Another Big Bite of Humble Pie

As I went through the new (since September) procedure for notifying folks of the latest Prayer Nuggets post, my heart sank when I went to my website’s email only to find that none of the close to 200 contacts were in my address book.  I didn’t go into a total panic since I have a current backup list of the addresses in another part of my computer.  The thought of the work and time required to reenter them was not a pleasant thought.  I had to make a decision that the devil wasn’t going to steal from me in any way – peace, time, or otherwise!

My next step was to send an email to my web hosting tech person to ask for his help.  When I received no response after a day, I sent a second e, asking if he was working on the problem.  In his response, he asked a simple question to help him narrow down the source of the problem – which email address was I using?  There are 3 addresses associated with prayforthenation.org, and the contacts in associated with one are not automatically associated with the others.  As soon as I saw the question, I had this sinking, but excited, feeling that those contacts had probably been there all along in the right account, not the one I tried to access.  Since I had no recollection of the one I’d signed in under, but knew at that moment which one I had used previously, I tried the right one.  Guess what?  There were all those addresses and all the sent emails – just like they should have been!

I obviously hadn’t thought through what I was doing in the first place, encountered a problem, and immediately pointed my finger at the program as the culprit.  Oh, the insidiousness of pride!

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

As soon as I saw it, I repented for pride – for not even considering I might have made a mistake.  Why I would think that, I have no idea, since I’m not exactly the most accomplished of computer users.  I answered the man that his question had helped me discover that I was the source of the issue, and then I apologized profusely for the time and effort I had cost him.

In this story of falling to pride – again – the most important thing to me is the amazing difference in my attitude this time when I realized my error.  Yes, it bothered me to have wasted other people’s time when they were not at fault.  But I wasn’t in guilt or condemnation at all – not even allowing it a moment of my life.  I actually laughed inside because I knew the Lord wasn’t upset with me at all.  Jesus had already paid the price for the pride, and I believe He found it pretty humorous, Himself.  Yes, I ate a big bite of humble pie – again.  As I swallowed it, however, I also experienced the glorious freedom of the children of God ¹ – again!

Praying for you to experience this glorious freedom in His love and forgiveness, too, no matter where you fail!

¹ Romans 8:21

It has nothing to do with this post, but hope it makes you smile.

Hello, my dear friends!

It’s been a busy day, beginning with an early airport run to get Tom on his way to Colorado Springs.  That was followed by weights at the Y, walking the dog (who was so very relieved to have me return after having left with a bag), and the monthly missionary prayer group.  Then I got started on my day.  While I’ve been cleaning and such, I’ve been mulling over what I could bring that might encourage you today – or whenever you might read it.  Again, I had wanted to bring some nice quote and wondered where I might find it.  Again, the Lord had something else in mind, for which I’m so thankful.  I’d rather bring what He wants any day!

So, I bring you a few verses from a couple of my “cheat sheets.”  The particular sheets I draw from today are: LOVE SCRIPTURES from the Word of GOD, and THERE IS THEREFORE NOW NO CONDEMNATION (or GUILT)! ! ! I’m inserting the feminine for the masculine – just to make it more personal in the reading.  May God minister to you mightily through His Word to you today!

Psalm 91:14-16 AMP  “Because she has set her love upon Me, therefore will I deliver her; I will set her on high, because she knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness – trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake her, no, never].  ¹⁵ She shall call upon Me, and I will answer her; I will be with her in trouble, I will deliver her and honor her.  ¹⁶ With long life will I satisfy her and show her My salvation.”

Isaiah 50:7-9 NIV  “Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced.  Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.  ⁸ He who vindicates me is near.  Who then will bring charges against me?  Let us face each other!  Who is my accuser?  Let him confront me!  ⁹ It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me.  Who is he that will condemn me? . . .”

Acts 13:39 AMP  “And that through Him everyone who believes [who acknowledges Jesus as her Savior and devotes herself to Him] is absolved (cleared and freed) from every charge from which she could not be justified and freed by the Law of Moses and given right standing with God.”