From envy and bitterness to clarity of purpose (Psalm 73:24)

I was captivated by this short video. Joni Eareckson Tada explains how unexpected influence became a responsibility to serve. After her autobiography and film generated thousands of letters from people with disabilities struggling with depression, healing, loneliness, and isolation, she sought God’s guidance. That discernment led her to establish Joni and Friends, turning individual responses into a scalable ministry providing spiritual hope and practical assistance. The central message: influence should be intentionally stewarded for the benefit of people who need it most.

Then I realized that my heart was bitter,

    and I was all torn up inside.

I was so foolish and ignorant—

    I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.

Yet I still belong to you;

    you hold my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel,

    leading me to a glorious destiny.

Whom have I in heaven but you?

    I desire you more than anything on earth.

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,

    but God remains the strength of my heart;

    he is mine forever.

Those who desert him will perish,

    for you destroy those who abandon you.

But as for me, how good it is to be near God!

    I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,

    and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

Influence becomes meaningful when it is converted from visibility into a repeatable system that serves a clearly defined community.

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Smashing bronze snakes: When God's gifts become idols

Jim shared this the other day and I really needed to let go of my past trophies and live in today's challenges. 

The Backstory

In Numbers 21, God told Moses to make a bronze serpent and lift it on a pole. Anyone bitten by snakes who looked at it would live (Numbers 21:8-9). It was an instrument of healing and a call to faith, nothing more.

Hundreds of years later, the object remained. But its purpose had curdled. By Hezekiah's time, the people were burning incense to it, had given it a name ("Nehushtan," meaning simply "a piece of bronze"), and were treating it as an object of worship (2 Kings 18:4). What God designed to point toward Him had become a substitute for Him.

Hezekiah destroyed it. No hesitation, no nostalgia. His reasoning was clear: the symbol had replaced the Savior. The created thing had eclipsed the Creator (Romans 1:25). It had to go, even though it once carried a holy purpose.

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The Lesson

Even gifts from God can become idols when we cling to them wrongly. Traditions, symbols, spiritual experiences, past blessings — any of these can quietly take the throne that belongs to God alone. Israel did it with the bronze serpent. We do it with subtler things.

The warning echoes across Scripture. The prophet Isaiah records God saying, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing" (Isaiah 43:18-19). Jesus warned that no one pours new wine into old wineskins (Luke 5:37-38). Paul pressed forward, refusing to be held by what was behind (Philippians 3:13-14). Reverence for what God did must never become a chain that keeps us from what God is doing.

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The Beautiful Twist

Jesus Himself references this moment in John 3:14-15: "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him."

The bronze serpent was never the destination. It was always a signpost pointing forward to Christ. Hezekiah was not rejecting God's past work. He was protecting God's present glory by refusing to let a shadow replace the substance (Colossians 2:17, Hebrews 10:1).

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Reflection for the Week

What bronze serpent do you need to smash?

It might be social media, a phone habit, an unhealthy website. But it can be subtler than that.

For me, pride in past achievements became an idol. I found myself protecting a former version of myself rather than remaining open to God's corrective input today. It is a kind of PTSD in reverse: worshipping a past experience, guarding an old award, rehearsing a former identity. The very thing God once used became a wall between me and what He wants to do now.

The Psalmist prays, "Search me, God, and know my heart... see if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24). That is the prayer for this week.

Lord, help me look forward to Your presence and the promises You are fulfilling in me now and in the days ahead. Loosen my grip on what was. Give me eyes for what is. Amen.

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Forgotten Maker, Building Their Own Greatness

 Core Theme

The cyclical pattern of prosperity → forgetfulness → self-reliance → judgment → restoration

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I. THE PATTERN OF FORGETFULNESS

A. Prosperity Breeds Amnesia (Deuteronomy 8:11-20)

The Warning Cycle:

1. God delivers and provides (v.14-16)
2. People become satisfied (v.12)
3. Hearts become proud (v.14)
4. Attribution shifts from God to self (v.17)
5. Worship follows attribution (v.19)

Cross-references:

• Hosea 13:6 - "When they had grazed, they became full, they were filled, and their heart was lifted up; therefore they forgot me"
• Deuteronomy 32:15 - "Jeshurun grew fat and kicked... he forsook God who made him"
• Proverbs 30:8-9 - "Give me neither poverty nor riches... lest I be full and deny you and say, 'Who is the LORD?'"

