I remember we talked about several months back the firey darts of the enemy that God allows to make it past our sheild of faith if it wasn't yet broad enough. Verse 27:21 let me see that just like the impurities of gold are removed in the fire of a furnace so are we removed of impurities when we are humbled by life's trials. When we let people's praises go to our head, we usually later get lessons of humility to remove impurities like an overgrown ego.

I guess since rearing children has been on my mind lately, I was also moved by verse 29:15. On my lunch break I seem to see all these embarrassed parents(usually mothers) on the talk shows who have let their children grow up to run all over them. Its pretty obvious that there was no real discipline to keep that child in line so they wouldn't grow up to embarrass them on national television. I came to the realization that we need to learn from those moments of discipline that we get from our heavenly father though our trials in life and allow the impurities to be removed from our hearts, so we can be wise children and not an embarrassment.

Danny

I do not think that I am necessarily moved by praise because I never really received praise as a child. In fact, I tend to back away from praise or say some kind of contradictory statement like "It wasn't a big deal." So for me that fact affects me in the reverse. I tend to not expect praise or give praise. I have to make a conscious effort to give praise to my family. I am very intentional because I know the results of not receiving any praise. It can leave a soul wounded and calloused.
--Aundrea Baker
<mailto:abaker@thewaybiblefellowship.org>

I do not crave praise, but I do like to be thanked or appreciated. Like Sister Baker, I sometimes back away from praise. If someone says something, I negate what they have said. Some people call that modesty.

I think that men, for some reason, want to be praised. That is why they compete in life, on jobs, and in sports. But again, maybe it is respect that men desire. What's the difference?
--Tasha

Receiving praise is one thing, but to seek it in my opinion is prideful. When I am praised, I can accept it; though it goes no further than simply saying "thank you". I believe that as the Lord continues to humble me to do His work, it doesn't matter to me who sees it. As long as what I do is pleasing in Gods sight; praise is not a significant factor. I will always give my Father all glory, honor and praise, because He is the only one that is deserving of it. Praise be to God, in Jesus name - Amen.
--Shevon Bagot
<mailto:sbagot@thewaybiblefellowship.org>

Wow! I’ve never looked at that verse that way before. TESTED BY BEING PRAISED. I consider complements to be slightly equal to praise. Shevon always tell me to take the complement someone has given and be quiet. Her point: She wants me to accept it instead of avoiding it by either explaining away on how minimum my part was. I told her that I have an ego, and a pride issue that I’ve been dealing with. (With the redemptive gift of prophet it’s no wonder. We have to know and sometimes comment on everything. When we don’t comment on something people think that something is wrong with us.)
Back to my ego: I can’t let the flow of complements feed my ego or pride anymore so I have cut the “complement valve” off. I now catch myself viewing someone’s complement as an encouraging statement. If I don’t have the energy to explain away on how minimum my part was in whatever they were given me a complement for. This has been helping…lol.

GOD HELP ME…to extinguish any pride of myself.

--James A. McCauley
<mailto:jmccauley@thewaybiblefellowship.org>

Foul on Tasha, Number 3 post! She pulled the "man card" out...lol.


But your about 101% correct!

--Little Brother of The Way
<mailto:jmccauley@thewaybiblefellowship.org>