Pride

Eze 16:49  Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. 

Just think about this thing called pride, I think we all have it. 

 "If there is a sin that is universal, it is this. Where is it not to be found? Hunt among the highest and loftiest in the world, and you shall find it there; and then go and search amongst the poorest and the most miserable, and you shall find it there. There may be as much pride inside a beggar's rags as in a prince's robe; and a harlot may be as proud as a model of chastity. Pride is a strange creature; it never objects to its lodgings. It will live comfortably enough in a palace, and it will live equally at its ease in a hovel. Is there any man in whose heart pride does not lurk?"

 "Wherever pride is found, it is always hateful to God. Why! pride is even hateful to men. Men cannot bear a proud man; and hence it is that a proud man, who has any sense left, often sees that it is so, and he therefore tries to affect manners of modesty. He will seem to be humble, when he really is not, if he has the suspicion that all about him will dislike him if they know him to be proud. But God cannot bear pride; it is a part of his daily business to put down the proud." (Spurgeon)

Psa 101:5  Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. 

1Pet 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 

Chasing the sunset

There were only a few clouds that reflected the warm rays of the setting sun. I drove west in my car to find a place with no wires to get a picture of the sunset. I remembered chasing the sunset when I first moved north  in the early 1970's. I was living in a small cabin rental in the midst of the oaks and manzanitas.  Color slide pictures were taken then and when the sunset was glorious I would take my 35mm camera and run looking for a tree to silouette against the sunset. One such picture was called the black oak sunset and was used in the camera club competition. I found the sunset last night against a few slender trees near the highway.

Pro 16:17  The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. 

Pro 16:18  Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 

Pro 16:19  Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. 

Near the highway is the train tracks. My photography business was next to the train tracts in the center of the old town. The train used to stop in town in the early days of California, but now the trains pass through. The train cars would pass by my store window and sometimes I would watch them. They were covered with gang graffiti. There is little respect; I remember in the 70's that the hippies would throw rocks at the new cars brought in on the trains. They were against materialistic America. This spirit is still out to destroy our nation, throwing rocks at our laws and the constitution. We look to Jesus. He is coming, make his way straight.

Isa 40:3  The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 

Isa 40:4  Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: 

Isa 40:5  And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. 

We have a nice Senior Citizen hall. Each friday morning my wife meets there with a crochet group. There is a small country western music band that plays their guitars singing old songs. These are old guys too, getting together loving to play music even if their are few to hear them.  Often I will listen to their music while reading the Bible or the newspaper. At the end of each song muffled applause follows and the rapping of my coffee cup on the table. A little encouragement is good. As we were leaving the center I noticed the trees blooming, the blossoms do not last very long, but I had left my camera at home.

These trees were on my mind as I parked my car at the senior center in the dim light, I wanted a picture of these trees. 

Jer 6:16  Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. 

The light was dim, but it was soft. At home I was able to bring out the features of this lovely tree of early spring. We must capture the glory of God when it comes in his creation. The creation glorifies the Lord and so must we. Forget the evil news and let us focus on the goodness of our LORD. Let us praise God with continuous prayer.

Rom 15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 

Rom 15:5  Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 

Rom 15:6  That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Eaglewings Ministries

Late harvest

The last of the garden is harvested. I pulled up the pepper plants and the tomatoes are all through. Persimmons on the tree are bird food now. The lemon tree has fresh lemons and some that were left from last year are still on the tree the size of oranges.

I see the harvest of souls in our nation like this late crop. Some refuse to come to Jesus and are under the wrath of God, the birds devour them like the last persimmons. Some do not know what they need. Some are in addictions or just too much entertainment and cannot see the need, rotting on the vine. Others are family members with hardened hearts like a winter squash. These we pray to God for their souls to be harvested. Some in the church are looking for a great revival. If the church will be ready and be active in witnessing then the last of the crop will come in. I do not see a harvest field, but Jesus said it is ready for harvest; look up, he sees and will guide us to them.

John 4:35  Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. 

Our prayers are needed to bring the last of the harvest to Jesus. Perhaps we should also be seeking the ones who have fallen back into the world?

Luke 14:23  And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 

The devil will send his drones out to confuse the fruit and to block our way. Recognize this and use the sword of God's word; keep going and keep the faith.

Luk 18:7  And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 

Luk 18:8  I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? 

Psa 40:3  And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. 
Psa 40:4  Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. 

Much ado about nothing

Just driftwood

Perhaps others are tired of these posts. At times I feel that I have nothing to say. In myself is no good thing and it is when I realize this that I trust more in the Lord. Music or the word of God are his doing. We are given certain gifts and abilities to develop through complete trust in him. We do not become lazy or neglect practice or the reading of God's word, we do have to be faithful and diligent and to remember that victory or praise belong to him, for when we accept accolades and awards,  pride comes to destroy our anointing. Some have skills of their own to move a congregation or even to manipulate them by personal power. Watch out for this, it is not of God. It is a good thing to encourage someone if their faithfulness has blessed you as the spirit directs you, it helps them to continue. The walk in the spirit often staggers as the flesh wants to dominate. Stay humble and stay the course. Follow Jesus until your salvation is complete in him at his coming.