B. Historical Amnesia (Psalm 106:13, 21)

Speed of Forgetting: "But they soon forgot his works"

Pattern in Israel's History:

• Egypt's deliverance → Golden calf (Exodus 32)
• Wilderness provision → constant grumbling (Numbers 11-14)
• Conquest victories → Canaanite compromise (Judges 2:10-13)
• Kingdom glory → idolatrous division (1 Kings 11-12)

Jeremiah 2:32 - The absurdity: A bride never forgets her wedding attire, yet God's people forget Him "days without number"

Additional References:

• Judges 8:33-34 - "As soon as Gideon died, the people of Israel turned again and whored after the Baals and made Baal-berith their god. And the people of Israel did not remember the LORD their God"
• Nehemiah 9:16-17 - "But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey your commandments. They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them"

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II. SELF-MADE MONUMENTS

A. Building Without God (Psalm 127:1)

The Futility Principle: Human effort apart from divine blessing = vanity

Three Applications:

1. Households - Family legacy built on human wisdom alone
2. Cities/Nations - Civilizations that exclude God (Psalm 33:12)
3. Personal Achievement - Career, reputation, wealth as self-constructed towers

Isaiah 22:11 - The condemnation of Jerusalem: intricate waterworks and defenses, but "you did not look to him who did it, or see him who planned it long ago"

B. The Tower Syndrome (Genesis 11:1-9)

Babel's Characteristics:

1. Unity in rebellion - "Let us make..." (not "Let God make...")
2. Self-glorification - "Make a name for ourselves"
3. Fear-driven building - "Lest we be dispersed" (rejecting God's command to fill the earth, Gen 9:1)
4. God-replacement - Tower reaching to heaven (usurping divine position)

Modern Babel Parallels:

• Corporate empires without ethical foundation
• Personal brands built on self-promotion (Isaiah 14:13-14 - "I will... I will...")
• Theological systems that exclude God's revelation
• Technology worship - Habakkuk 1:16 applied: "he sacrifices to his net"

Additional References:

• Isaiah 5:21 - "Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!"
• Obadiah 1:3-4 - "The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock... who say in your heart, 'Who will bring me down to the ground?'"

C. The Rich Fool's Delusion (Luke 12:16-21)

Five Fatal Mistakes:

1. Monologue with self - "I will say to my soul" (v.19) - God never consulted
2. Ownership delusion - "My crops, my barns, my goods" (v.17-18)
3. Security in things - "You have ample goods laid up for many years"
4. Temporal focus - "Relax, eat, drink, be merry" (no eternal perspective)
5. Death's interrupt - "This night your soul is required of you" (v.20)

The Verdict: "Not rich toward God" (v.21)

Cross-references:

• James 4:13-16 - Boasting about tomorrow without "If the Lord wills"
• Ecclesiastes 5:10-15 - Wealth acquired, wealth lost; "naked he shall return"
• Matthew 16:26 - "What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?"

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III. PRIDE'S TRAJECTORY (Proverbs 16:18)

A. The Downward Spiral

Pride → Destruction
Haughty Spirit → Fall

Biblical Examples:

1. Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:28-37) - "Is not this great Babylon, which I have built...?"
2. Herod (Acts 12:21-23) - Accepted worship, struck down immediately
3. Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:16) - "When he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction"

B. Self-Worship in Disguise (Habakkuk 1:16)

"He sacrifices to his net" - Worshiping the instrument of our success

Modern Idols:

• Education/credentials - "My degree earned this"
• Work ethic - "My hustle built this empire"
• Strategy/intelligence - "My brilliant plan succeeded"
• Networks - "It's all about who you know" (whom I know)

Romans 1:21-25 - The exchange: Truth of God → lie; worship of Creator → worship of created things (including ourselves)

Additional References:

• Ezekiel 28:2-5 - "Because your heart is proud, and you have said, 'I am a god'... yet you are but a man"
• 1 Corinthians 4:7 - "What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?"

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IV. THE ANTIDOTE: REMEMBERING AND REBUILDING RIGHTLY

A. Commanded Remembrance

Deuteronomy 8:18 - "You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth"

Memory Mechanisms in Scripture:

1. Passover - Annual reenactment (Exodus 12:14)
2. Feast cycles - Regular rhythm of remembering (Leviticus 23)
3. Stones of testimony - Physical memorials (Joshua 4:6-7)
4. Lord's Supper - "Do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19)
5. Teaching children - Generational transfer (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)

Psalm 103:2 - "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits"

B. God-Centered Building

Proper Attribution:

• 1 Chronicles 29:11-14 - David's prayer: "All that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours... Both riches and honor come from you... But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you."
• James 1:17 - "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above"
• Philippians 2:13 - "God... works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure"

Proper Building:

• 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 - Building on the foundation of Christ with gold/silver/precious stones (not wood/hay/stubble)
• Matthew 7:24-27 - Wise builder on rock (God's Word) vs. fool on sand (self-will)
• Colossians 3:17 - "Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him"

C. Humility's Protection

Proverbs 3:5-7 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding... Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD"

Micah 6:8 - "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

1 Peter 5:6 - "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you"

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V. PRACTICAL APPLICATION

A. Daily Questions for Self-Examination

1. Attribution audit: When I recount success today, who gets the credit?
2. Building inspection: What am I building—and whose glory does it serve?
3. Memory check: What has God done that I'm tempted to forget?
4. Idol inventory: Where am I "sacrificing to my net"?
5. Eternal perspective: If God required my soul tonight, would I be "rich toward God"?

