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Competition vs. Healthy Pride

Ever get tired of being passed up for that job promotion? Better yet, are you ever tired of seeing others "less worthy" (in our eyes any way) being promoted? Life is UNFAIR! Can I get an amen!?! It may be just me but this idea of feeling "held back", especially in the work place, is something I struggle with fairly often. And then, right when I'm at my weakness, someone always comes to me with the idea of, "Hey, work hard! Do what needs to be done and be better than the rest! Treat it as COMPETITION." Then others put in their 2 cents and say, "Just do your work and tell your boss on how great YOU did. Make yourself look good and if it makes your co-workers look less than successful then it is what it is. IT'S ALL COMPETITION ANYWAYS. YOU GOTTA CLIMB THAT CORPORATE LATTER!!" It all sounds pretty right? That's "fair". But what's the Bible got to say?
2 Corinthians 10:12, "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." We first see that we shouldn't be comparing ourselves to others around us. It's unwise! 2 Timothy 2:3-5, "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully." In this verse, we see that we shouldn't get "entangled" or caught up in this corporate latter mentality or that everone around us is nothing but competition....we should do our best to "strive lawfully" though. So what does that mean, lawfully? Mark 12:30, "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment." Jesus commands us to love him with everything we have! And when we work, it should show as a testimony for Him. That means in the work place, in church, in our home, etc. A healthy form of pride in our work is necessary to get the job done but it is not necessary to brag or to bring down others. 1 Corinthians 3:3, "For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" Are they not called co-workers for a reason (as in co-op or coroperation)? We are supposed to be working TOGETHER to profit the company. If one of your co-workers does a good job you should compliment them. Brag on THEM to the boss not yourself. Proverbs 3:27, "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it." Proverbs 27:2, "Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips." Just a thought I had when studying the scriptures!

The Old Serpent Wanna-be

"To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." 2 Cor. 210-11. Satan came to my attention this week and I wish to say something about him....mind if I gossip? Tell me if I'm wrong but He's nothing but a lier, a cheat, a thief of my happiness, a master party-pooper, and the BIGGEST God wanna-be there ever is or was!!!
Is. 14:14 "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High." Like? In his greatest moment of pride and treachery, all he wanted to be was to be "like" God. 2 Corinthians 11:14 says he can transform into an angel of light. (1 John 1:5 "God is light") 1 Peter 5:8 says that he is "as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (Rev. 5:5 God is referred to as the "Lion of the tribe of Juda") Jesus is the "Bright and Morning Star" (Rev. 22:16).....Satan is called the "son of the morning" (Is. 14:12). He is nothing but a prideful name stealer and a copycat! So, when you imagine Satan being an "equal" enemy of God you give him exactly what he wants! Only Jesus is equal with God! (John 5:18) He may have the power to hinder us, tempt us, cause us to question (1 Chronicles 21:1), etc. He is nothing compared to our Lord.

James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
John 10:29-30 "My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one."
1 John 4:4 "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

Happy Ressurrection Day!

I just wanted to say that Easter was awesome yesterday! I hope it was just as good if not better for all of you. Pastor was on fire yesterday in his Easter sermons. I fell in love with Acts 2:22-23. On another note, Bible Study is tonight! Just as a reminder, it will be held at 7pm at Paul Gabler's house (9652 Baron Place, Rosedale, MD 21237). Bring food for yourself if you think you're gonna be hungry and drinks will be available. Be prayed up before you come... you won't regret showing up!

Last Sunday Night Was Amazing!!

If you were not at church last Sunday night then you really missed it. Last Sunday, Pastor Tewell talked about prayer and how powerful it can be! He looked at prayer through the life of Hannah, in 1 Samuel chapters one and two, and how she humbled herself to make her request unto God. It's quite amazing how she had peace about her prayer request before she even received God's answer! (1 Sam. 1:18) When I saw that, it struck me that I myself should try to emulate that kind of faith and confidence in my Lord. If you think about it, throughout the ENTIRE Bible God trys to remind us of his omnipotent power and that all we need is to ask (Luke 11:9-13). And don't forget to come back to Him when He does answer your request and praise Him for being your God who is so awesome!! (Luke 17:11-19). Pastor also showed us in 1 Samuel how Hannah showed us that example. For ten verses in chapter two she praised His Name. You struggling today? You need God's presence RIGHT NOW? We often forget how quickly God works. (John 4:49-53, 5:8-9; Luke 5:13, 5:25, 8:44, Luke 18:1-8) Just come to Him. He's waiting to spend time with you.

How's Everyone Doing?

Hey Brothers & Sisters in Christ! How's everyone doing so far this year? Still keeping up with your "New Year's Resolutions"? I just thought I'd drop a note on here saying that you all are on my mind and in my prayers today. Life has its UPs and downS but as a whole it's without a doubt a sweet thing!! This may be random but How does everyone like YASM's series on being "Designed to be Different" so far? I know I've enjoyed it! Leave some feedback on here it you ever have the time. I know Bro. Jake, Derrick, and I would love to see what you guys been thinking and feeling. Don't forget March's Home Bible Study this Monday. It will be held at Joe Johnson's house at 7:00pm. Don't miss out! His address will be posted in the YASM bulletins in class and will also be mapped out on papers in the back of class this Sunday! Looking forward to seeing you all this week in YASM and please don't forget to pray for those who are on the prayer requests page in the buletins! They need our attention and God will bless our requests and efforts if we sincerely pray for our brethren. Let's not ask amiss! James 4:3. As Bro. Jake would say......Grace and Peace. Until next time.

The Month of Love?

Hey fellow Yasmites. I first off would like to say that our Home Bible Study last monday went absolutely great! Worship was uplifting and the message Derrick brought about Christian dating was very practical. As we all know, Valentine's Day is coming up and for some it couldn't be a more joyous time.....but not for everyone. Just like Christmas, Valentine's Day could be one of the most DEPRESSING holiday's of the year! Whether or not you have a Valentine this year keep 1 Peter 5:6-7 in your head when it says, "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." It doesn't matter if you've been abandoned or ignored, God CARES and LOVES YOU!! So if you need to spend time with someone during this "Month of Love", spend it with the One who desires your attention and deserves it. And if you see anyone who is struggling during this time, consider Proverbs 12:25. "Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad." Spread a good word!!

P.S. For all those in need of a time to hang out during Valentine's Day, Adam Hopkins opened his home to hold an Un-Valentine's Day party! There will be food, drinks, movies to watch, and great fellowship. His address is 17 Mango Trail, Middle River, MD, 21220. All are welcome!