Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (James 1:17 NKJV)

"The Belief that Renounces Pride"

What are the 4 aspects of "The Belief that Renounces Pride" in our lives?

We receive everything! 

God produces everything through us! 

God deserves all of the credit for the good works we have done! 

We don't deserve the good things that we possess!

DEPEND ON GOD COMPLETELY!

DEPEND ON GOD COMPLETELY!

FOR ALL THINGS!

AT ALL TIMES!

Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, And shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit. (Jeremiah 17:5-8 NKJV)

PLACE YOUR TRUST IN GOD ALONE!

Then, you will find that you are sustained and blessed by Him continuously.

Trusting in people will only leave you dry in difficult times. 

GOD'S STRENGTH NEVER CHANGES!

GOD'S PROVISION NEVER CHANGES!

GOD'S COMFORT NEVER CHANGES!

GOD'S WISDOM NEVER CHANGES!

GOD IS THE STREAM THAT NEVER RUNS DRY!!!

 GOD WILL SUSTAIN US AT ALL TIMES!

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,...

From the Strong's Concordance:

H982: בטח (baw-takh')

a primitive root; properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as 2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure:--be bold (confident, secure, sure), careless (one, woman), put confidence, (make to) hope, (put, make to) trust.

AHLex2013) Bet, Thet, Heht  (בטח BThHh) ac: Cling co: ? ab: Security: A holding onto something or someone by clinging or confiding.

V) Bet-Thet,Heht (בטח B-ThHh) — Cling: [freq. 120] (vf: Paal, Hiphil) |kjv: trust, confidence, secure {str: 982}

AHLang031) Bet, Thet (BTh) house surrounded -- Refuge: The home as a refuge. The home is the place for safe idle talk with the family.

... And whose hope is the LORD.

From the Strong's Concordance:

H4009: מבטח (mib-tawkh')

from 982; properly, a refuge, i.e. (objective) security, or (subjective) assurance:--confidence, hope, sure, trust.

AHLex2013) Bet, Thet, Heht (בטח BThHh) ac: Cling co: ? ab: Security: A holding onto something or someone by clinging or confiding.

hm) Mem, Bet, Thet, Heht ( MB-ThHh) — Confidence: Clinging onto someone or something else for support or safety. [freq. 15] |kjv: confidence, trust, sure, hope {str: 4009}

The Humble Attitude of Unworthiness

The Humble Attitude of Unworthiness

And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. (Matthew 15:22-28 NKJV)

Instead of lashing back in pride when Jesus called her a dog she admitted humbly that she was indeed unworthy and continued to beg, in Faith, for Jesus' mercy.

                                                  What an example of "True Humility"!

Personal Note: I noticed from this interaction, of Jesus with the Canaanite woman, that the opposite of Faith is not fear, like it is commonly said, but...

...the Opposite of Faith is Pride!!!

I'm not worthy of God, my wife, my daughter, my biological family, my family in Christ, my neighbors, my friends, my employers, my coworkers, of life itself...

...I'm just a "privileged dog" surrounded by God's Mercy, Goodness, and Love.

Holy Spirit, Continue to make me aware of my great unworthiness and my great need of the Heavenly Father, of everyone around me, and of everything in my life. In Jesus name I pray. Thank you, Amen!