B. Specific Action Steps

1. Establish remembrance rhythms - Weekly gratitude journaling specifically noting God's provision
2. Reframe success narratives - Practice saying "God enabled me to..." instead of "I accomplished..."
3. Preach to yourself - Psalm 42:5, 11; 43:5 - "Why are you cast down, O my soul? ...Hope in God"
4. Build with eternal materials - Regular evaluation: Will this matter in 100 years? 1,000? Eternity?
5. Practice dependence - Begin projects/decisions with prayer, not just planning

C. Warning Signs of Forgetfulness

• Decreasing prayer life despite increasing success
• Irritation when God gets credit for your achievements
• Anxiety about losing what you've built (revealing where security lies)
• Difficulty celebrating others' success (competition rather than stewardship mindset)
• Trajectory toward luxury while ministry/generosity plateaus

Revelation 3:17-18 - Laodicean delusion: "I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing" (not knowing spiritual bankruptcy)

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VI. THE ULTIMATE CONTRAST

The Two Builders:

Self-Made Builder:

• Forgets Creator → Becomes own creator
• Builds monuments to self → They burn (1 Cor 3:15)
• Trusts in own strength → Falls (Prov 16:18)
• Rich in things → Poor toward God (Luke 12:21)
• Dies → "Fool!" (Luke 12:20)

God-Dependent Builder:

• Remembers Creator → Reflects Creator's glory
• Builds on Christ → Work endures (1 Cor 3:14)
• Trusts in God's strength → Stands firm (Psalm 125:1)
• Rich toward God → True riches (Luke 12:21)
• Dies → "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matt 25:21)

Final Word - Jeremiah 9:23-24: "Thus says the LORD: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.'"

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Closing Challenge

Two paths lie before every achievement:

1. Amnesia → Self-glorification → Destruction
2. Remembrance → God-glorification → Enduring fruit

The choice is made not once, but daily—in how we narrate our stories, allocate our resources, and direct our worship.

Your move: What monument are you building today? And whose name will be carved at the top?

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Watch your life and doctrine closely and persevere in them (1 Tim 4:16)

 Enjoying Rob Harbison, Proverbs and reminded of this:

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers...The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever. (1 tim 4:16, 5:24-25)

Mature believers should lead in the church, because new believers (recent converts) are prone to pride. 1 Tim 3:6 says "he may become conceited/puffed-up or he might become proud and fall under the same judgment/condemnation as/of the devil.

Amplified puts it this way and He must not be a new convert, so that he will not [behave stupidly and] become conceited [by appointment to this high office] and fall into the [same] condemnation incurred by the devil [for his arrogance and pride].

• Pride comes before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 says, Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
• Your heart grew proud of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor; so I cast you to the earth; I made you a spectacle before kings. Ezekiel 28:17
• How you have fallen from heaven, O day star, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the ground, O destroyer of nations. / You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. / I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” Isaiah 14:12-15
• In the same way, Cain builds his name, Seth brings repentance to God's name (Gen 4). Jesus said, not my will but your will be done (Luke 22:42, Matthew 26:39) on earth as it is in heaven.

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. (Prov 9:10)

Fear and knowledge of God is the result of God's grace. Being a recipient of the God's grace humbles us and humility is the cure for pride. Peter tells us in the first letter, "Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (1 Peter 5:5) and then the second letter Peter gives us a progression. First, our faith is righteousness, grace and peace - increasingly seeing God's power in our lives (2 Peter 1:1-4). Then, knowledge of God with obedience leads to increasing effective faith (2 Peter 1:3-11).  Peter shows how born again faith grows up into quality faith (2 Peter 1:1-11)

Praying for my brother Joe who has moved into TCLI after a wonderful year in recovery at TC. Praying for Rolando as well.

When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. Proverbs 18:12

• So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12
• For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:12
• For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:11
• I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:14

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you. Romans 12:3

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:5-6)

I will boast in my weakness (2 Cor 12:9), I was nothing when the Lord lifted me up. 

Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, / and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death Heb 2:14-15

If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Galatians 6:3

...Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 1 Corinthians 8:1

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A heart that knows God, is truthfully surrendered before him (Jer 4:3-22)

 Jer 4:3-22

Key verses;

This is what the Lord says..."Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns. My people are foolish and do not know me,” says the Lord... (Jer 4:3,22)

A) God's heart change is required, pride and power must be surrendered. (Jer 4:1-9)

4:3-4) LORD says, "Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Don't waste good seed among thorns, surrender pride, power - change heart before the LORD or bear unquenchable fire of anger for sin.

