Philippians 3:4-6 “4 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.”

PROUD

Don’t you just love boastful people?  Just kidding!  Nothing can turn you off faster than someone who is full of themselves and doesn’t mind telling you all about it.  Normally, you find some reason to get out of the room quickly.

Paul could have boasted of his pedigree in the Jewish faith.  He had all the credentials.  But he knew all of that meant nothing – now that he had Christ in his life.  All the works he had been so dedicated to meant absolutely NOTHING.  All that mattered now was Christ.

TEACHING MOMENT

We need to teach our children to be humble and serving.  There is nothing wrong with being proud of our accomplishments, but we should never boast about ourselves.  If we allow our children to do that, we are setting them up for a difficult life.  People will avoid them like the plague.  No one likes a braggart.

Instead, teach them to divert all the praise to the Lord.  When they accomplish some great thing, and I am sure they will, teach them to point to Jesus.  After all, He is the one who empowers all believers.  If your child learns to do that, they will draw others to Jesus, not push them away.

What are you proud of?  What have you bragged on lately?  Anything we brag on, except Jesus, is not worthy of our words.  The Father wants to be your everything.  Only He is worthy of our praise.

I want to challenge you today to make great efforts to point everything to Him.  Allow all the praise and adoration to go to Him.  He is worthy of our praise!  He is worthy of our adoration!  He is worthy!