THREE LITTLE WORDS

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

^1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

“I got this”.

Just three little words.

They would seem innocent enough. But on the contrary!

I have witnessed these three little words derail the most solid of recoveries and the steadiest of walks.

In fact, I have had a couple of folks recently in my office who have uttered those fateful little words only to see them pop up on the “mug-shot review” or stuck back in the “mess”.

You might be asking, “How could such a simple phrase, three little words, do so much damage?”

It is not the words.

It is the attitude behind the exclamation that packs the wallop.

And that attitude is…you guessed it, pride.

You see there is a fine line between walking in confidence and assurance and being simply “cocky” and arrogant. And time after time it is “cockiness” that craters the most seemingly solid.

“I don’t need to keep up with these meetings”.

“I have heard all that before, why read it again?”

“I prayed yesterday, I got it covered.”

"Church is reserved for Christmas and Easter right?"

Self-sufficiency is a slippery slope my friends. We need always to be careful and watchful that our “assurance” doesn’t morph into arrogance.

Proverbs 11:2

When pride comes, shame is not far behind…

My good friend Tom Thompson, the lead Pastor at REFUGE MINISTRIES will concur. He has seen far more men lose their way from arrogance than any other factor.

In fact Solomon confirms it.

Proverbs 26:12

Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

That is why it is important for each of us to remember that GOD honors and helps the humble.

James 4:6

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Often when we are in a mess, we are desperate for GOD to intervene, to take over and help us navigate through the trouble. But then once the trouble passes or the storm subsides, we are quick to want to be back in control.

Why?

Pride, that is why.

That is why GOD warns over and over again about the dangers.

Proverbs 29:23

Pride lands you flat on your face;

But if you continue on in that little verse from Solomon, he offers the antidote to our prideful tendencies.

Proverbs 29:23

…humility prepares you for honors.

He offers it again here.

Proverbs 22:4

True humility and respect for the Lord lead a man to riches, honor, and long life.

So perhaps instead of, “I’ve got it”, how about we humbly allow “God to have it”. Let’s practice that humility that brings grace and honor. Let’s give GOD access rather than relying on our own arrogance.

Romans 12:3

Don’t think that you are better than you really are. You must see yourself just as you are. Decide what you are by the faith God has given each of us.

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney