Friday, September 9th
Psalm 73:1-11
1Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. 3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. 5 They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. 6 Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. 7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits. 8 They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression. 9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. 10 Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. 11 They say, "How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?"
Envy (noun):
- A feeling of discontent and resentment aroused by and in conjunction with desire for the possessions or qualities of another.
- Malevolence.
- Having or exhibiting ill will; wishing harm to others; malicious.
- Having an evil or harmful influence.
- Having a homogeneous or uniform composition; not mixed.
- Free from adulterants or impurities.
- Free of dirt, defilement, or pollution.
- Free of foreign elements.
- Containing nothing inappropriate or extraneous.
- Complete; utter.
- Having no faults; sinless.
- Chaste; virgin.
How can I call myself pure? I have faults. At times, I have envied, wanting things others have. It really was just petty things. A Playstation two, an Xbox, just some new gaming system. I wanted it so bad, when people would share their joy of having a new one; I took as gloating and became bitter inside. “How come they get one and I don’t,” would be my thought. And then I would put on my new shirt with the Pride label showing for all to see. I would then later put on the Pride pants, socks and shoes (not a good label, they get old real quick). Did I become violent? No, I didn’t, not physically, anyway. But my bitterness did show with a very ungrateful attitude. How is it that these people get everything their hearts desire, and I am left living from paycheck to paycheck?
Exodus 14:11-12
11 They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!"
Grumble (verb):
- To complain in a surly manner; mutter discontentedly.
- To rumble or growl.
- To express feelings of pain, dissatisfaction, or resentment.
- To make a formal accusation or bring a formal charge.
I may not have spoken the words, they may not have left my lips, but I was complaining in my heart. I was not satisfied with what God had done for me. I have repented of this form of pride, but every now and again it flares up. And I start back over. That is OK, I guess. I am a work in progress. Thank God for grace. Johnny Out.
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13 comments:
Hello all, I come before you in dire straits. My family has been riddled with a number of problems of late. First, my sister's niece was born August 30th and has been battling for her life. She was due for brain surgery on Friday, but they held on based on further tests. She is not in the clear just yet, but things are looking up. Second, my father-in-law had surgery on Wednesday on his back, things are looking good, but he is in a lot of pain, and currently needs a walker to get around. It does look like the back surgery was a success. Third, my mother-in-law may have to go through electro shock therapy and be admitted to the hospital tomorrow due to depression. I am not too sure what to make of it just yet, but I should have more information by tomorrow afternoon. Do keep them in your prayers. I really appreciate it, as does Jenny.
Jonathon,
I am inspired by this method of studying out the word of God. Just recently, I starting having my quiet time with a dictionary by my side - looking for various definitions of words. It is amazing the clarity that comes for defining certain words, even words that I am familiar with. Thank you very much for inspiring me. Stay blessed.
Johnny,
thank you for your example.
Pride: A part of my human nature.
For me the hardest sin to recognize and confront is my pride. It comes out as arrogance sometimes, and I don't see it. Pride is wanting my own way. Pride is telling God how He should fix the situation, the person or anything but me. Pride is when I know I have suffered and paid consequences for my sin and I am waiting for God to do the same to someone else...so they pay for what they have done...usually hurting me. Pride is trusting my own judgement and not God's. It is so big that I am amazed at how often I carry it around without giving it to God. Pride is the greatest thing that separates me from forgiving others or myself.
Keep sending your thoughts. i enjoy reading them. they do give me something to think about too. Love, your sister in Christ
Keep that Dream bro... God loves dreamers and visionaries...
what i like from the ICoC is Discipleship... "..Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you..." this includes Accountability, which purpose is definitely good for myself... i'm the kind of person who lack of self motivation... i'm Thankful for every brothers whom constantly reminding and challenge me to be like Christ...
"It shall be said among the nation, there's a God who shares our dream" - A Man Who Dream - Songs of Kingdom
I wanted to add on to what Johnny said...
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 4:6-7
anx·ious adj.
Uneasy and apprehensive about an uncertain event or matter; worried.