• Today, God's word is living and active (Heb 4:7,12),Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5:16). 
• The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. Luke 8:14
• But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. Luke 8:15
• I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Ezekiel 36:26-27

5-9) Shout, broadcast, signal - terrible destruction upon you, land, devastated, ruined, LORD's anger brings mourning, broken heart

Application: When Jesus says forgive and bless don't curse - do you put it into action? This is retention, persevering and producing. What evidence in your relationships 

B) God's people deceived about peace, on the road of destruction without Him. (Jer 4:10-22)

10-12) Jeremiah confused, "People deceived by God's promised peace, but sword, burning wind - no breeze for winnowing grain, blast - destruction

• Jesus, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword... (like Jesus) take your cross and follow, find life in Christ and lose it for his sake. (Matthew 10:34,38-39)
• Apostles given authority; cast out unclean spirits, heal every disease/affliction (even Judas) - Matt 10:1-4)
• Apostles sent to lost sheep of Israel, proclaim 'Kingdom of Heaven is near', no money, worthy house, peace/ else worse than Sodom/Gomorrah (Matt 10:5-15)
• Apostles persecuted like sheep among wolves, wise serpents, innocent as doves, Spirit of Father speaks through you, family's against each other for Jesus' name sake, (Matt 10:16-22)
• Apostle misunderstood like Jesus, run out and perceived as 'Lord of dung/flies', Servant isn't greater than master (Matthew 10:23-25, John 15:18-21)
• Apostle fearless of men, valued by God. Reveal/proclaim, abiding in/given to God (Matt 10: 26-33, John 15, Romans 12)
• Jesus taught to live life with God on purpose (Matt 16:25-27, Job 27:8)
  

13-15) enemy hurricane speed, doom /Jerusalem cleanse your heart, be saved don't harbor evil thoughts destruction

• Doctrine of Election is God's irrevocable call for everyone (Genesis 25:23)

16-18) warn nations, Jerusalem enemy against Judah, 'for my people rebelled against LORD' actions/punishments' bitter/ piercing to heart 

19-21) My heart pain, heard trumpets blast, waves of destruction, battle flags

• For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb 4:12
• Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! (Hebrews 12:25 NLT).
• For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it (Job 33:14 NLT)

22) My people are foolish, don't know me says the LORD, stupid, no understanding, cleaver enough to do wrong, no idea how to do right!

Application: Many people don't realize their lack of belief doesn't remove them from God's plan for humanity. As Christians our hearts are broken, we speak yet find few hearers. Yet we believe God is close to the broken hearted and able to heal the hardest heart. The apostle Paul was a Christian Killer who ended up receiving apostleship to the gentiles that includes me. We'll all see clearly some day, in time and eternity.  

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Jesus miraculous power and popularity, John the Baptists executed (Matthew 14:1-12)

  Matthew 14:1-12;Mark 6:12-29

Mark 6:12-13) Preaching repentance, drove out demons, anointed sick with oil and healed them. Jesus is now famous (Mark 6:14) for miraculous powers at work in him. People speculate he is Elijah, a prophet like Moses (Mark 6:15).

Matthew 14:1-2) Herod tetrarch, hears about Jesus miraculous powers - "must be John the Baptist risen from dead"

• 3-5) John B (prophet) in prison for confronting Herod (hate/fear) against law w/ brothers wife Herodias. Herod feared/protected John, knowing him to be righteous and holy. When he heard John he was puzzled yet liked to listen to him (Mark 6:20). 
• 6-11) Herod's b-day promise (distress/pride/murder), Herodias daughter dance, mother request John's head. Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him (Mark 6:19).
• 12) John's disciples took his body, buried it, told Jesus

Application: John was jailed for being bold and speaking truth to power, yet he did it in a way that those he confronted liked listening to him. The impression he left them was knowledge of his righteousness and holiness. Herod in his power and pride was not stable in any of his convictions. Where do I lack self-control and follow through? How often do I lack stability in my convictions? I often feel like the man how looks at himself in a mirror and immediately forgets what I look like (James 1:23-24). Lord help me to see your law is freedom, to continue in it being an effective doer (James 1:25).

John was righteous and holy, from his birth - all the way to his execution (Luke 1:15,16). To that point, he was the greatest, yet we now have been given the opportunity to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, to be greater than he (Matthew 11:11). Jesus Feeds 5,000+ and Promise we will do more.

When we feel like we've lost everything we can go to Jesus like John's disciples did (Matthew 14:12). Jesus has been entrusted with all things from the Father (Matthew 11:27). So he says, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30).

