We know the battle we see in today’s passage, don’t we? It feels familiar as we sit in a culture that elevates self and shouts, “Look at me!” This passage invites us to consider the hard question (yes, we’re cutting right to it today). What in our own lives do we elevate? And as a natural consequence, what do we lower?
We may know the tainted fruit that comes from befriending the world. We know what looks good on the outside can be rotten inside (Luke 11:39). We know pride comes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18). And as we choose what occupies our hearts and attention, we also know that our God “resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).
The word for “proud” in verse 6 comes from a compound word in Greek, and the parts of the word can be translated “over” and “shine.” This can be a helpful illustration for how pride often plays out in our daily lives.
Where do we see “overshining” in our lives? On social media. In the headlines. In our own hearts. When we look at Scripture, we see these Pharisees who lived to be seen, focusing on their presentation. (Luke 11:39–40, 44). But this is not a new concept—pride in Scripture predates all of this, going back to the garden, where the serpent desired to be in the place of God.
And the enemy still uses this lure to tempt us and pull us from God. This is the type of battle James was addressing.
Just as the Greek word for “proud” brought us to the idea of overshining, behind the meaning of the Greek word for “humble” is the concept of remaining low or being lowly.
Our all-seeing, sovereign God sees our hearts. He knows what we choose to raise and lower, and what we elevate and emulate, James said, correlates with His resistance and grace (James 4:6).
Let’s hold tight then to the roadmap James offered, with its specific instructions for a humble heart: Submit to God. Draw near to Him. Cleanse our hands. Purify our hearts. Weep over what takes us from Him. And humble ourselves before God (James 4:7–10).
Every day, we can choose whether to please people or Christ (Galatians 1:10). We can choose to be a friend of the shiny world or a friend of our humble, grace-giving Savior. Let’s ask ourselves the question, Am I seeking to overshine or remain low?
May we raise God and lower ourselves, like Jesus did.
When we do, we gain what Jesus offers: We find rest (Matthew 11:29). And when we lower ourselves before Him, He is exalted.
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94 thoughts on "Proud or Humble"
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Im not one to overshine anyway but I found the words of Pastor Kevin of Cross Point church helpful when he said he prays to be Gods errand boy again, attentive to what God needs of him. When I am focussed more on him and less on me it becomes easier to say Here I am, send me! (Isaiah 6:8).
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This is such a convicting and necessary reflection on the subtle ways pride can seep into our hearts and distort our perspective. I love the emphasis on the idea that humility isn’t about thinking less of ourselves, but rather thinking of ourselves less—shifting the focus away from our own performance and onto a posture of openness and service. It is a powerful reminder that true strength is found in our willingness to be vulnerable and to acknowledge our need for grace, rather than maintaining a facade of self-sufficiency. Thank you for sharing such a clear and transformative look at how we can cultivate a heart that is truly humble and aligned with a greater purpose!
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Late to the table but I am catching up. “We may know the tainted fruit that comes from befriending the world” – this is really good to read. We gradually become whom we befriend with. What’s on them rubs off on us. If we are friends with Jesus, what’s on Him will also rub off on us. Choosing God can be a very lonely journey. I like to return to this song every now and then, “what a friend we have in Jesus”. He is the faithful one.
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What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!
This hymn brings wonderful memories.
If we remain grounded in our faith, the hope is WE will rub off on our worldly friends. Pray for them and live a life such that they will feel compelled to want to follow Jesus also.
Don’t be afraid to spread the good news. Rhonda is such an inspiration in her outreach of showing God’s love.
For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Gal 1:10
“James offered, with its specific instructions for a humble heart: Submit to God. Draw near to Him. Cleanse our hands. Purify our hearts. Weep over what takes us from Him. And humble ourselves before God”
I don’t ever want a “look at me” mindset. Or one that puts impressing others above walking humbly with the Lord and honoring Him. Or one that overlooks the magnitude of sin or leads me away from God’s plan or purposes. Lord, thank you that you are our Father, faithful companion and teacher. Forgive my easily wayward heart, that can slip into wanting selfish desires, accolades or seeking gratification. I lift my hands and heart to you in surrender and submission to be your servant. Show me your ways Lord. Amen
Over the last few years, I feel like I spent so much time focused on what other people think and it took until I was student teaching last year to finally come to terms with the idea of pleasing god rather than pleasing others. I have always been a people person which is a large reason I decided to become a teacher myself, but now I see it so much more with my students of them wanting to “impress others” or “well they aren’t gonna like me if I do that”, etc. Theres so many days where I wish I could just sit some of these kids down and just remind them that the life we have been given is a piece of god himself and there is no greater joy than trusting that the lord has us and will guide us to where he needs us to be in order to better serve his kingdom.
“…there is no greater joy than trusting that the lord has us and will guide us to where he needs us to be in order to better serve his kingdom”
This really struck me. Thank you.
Struck me also.
Amen. This really made me think about myself. What do I elevate in my daily choices? How does it compare to my love and passion for following Christ? If I love Netflix and binge watching a good show or scrolling on TikTok am I falsely elevating things I should not? I want to please God. I was to emulate His light to bring others toward Him but I also know that I selfish elevate a few things too. Lord, help me decipher what is good vs evil. Help me choose the path you have written. Amen
Happy Monday! Praying for you all today. I have some very exciting news to share with you. This weekend I got engaged! For those of you who have been around for a couple years now how heavy on my heart single-ness was for me. Thank you for all your prayers over the years sweet ladies
Congratulations, Kimberly! ❤️
Congrats K. So excited for all that the Lord has in store for you and your future husband. May He be at the center.
How exciting for you, Kimberly! Praying you have a long, successful marriage! ❤
Congratulations, Kimberly! ❤️
Oh I am thrilled Kimberly! Thanks for sharing with us!! :) I almost didn’t come back here this next morning, I would have missed this!!!
How exciting! Congratulations ❤️
Congratulations!!!
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Congratulations!
I don’t have to figure everything out. I don’t have to control everything. I just have to come closer to God ❤️
Oh, Marnie Hammar, it feels like you wrote that devotion just for me.
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Point taken. Jesus, help me, please!
I struggle every day with dying to self and coming humbly before God. My pride and arrogance keep me from fully submitting to God’s plan for my life. Praise God for His patience and mercy!!
Sooo good! When we choose to remain lowly, we receive the better thing: His rest. It reminds me of that scripture “labor to enter his rest” Hebrews 4:11. We must put forth effort to surrender our desire for “shining” and hold fast to our desire to enter His rest even more. Lord I don’t want to be a whitewashed tomb. Pretty on the outside, dead on the inside. It doesn’t matter how “good” my presentation is from others perspective, if I am empty on the inside I am worth nothing. God fill me up with YOUR goodness, empty me of myself and help me release any care for anyone’s eyes but yours. Help me to be most satisfied behind closed doors with you alone. Amen!
So good!! Thank you for making this so clear to me.
“Am I seeking to overshine or remain low.” I honestly want to remain low and “want” to know when I’m oveshining myself. In other words a “show-off” It is always about JESUS as I can not do life without Him. Everything I do and have is because of HIM! Even the car I drive, my God gave to me. I give my friends and family permission to let me if and when I find myself showing off. Have more to say but I want to read some of your comments before leaving for work. Happy Monday sweet She’s! OH……a prayer request. Alyssa was placed for housing. Off campus. Not good or ideal for a first time attending. Please pray as she wrote a request to be placed closer to the university. Its not far, but there is more to this and I’m out of time.
Praying that Alyssa will get on-campus housing.
Ouch..showing off by the THINGS we have. Do we really like that coach purse to pay that much or is it to show the brand name? Cars..same. Designer stuff we don’t really Need. Are we humble in these ways? Or to shine?
Teach me Lord, to be humble in a world that is full of prideful people. Guide my path to be more like You.
Proud or humble. Ouch! If we are not prideful, we don’t have to go around telling others so – our actions will do the talking for us!…and if we really have to voice it, well, is that really showing humility? (talking to myself here!)
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Asking prayer for wisdom and the leading of the Holy Spirit. I feel very strongly that I have to address a situation that happened yesterday at church.
We were having a Q & A time with the pastor (my husband), which was meant to be a light-hearted fun & informative time of fellowship. After a few questions were asked, an older member of the church took opportunity to not really ask a question but more rebuke my husband publicly for what she believed was wrong, i.e. cancelling Sunday evening service (which happened 6 yrs ago), allowing the name of our church to be changed (which was 2 yrs ago) and moving prayer meeting to Sunday night instead of Wednesday night. She was loud, accusatory and very disrespectful. Mind you she has been saved many, many years and once was looked up to by others in our church (who have all since left) as a “spiritual giant”. I feel very much that I must address it but feel it’s better to do by letter – which I do not usually do – I feel face to face is most always the best way to go, but in this case, I don’t think she’ll let me say what I need to say….So please, prayers for wisdom as what to say, how to say it, and that she will actually listen to what is being said. I do love this woman dearly and she is a prayer warrior, but she’s done wrong and I feel led to address it. So I’m asking you to please, please pray!!
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Praying for each of you and your requests as well. May each of us shine for Jesus today, but with His light, not ours.
Praying for God’s to guide you in this.
Praying Sharon!
Praying dear Sharon!
praying, Sharon, for the Lord’s wisdom and guidance – but part of me wonders if it should be your husband who addresses it with her privately or even decide to let it go completely. I’m probably going against the tide here but it comes to mind will anything positive come from addressing the situation where she has loudly and rudely expressed her opinion.
I agree. Perhaps your husband can meet with her and have another trusted member there.
Putting something in writing when she is so critical does not seem to be the best choice in this situation. Pray for her and acknowledge her loss of the past. Change is hard for people.
Sharon, I missed this earlier today and I am so sorry! I think SEARCHING is onto something and I want to add that it’s possible she’s experiencing some senility or other age related behavior. Also I don’t think Jeff should meet with her alone. Many years ago our pastor had a situation like that used against him. Pastors have to be on guard against giving a hint of room for accusation. Praying your heart will be open to God’s wisdom and guidance in this matter. Love you! ❤
Oh Sharon I’m sorry this happened. If you feel led to address this, or have your husband and an elder, etc. do that, of course you should.
I am a very non confrontational person so, coming from that mindset, I would consider letting it go. Seems like she was reaching back in time to air old grievances that maybe aren’t applicable today. And maybe CeeGee is on the right track, that this lady is beginning to experience some age related mental issues. ??
Anyway, prayers for whatever direction you and your husband take.
I just found this song by Maranatha Music. MARI V, do you know this one?!
HUMBLE YOURSELF
Lyrics:
Who is the man for whom the Lord will have regard
He who is broken and has a humble heart
God is not impressed with the loftiness of man
For everything was made for Him and comes from His own hand
So, humble yourself before your Lord and King
Give Him your heart, offer your everything
There’s no limit, on the love He has for you
So humble yourself and see what God will do
Who are the people that the Lord will bless
Those who love and fear Him and seek His righteousness
Nothing else in all the world can satisfy your soul
But the One who made the universe He longs to make you whole
So, humble yourself before your Lord and King
Give Him your heart, offer your everything
There’s no limit, on the love He has for you
So humble yourself and see what God will do
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If My people humble themselves and pray
I will hear them, lead them in My ways
Humble yourself and let Him have His way,
love His Word and His will obey
For His eyes are on the one whose heart is true
So humble yourself and see what God will do
So, humble yourself before your Lord and King
Give Him your heart, offer your everything (your everything)
There’s no limit, on the love He has for you
So humble yourself and see what God will do (and see what God will do)
humble yourself before your Lord and King
Give Him your heart, offer your everything
There’s no limit, on the love He has for you
So humble yourself and see what God will do
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Love, hugs,and prayers! ❤
There are many stand alone scriptures within the James passage that we know, share, and let encourage and convict us. Then there is verse 9 “Be miserable and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.”
That one is probably not in devotional books. And I’m not even sure why it stood out to me as I read on. But, I think we must mourn and weep, and be miserable to knock out the “important in our eyes” things in our lives. Our struggles kind of take center point and the other things we thought were important- big house, closet of clothes and purses, nice car…all those things that the world clings too and want- well, when loss happens, they don’t matter. When pain comes, they don’t matter. Things don’t matter. What the world says is good to strive for and gain will make us lose our soul. The song by Toby Mac coins it perfectly “I don’t want to gain the world and lose my soul!”
It is easy to cover our feelings with bad habits and bandaids. But best to be humble and real, and grow in Jesus. Submit to Jesus. Do not be proud, but show that we need him to others in humility.
