Q. Pride?

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. ~ 2 Corinthians 10:12 TNIV 

Why do we compare?

• Let’s compare notes.
• How does this compare to our competitors?
• Compared to thus and such…
• The two don’t even begin to compare…

Comparison can be both good and bad. Take taste and smell. We generally know how certain food items taste and smell, if either of these is off, we know there is danger. This could be called a healthy comparison. However, we tend to hear ourselves and others comparing one another’s looks, manners and abilities and this is not wise.

Many comparisons stem out of pride and this too, can be good and bad. Pride by definition is an inordinate state of self esteem; it is also, a reasonable or justifiable state of self-respect. Compare, if you will, these two examples:

1. The latest movie release is about a character consumed with pride and vanity.
2. As parents of the valedictorian, they showed great pride in their child’s accomplishment.

Whatever we do must be to the glory of God. The apostle Paul reminds us:

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. ~ 2 Corinthians 11:30 TNIV

God, Himself spoke on boasting.

This is what the Lord says:  “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let those who boast, boast about this; that they understand and know Me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord. ~ Jeremiah 9:23-24 TNIV

For it is not those who commend themselves who are approved, but those whom the Lord commends. ~ 2 Corinthians 10:18 TNIV

If pride is the question, humility is the answer! ~ Kim

p.s. "Humility will relieve you of the obligation to promote your own self interests, thereby eliminating the need to strive to prove yourself to others." ~ Unknown

Home, Sweet Home: You Are In My Prayers America!

Today, May 5, 2011 marks the 60^th annual observance of “National Day of Prayer”. The National Day of Prayer was established as an annual event in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. The observance of the National Day of Prayer is founded on the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and freedom of religion and can be celebrated by all Americans.

Historically, our nation has called for a “Day of Prayer” since 1775, when the Continental Congress designated a time for prayer in forming a new nation. In 1863, Abraham Lincoln called for such a day. Times have changed but our nations needs remain the same in many ways. On this day, it is importance to remember to pray specifically for the following, as they greatly impact our lives on a daily basis and looked upon as our areas of influence:

• Government:  Pray all leaders in any capacity will lead with integrity.

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. ~ Proverbs 11:3 NIV

• Military: Pray for those who protect our country that they will be delivered from the enemy.

Deliver me [our military] from my [our nation's] enemies, O God; protect me [them] from those who rise up against me [our nation]. ~ Psalm 59:1 NIV

• Media: Pray for truth and morality to be presented.

But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. ~ Matthew 12:36-37 NIV

• Business: Pray for those who are faithful that they will remember whose they are in the workplace.

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you and example, that you should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." ~ 1 Peter 2:21-22 NIV

• Education: Pray that those who pursue education will be led in a righteous way, in safe, upright environments.

 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. ~ Proverbs 22:6 NIV

• Church: Pray that the body of Christ will not cease to boldly proclaim the Word and for unity among the believers.

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. ~ Ephesians 4:3-6 NIV

• Family: Pray that these units will grow together in love and righteousness.

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. ~ Joshua 24:15 NIV

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

If you [America] return to the LORD, then your brothers and your children [citizens] will be shown compassion by their captors and will come back to this land, for the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you [America] if you return to him. ~ 2 Chronicles 30:9 NIV

Pray for our nation! As citizens enjoying the rights and freedoms afforded by the United States, it’s not too much to ask. I’m so proud to be an American! ~ Kim

Let's Talk About....

Listen to the word:  hospitality

Spell the word:  H-O-S-P-I-T-A-L-I-T-Y

Use the word in a sentence:  It was refreshing to be met with such hospitality after our long journey.

Hospitality is about:  treatment—reception—disposition.

It is defined as the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers. It’s also defined as the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.

God's Living Word has the following to say about hospitality:

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. ~ Romans 12:13 TNIV

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ~ 1 Peter 4:9 TNIV

It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. ~ 3 John 1:7-8 TNIV

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. ~ Hebrews 13:2 TNIV

Hospitality is more than opening your home to others. It’s about opening yourself to relationship with guests as well as that stranger in the store, on the street or sitting across from you in the doctor’s office. Some encounters only come once, seize them and make them memorable.

Now that I’ve given you some food for thought, go out into the world and smile at strangers, make polite conversation while you wait in line at the grocery store and if you’re really feeling it, extend an invitation of yourself in some meaningful way.  ~ XOXOXO—Kim

SHINE!

Spring is officially just around the corner! I’m fortunate to be able to view the wild buttercups blooming in the lawn. God’s beauty surrounds us and appears in some of the most unassuming places. He always shines! His radiance seeps into every crack and crevice.

Some people have the ability to light up a room with their presence. Are you one of those people? If not, why not?

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. –Matthew 5:13-16 TNIV

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. --Philippians 2:14-16a TNIV

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. --1 Peter 2:9 TNIV

In reading these passages from God’s Living Word, I am convinced that each one of us holds a light within us. Now, go along with your day and SHINE! ~ Kim