“praise-puffs”

“As the refining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold, so is a man to his praise”.

[Proverbs 27:21]

How do you respond when someone compliments you? Some people absolutely love receiving praise because it lifts their spirits and makes them feel valuable. Others are uncomfortable with it. They look down at their feet or offer reasons why they really don’t deserve such praise.

For Christians, there’s another dilemma. We’re called to be humble, so what are we to do when others say good things about us? Because pride is always waiting to raise its ugly head, we need to be careful not to let praise puff us up. Some believers think that accepting a compliment is a sign of pride, so they make a big show of giving all the glory to God. That’s fine, if it’s really what’s in their hearts, but too often it becomes a category of a “Christian” response that’s geared to impressing others.

My advice is simply to say, “Thank you very much.” Then whisper a prayer in your heart to the Lord, thanking Him for the blessing, recognizing that anything worthy of praise ultimately comes from Him. If you felt encouraged, let the person know how the comment blessed you. If you receive praise for an achievement that was really a group effort, be sure to redirect the compliment to all those who were involved. A blessing is always more enjoyable when it’s shared.

Our character is tested by the praise that comes to us. Every compliment that bounces into our ears should quickly rebound up to the Father. If we hold onto it, the poison of pride will begin to infect our hearts. But if we pass the praise to God, humility takes up residence in our souls.[--------------------on another ♪ love Cheetos !!]

shout to the LORD!

[ Joshua 6:1-5 ]

Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in. And the LORD said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor. You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you shall do six days. And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him.”

 

 

When you and I read that today it is easy for us to think, “Oh, that must have been pretty normal and natural to Joshua.” But it wasn’t. It did not make any more sense to him than it would have to you and me.

Imagine God taking Joshua aside and telling him that all they need to do is march around the city one time for six days. Then on the seventh day march around seven times and shout. It made no sense. Naturally speaking, it was ridiculous!

All of us will face our Jerichos, and sometimes God’s plans won’t seem to make sense. Our part is to listen and obey—even when God’s instructions don’t make sense to our natural minds. He has had a lot more experience winning battles than we have!

under the influence…

[ Proverbs 22:6 ] “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it”. 

What a great responsibility this places on parents. Records of royal lineage– (I Kings 15-16) illustrate that one’s level of submission to God is often mirrored in the offspring’s life.

Now, it’s true that children eventually grow and make their own decisions. There are godly parents who are heartbroken by their kids’ poor choices. Similarly, some from backgrounds full of sinful bondage become righteous people of integrity.

train up a child…

As mothers and fathers, we are given a momentous task: to model and teach how to live according to God’s Word. Thankfully, we don’t have to rely on ourselves for wisdom. Good parenting involves prayerful self-evaluation, godly counsel, and thoughtful course corrections.

Start by considering how you’d answer the following questions if your children were to walk in your way: What place will Jesus, the Word of God, and the church have in their lives? Will they seek God’s direction as the ultimate guide for decisions? Will they develop strong godly relationships? Will they know how to handle money wisely? Will they do their best in their vocation? As you seek answers, ask God to reveal truth, since self-examination can be difficult.

In prayerfully considering your impact as a parent, expect to see positives and negatives. The goal isn’t self-condemnation, so keep in mind 1) there’s no perfect parent and 2) it’s never too late. Even if the kids are grown, you can ask forgiveness, share what you’ve learned, and model a godly life starting now.

no need for a stint!

The upright shall have good things in possession. (Proverbs 28:10)

The book of Proverbs is also a book of promises. Promises ought to be proverbs among the people of God. This is a very remarkable one. We are accustomed to think of our good things as in reversion, but here we are told that we shall have them in possession. Not all the malice and cunning of our enemies can work our destruction: they shall fall into the pit which they have digged. Our inheritance is so entailed upon us that we shall not be kept out of it, nor so turned out of the way as to miss it. But what have we now? We have a quiet conscience through the precious blood of Jesus. We have the love of God set upon us beyond all change. We have

power with God in prayer in all time of need. We have the providence of God to watch over us, the angels of God to minister to us, and, above all, the Spirit of God to dwell in us. In fact, all things are ours. “Whether things present or things to come: all are yours.” Jesus is ours. Yea, the divine Trinity in unity is ours. Hallelujah!

Let us not pine and whine and stint and slave, since we have good things in possession. Let us live on our God and rejoice in Him all the day. Help us, 0 Holy Spirit!

suspect: spy

When the twelve spies returned from searching the promised land, they said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we” (Numbers 13:31).

That was the report they brought back—at least ten of them that is. The other two, Joshua and Caleb, had this to say,

“Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them” (Numbers 14:9).

They all saw the same things in the land of Canaan, but only Joshua and Caleb chose to agree with God. The Lord had previously told them that He would give them victory and that they would be able to drive out the inhabitants of the land.

The ten spies (along with all Israel) died without ever possessing what God had promised. Only two men from that generation entered into Canaan and possessed the land. I think you can guess who they were—Joshua and Caleb. The only two who agreed with the declarations of God.

Check out what you have been saying. Do your words agree with God or not?

forgiveness, fighting, & freedom

The memory of the righteous will be a blessing
(Proverbs 10:7)

For he who is least among you all will be great.
(Luke 9:48)

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
(Psalm 33:12)

Be on your guard: stand firm in the faith: be men of courage: be strong.
(I Corinthians 16:13)

JESUS-name above ALL names

Give Honor and respect to all those to whom it is due.
(Romans 13:7)

only trust him…

Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask you father and he will tell you, your elders and they will explain to you.
(Deuteronomy 32:7)

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
(Proverbs 29:25)

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
(I Thessalonians 4:13-14)

No one has greater love than this – that one would lay down his life for his friends.  

(John 15:13)

in a pickle, in a pinch….

Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you… [Exodus14:13]

We Americans use a number of words to describe a predicament. If you’re from the East, you probably know about “being in a pinch.” If you like to cook, you’re “in a jam” or “in a pickle.” If you’re from the South, you’re “between a rock and a hard place.” . . .

It may be that right now you find yourself in a predicament. . . .

And what should your response be?

Most people are prone to say, “God helps those who help themselves.” People think that despicable saying comes from the Bible, but it doesn’t. It’s from the pit. No, God helps the helpless ! As long as we’re helping ourselves, who needs God? It’s when we reach the end of our tether, and we’re dangling out in space, that we finally cry out, “God, help me!”

And God says, “I will. BUT 1st you need to Let go.”

Letting go works against human nature. But God wants us to do just that—to free-fall into His everlasting arms and trust completely in Him.