Grace and Joy Part 1 of 2

PRIDE AND JOY (1 of 2)

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Rom. 12:1

There lay a fellow, upon a heap of straw, contemplating his notoriety, his wealth and all that he owned. He had most everything and the rest he could obtain. His smile reflected the evil pride hidden within. Beside him, a half full wine flask lay. As often as the pride of life crossed his half numbed mind, he sipped liberally from Satan’s cup of poison. This scene was repeated day after day. This poor fellow, hidden from sight, slumbered God’s given life away; his soul no acceptable sacrifice unto God.

Mark 7: 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”

1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” It is written: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of an almighty God.” From God nothing is hidden or out of view. Nothing of this world was created to breed greed and pride. Such are toys for the devil and his angels. With them he devours humankind. We read in first Timothy 3:6 “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.”

Proverbs 11:2 “When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

Isaiah 23:9 “The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth.”

Isaiah 25:11 “And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim: and he shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands.”

Daniel 5:20 “But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:” 1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

One sip from the devils cup of poison never satisfies the thirst of pride. It grows proportional to the heart of the partaker. Our man asleep now on the hay will miss the Sabbath day; his sin revealed to all. He will not lament the loss. They can’t take his riches away. He has more than he can conceal.

Luke 12: “17. And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. 22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. 23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

Psalms 14:1”... The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

Proverbs 28:26 “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

Lean not to your own understanding. Take no thought as to your greatness. In all things, if there be any good in them, think on these things. Know God, know peace. Amen 01-05-2020 BLL