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Trusted life is a righteous person living by faith (Hab 2:4)

“Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith." Hab 2:4 NKJV

Reading This is the Life! by Warren Wiersbe, chapter two starts with these vereses: Habakkuk 2:3-4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38

• Romans emphasis is on the just and how lost sinners can be justified (declared righteous) before God
• Galations is on how God's people live, free from the demands of the law, depending wholly on God's grace
• Hebrews emphasis is on words by faith, found at least nineteentime in the epistle

Habakkuk contrast two kinds of people in this world, unbelieving proud and self-sufficient people who think they don't need God, and the saved people who are justified because they have trusted Christ and expreienced God's saving grace. The true Christian is saved by faith (Eph 2:8-9) and lives by faith. "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7).

 - 10 types of people, those who understand binary and those who don't

 - what is faith?

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Seeking revival from God vs seeking God for revival

I'm reading Glorious Finish and really enjoying the perspective Daniel gives on ministry. The main point is it's most important who we are in Christ than what we do for Christ. Our ministry can either lead to eternal glory or dishonorable discharge. Ministry is done with joyful hope or disappointing irrelevance. It reminds me of something Daniel told me years ago, "don't just do something, pray."

Lately, I've been in need of revival in my soul. I've been self-starving my relationship with God: Not praying, not seeking his guidance in the Bible, not engaged in ministry - yet over-committed to ministry roles. What's been taking my time? Television, movies, games, walks, youtube... And now that church is not meeting, and I don't have alone time in the car to worship - my soul is suffering.

Daniel outlines reasons, rhythms, results, and rewards that revive the soul. Worship leads to humility and authenticity while neglect leads to self-reliance and professionalism. When my security is in God, my significance is in his way - not my own.

Prayer:
God, let my heart be yours. Let your name be lifted higher.

There is Love
That came for us
Humbled to a sinner's cross
You broke my shame and sinfulness
You rose again victorious
Faithfulness none can deny
Through the storm
And through the fire
There is truth that sets me free
Jesus Christ who lives in me
You are stronger
You are stronger
Sin is broken
You have saved me
It is written
Christ is risen
Jesus You are Lord of all
No beginning and no end
You're my hope and my defense
You came to seek and save the lost
You paid it all upon the cross
So let Your Name be lifted higher
Be lifted higher
Be lifted higher

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Saul commits suicide and David with God restores hope (1 Samuel 28-31)

1 Samuel 28-30; Psalm 36;1 Samuel 31;1 Chronicles 10;
AIM: Without God, we can do nothing, with God everything is possible.

Saul secretly consulted a medium for help and condemnation is revealed (28)
1-2) Philistines to fight Israel, David serves Achish
3-7) Saul in fear of man, seeks God, without an answer in Sauls way (dream, Urim, prophets)
8-14) Saul seeks Medium to talk with Samuel, medium see a divine being coming up out of the earth
15-19) Samuel says what he said before, Lord "has torn" kingdom out of your hand
 - Prophecy of the future in it's done already speech.
20-25) Saul faints from starvation, woman urges him to eat and he does.

29:1-11) David was released from fighting against Israel.

David and his men defeated the Amalekites and shared the plunder.  (30 with Psalm 36)
30:1-6) David's men see their city destroyed, woman/children taken, want to stone David
 - But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God (v6)
7-10) David consults Lord, goes after them
11-15) 3 days of riding find an Egyptian who tells everything, agrees to bring David to Amalekite
16-20) David 24 hours of slaughter and recovered wives and all their stuff
21-25) David rejects "this is mine" takes a "this is ours" approach
 - Psalm 36:1-4, the sinfulness of wicked, no fear of God, flatter themselves plot evil
26-31)David gives some of the spoil to all the elders and friends
 - Psalm 36:5-12) extend the lovingkindness of God to those around you

Saul took his own life. (31 with 1 Chronicles 10)
31:1-6) Israel falls on Mount Gilboa to Philistines killed Saul's sons: Jonathan, Abinadab, Malchi-shua, Saul falls on his sword, armor bearer does the same
7) the rest of Israel fled, Philistines lived in their cities
8-13) Philistines cut off Saul's head and stripped his weapons - carried "good news" to idols and people, good men found the bodies and buried them.

Chronicles f10:13-14
13 So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against the Lord, because of the word of the Lord which he did not keep; and also because he asked counsel of a medium, making inquiry of it, 14 and did not inquire of the Lord. Therefore He killed him and turned the kingdom to David the son of Jesse.