The devil flees the more time we spend with God in his word and prayer. That is good to remember. He often knows when to strike and how to strike and that is with wordly things that are like a shiny apple to us. What could be the harm? ha!
We need to want what God wants. Align with Kingdom thinking. Cleanse our hands and purify our hearts…YES Lord! I need to abide in You, and follow after you in all my ways. I want more and more of you, and eagerly want to say Yes for what you have for me. Your ways are good. Thank you Jesus. Many times you need to knock me off balance, or even over the head to show me what is important. To you all the glory in my life Lord.
I love to use the word “Shine” and analogies to “be the light” in the darkness. But yes, we can be shining for our own glory..good to remember the easy shift that seems to happen so often. Lord, my story..YOUR Glory. Don’t let it become about MY choices and decisions, and works. It’s all for You! Let my blessings always reflect you and give you honor and gratitude.
” In other words, humility, the signal quality of the mind of Christ, is not something that happens in your head. It is a visceral reality. It is not thinking-oriented. It is action -based:submit; resist; come near; wash; purify; grieve; mourn; wail; change and humble yourselves.”
James 4:7-10. Pastor JD Walt recommends that we read it aloud, mediate on it. Pretend this text is a bone and you are the dog (that’s not meant derisively}. This is actually the biblical way of mediation- getting every las t bit of meat off of a bone and then savoring the bone itself. Let the text lead you to into a posture of humility- kneeling,lying face down on thee floor, or boeing in some way. Speak words aloud to God. Write them out on paper. Tell Siri to write them down. Whatever it takes. We are dealing with the inner life here, which means we take the extra steps to make this work tangible. James is bringing us to the altar of God.”
Pastor JD Walt citations from his commentary on the book of James. All of the above is from Pastor Walt
” Submit yourselves then to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands , you sinners and purify your hearts, you double minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.
Oof— as my baseball loving father loved to say, James came out swinging in today’s Scriptures. And then the devotional leaves us with these questions “What in our own lives do we elevate? And as a natural consequence, what do we lower?” I like to think I do not do this, but as I read these questions, images of other things I elevate more, started filling my mind. Talk about a sobering moment.
Lord, this morning I come to you humble in my own brokenness, acknowledging the things that I elevate more, which then as a consequence, makes you lower. It is not my intention to do that, but it is true nevertheless. Father, let the Spirit continue to shine light in these areas where darkness, in a seemingly harmless way, filters in and separates us from your truth. I do not want to be separated from your Truth because in you is the only place I want to live. Thank you for your love, mercy, compassion and grace. For even in these moments you love us. We love Jesus. In your name we pray. Amen.
Amen!
One of our pastors recently shared the Greek word for humble is the same thing for the word humus, which is a kind of dirt. Let’s remember to “eat dirt”, keeping our eyes on Jesus and our hearts low when it comes to our wants and desires.
I love this.Eat dirt.
Oh the tainted fruit of the world. It can be alluring.
Let’s hold tight then to the roadmap James offered, with its specific instructions for a humble heart: Submit to God. Draw near to Him. Cleanse our hands. Purify our hearts. Weep over what takes us from Him. And humble ourselves before God (James 4:7–10).
Weep over what takes us from Him. When I think of it this way, I am saddened. My focus can become heavy on decor, clothing, and the next fashion designer. I have committed to putting God first in the morning, but where do I go from there. He is still first during my day?
I have a friend that I feel I’m pulling away from. We are very close. Her and her husband are prideful. I struggle with some of her actions and words. I fell into it for a moment, but trying my best to not go there. It brings a disconnect between us. I would rather be an example instead of leaving the friendship. I’m hoping I can manage to stay in her life and be an example of a godly life. Only with God’s help.
How I can relate to your words. I have a couple girlfriends I meet with monthly for dinner and over the past year it has simply become a gossip fest. It was bringing me down. And I decided to not go to dinner anymore. And then a wise friend told me to let my change of heart so seeds of change in their hearts. So I’m still going to dinner but I am praying before the meal and I am sprinkling in Scripture and I am bringing the focus back to conversation around our own lives instead of about others. I’ve walked that walk and I encourage you to find what will work for your walk with Christ in this problem area.
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Back in my 30’s I had a good size group of friends that it seemed all we talked about were clothes, nails, and all things superficial. At the time I was really suffering as a jilted wife and single mom with all kinds of emotions I wanted to release and share. I wanted time with my friends to not just be shallow, but to talk about Jesus in our conversations and how faith mattered in our every day lives.
