through our church doors, felt the chill of the condescending stares and walked out, never to return. How many “Bills” have we passed on the street and looked the other way because they didn’t fit our soul-winning vision. Matt Maddix, a popular soul-winning evangelist, has coined the phrase, “If you reach for the people nobody wants, God will give you the people everybody wants.” TRUE!!! Another speaker has said, “If you reach for the people nobody wants, God will MAKE them the people everybody wants.” TRUE!!! As I thought about these phrases, I thought about all the people I come in contact every day. Some are wealthy, educated, poor, illiterate, intellectual, mentally-challenged, athletic, handicapped, well-dressed, and others are homeless. They are all the people that make up my world. The people Jesus died for! The people God wants!!!

The Bible tells us that Jesus came to “seek and save those who are lost.” When Jesus came, he didn’t check out the demographics, take a poll or target a specific socio-economic group. Who did Jesus “hang” with? A rich, young ruler consulted with Jesus, there was a little widow who had a simple “mite” to put in the offering, a prostitute washed his feet, and he debated with the priests in the temple. His immediate circle consisted of fishermen, wealthy tax-collectors, a wild, wilderness-loving cousin; he had a humble young girl for a mother and the village carpenter for a father. Jesus reached out to the demon-possessed, the epileptics, paralytics and lepers, children, military commanders, the religious elite and sinners. There was no one too great or too unimportant for Jesus to reach for, can we say the same?

We are commanded to go into ALL the world; we don’t have the right to be selective. Take a look around the world in which you live, is there a “Bill” you passed over because he wasn’t in the place you were looking. Maybe he didn’t fit your vision of the ideal “Christian.” Perhaps his ideas didn’t fit your religious philosophy. “Bill” is one of the people God wants!!! I am praying that God removes all prejudice, preconceived ideas and clears my vision to see all the people that are hungry to experience what I have; all the people God wants.

YOU'VE REALLY BEEN GOOD TO ME

Today is the last day of what some call a “Month of Thanksgiving.” Many have used this occasion to post a different thing every day for which they are thankful. I have enjoyed reading the diverse assortment of important things in the lives of my friends. One of the striking characteristics of their thankfulness is that very few material things were listed. We put so much importance on jobs, houses, automobiles, clothing and, of course, the latest electronics but when we actually take the time to give thanks, it is about friends, family, relationships, life and health.

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to clean out the filing cabinet. Perched on a stool, with the shredder on the kitchen counter and a stack of file folders to sort, the purging began. It began as a methodical exercise; limiting the archives to this year’s statements, important contracts and year- end tax returns, shredding previous year’s paperwork and emptying the shredder, over and over. After the files were purged, shredded, renamed for new accounts and organized, I moved on to old check files. Ten years of old checks were just begging to be fed to the hungry shredder, when an attitude of gratitude inserted itself into the process.

I began to look at the canceled checks and realized they told the story of my life for the past 10 years. There were checks to mortgage companies paying for a house, a cottage and a church/office building. I had to take a praise break! Thank you Lord for a beautiful home, memories of summer fun at the cottage and for all the hearts that were touched and changed at the church. More checks, this time with the names of several friends and family members; birthdays, Christmas, weddings, anniversaries, new babies and other special occasions. Thank you Lord for each person you have allowed to share my life and thank you for allowing me to bless them as they have blessed me. I moved on to checks for utilities, insurance, home maintenance, car payments all of which I’m sure were complained about at the time but now represented a bounty of blessings from God. Another praise break! I’m thankful for warmth in the winter, cool air in the summer, the freedom to travel short and long distances and the finances to cover all the repairs. There were payments to doctors, dentists, and even the government. Thank you for good health, root canals and caps and enough wealth to pay taxes. (Not happy about the taxes but thankful for a good job.) Finally, there were checks to charities and tithes and offerings to church. Thank you, God that you provided all of our needs, many of our wants and enough to share with those less fortunate. You really cannot out give God.

As I returned to the task of shredding, my heart was overwhelmed by the goodness of God. He truly is Jehovah-Jireh, my provider. The “Month of Thanksgiving” may have come to an end but the gratefulness continues year round. Lord, you’ve really been good to me.