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People have four dispositions, three are toxic, one is from God

Disposition is the power to deal with something as one pleases

The Bible teaches we have 3 enemies, the Eph 2:1-3, the world, the flesh, and the devil
 - a "fleshly" disposition says "I do what I do, because I want what I want" -selfishness
The Holy Spirit opposes the flesh: Gal. 5:16-17
 - a "worldly" disposition says, "take all you can, no one will give it to you" -godlessness
The Father opposes the world: I John 2:15-17, the world tries to shape our thinking toward godlessness (John 15:18-25)
 - a "devilish" disposition says, "I do what I do, because I hate myself and others" - wickedness
The Son opposes the Devil: Luke 4, I John 3:8 - 

Disposition is a person's inherent qualities of mind and character

"By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins. So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." -2 Peter 1:3‭-‬11 NLT

Disposition is the way in which something is placed or arranged, especially in relation to other things:
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 ESV
 - Years ago this became part of my "life verse" (1 Peter 4:7-11). I've said it before but this "love covering a multitude of sins" is preventative. When we share our lives with people, showing the way and blessing them with our gifts, talent and blessing. We change, the world changes and God is glorified.
 - Glorifying God isn't something we add to God, it's pointing out to others that He is glorious, awesome and wonderful.

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Pride in our heart; it's companions and consequences

THE HUMAN HEART—Pride

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

COMPANIONS OF PRIDE

Proverbs 16:18;18:12; 21:4; 16:18;21:24; 27:2; 20:6; 17:19

A. Haughtiness (18:12: 21:4: 16:18). Haughtiness (arrogance, aloofness) is being disdainfully or contemptuously proud. Pride from our heart shows contempt for others because from the outside it seems obvious what that person should do - yet we are blind to our own problems.
 - Before disaster, the heart of a man is haughty and filled with self-importance (18:12)

B. Scoffing (21:24). Why does he scoff? It is his way of letting you know his superiority and your inferiority.

 - acts with overbearing (egotistic, autocratic/dictatorial) and insolent (rude) pride. (21:24)C. Boasting (27:2; 20:6: 17:19). Pride’s greatest fear is that someone else will not notice the greatness it sees in itself. Therefore, it boasts of itself.

I. PRIDE VS. GOD

Proverbs 16:18;3:5-7; 8:13; 15:33; 22:4;16:5; 6:16-9;29:23; 15:33

A. Pride is the Ultimate Sin Against God (3:5-7). It is the assumption that man is self-sufficient and important enough to compete with God’s greatness. magnitude. strength and wisdom.

- Fear the Lord [with reverent (respectful, worshipful) awe (wonder) and obedience (submission, compliance, willingness)]
- And turn away from evil (sin, crime, wrong, darkness, disaster, injury, harm)

B. Pride Opposes the First Principle of Wisdom (8:13: 15:33: 22:4). That principle is the ‘fear of the Lord.”

How does it oppose this principle?

 - 22:4, The reward of humility [that is, having a realistic view of one’s importance] and the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord Is riches, honor, and life.
 - Very important, but not most important
 - Jesus demonstrated humility,  emptied himself, being a bondservant, likeness of man Philippians 2:7, was homeless (Luke 9:58), for our sake become poor, through his poverty we become rich (2 Cor 8:9), he prayed earnestly for us (Heb 5:7, John 17), he was the greatest servant leader (Luke 22:27), he ate with outcasts (Luke 15:1-2), didn't look to men for glory (John 5:41), would not accept promotion (John 6:15), he washed his students feet (John 6:38)

C. Pride is an Abomination to God (16:5; 6:16.19). It claims honor for itself, but only God can bestow honor and He does so in response to man’s humility rather than his pride (29:23; 15:33).

 - (16:5) Everyone who is proud and arrogant in heart is disgusting and exceedingly offensive (displeasing, insulting) to the Lord; Be assured he will not go unpunished.

 - A proud look [the attitude that makes one overestimate oneself and discount others]. Wowza, it's mid-year review time....

II. CONSEQUENCES OF PRIDE

Proverbs 16:18; 11:2;25:27;13:10; 28:25;15:25: 16:18-19; 18:12

A. Shame (11:2:25:27). It is ironic that pride seeks glory for itself, yet receives shame.

 - (11:2) When pride comes [boiling up with an arrogant attitude of self-importance], then come dishonor and shame,
But with the humble [the teachable who have been chiseled by trial and who have learned to walk humbly with God] there is wisdom and soundness of mind.

B. Contention (13:10: 28:25). What kinds of relationships experience conflict, strife, and contention because of pride? Work relationships, home relationships, family, community, strangers on social media (Kathy Giffin beheading Trump)...

C. Destruction (15:25: 16:18-19: 18:12). God brings the man who challenges Him to ruin. He has no need to even compete with man for glory.