Through these thoughts God led me to start a “book club” once a month with these friends, some Christians some not.
I looked for a book that focused on women and God and found the perfect one that I still remember the title “God Chicks!” It was perfect. We followed with another called “Fresh Brewed Life.”
These days my friend groups are all Christians and through church. I don’t like to spend time with the world although I know we should. It just seems they affect us more than we affect them. I think of holidays with unsaved family. They definitely dominate with their ways, and it makes me just want to leave as soon as possible! lol I don’t like to go to dinner with people that just drink and talk nonsense that makes me squirm and again…want to leave. But I guess it would be wise to show my fruit and even above and beyond by inserting grace whether it’s awkward or saying “could you hold back on your cursing in my presence…lol!
I was thrilled that a couple of weeks ago we did do dinner with some friends, and we prayed before eating, and talked about God a lot in conversation! It was wonderful! I was thrilled my hubs didn’t drink with the guy that is a heavy drinker. I think it had an impact. Now in contrast one of my husband’s friend is coming in town this week that is a heavier drinker….I do not care to go “out” with them, and most likely will bow out! lol.
I can identify with what you are saying Traci. There is someone in our church that – although she thinks she is very humble, is indeed prideful but she can not see it. It’s hard to be around her because she always overtakes the conversation and it’s usually all about the things she’s done for the Lord, and always making you feel less than. I don’t think she does it on purpose, in fact I don’t thing she even realizes it which is a shame.
It’s so easy to get caught up in what we have and don’t have as scripture says. Trying to remind myself lately that I am A) living in answered prayers and B) not defined by my earthly belongings/what people say about me. Let the One who created you be the One who defines your worth!
Amen, Susan!
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May you always be the one who shines in my life Lord Jesus!
Ditto Sandy
One of my go-to prayer verses is the BG verse today,
2 Chronicles 7:14
if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
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Praying this over our country and the world.
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Let’s keep our focus on Jesus, sisters, and tamp down any
tendencies to elevate ourselves or to put down others. It is so easy to get distracted by the world and other people, then wonder what happened to the close walk we had with the Lord.
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One of my favorite verses, too! Interesting that they shared it today instead of Thursday. I will be watching to see the verse chosen that day! ❤
Amen.
Amen
GM ladies. The situation with the married man on our missions team who was inappropriately texting 3 women still has not been resolved 2 months later. He has been “spoken to” but his wife does not know and there is no plan in place to ensure this doesn’t happen again. I feel leadership (the pastor who I co-lead with) is dragging his feet, hoping I just go away and forget about it. I can’t! I had to escalate it to our executive pastor last week, and we have a meeting set for tomorrow. I also asked another woman in leadership in the church who knows of the situation to come so it wasn’t just me sitting with the 2 pastors. I know my co-leader is upset with me, which makes me uncomfortable. (I too am a people pleaser!) This verse spoke to me this morning: Galatians 1:10 For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
I do believe God wants this brought to light. Please pray for our meeting. I am nervous! This is way out of my comfort zone!
I will pray for you. you may have to leave this church altogether if this sin is not dealt with
praying, sister. The Lord will guide you in this meeting, thankful for the other woman joining you.
Puzzled and concerned that the pastor you co-lead with didn’t take immediate, decisive action on this – that he’s not considering it as no tolerance behavior. Depending on the details, this type of unwanted communication could even go against the law.
Yes I agree Searching! In the workplace this would be sexual harassment. The pastor has known this couple for 30 years, they are a pillar in the church, wife runs our medical teams on the trips, etc.. his excuse is he is waiting for the “right time” bc she was on another mission, their daughter graduated, and so on. Always one excuse or another. I have kept on him but I feel like if I didn’t, this would be swept under the rug.
Tami, his reply is shocking! Praying for you and this meeting. I am more concerned about the women he disrespected and issues with this type of contact continuing and possibly escalating, and of course his wife too. It could be a pressure cooker left on the stove too long if it continues to be swept under the rug.
Tami I was wondering how the situation was going and have been praying, may God give you wisdom and courage to speak up with the truth.I will pray for your meeting. …I too am faced with a situation where I have to confront someone over something that took place yesterday. I keep trying to “push it aside” but feel the Holy Spirit prompting me to deal with it.
