Could It Be?

Could It Be? Could today be the day, tomorrow, next week? Who knows? Matthew 24:36 tells us that only, "The Father knows the day and the hour". The one thing you need to know is, are you ready? Well, are you? Are your family members and friends ready? Jesus return could be at any moment. That's why we need to have our "House in order" as they say. Is your house in order? Matthew 24:42-44 tells us to be ready. Live every moment, every day as though today could be the day.  Look around you. Have you seen the news lately? Just look at the turmoil in the middle east.  Look at all of the destruction lately caused by earthquakes and Tsunami waves, flooding in the US caused by heavy showers, the continuing moral decay in our society, our hard hit economy, world hunger and famines, and, many are turning a deaf ear to God and His Truth, just to name a few. The signs are there.  COULD IT BE? I don't know, only our Heavenly Father does. But this I do know. The rapture of God's children is closer now than it's ever been. Are you ready? Be watching.

Pride, "Deal Maker, or, Deal Breaker"?

PRIDE! If a poll were taken on one of the TOP sins that we deal with, and if we're honest, the sin of Pride would have to be at the top, (or very near it). Pride keeps us from saying those two words, "I'm sorry", or, "I was wrong". Small words maybe, but the impact of those words is HUGE! Pride keeps us from taking responsibility for our actions, pride is used in tearing down someone else, pride is having the last word, pride makes worthless excuses, and so on and so on.

Now don't take me wrong. Pride can be a good thing too. For example, taking PRIDE in ones work and doing it to the best of ones ability. Or, taking pride in ones relationship with the Lord and serving Him to the fullest! As Martha Stewart would say, "That's a good thing". I would say, "That's a GREAT thing!"

But the Pride that I am dealing with today is the kind of pride that destroys relationships and keeps us as Christians from restoring them. Too many times because of our PRIDE, relationships between children, spouses, in-laws and friends have been completely destroyed, broken forever!

If that kind of PRIDE is a PROBLEM in your life, and you realize that it is an area that needs cleaning in your spiritual closet, then let's just do it. Remember, this kind of sinful pride not only hurts your relationship with others, but more importantly, the Lord!

Here are some suggestions for dealing with sinful "PRIDE" and bringing restoration to a broken relationship.

1. Pray (Talk to God). Be honest with Him about your problem with pride. Let Him tear down your "Pride Problem".
2. Be the bigger person. Set your pride aside, be the bigger person and take the initiative to right the wrong. Even if it you are convinced that it's not YOUR FAULT! WOW, Imagine that.
3. Be willing to listen to the other person and hear them out. Whatever you do, communicate by listening too. Not just talking. And whatever you do, talk to each other gently. No arguing. God's Word tells us in Proverbs 15:1, "A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue rekindles a temper-fire. (From The Message Bible)
4. Respect each other, even if you "agree to disagree". Don't play the blame game.
5. Be willing to confess your part of the wrong. Take responsibilty for your part.
6. I like what Rick Warren says here: Attack the Problem, NOT the Person! WOW - How many times would our communication process have turned out much better had we heeded this suggestion? If nothing else, once again, you be the bigger person, the mature one, so to speak. Proverbs 16:21 "A wise, mature person is known for his understanding. The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is".
7. Do your part. Romans 12:18 tells us to, "Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody".
FINALLY, take your Bible and read Philippians 2:1-2. This will bring it all into perspective.
 So what will it be for you?   Pride, A "Deal Maker"?   or   A "Deal Breaker"?


Peace and Harmony to you all! Be blessed.