NOT OUR WAY BUT YOURS GOD.. By Nina Keegan

 DO NOT LET PRIDE STEAL YOUR DESTINY, A HAUGHTY ATTITUDE CAN LEAD TO A PATHWAY OF DESTRUCTION

"I don't care what anyone says, I'm going to do it!"

This is a familiar scene in our society, the words change but the essential message is always the same; a person is not open to advice because his or her mind is already closed through pride.  

Some advice may be sought but it is heeded only if it reinforces the decision already made or is an easier path to take...

 This is human nature to reject help and to do things our own way. Pride steps in and we think we have it all figured out and who needs the advice of these apparently Unknowledgeable people?

Does any of this sound familiar? Do you ever open your Bible asking God to show you a scripture but when it seems that there's a scripture of rebuke or one of God gently presenting you with conviction, or a hardening of heart in need of repentance, our tendency is compulsively ready to discount that one immediately.. We move on until we find one that suits exactly what we need to establish our own plan. God will not be mocked..!

' We cannot change what we will not acknowledge!' 

The enemy lurks in a spirit of pride, the puffed up mindset that claims that we know more than anyone, that other people do not know what they are talking about, unless it is in exact alignment of our own skewed thinking. Prideful people put others down in order to lift themselves up.. 

how silly is this behavior...?  Since We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.. Phil 4:13.. It's never by our own intelligence or abilities anyway.. It's only by God's hands that we live move and have our being! 

We must be very careful of this prideful tendency and that we don't fall into our own trap by rejecting the wise council of others. This is not the way God has ordered things for us as a body. 

The Scripture says one of the ways we hear from God is seeking the wise counsel of godly men..

Proverbs 11:14 - Where no counsel [is], the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors [there is] safety.

Proverbs 19:20-21 - Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.   

We must be obedient to the Word not just read it but do what it says.

When we start to think that we know it all; it can affect us to the very core, it can affect our relationships and even our relationship with the church.. we are not meant to go it alone we are sheep in need of a shepherd...we need to be part of the flock.

If you do not attend a good church weekly then it is harder to make it as a Christian.. 

 As Christians, We are in the world, but not of the world..

Believers in Jesus Christ are simply in the world—physically present—but not of it, not part of its values (John 17:14-15). As believers, we should be set apart from the world. This is the meaning of being holy and living a holy, righteous life,to be set apart.

 The worldly flesh can over take us if we are not cautious  we must never detach ourselves from the body. Who pastors you? Who is speaking into your life? Who assists you with accountability? We see people get offended by a ministry.. they leave the church or they try to overthrow or take it down by negative talk about the Gods anointed...it happens because they think they know more than the pastor, or they are not being confirmed in their own skewed agenda. We get caught up in all kinds of religiosity...we must repent of these prideful tendencies, we must lay down our manipulation repent of it! trust God, take his Word and Live it out! 

We have seen people fall away from the church and I can honestly say I haven't seen it fare well for them..

They start showing up less and less always with an excuse whether it be as simplistic as the weather or the fact that they don't like the series or the subject matter currently being taught. For whatever reason the enemy pulls them away and they stop attending..

The Lord wants you to come back,  find a good Bible-based Holy Spirit filled church and come back to God's body ..stay in the word and let it restore your soul

Psalm 23:3

 Yes He restores our soul!

 What should you do if you have an agenda and you're not certain if it's part of God's plan? How can you hear from God to know for sure?  How can you prevent a life changing mistake resulting from pride? 

 Remember the enemy would love nothing more than to throw a wrench into the middle of God's divine plan for your life causing you to veer down the wrong path...anyone interested in 40 years in the wilderness? 

Take these action steps and seek God first in ALL things.. Let his peace always rule in your heart.. Never waiver! 

1. Repent and Seek God first in all things.

2. Seek wise Godly counsel from others whom you trust. 

3.Stay in the word of God and know it for yourself!

4. Pray fervent,effectual and diligent prayers.

5.Seek confirmation!  

6.Worship and praise God.

7. Pray in the spirit continually.  8. Become one body with other believers united in Christ in a good Bible based, spirit filled church so as to be held accountable in all your ways.

9.Trust Gods will for your life even when it makes no sense..God knows what He is doing!

10.Allow Gods perfect love to cast out all fear! 

God is not the author of confusion, He is the author of peace, trust him to lead you down his path everlasting. hallelujah! hallelujah! We praise you Lord as we plead the blood of Jesus over any and all big decisions we are facing in our lives... Do not let us be put to shame Lord as we trust you in all things.  We surrender it all to you, your ways, not ours Father!

Seal us  on your path, restore us, redeem us! In Jesus' holy name we pray! AMEN

Psalms 1:1-6 - Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.    

2 Timothy 3:16 - All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Proverbs 28:26 - He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

Proverbs 3:1-35 - My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:    

Proverbs 20:18 - [Every] purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

Psalms 119:105 - Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

1 Kings 12:6-19 - And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?    

Proverbs 4:13 - Take fast hold of instruction; let [her] not go: keep her; for she [is] thy life.

Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 13:10 - Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised [is] wisdom.

Ephesians 6:12 - For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].

Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Matthew 7:16-20 - Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?