Tami, I agree with Searching and think this could really hinder future involvement in the mission trips if not resolved. Praying for the right thing here! ❤
Praying over this situation, Tina! I agree this should be a no tolerance situation!
I wonder in the meeting you could ask something like “can you help me understand why no immediate, decisive (like Searching said) action has been taken on this matter?” I would be so curious to know – does he think it’s not that big of a deal? Is he trying to protect the man or the reputation of the church? Have stronger conversations taken place that you are maybe not aware of? I feel like passivity in these crucial moments has been the cause of much pain and terrible repercussions down the road :( Well done for pushing for more clarification and resolution.
His last reply to me when I pushed was he was concerned for the women but “more concerned about preserving the couple’s marriage”. I’m glad I posted about this to get all of your Woodson. I shy away in the face of confrontation, especially since I am not on staff, I just “volunteer” but I am the admin on all of our trips and often have relationships with the team that the pastor doesn’t have. I need to remind myself that I have a place at the table.
It is interesting to me that he feels like “preserving the couple’s marriage” is best done in secrecy and deceit. I think I just felt my own blood pressure go up, and I’m not even in the situation ;) Keep pushing!!
Yes, praying. How awful this wife is in the dark.
Praying for you Tami in this challenging situation. Such wisdom to have another person with you!
Amen❤️
“Am I seeking to overshine or remain low?”
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Ouff.
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Guilty.
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Lord, I have no light of my own and when I try to “overshine,” I’m misappropriating Your “light” as my own. Forgive me. Create in me the humble heart that serves You in a way that shines the spotlight on You.
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Praying for your requests.
Amen, Kelly. Misappropriating His light, yikes.
Thank you Kelly for the words that match my feelings today.
I echo your prayer. ❤️
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Pray for our prodigals today. Add any names in the comments below my name.
Acts 2:39 For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
Acts 26:18:… open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.
Jeremiah 31:16-17 But now this is what the Lord says: “Do not weep any longer, for I will reward you,” says the Lord. “Your children will come back to you from the distant land of the enemy.17 There is hope for your future,” says the Lord.“Your children will come again to their own land.”
Proverbs 20:7 The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him.
Peter 3:8–9 (CSB): 8 Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9 The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.
Alice V – Brian, Rachel
Kim Mullins – Tyler
Tami – Chela, Quentin
Sharon – Nicholas, Jonathan
Rebecca W – Brett, Jake, Joey, Lindsay, Kelly, Abby, Katelyn, Katie
Emma Rageth – Olivia, Ali
Indiana Elaine – Kent, Shelley
Mari V – Rick, Marta, Toby
Tricia C – David, Allison, Christopher, Lina, Travis, Nicole
Mia Faith – Parker, Isaiah, Alexandra, Griffin, Annalee, Bill
Aleida – Victor
Maddie – Michelle, Julia
Rhonda – Michael
Charlotte Hill – Casey, John, Emma
Deb – Brandon, Angel
Linda J – Matthew
Mollie – Sam
MMD – Ethan, Hayden, Rachel
Carol H – Justin, Ezekiel, Elijah, Andrew
Kari – Rachel, Josh, James, Ayano
Mi Sherry – Kaitlyn, Aaron, Will
Cheryl Read – Renee, Jason, Kayden, Kylee
Wendy B – Amy, Colton, Kirk, Nick
Anne Klinkhammer – Molly
Sue Dalos – Chelsea, Kenny
Bessie – Ben
Annie Hewitt – Annie pls give me name/s:)
Sandy Lynn – Andy
Diane – Jon, Keith, Roger, Mike
Jane K – Leah
B – M, B
Susan B – Tammy, Amy
Carla – Cierra, Stephen
Lisa H – Cora
Kimberk – Megan, Randy
Adrienne – Raelynn, Tyler, Tracy
Brandi – Levi, Sarah, Ellen, India
Robin Bailey – Rodney, Brian
