A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message · Easy read/print edition Tuesday, September 25, 2007  surrounded by trailing blackberry vines "Humility" "Before his downfall a man's heart is proud but humility comes before honor" (Proverbs 18:12). Recently Kathy Griffin, an actress I had never heard of, won a Hollywood award. Now generally I have low regard for worldly awards of this type and rarely give any attention to them at all. In a nutshell I would sum up my attitude with a Biblical phrase, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter" (Isaiah 5:20). During her acceptance speech, Griffin noted that many recipients thank Jesus for their award -- then made it a point to emphatically declare, "No one had less to do with this award than Jesus." She then raised her trophy and proclaimed: "This award is my god now!" There was more to this vile discourse but it was so crude and blasphemous I will not allude to the exact quote. Thank God for the eternal truthfulness of His Word! The daily Proverb has proven true countless times. Consider the first phrase, "Before his downfall a man's heart is proud." Resisting a prideful attitude is something we all have to deal with at least to some degree. It may be our position, education, looks, talents or possessions. Or it might even be the lack of these things! Consider those who've had a "downfall" (the KJV more bluntly translates "destruction"). The downfall might be a business failure, broken marriage or prison term. Or it might be something that will not be revealed until the final judgment and ultimate destruction. Pride always has its consequences, whether immediate or future. "But humility comes before honor." The highest honor is that from God Himself. He values humility. Consider for a moment the people that you have come to truly honor. So often in my life they are people who demonstrate humility. And generally the people that I honor the most are relatively unknown. If I were to list the top ten people whom I esteem with great honor very few readers would even recognize their names. They've never attained traits that would bring them fame from the world, but they've faithfully served God and impacted those whose lives they have touched. We're going to meet a lot of people like this in heaven. May God help us to hide this Proverb deep into our hearts and recall it frequently as we seek to live lives of honor before God and man. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, I wholeheartedly acknowledge before others all that I have, all that I am and all that I ever hope to be I owe it all to You. You are a gracious and generous Father who deserves all the praise, glory and honor due Your name. Today I humbly proclaim You to be my Lord and Master. To God be the glory! Amen. Source for actress blasphemy   Our friend Fred found a creative way to work with hot peppers as he cut them up for a meal we had at our church this last Saturday!Today's suggested music: "We Bow Down" (Audio) |
Administration Information  Stephen and Brooksyne "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update We share our hearts with you as we go forth in this online ministry.  Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this encouragement ministry? Thanks! See here for details.Join: To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link placed by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Please feel free to pass this message on! Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com (Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or a specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help the Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission.) Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity." How to become a child of God Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version. © Copyright 2007 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved  |