Thanks to Rob Harbison for sharing this excellent study on Proverbs

http://www.padfield.com/acrobat/harbison/proverbs-rh.pdf

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Faith in Jesus is a spiritual issue not simply intellectual

I enjoy talking with people about Jesus. Hearing what they believe and why. I especially love seeing how the Holy Spirit works between people. I call these divine appointments and I've notice they happen more frequently than I used to think. These moments require spiritual discernment, like Ananias had in confirming what the Lord told to Saul (Paul) Acts 9:10-12,17-19. Later Paul wrote with inspiration from the Holy Spirit about the reality of spiritual discernment, confirming Jesus teaching and James would write how believers come to together in fellowship as part of God's plan for us. Prophets said we would be taught by God (Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 8:10-11; 10:15-16) and this happened when Jesus Christ came into the world and after his ascension when he gave us the Holy Spirit to teach and to guide us (John 16:12-13; 1 Cor 2:10, 14; 1 John 2:20,27)
Acts 9:10-12,17-19;1 Cor 2:8,11-14;John 5:38,44;7:17;James 3:13-18;5:13-20

MaryKateMcDevitt

Why is intellectual belief not spiritual faith?

(The people that crucified Jesus didn't understand)...For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.  This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. - 1 Corinthians 2:8,11-14 NIV

Does his word dwell in you?
Jesus said plainly, "...nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent...how can you believe if you don't seek glory that only comes from God...Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God (John 5:38,44;7:17)

Spiritual wisdom verses earthly wisdom

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. - James 3:13-18 NIV

Getting right with God in fellowship with believers
God who sent Jesus to us, also draws us to Him. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. we see this in Paul's conversion in Acts 9.

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. - James 5:13-20 NIV

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Trust God's precision scalpel

Too often I find myself coming to God in desperate prayer as a last resort. In my heart I know It's because I feel confident in my ability to get things done and the root of this attitude is pride (not the gracious hard working attitude from 1 Corinthians 15:10). Proverbs 16:18 famously states, "Pride comes before a fall". Earlier this year I attempted to host "Compassion Sunday" at my church and failed, they sent a detailed survey and as I answered the questions I realized it was my failure to ask God first for everything that needed to happen. It brought me back to the teaching I received in the BSF Leadership retreat this year in Milwaukee. To cure pride in my heart I need to humbly come to the Lord. I need to Trust God's scalpel in true repentance to him.

Christians have an ongoing struggle against sin that is frustrating

• Temptation has a cure: Jesus said in Matthew 26:41; Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. Could be important as it's also in Luke 22:46 and Mark 14:38 adds "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak"
• FBI: Prayer should be Frequent, Brief and Intense (Pray without ceasing 1 Thes 5:16-18)
• Stop, Drop and Roll: Temptation can feel like a fire starting in our soul, when I was kid I was taught to memorize this in order to put the fire out. From a prayer perspective it's helpful reminder to Stop what your doing and pray (drop), then move (roll).

• Sin held back from God, deceives us: James 1:12-16 reminds us God doesn't temp us, rather we are tempted by our own desire, then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin and sin fully grown brings death. He ends this teaching with the warning, "Do not be deceived"
• The heart is deceitful and desperately sick, only Lord God can search and examine it accurately (Jeremiah 17:9-10).
• By faith we humbly ask God to heal us AND he saves us. Read Jeremiah 17:14 Notice he says, "if you heal me Lord, I will be truly healed, if you save me, I will be truly saved". That's the kind of "all in" faith that God requires, not an experimental, half-hearted faith (James 1:5-8). When we come to God we must believe he exists and rewards those who seek him (Hebrews 11:1,6).
• Stand against the devil but run from sexual temptation: I was listening to OnePlace.com yesterday and heart Jeff Schreve say regarding sexual immorality in the church, "we are to stand firm against the devil (James 4:7) and his schemes (Ephesians 6:11) but when it comes to sexual temptation we are the ones who must run (1 Corinthians 6:18-20).
• Ding Dong - Run Away! Genesis 39:7,12 tells us when your in a situation that you know is leading to sexual temptation, run away - even leaving behind your valuables, get out of there!
• We Stand firm to protect, defend and speak truth: The devil's schemes are to lie, steal and destroy to harm what God loves more than the heaven's and earth he created, mankind (John 10:10). Jesus came not to condemn the people but to save them (John 3:16-21).
• Grace is the Power to overcome sin: Romans 6:12-14 teaches us that we are not to let sin reign in our body, making us obey its passions. Instead of presenting ourselves to sin as tools of unrighteousness we should present ourselves to God as instruments for righteousness. Sin will have no dominion over you when you submit yourself under God's grace. Notice the "will have no dominion over you", shows the active responsible part you and I have to be active in Grace. Grace isn't about God doing everything for us, Grace is the unmerited favor of God in our lives "to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purposes" (Philippians 2:13)
• Romans 12:3 - By Grace, we know not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought but with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given us.
• John Bevere's book Relentless is all about making God's Grace abound in you, his preaching is awesome - see it here
• Ask help from others to Pray Graciously: To clear your conscience, that you can live honorably in everything you do. "Now may the God of Peace who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. "(Hebrews 13:18-21)

