Pride

Pride will eventually give way to humility. It may not happen overnight. And it may have to follow a painful process, because pride can be very, very stubborn. It provides one a false sense of security, though spiritually-minded people know it is only a matter of time before the fall will catch up with you.

To remove Pride you must begin with submission to Christ.  Acknowledging his Lordship and ownership over your life. When you walk with God you will walk in humility. Pride cannot co-exist in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit’s light reveals pride and convicts you during times of prayer and Scripture meditation.

It is also easy to recognize pride in others while it is still looming in your spirit. Humble yourself to others and trust God to humble them.

…..“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,  7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. ~ 1 Peter 5:5-7

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

How to Choose Happiness

By Inna Segal

Many of the experts on happiness say that being happy is a choice; that it is a decision you make every morning, that today ‘I am going to be happy’. But how is it some people manage to have that inner contentment and others struggle to put a smile on their face? I have asked thousands of people what makes them happy or unhappy and have discovered certain repeating themes: People feel happy when they have a fulfilling relationship, a career they love, great health and energy and variety of interests.

Often those people have a positive attitude to life and they see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Here are seven keys which can help you experience more joy and happiness in your life.

Seven Simple Keys to a Joyous Life

1)  Value Yourself

2)  Be Committed to Happiness

3)  Be Open-Minded

4)  Look After Your Health

5)  Keep Your Sense of Humor

6)  Believe in the Power of Laughter

7)  Appreciate the Lucky Charm of Happiness

Read in entirety at Beliefnet.com

How Do You See Yourself?

by Joyce Meyer

Do you like yourself? After years of trying to help people emotionally, mentally, spiritually and socially, it was a major breakthrough when I discovered that most people really don’t like themselves. Some of them know it, while others don’t even have a clue that this is probably the root of so many other problems in their lives.

God wants us to have great relationships, but self-rejection and even self-hatred are the roots of many relationship problems. In fact, I’ve found the Bible to be a book about relationships, providing valuable advice about my relationship with God, other people and even myself.

How are the relationships with other people in your life? What about your relationship with God…and even with yourself?

Did it ever occur to you that you have a relationship with yourself? While I’ve never given it much thought, I spend more time with myself than with anyone, and it’s vital to get along well with me. Remember, you are the one person you never get away from.

Click here to read in it’s entirety:   Joycemyer.org

Happiness in Grief

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

 

Life is a series of gains and losses. We gain friends and we lose friends. We gain confidence and we lose confidence. We gain money and we lose money. We gain a position and we lose a position. We gain weight and we lose weight. We gain perspective and we lose perspective. Many times during the transition between our loss and our gain, we grieve. Grief follows loss. But it’s in our grieving that God gets our attention.
 
Who or what do you miss? A loved one who graduated to heaven, a career that you enjoyed or a child who has left the nest and started their own family. Perhaps your heart still aches from time to time. Anger may well up occasionally or your mind plays tricks on you with “what if” scenarios, causing you to doubt your decisions. However, it’s in this contemplative process that we learn to listen to the Lord—trust Him—and be loved by Him.
 
There can be comfort from Christ during your grief from a loss. We all live in a house that contains rooms of mourning. We avoid these areas, but eventually we have to visit them. And we learn—the greater the grief—the greater the potential for gladness. God’s goodness becomes the glue for our fractured faith. Job experienced the Lord in his loss, “The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety” (Job 5:11).

Spiritual grief comes when we are separated from God by our sin, and we mourn over our broken fellowship. There is a godly sorrow that is sensitive to sin and quick to repent. Spiritual mourners lament when their sin isolates them from intimacy with Christ. So, do not linger long in grief over letting down the Lord—freely receive His forgiveness.
 
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin” (Psalm 51:1-2).

Lastly, look for those around you who silently suffer or who may be grieving unknowingly. Followers of Jesus sympathize by mourning with those who mourn. Take the time to come alongside them and offer care, comfort and Christ. Weep with those who weep, while the Lord’s love wipes away their tears. Jesus ministered to the grieving while on earth and He still comforts and makes hearts happy through the Holy Spirit. 

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26, KJV).

Is Christ my comfort during times of grief? Who can I comfort who is grieving a loss? 

Related Readings: Nehemiah 1:1-10; Ecclesiastes 3:4; Acts 8:2; Romans 12:15

Boyd Bailey is the author of Wisdom Hunters daily devotional and two devotional books, Infusion and Seeking Daily the Heart of God