1Co 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

They shall proceed no further

2Ti 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:6  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Ti 3:7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2Ti 3:8  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
2Ti 3:9  But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

I think that we all can agree that the times are perilous. We see wrong behavior even from our highest officials  who should be examples of what is right and good, instead they are the opposite. So many are unknowing and fooled, led astray and the only thing restraining them are those who know better. The laws of the land does some restraining, but even they are being ignored and changed.  God's word does not change and those who abide by his word and are spirit led are the restrainers of sin. Of course this will make them the targets of those who do evil; the traitors, the arrogant, the pleasure seekers and the liars. Those who are of God can keep a local church from these types, but what of the corrupt in our world? " Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith."

The LORD will not let them get away.

2Ti 3:9  But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

The LORD makes things right.

Psa 37:5  Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 

Psa 37:6  And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. 

Psa 37:7  Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 

Psa 37:8  Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 

Psa 37:9  For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. 

Psa 37:10  For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. 

Psa 37:11  But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 

Psa 37:12  The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. 

Psa 37:13  The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. 

Proverbs - the wicked

I would apply these proverbs to the direction our nations is going.

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

 

Pro 11:9  An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

Pro 11:29  He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

Pro 12:7  The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.

 

Pro 12:13  The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

Pro 12:15  The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Pro 12:19  The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

 

Pro 12:22  Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. 

We are to repent and ask for forgiveness for ourselves, our nation and our leaders. Pray for peace and the LORD's direction.

Two monuments

2 Sam18:5 And the king gave this command to Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: "For my sake, deal gently with young Absalom." And all the troops heard the king give this order to his commanders.

6 So the battle began in the forest of Ephraim,

7 and the Israelite troops were beaten back by David's men. There was a great slaughter, and twenty thousand men laid down their lives that day.

8 The battle raged all across the countryside, and more men died because of the forest than were killed by the sword.

9 During the battle, Absalom came unexpectedly upon some of David's men. He tried to escape on his mule, but as he rode beneath the thick branches of a great oak, his head got caught. His mule kept going and left him dangling in the air.

10 One of David's men saw what had happened and told Joab, "I saw Absalom dangling in a tree."

11 "What?" Joab demanded. "You saw him there and didn't kill him? I would have rewarded you with ten pieces of silver and a hero's belt!"

12 "I wouldn't do it for a thousand pieces of silver, " the man replied. "We all heard the king say to you and Abishai and Ittai, 'For my sake, please don't harm young Absalom.'

13 And if I had betrayed the king by killing his son -- and the king would certainly find out who did it -- you yourself would be the first to abandon me."

14 "Enough of this nonsense," Joab said. Then he took three daggers and plunged them into Absalom's heart as he dangled from the oak still alive.

15 Ten of Joab's young armor bearers then surrounded Absalom and killed him.

16 Then Joab blew the trumpet, and his men returned from chasing the army of Israel.

17 They threw Absalom's body into a deep pit in the forest and piled a great heap of stones over it. And the army of Israel fled to their homes.

18 During his lifetime, Absalom had built a monument to himself in the King's Valley, for he had said, "I have no son to carry on my name." He named the monument after himself, and it is known as Absalom's Monument to this day. (NLT)

 

Two monuments; one to prideful self and a pile of stones marking his destruction.

 

Prov 16:18  Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Prov 16:19  Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

 

John 5:44  How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

 

David may have been a poor father but he loved his prideful son. He did not want any harm to come to him, but the rules of war are different. Joab killed Absalom as Absalom's prideful head was caught in an oak tree limb where he was dangling. An amazing story. All the forest was in the battle, just as God may use the creation to bless us, he can use it to chastize us as well. " ...and more men died because of the forest than were killed by the sword. "

 

Twenty thousand of Israel were killed because of David's prideful rebellious son. David cried when he heard of his son's death.

 

2 Sam 18:33  And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!

This reminds me of Jesus crying over Jerusalem, a rebellious people. 

Mat 23:37  O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

As David would have died to save his rebellious son, God's own son Jesus came to die for God's rebellious sons. We humans were created in the image of God, but sin had separated us. The law said we deserved death. God's love sent his Son Jesus to die for us. A son of David died for all Israel and all who would believe in him. Through faith we receive God's grace instead of the law of death. We are saved by the blood of Jesus and by believing that he did this we are forgiven and given eternal life with Jesus and God the Father. An amazing story and it is the truth. Leave the monuments of pride and the grave and look unto Jesus and the cross.

Not Ashamed

Many say that they will not become a Christian because of what others would say. Listen now, Jesus paid the price to set you free enduring insults from all sides. Let go of your sins and foolish pride and come to the Savior of your eternal soul. He came to set you free.

Mar 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mar 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

Mat 27:38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
Mat 27:39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
Mat 27:40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Mat 27:41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
Mat 27:42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
Mat 27:43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
Mat 27:44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Heb 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

One of the thieves on a cross next to him repented and Jesus said to him "To day shalt thou be with me in paradise."

Luk 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
Luk 23:40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
Luk 23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
Luk 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Luk 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.


Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

Satan was cheering the crowd on and sometimes he may seem to be oppressing you. Remember who you are. Jesus is in you, His Spirit goes along side of you. Speak the name of Jesus and be at peace. You will never be ashamed of his name. He loves you and you love him back.

Joh 15:12  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 
Joh 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 
Joh 15:14  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 
Joh 15:15  Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.