Rend your heart not your garments (Joel 2:12-13)

• Return to God with all your heart: I love seeing this simple truth across the Bible, Deuteronomy 4:29, promises that while you are sinful, in a foreign land, you will worship idols made from wood and stone—gods that neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell. But from there you will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him.
• The Diagnosis: We are brokenhearted and need God to show us this truth we can't see without him (Proverbs 21:2; Matthew 15:18-20; 1 Samuel 16:7; Psalm 34:18).
• Total Heart Replacement: What Jesus described in John 3:3, is what Ezekiel saw in Ezekiel 36:26 and what the Psalmist prayed for in Psalm 51:10. This is the begining of Jesus' teaching of the sermon on the mount or the beatitudes that even non-christians argue, saying "Jesus is a good teacher". In Matthew 5:8 Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
• Fasting, weeping and mourning: Our part in the process of repentance is to stop our routine to see what God wants to show us, this is the spiritual discipline of fasting. Jesus expects us to fast ("and when you fast...", Matthew 6:16-18).
• People haven't understood acceptable fasting: Isaiah 58:3-7 teaches that fasting that God wants is to loose the bonds of the wickedness, undo the straps of the yoke, let the oppressed go free and break every yoke. To share your bread with the hungry, bring homeless and poor into your house. To cover the naked people you see. When Jesus fasted he experienced Satanic opposition (after he was baptized and received the Holy Spirit), Matthew 4:4 shows that Jesus lived by "every word that comes from the mouth of God". Fasting is not about routine like the religious people did (Luke 18:12)
• Fasting is self-deprivation on behalf of others: Psalm 35:13, "they were sick, I afflicted myself", Acts 13:2-3,14:23 - Prayer and fasting to commit ministers and elders to the Lord, Ezra 8:21-23, Joel 1:14 to humble ourselves before our God, seek from him community needs, not from others. 1 Corinthians 9:27, to keep my body under control.
• Weeping and mourning is the fuel for good preaching: This gets the heart of 'why do we preach'. Jesus wept when Lazarous was dead so that the Jews would see how he loved him (John 11:35-26,1-44). Jesus approaching Jerusalem saw the city and wept over it (Luke 19:41). How often have you wept on your way to minister to others? Rend your heart!
• Know God's grace, compassion and loving-kindness
• The Gospel!: I love Titus, specifically Titus 2:11-3:15 God’s grace and mercy revealed in Jesus Christ is the basis of redeemed, changed lives where once bad people can now do good.
• Come near to God, he will come near to you: Do it with the purpose to purify your heart (James 4:8), do it right now, while He may be found, to forsake your wicked way - return to the Lord and he will have compassion on you - abundantly pardon you (Isaiah 55:6-7)
• Confidence in Jesus: Hebrews 4:15-16 basically says, Jesus totally 'gets us', so come to him for help in your time of need. Do it by the Holy Spirit, through faith in Him (Ephesians 2:18; 3:12), we experience the these truths when we simply come to him - we say confidently 'The Lord is my helper' (Hebrews 13:6).
• Be Honest: The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth (Psalm 145:18)

God’s word cuts us open and exposes our sin and encourages repentance (Heb 4:12)

• Personal response is required: years ago many people in the US would smoke cigarettes, then it was outlawed in public places because of the harmful effects on individuals and people around them. The government spent money on "quit smoking" advertising, one commercial showed a guy sitting in the living room with his daughter playing on the floor and while smoking he said, "I know it's bad for me" then another younger guy would say, "I'll quit, maybe". I was a smoker and I know it's hard to stop, while your a smoker. I've quit smoking several times for a day, a week, a few months, a year and finally I realized that if I have a single cigarette - it's back to square one again. So the point is, it's easier to be 100% committed than it is to have to make a new decision every day or every situation or moment. I'm not having a cigarette in any situation - not while golfing, or watching a sunset in the Caribbean or even if it's the end of the world. So make a decision and let it be 100%, go under the knife and let God perform the total heart replacement, get into God's word and join with other Christians who will come along side you. Do it right now, in Jesus Name.

Scripture sources and concepts: http://compassionsunday.com/, http://www.atgrace.com/
http://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-18.htm
https://www.bsfinternational.org/
http://www.openbible.info/topics/temptation
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/from-his-heart/listen/tolerating-sexual-immorality-535598.html
http://biblehub.com/philippians/2-13.htm
http://biblehub.com/jeremiah/17-9.htm
http://www.openbible.info/topics/faith
http://biblehub.com/joel/2-12.htm
http://www.openbible.info/topics/heart
http://www.openbible.info/topics/fasting
http://biblehub.com/john/11-35.htm
Throne of Grace: http://biblehub.com/hebrews/4-16.htm

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