SO I TAUGHT YOU TO TRUST GOD

When you began to walk, I wanted to keep you from falling, I could not so I stood by ready to pick you up, bandage the scrapes and kiss away the tears. When it was time for you to enter kindergarten, I wanted to protect your young ears and eyes from the influences of an evil world, I could not so I taught you to turn away from evil and toward the beauty of God. When you joined your friends on the playground, I wanted to protect you from the bullies, the teasing and their hurtful words, I could not so I provided a loving home you could always run to and told you about a “friend that would never leave you or forsake you.” As you approached adulthood, I wanted to keep you from failing, but I could not, so I taught you to get up and try again, that the mercies of God are new every morning and by never giving up you would achieve success. As you began to win and life’s success came your way, I wanted to protect you from the pitfalls of pride, I could not so I taught you to be thankful and give all Glory to God. Now you are a man and I would still like to protect you from the world, but I cannot so I stand by and watch with a prayerful heart as you prepare your children to deal with their own scrapes and bruises.

On Saturday, my youngest son, Phil and his wife Holly faced the hardest trial of their life; saying goodbye to their little son, Timothy Lee. I wanted to run, pick him up and kiss away the tears but I could not so in prayer I asked our Heavenly Father to surround him with His love. I knew that my sadness at the loss of my little grandson could not compare to the grief Phil and Holly were experiencing as their tiny son was born. Sunday afternoon, Phil posted the following words to his friends and family:

“Unfortunately, we have sad news to report. On Saturday, Holly and I found that the baby we were expecting died in utero 16 weeks into the pregnancy. Holly delivered little Timothy Lee Niswonger on 11/13 at 4:24 pm. As I held him, I knew that he had been created by the very hand of God. We appreciate all of your prayers as we get through this. Praise be to God.”

The tests we face in life are never the specific events but our response to the events. Phil, I have never been more proud of you as I watch your strength and faith in action during this most difficult time. I may not be able to bandage the scrapes, wipe away the tears or make the pain go away but I know that you will keep holding to God’s unchanging hand and that He will guide you through the dark nights to the joy of the morning.

I CAN CLIMB, IF YOU HELP

We have lived in Tennessee about a month now and we were so excited to have our two grandsons come for a visit. They brought their mom and dad with them, but as all grandparents know, our hearts really long for the grandkids. I stocked the pantry with kid-friendly food, prepared the beds and hauled out the toys. We planned various activities, including a trip to our local park. The park has a walking path that meanders over a creek and is beautifully decorated with several fall displays. Of course the most important features of the park are the various play areas along the walking path. There are swings, slides, monkey bars, a pretend stage coach and several other things on which to swing, climb, hang and bounce. We rounded a curve and an area caught Caleb’s eye; the climbing wall. Nathan followed close behind because anything his 3 1/2 year old brother can do, 1 1/2 year old Nathan will try.

Caleb immediately figured out the hand and foot holds and after watching his brother for a few minutes, Nathan decided to give it a try. His little legs wouldn’t reach the first foot holds and his little arms didn’t have the strength to pull his body up the wall. After watching his desire and struggle for a few seconds, Mommy and Grandma immediately moved in to help. His face lit up with a big smile as he peeked over the top of the wall. VICTORY!!! It didn’t matter that he needed a little boost; someone a little older and stronger to help him to the top, all Nathan cared about was that he had reached the top and was viewing the world from a whole new perspective.

Now of course that is my Grandbaby and my heart melts with compassion at the least little cry for help no matter what situation he has gotten himself into, but what about the new baby in Christ. What about our Brother or Sister in the Lord who has been going to church long enough to “know better?” Do we rush in with a helping hand and strong arm or do we merely watch from the sidelines with a sharp tongue?

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says,” Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor, for if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.” Recently, Steve preached a sermon entitled, “Walk together or Fall Alone.” He reminded us that we need each other. If you have been serving the Lord for any length of time, you know that we all experience times of weakness and discouragement. We may be able to, as David, “encourage ourselves in the Lord,” but how much sweeter the journey becomes when we have a brother or sister to walk along beside us.

The words of an old song come to mind, “If I can help somebody as I travel along, then my living will not be in vain.” I have a responsibility, not just for my own walk with God but to lend a helping hand to a struggling brother or sister along the way. There are time we could all use a little boost whether it’s a strong arm giving a little hug, an encouraging word, knowing someone is taking the time to pray especially for my situation or a friendly phone call letting me know I was on God’s mind. Extend a hand to someone today, climb together and share the glorious view at the top with a fellow traveler; we are in this life together.