Abram was fearful in Egypt, but now is courageous and recovers everything stolen by the raiding kings. And he’s growing in God’s character, concerned for the welfare of other people (something he didn’t show for Sarai in Egypt).
Most importantly, he recognizes God’s hand at work.
Read More character, pride
Humility – a virtue highly valued by God. Many Scripture passages refer to it and show us what it looks like. Here, thanks to the Pharisees and religious teachers of Jesus’ day, we learn what it does not look like.
Culturally, Jews in Christ’s day showed their devotion to God by wearing little boxes containing Scripture on their foreheads and arms.
Read More humility, pride, head-table mentalityJane Austen published her famous novel “Pride and Prejudice” in 1813. Among other things, it explored the elaborate code of morals and manners upheld by the British landed gentry of the day. Austen’s world seems overly concerned about appearances and class distinctions to many of us today. But pride and prejudice are exhibited in every culture, in every age, and our story today illustrates this well.
Read More prejudice, criticism, pride
Someone once reminded me that the most important part of a gravestone is the dash that comes between the year someone was born and the year they died. That dash represents everything that happened over the course of that person’s life. Unfortunately, most people don’t stop to think about their legacy until long after their legacy has already been determined in the minds of the people around them.
Read More words, pride, greed, legacyWhen I was a kid, my mom was having one of those parties in our home where people see samples or catalogues of items and then place their orders. In one of the catalogues, I saw a t-shirt that reflected exactly what I believed about myself. On this t-shirt were the words “General Know It All.”
I wanted this shirt as a badge of honour to tell the world that whatever my opinion was, it was the right opinion and plan.
Read More humility, attitude, pride, plansHave you ever wrestled to make sense of something you have read in the Bible? I have.
Jesus walking on water, an axe floating on water, the sun standing still for an entire day; the Bible is filled with images that can be very difficult for people to wrap their minds around. This passage has one of those images.
Read More pride, grace, loveIt’s been said the root of all sin is pride. Pride could be defined as living independently of God, like our accomplishments are our own.
It would be easy to criticize the prideful Samson, but I’ve been there. Many of us have. It’s surprisingly easy to believe in our own success. Ever notice when things are going well, you don’t feel like you need God? I have.
Read More forgiveness, pride, independenceThis passage calls for us to reflect on our attitude toward our possessions and our riches. Whether we are rich or poor, we all have challenges.
If you don’t have enough, you depend on others to survive (whether by means of a social system or by friends and relatives). This takes humility. It’s not easy to ask for assistance. What’s more, it’s sometimes a challenge to remain honest, especially when there are pressing needs.
Read More poverty, pride, contentment, Riches, honestyOnce again we see Jesus having dinner at the house of one of the Pharisees. Although not all the Pharisees were hostile to him (think of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus), on this occasion they were watching him carefully, ready to spring on him if they caught him breaking the law.
Jesus knew what they were thinking (compare John 2:25).
Read More praise, humility, prideMichael “Bull” Roberts, a 6’4” 400 lb former drug lord and enforcer met God on the floor of a seedy motel. He had fought against God for years but finally, after retaliation from his own gang and a brush with death, Michael knew his time had come. The excruciating, searing pain in both his body and soul forced him to cry out to God.
“Show me one inch of love, God,” Michael begged as he lay in his own tears and filth.
Read More pride, motivation, childlikeness