Dear Ones, Hope you had a good weekend. Warm days are ahead this week but also lots of celebrating as the 4th is soon here. Today I am going to Aldi’s and no wound care today as the paramedic is out of town.

Devotions from Judy’s heart
Don’t we all love to be around humble people who are open and don’t think their way is the only way? Humility is beautiful for it shows strength of character with a willingness to listen, and to learn and to grow. Pride, on the other hand, shows up in unteachableness, defensiveness and a puffed-up ego. The Lord hates pride! James 4:6 says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Even a stronger word is given in Proverbs 16:5, “Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured he will not go unpunished.” We may think that pride is not a serious sin, but God sees it differently. And wasn’t it pride that the Devil fell from his heavenly angelic place?
If we think of sins in our own lives, it seems like they all go back to pride at the root. We may envy someone but we think we deserve even more than them. We complain of hard circumstances and forget that we are owed nothing for Jesus paid the ultimate price to rescue us. If we have a disagreement, we feel certain it is the fault of the other person, rather than searching our own heart.
Pride is not pretty but rather stinky!! It tries to hide and mask itself as something good. But when we look closer we realize that it is not rooted in love but in selfishness, defensiveness and fear. The Word has so much to say about our need for humility and warns us against pride. Pride certainly hinders good relationships with others and is defensive and not open to correction.
Humility, on the other hand, is so beautiful as it reveals those who know they are loved and chosen and don’t have to prove their worth. They are at home with themselves, and when they make mistakes, they thank the Lord for His grace of forgiveness.

Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to show you the places that pride is hindering your relationship with Him and with others.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy