Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 16

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. v18

One of my biggest sins is arrogance, and pride is often not that far behind.  Yet through my Lord Jesus Christ I know that for those that deny themselves "the last shall be first".


Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. v19

"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23, Matthew 16:24

 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Matthew 20:16

"Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.” Luke 13:30

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, You are above all and reign forever.  You have ordained all of the days of my life and You hold all things together.  You are full of patience, compassion, mercy, etc. for me...thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I am full of arrogance and pride.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin and lead Zach and Dustin to You so that You become their Lord and Savior.  Help me be humble and put You before all others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

Proverbs 16

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. v9

As I posted yesterday (and previously), God is in control, has ordained all of my days (Psalm 139) and does not plan to harm me but to prosper me (Jeremiah 29).  I know God loves me and I desire to honor him and to offer my body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Him (Romans 12).  If I draw near to Him, He will draw near to me (James 4).  When I draw near to Him and focus on renewing of the mind, my hope and prayer is that I "may discern what is the will of God" (Romans 12).  

Lord, PLEASE direct my steps!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are!  I know I experience all good and perfect gifts because of You.  You bless me beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus but please forgive me for my laziness and desire for comfort.   Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin..and lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me be the man You intend for me.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

Proverbs 16

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. v3

I have often posted about the folly of our own plans, which put ourselves first - contradicting what God commands us to do (Exodus 20, Matthew 22:37-40).  

Gamaliel, according to this commentary was Paul's teacher, made this statement about the folly of human (vs those of God) plans:

"For if [Jesus' disciples] purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:38-39

See also this post.

As I posted a couple of days ago, humility (Matthew 5:3) is core to our journey with Christ.

When we focus on renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2) we can better understand God's will for our lives.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are!  You are wisdom, truth and light in a world that is full of lies and darkness.  Apart from You I can do no good things and You are a lamp unto my feet!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of Your compassion and mercy!  Please forgive me for my sloth and laziness.  Help me be the man You intend for me.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...help me lead Zach and Dustin to You and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.

Proverbs 15

The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place. v25

God abhors pride and arrogance - which itself is a sign of selfishness.  Yet just as Jesus came not to serve but to be served, we are not to expect that our desires come first.

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:43-45

 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Matthew 20:16

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are!  You are all powerful and all knowing - yet You chose to take on human flesh and suffer and die for me so that I could avoid the sting of sin and death, and have life, life to the full, and eternal life.  Thank You Jesus!  What an awesome gift You are!  I am not deserving of such a gift!  I am selfish far too often.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo. Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You. Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 15

The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. v4

Building on what I posted yesterday, the scripture today also focuses on how use of words when speaking can either build or encourage others or tear them down.  I know for myself that I have too often done the latter.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up[.] Thessalonians 5:11

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are.  You are the Word and the Word is God, and Your Word is encouraging - it is light.  Your word is a lamp unto my feet. Thank You Jesus!  I cannot walk without You.  Yet I often am not a light unto others and I tear people down.  Please forgive me Jesus.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and lead them to You to be their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. v1

I have recently posted on two other occasions about how words should be used to encourage vs tear others down - see here and here. 

This morning the focus is how words damage relationships and I know how this happens because I have often used my words to tear others down and I know this damages relationships.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of patience, compassion, kindness, mercy, etc.  My words cannot do justice to Your greatness.  I know I need a God like You because I cannot do any good things without You.  Thank You for mercies and patience for me.  Please forgive me for my weakness and failure to seek You for protection from temptation and sin.  Help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me be gentle with my words.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Please help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and lead them to You Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Help me glorify You with my life.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

Proverbs 14

Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. v29

God commands us to love Him with all of our heart, soul, and mind (Exodus 20, Matthew 22).  He provides His Word, the church, brothers and sisters in Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  

The promises of abiding in Christ are many, including the fruits of the Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23

God wants us to love others as He loves us (John 13:34-35)...and He slow to anger and abounding in love...so we are to be patient with others.  My patience must extent to Zach and Dustin where their growth is a longer term process - trust in God is key.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You ARE a great God slow to anger and abounding in love.  I experience Your love - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love because I often fail to love as You do.  Forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and lead Zach and Dustin to Christ...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.