Attended with, showing, or causing anxiety: spent an anxious night waiting for the test results.
pe·ti·tion n.
A solemn supplication or request to a superior authority; an entreaty.
A formal written document requesting a right or benefit from a person or group in authority.
Law.
A formal written application requesting a court for a specific judicial action: a petition for appeal.
The judicial action asked for in any such request.
Something requested or entreated.
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. –John 14:13-14
I have definitely felt anxious about all those situations. Johnny and I both have been praying about them, of course. I'm glad he's asked for more prayers. As Philippians says, we should present our requests through petition. Even though the definition says it could come from a single person or a group, I've always thought of a petition as being supported by a large group. That's where you all come in.
I just read John 14 last night. Verses 13 & 14 really surprise me. Jesus says he'll do whatever we ask for in his name. It challenges me because I think God has limits...that sometimes he'll say no. Not that he can't fulfill certain requests, but that he knows what's best for me and what I'm asking for isn't in my best interest...like a kid asking to eat cake & ice cream for dinner. But Jesus said he'll do it if I ask for it in his name. Which actually kind of scares me. He'll give me that cake & ice cream if I ask for it. Then, maybe I'll get a stomach ache or gain weight or maybe there won't be any consequences, that time.
It seems that I've veered off subject, but bear with me. I don't know what God's plan is in these situations. Maybe he wants to use them to bring someone to Christ or to deepen someone's faith. I don't want to mess up his plan, but if one or all of these situations becomes the "worst possible scenario", I don't know if I have the strength of mind/spirit/heart to deal with it in a godly way, especially those involving my parents. So, I'm not sure what to pray for, except for strength and peace and to be able to recognize God's plan here. Which reminds me of this...
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
"This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. --Matthew 6:7-13
"Daily bread" doesn't just mean food to me. I take it as all that I'll need to make it through the day, including strength and peace. I think I'll also ask for clarity. I feel pretty muddled in my mind and spirit because I want to be able to dictate the outcomes for each situation but I also know that I'm not as smart as God nor am I omniscient like God. So I'm struggling between what I want to pray for, how I'm use to praying, and the fear of asking for the wrong thing.
So, please pray for our families and for me.
Thank you!
I'll be praying for your family. Take care.
We Love you and your family Johnny Ray!!! We will pray for the specific needs of you and your lovely family!!!
Johnny;
I will pray for your family in this time of need. Please remember
that God is the great physican and can heal anything. Give my love to
jenny and Mac. I am thinking of you.
Wow bro... I'll be praying for you.
Keep up your faith and be strong for them, I'll be praying for you and your family.
God is in control.
Good morning brothers, how is everyone this morning? I am fired up and excited about the changes that are being made in my life. The changes are going to greatly benefit my relationship with God and with my brothers and sisters. As I said yesterday my girlfriend and I are apart now and we are going to work on our relationship with God first and formost and prayerfully if it is Gods will then we will be together again. The great thing out of all of this is that the sin inmy life was revealed and God is gracious and he is still with me as long as I go to Him and seek Him with all of my heart, mind and soul, which I had not been doing. Thank you Jeff for helping us talk it out and share our lives with you and Nancy. I was reading this morning and really praying that I would draw closer to God and be with Him and be more like His son Jesus Christ my savior. I read in Isaiah and there was the answer on how to do so. I was also reading in Corinthians about being Christ ambassadors to the world. Things are so much clearer and I can can concentrate so much better. I know that this is day one but I do know that I need to continue to go after God and God alone. I love all of you and I pray that all of you has a great day and weekend and God bless.
Isaiah 1
16 wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, 17 learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. 18 "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient,you will eat the best from the land;
The last verse rings so true big Bro. If you are "willing and obedient" in your heart of hearts, God will grant you the best of your desires. I will keep you in my prayers, and I commend you for getting open. It's hard to do sometimes, but that is the Spirit of Truth working in your life, and convicting you. There is no other greater joy that having the Spirit direct your life, and help you in times of need. Thanks for humbling yourself before God, and before your brothers and sisters in Christ.
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