Erin L – Emerson, Zoe
Janet – Ryan, Amanda, Matthew, Stephanie
Sheryl – Adam, LaShonda
Maria J – Benjamin, Mike, Mark, Patrick
Maria B – Chris, Tristan, Madeline, Cristal, Shanty, Nicole, Luis
Melani Fryer – Matthew, Dylan, Courtney, Lydia
Therese – Ryan, Brittany, Sydney
Traci Gendron – Kara, Andrew
Jenny Carmichael – Katy
Mercy – boys in social care system
Kerry Rowley – Preston, Parker, Lindsey
Maria S – Joshua, Katie, Zoe
Melissa – Madison, Richard, Liam, Zac, Wesley
Felicia – Brittin, Tyler
Vicki – Ben, Sian
TC – Randi, Michael, Callie
Elizabeth – Trae, Xavier, Reya
Adie – Monica, Shawn, Stephanie
Susan B – Emma
Penni – Les, Jonah, Emily, Garret, Domi, Connor, Grace
Nat – Marissa, Melody
Martha Hix – Claire, Ralph, Tyler, Whitney, Trey
Phobie – Phobie, Greg, Steve, Jessie
Laura – Jordan, Taliah
April L – Molly, Becca
Karen Breaux – Brittany, Justin, Erin, Jordyn
Heather – Jack, Hudson
Cheryl Blow – Sara
Dianne – Ian
Leap – Liz, Teg, Taylor, Alison
Tara B – Clara Paige, Anna
Debra K – Stephen, Meagan, Daniel, Creg
Margaret W. —David, Matthew, Missy, Becca, Marianna
Melzie K- Jake, Cece & Elijah
Shar – K
Leala – Ryan, AJ, Sam
Jennifer – Matthew, Lauren and families
Cat-tee – A & A, K & T
K-Ann – G, T, S
Cathy McVey – Jeremiah, Brayden, Nolan, Ashlyn
Keri – Finley, Rudy, Scout, Nellie, Polly, Dottie, Goldie
Lena- Andrea,Lanie, Eiley, Everly, Schaefer
LaRae-Levi
Julie G – Matt, Katherine, Ray
AML – Jonathan, Jake, Emma, Becca
Kristin G – Brandon, Melissa
Allegra – Lydia, Nick, Micah, Jonah
Karen- Nathan, Bailey
Jazz – Blake, Zoie, Greg, Elizabeth
Gina – Carolyn, Steven
Cindy – Toby, Clarissa, Katie, Samantha
TS Woodruff – Danielle
Tammy H.- Alyssa
Danielle B-Joelle, Adam
Myra – Mitchell
Debby – Kristen
Myra – Mitchell
Jenn F – B&E, J&T
K – Alizabeth
Thank you Tami
Wow, Tami! What a strong post! Thank you for bringing this to my attention . It inspires me to pray for those in my church who are struggling with children who have gone astray. My mom prayed for years for my youngest brother to accept Christ, but he never has. Now that she is gone, I have began to pray for his salvation. Please add Greg to your list. Thank you!
Thank you Tami for continuing to post this each week. Patiently (not so patiently lol) waiting for praise reports!
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It struck me today praying through the list how many of our prodigals have Biblical names.
I know! Me too!
I struggle so much with people pleasing!!
Me too, sister! ❤️
Oh, Eleanor, as a recovering help-a-holic (a term my husband and my marriage counselor coined), I am, too. A huge part of my recovery has been relinquishing my tendency to want to fix and do everything for everyone. Then, I’ve learned to surrender and entrust those things that are not my responsibility and the people I love to God. It has been quite the journey to freedom and a deeper trust and appreciation for God and how He cares for me and those around me.
❤️
Help-a-holic? I didn’t know that was a thing. Yikes! I wonder if I have the same issue. Thank you for sharing this. I’m going to pray about this. Thank you again
James holds nothing back in these verses and then the same is summed up well in the devotional today…”James offered, with its specific instructions for a humble heart: Submit to God. Draw near to Him. Cleanse our hands. Purify our hearts. Weep over what takes us from Him. And humble ourselves before God.”
For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Gal 1:10
Lord, my hearts desire and longing is to live humbly, quietly in way that is pleasing to you. Not satisfying my own desires, not trying to impress people, not saying look at me, but to be a servant that lives for you, points others to you and honors you. Reveal to me Lord where my heart is astray, and not aligned with you, the places that I should be running from. Show me what grieves your heart and what should make me weep. Show me your heart and your ways Lord and lead me to the things that are life giving, Christ focused good, pure, true and right. Amen
I like that ..weep over what tak es him from us
❤️