“I am a wretched man. Who will deliver me from this body of death?”
~ Romans 7:24
Copyright © Othealor W. Prince 2016
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TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!
It is amazing how many believers walk in pride everyday while pretending to be humble.
Just the other day I witnessed a Pastor telling another Pastor that he couldn’t use a guess preacher who didn’t have as large of a congregation as he had. And on another occasion I heard a Pastor say that if a preachers doesn’t have a congregation or a “church” that he wasn’t a “real pastor” and couldn’t serve in his pulpit. And on many and various occasions I have engaged in conversations with individual believers who attributed honor and glory to one Pastor or Church while minimizing the importance and value of another in comparison. Many believers have expressed pride and a sense of aristocracy in the size and beauty of their worship facility and in the credentials and accolades of their Pastor. Many so-called Christians openly and expressively demonstrate pride in their Church or Denominational connection, religious history, material wealth and membership size and the size of their ministerial staff and the notoriety of their Pastor.
Many don’t think much of their boasting and consider it lighthearted competition and good clean Christian fun among competing denominations and Christian organizations. But let see what the LORD says about such prideful hearts.
First, the LORD doesn’t approve of nor ordains competition between churches or dissension or any kind of division among His children or within His EKKLESIA (The Divine Body of Christ – the Church).
…For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man? ~ 1 Corinthians 3:3
Nevertheless, brothers, I call on you in the name of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah to agree, all of you, in what you say, and not to let yourselves remain split into factions but be restored to having a common mind and a common purpose. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:10
Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. ~ 2 Corinthians 13:11
Secondly, there is no such thing as “Christian Pride” or a prideful Christian. The LORD doesn’t endorse Pride in any form, especially among His little ones.
Proverbs 16:5
Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.1 Samuel 2:3
“Boast no more so very proudly, Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; For the LORD is a God of knowledge, And with Him actions are weighed.Proverbs 3:7
Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.
REPENT!
Copyright © Othealor W. Prince 2016
All Rights Reserved
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!
I have learned through the Grace of FATHER YAHWEH that when I am feeling my worst and at my lowest HE shines Brightest in me. For it is not by my might, strength, wisdom, skills, talents or intestinal fortitude, but by HIS SPIRIT. (Zechariah 4:6)
Some mistakenly entertain the notion that they are who and what they are by their own hard work, ingenuity, charm, money and sacrifices. And others dangerously accept praise and glory that belong to GOD. (Acts 12:23)
But I know that It is GOD!
ALL PRAISE, HONOR AND GLORY BELONG TO GOD.
Copyright © Othealor W. Prince 2015
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TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!
We should be ashamed of ourselves in the presence of the LORD; humbled by HIS Undeserved GRACE in the Person and Spirit of Yehowshua HIS SON and our LORD.
No man or woman can stand justified on their own merits in GOD’S presence. We must always remember that it is only by The GRACE, MERCY and FAVOR of FATHER YHVH through the BLOOD of CHRIST.
It Is Only By HIS LOVE and in spite of our wretched and unrepentant condition.
And because we can never earn, deserve or work for our own salvation, HUMILITY should be our daily clothing and PRAISE our Daily Bread.
I wonder can anyone say “AMEN?”
1 Corinthians 1:20-29 New International Version
20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.
Copyright © Othealor W. Prince 08/11/2015
All Rights ReservedTO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!
Pictures are credited to MyBible.com and iBelieve.com respectively
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” ~ Matthew 6:16-18
Have you ever noticed that there are some folks who are always drawing attention to the fact that they are humbling themselves through fasting and prayer? Have you ever seen someone who is always looking down, sad and gloomy while trying to be humble and lowly?
I have noticed that a lot of folks confuse looking sad with being humble. Some folks walk around looking like sad-sacks thinking that they are being humble.
But being “Sad” and being “Humble” are two different things.
To be sad is to experience grief.
To be humble is to experience God.
“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (James 4:6)
Stay HUMBLE my Friends.
REPENT
To God Be The Glory!
I have noticed a great increase in the traffic on my FaceBook wall, pages, group and web blogs. The number of which I will not enumerate here so as not to be numbered among the braggarts or conceited.
I know that what I am about to write may not sit well with those “positive thinking” and motivationally inspired Christians. But I must say what I must say. Maybe I am not as advanced in the Spirit and the Word as some of you. Please continue to pray for this old boy.
However, Please Don’t Get It Twisted!
There is nothing good about me or who I am. I am not the brightest bulb in the lamp nor am I the strongest in the Faith.
Anything that I may have been privileged to share with you that may have helped you, encouraged you, inspired you, enlightened you or unveiled some mystery of God’s Holy Word to you was not because of my own intelligence or insights. It was because of the GRACE of God.
PLEASE don’t get it twisted!
Although some folks would not come to the same conclusion or self-evaluation that I have, once exposed to the Brilliant, Unsearchable and Unfathomable Light of God’s Divine Revelations, I am left with no other assessment of myself other than I am a wretch undone in the presence of the LORD. I am most assuredly the chief of sinners. I am left with no more words in me nor strength to stand before God’s GLORY. All that my soul can dare to whisper in unheard breath is “LORD HAVE MERCY ON ME!”
You are welcomed to take whatever glory and honor and praise and reverence that your ego may feel deserving of. But as for me, I am unworthy. I am less than the least and chief among sinners. Oh wretched soul am I.
LORD PLEASE HAVE MERCY ON ME!
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No matter how well intentioned or constructive, openly criticizing and condemning the riotous outbursts and actions of a people frustrated by continuous injustices and the blatant murder of their children only demonstrates a lack of thought, empathy and compassion for their sufferings and grief.
When it isn’t you or your children or grandchildren that are being slaughtered mercilessly and when it isn’t you being denied justice and fairness, it is easy to sit back in your safe and privileged status and criticize.
Try A Little Tenderness.
~ Galatians 6:1-2 ~
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