Pride's Control

Whenever I find myself wanting to do things my way or looking down on other people disapprovingly, I am being controlled by my pride. Only when I eliminate my pride can God help me be all He meant me to be.

Rationalize & Justify

People can rationalize anything if they have no standard for judging right from wrong. We can always "prove" that we are right. Often it starts by simply saying something like, "There's nothing wrong with ...."

Wise People

The person who has wisdom is loving and faithful. He trusts in the Lord, puts God first, turns way from evil, knows right from wrong, listens and learns, and strive to do what's right. He possesses knowledge and discretion, hates pride, arrogance and evil behavior. He respects and fears God, gives good advice and has common sense. He loves and accepts correction, is teachable and knows God. (Proverbs 3 & 4, Proverbs 8:9)

Where Glory Lies

The glory of a battle is in the hope of winning. But the glory of peace making is that it may actually produce two winners - who realize that it is far better to be reconciled than it is to be right (or to "win").

Achievements

Achievements are simply examples of what God can do through someone's life. The most effective leaders spoken of in the Bible had little awareness of the impact of their lives on others. They were too busy obeying God to keep track of their own successes.

Great leaders, through whom God does great things, put themselves in positions to be used by God like that because they dedicate themselves to studying God's Word, they lead with the intent to make practical application of God's Word, they are purposefully obedient to God's Word and finally, they teach God's Word to others. It is through this "to do" list that they become most useful to God.

Remembering God

I must intentionally remember all that God has already done for me - and it's a lot - so that I won't be drawn away from Him by the world's pleasures. The world's "gods" are enticing with power, influence, sex, money, fame, etc. But God is much more than all of that together even. He is the desire of my heart. Let my head be conscious of the truth in my heart every minute of every day.

Heart of Evangelism

It is said that some of us have a spiritual gift of evangelism. But I'm not sure that's really accurate. It seems to me that when we truly comprehend God's majesty and goodness, we cannot help but tell others about Him. Witnessing comes naturally when our hearts are full of appreciation for who God is and what God has done.