Good News - October 2018

‘“Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’ For it is not the one who commends him- self who is approved, but the one whom the Lord com- mends” (2 Corinthians 10:17- 18). They ooze out like sticky syrup, splotching conversation unnecessarily. Boastful words. Braggadocios challenges. Ar- rogant assumptions. Pride raises its puffed head and por- trays pretentious imagery. Everyone discovers its non- sense, eventually. We are quick to speak of accomplishments, share where we’ve been and people we know, sort of. Photos depicting charmed lives elevate our sta- tus. We post and pose our per- fect worlds as selfish pride points the camera on us; all creation is backdrop to our ex- istence. Our captions read: “It’s all about me. What else mat- ters, really?” The Lord is not impressed. He sees through the veneer and delves inside the cham- bers of our heart; the ones that pump pride are bare before his eyes. He delights in a totally dif- ferent scenario to the ones we depict: “Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord’” (Je- remiah 9:23). Curious thing this thought: God doesn’t mind when we boast about him. He finds it de- lightful when we understand his ways, when we strive to com- prehend his character, when we bow before his amazing at- tributes. Our own intellect, prowess and wealth rank low in God’s assessment, and he finds our flaunting and postur- ing absurd, to say the least. God doesn’t need our praise any more than he needs anything else from flawed human beings. But he created us, knows our frames perfectly and desires that we make him our focus in order to give us valuable assets. “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones” (Proverbs 3:6- 8). When our eyes are raised to his, when we use our wis- dom, our resources, our capac- ities to draw attention his way, we become immersed in the wonder of who he is and far less enamored with our own importance. Our King is worthy of tribute; our Lord is worthy of praise. Go ahead and adore him. In fact, brag a bit where he is concerned! Elizabeth A. Mitchell serves at Boca Raton Commu- nity Church along with her hus- band Pastor Bill Mitchell, and is part of the faculty of World- Lead, mentoring and training leaders worldwide. Visit her blog at Journeyfortheheart.com. Bragging Rights Elizabeth Mitchell Boca Raton Community Church 91 rebo t c ng O i t ra t S pxE e he t rol h RsiweJ f C s o too inaitsirh !yt rh r Cuo e whf to o o cneirepxd enh a tian f aitsi se l Mearsf I t ohgi ! Ldlro swe n o c winaisse f M y ooe j he t s yetivnp i ihswollec F inais use sro n ve a o mi e a t l bli e wrehTpihsr wee Jht tuobn a raeo l u t o pihsro f w e o f s o tooh r si 165 bi d Bna | 1341-737- erfey r d bewolloy f dut e s l OthgiL.www . pihswolled f ns a tnemhs | moc.LlFaersIf erehu t oe yeo s e t poe hW . sIfOthigL ! LlFaer Palm Beach County