Encouraged by God's Word

Archive for May, 2010

Hello Family,

We all know someone who at some point and time we said they were ego trippin’. Or if you’ve never, ever said it before, maybe people have said it about you.

To Ego Trip is defined as a course of action to boost or draw attention to a person’s own image or appraisal of himself. Basically he’s someone who wants a lot of attention because in his own mind, he is great or has accomplished something worthwhile.

You know who that person is. He is the one who thinks highly of himself in an arrogant way. He loves the attention especially when he thinks he has done something special.

Even if he hasn’t done anything special he thinks he should be recognized for who he is.

People who ego trip are usually not too pleasurable to be around. I mean who wants to be in the presence of a person who is only thinking about themselves and trying to draw all of the attention on them? Not me, what about you?

They really look highly of themselves a little more than the average person does.

Folks who ego trip usually have done a lot of great things but not on their own merit as they think they have.

Philippians 4:13 says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

People who ego trip are basically saying they can do everything on their own because they’re that good but the word of God says something different.

Yes, you are capable of doing all things BUT it is only through Christ who gives you strength.

You didn’t really do it on your own. You may have done the physical work but it was God who really made it possible. He gave you the intelligence, He gave you the physical strength, He gave you the emotional stability. It was God!

I hope you don’t think you have accomplished all of your great acts on your own.

Do you know what ego REALLY stands for? I heard this definition and I had to use it. EGO stands for Easing God Out. That’s right!

When you have a big EGO what you’re saying is that you can do it for yourself and by yourself and you don’t need God. You are doing it in your own strength and not through God who strengthens you.

Before you start ego trippin’ again, know that it is only through God that you have the strength to do all that you do. Draw Him in and follow His lead.

Be Encouraged, Stop Ego Trippin’ and Have a Great Weekend!

Hello Family,

Do people look at you and see the value you bring to certain situations? Are you called upon when someone dependable or knowledgeable is needed?

There have been times when people have asked me to serve on committees or assist them on different projects and when that happens, I look at it as an honor. I don’t take it lightly and I am truly humbled.

There have been people who have suggested I be the leader for certain activities and there have been times when folks have just said, “I need your opinion on this.”

Now if the truth be told I know I’m a smart guy, intelligent, handsome, witty, charming and all that other great stuff, but I still am surprised sometimes when people look to me for an answer.

I don’t count it lightly when someone asked for my advice or seek my knowledge. I am always humbled and I always will be because I know that my strength comes from above. My skills and talents are a gift from God and when others see that in me, I know that it is the God working in me.

Proverbs 15:31, 33 (NIV) says He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

I truly believe that if you want to be honored, if you want to be known, if you want to be recognized and respected, you must HUMBLE YOURSELF.

You can’t be egotistical and pompous and expect others to look up to you.

People don’t respect arrogant people, they may fear them but they don’t respect them. Having self value and love for who you are is one thing but to think you can’t do anything wrong is something else.

Walking around with your chest poked out like you are “Da Man” doesn’t mean anything besides the fact that you look stupid and the only one impressed with you is YOU.

So if you want to be among the wise, if you want to be honored, if you want people to value you, listen to the Lord and love, respect and humble yourself.

Be Encouraged and Have a Humbling Weekend!

Hello Family,

Growing up there was always one kid who used to bug and harass all of the other kids. This kid was a pain in the butt. No one really liked him because he would always get on your nerves.

Sometimes this person was a bully and sometimes it was someone who was just annoying. Regardless of who he was, you wanted to stay away from him. You didn’t want to play with him, you didn’t want to speak to him and you didn’t want to hang out with him at all. Because this person was so bad and was such an irritant, eventually he alienated himself from everyone else. He was a nuisance.

A lot of times our relationship with God is the same way. We do things that are annoying to Him, we are a nuisance and we aggravate Him and when we do these things, we alienate ourselves from God.

And how do we do these things you ask? How do we irritate God

? How do we aggravate Him? We do this by committing sin.

Isaiah 59:2 says But your sinful acts have alienated you from your God; your sins have caused him to reject you and not listen to your prayers.

When we sin we put ourselves in a situation where we are moving further away from God as opposed to closer to Him. Our sinful actions work against us and not for us. Being disobedient to His word put us at odds with God.

When we are not walking in His will, God is not listening to our prayers, and why should He? We’re not doing the simple things He has asked us to do so why should He listen to our petitions? Why should He grant us the desires of our hearts when we aren’t willing to please His heart?

God is not our personal ‘Make a Wish Foundation’ waiting to cater to our needs. We can’t have the mentality that whatever we want, He will grant us.

God is our heavenly father and with Him we have relationship; there’s a connection. There is a respect factor and if we respect Him and obey His commands, He will hear our prayers.

On a daily basis we should be working hard to build a closer relationship with God. We should be willing to avoid sin and do without it. We have to work hard to live holy and righteous to make sure God accepts us and hears our prayers.

Be Encouraged and Have a Great Weekend!

Hello Family,

I had a hectic week this week and didn’t a chance to work on this week’s word of encouragement like I usually do so bear with me if this sounds off the top of my head because it is.

Sunday is Mother’s Day and for the past month there has been a lot of hype surrounding it. There is every type of commercial and advertisement out there promoting everything from cards to candy to flowers to brunches to lunches to dinners to diamonds to cars to vacations to what ever you can think of.

If mom will like it, it’s on sale.

For most people this is just a typical Mother’s Day where the cards have been selected and put in the mail, the flowers have been ordered the, gift has been purchased and the reservations have been made.

But for many, Mother’s Day is not that simple because mom is not around. There are many who are going through this Mother’s Day without their mother and it can be tough with all of the propaganda around this day. And for some people this is the first Mother’s Day without mom.

I love my mother and all of the mother’s in my life but I can’t help but to think about those who have lost their mother.

For those who are struggling with this day just know my prayers are with you. I pray that you be strong in the Lord and that you’re filled with the memories of love, laughter and joy. Remember mom for all that she taught you. Remember mom for the undying love she gave you. Remember mom for the times she stood in your corner when no one else would.

And mom may not necessarily be your mother. It could be grandma, auntie or some other mother figure in your life. Regardless of who it is, my prayers are with you.

Isaiah 41:10 says Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous hand.

If you miss mom, that’s okay. Cherish the time you had with her and know that you were blessed to have her in your life and lean on God to get you through this. He will strengthen you and help you if you let Him.

Be Encouraged and Have a Great Mother’s Day Weekend!