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"May we never forget that the Lord works wonders for every one of his devoted lovers. And this is how I know that he will answer my every prayer." -Psalm 4:3 TPT After registering you will be given a link to download the free e-tract: Self-Righteousness
by Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of February 17, 2019 "Don't grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look--the Judge is standing at the door!" -James 5:9 There I was, years ago, sitting on my prayer chair half awake, before I’d even made my first cup of coffee when the offense appeared just outside my window. A distant family member who had afflicted me for the past 10 years in the most bullish ways was pulling into my driveway. She was dropping off items she had borrowed for a recent party. I could feel my flesh rise up with thoughts like: Why is she coming here unannounced at such an early hour? Could she possibly get any more annoying? Home alone, I held my breath, refusing to unleash my tongue in the silent atmosphere of my home. So I prayed through clenched teeth, “God, why does this person bug me so much?!” See It… God revealed to me that what I was seeing in this woman was the same offense that He saw in me: Self-righteousness. God doesn’t reveal our sins to us for the purpose of condemnation. He reveals them to us for the purpose of convicting us from that which He desires to deliver us. He does us a favor by breaking through the enemy’s deception that has kept us in bondage and by showing us the way out. His truth sets us free (John 8:32). When we don’t see others as God sees them, we see them through a hindered perspective, which is a mix of our own understanding and the enemy’s lies. I had complained about this woman before to my husband in private. But God desired I come up higher, come up out of that trap. It was as though God was saying to me, "Here's an invitation to get it right this time."
Consider Job… We only have to look as far as Job’s inner circle friends for evidence. After Job nearly lost everything, they insisted that he had to have done something wrong to bring on his afflictions. They even cited their knowledge of God’s laws as they understood them. But they were wrong. Job’s friends struggled with an attack of self-righteousness. While in the pit with Job, they behaved like well-meaning, know-it-all, imposing, condemning, anti-Proverbs 3:5 “friends.” They added insult to Job’s injuries. They were quick to judge without God’s perspective. What Is This?... Self-righteousness is self-reliance, self-justification and self-idolatry. It is an exaltation of our perspective over God’s, knowingly or unknowingly. It is deception that presents the lie of our “right” standard above God’s standard of righteousness. Who can fathom all of God’s righteousness? Even Job, the most righteous man of his time, could not. Our self-righteousness is a snare of betrayal to the heart and in the face of Jesus. It is a smite that strongly suggests that His grace at the cross and in our circumstances isn’t good enough. Our self-righteousness is inherently distrusting of The Lord. Selfish Motives… The enemy will try to bring fear and provoke our weaknesses into actions that we self-justify as a false standard. Think Eve. Think Judas. All the enemy knows is selfish motivation because he is the epitome of selfishness. Self-righteousness is his imposition of his scheme of selfishness, which can return a harvest of judgment upon us. He is the accuser of the brethren, the prosecutor (Rev. 12:10, Job 1:6). If he can get us to exalt ourselves and our standards above God’s, he has evidence to condemn us. Don’t take this deceiver’s bait! Be wise. No one likes to be around a self-righteous person because of the constant unrest, the critical eye and the words of judgment spoken against others. Once delivered from this vicious trap, we can more easily love others and pray them through. The Make-Up of Self-Righteousness… I believe self-righteousness is formed by ungodly influences that are mixed with godly influences. For example, our parents may have taught us right from wrong based on what they understood of The Bible. They may have also inadvertently influenced us to see the world and judge situations and people according to a mixture of Biblical wisdom and their life experiences—right or wrong. But when we become a new creature in Christ, God expects us to come more into His truth, His glory and begin to see those same situations and people according to His purer perspective. This is spiritual growth, sanctification. And no matter what we’ve been through, God desires to purify us from the mixture. He holds us to His standard, not ours. Our Way Is Not the High Way… You may know people who are set in their ways. Maybe you have a few grumpy, all-about-me family members that lean on a set of standards from which they will not budge. Everyone is expected to fall in line with their beliefs and do things their way. Their standards are obvious to you. The truth is that we all have some set standards that God desires to break in order to give us a breakthrough for more of His likeness in us. And others—especially those close to us—can often see what’s in us—the good and not so good. Our emotions need to grow up and come into a higher level of spiritual maturity, according to God’s righteousness. Self-Justifying… God will allow people close to us to irritate us by mirroring the very issues from which He desires to deliver us. God may use them as a vice, like Job’s friends. They may judge us, condemn us and just plain get on our nerves so we can know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of what we unknowingly do to others. The enemy may try to use these people’s annoyances as a snare to try to provoke us into self-justifying our stance. But God, in His sovereignty, will use the enemy to only go so far—far enough to cause us to press into God for an ultimate breakout from our bondage into His higher holiness. After studying the Book of Job for weeks, I have learned to not self-justify my position or perspective regarding God’s sovereignty. God is so much bigger than all of our messy relationships and circumstances, and He desires to give us more, just as He gave to Job. Once Job humbled himself and prayed for his friends, God doubled his blessings! Your Way Out… Whenever we present a situation to others and grumble and complain about that person—whether we do it to their face or behind closed doors—God sees it and is not pleased. As James 5:9 indicates: Grumbling is a snare of the enemy that will open the door for us (not them) to be judged! God invites us to lay down our hindrances. We can receive God’s revelation, repent and be restored by Him to higher ground. This is an area of spiritual maturity that God desires for all of us. Will you receive His ways? If so…
"Give, and you will receive gifts--the full measure, compacted, shaken together and overflowing, will be put right in your lap. For the measure with which you measure out will be used to measure back to you." -Luke 6:38 |
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[The] words are inspirational and they keep me close to God. Thanks for [these] wonderful messages. I DO have to give God 'my all!'" -N. F. "...I know The Holy Spirit led me to your article ...Very timely. Very inspiring. God always sends what we need to hear when we need to hear it." -A. J. “Thanks for sending this message. I really needed to read this today. I want this joy and know that only through God will I obtain it. You are a blessing from God!” -N. F. I've been blessed by your devotions for years, and just as the Holy Spirit takes scripture I've read many times and makes it seem brand new as He uses it to speak to me on something specific, He did the same this morning with today's devotion. -S. C. Amen. Just needed this..in the middle of nowhere...I believe this Word is just for me in my despair. -M. M. Thank You Lord. Thank You for Your Word. Thank You. - A. 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God knows exactly what He is doing. I will continue to trust Him in my wait. May the Lord continue to be gracious to you and your ministry for it is a blessing!" - S. D. "Thank you so much for the devotion. I really needed this message. I believe that what I read this morning will save me, and God Almighty will set me free and place me where I belong. Remain blessed and keep on encouraging others." - M. E. "Thanks for your faithfulness in sending out these messages." - M. K. "Thank you so much for these amazing words and Godly counsel. It's been a very difficult journey at my workplace...for the past 2.5 years, and I have grown weary and nearly given up. Your words put my job and the stressor of new management and major...changes in perspective. With appreciation." - C. F. "Your motivations are highly appreciated. You really connect with the person reading it. Thank you for doing what you are doing. God will continue to bless you and me. The prayers are on point and powerful. 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It really filled in a couple of areas in my life that needed tending to." - K. S. "I cannot tell you how PERFECTLY TIMED this devotional is for me and most of my friends." - K. G. This devotion really spoke to my heart. It showed me that I must wait on God's timing no matter what. - V. B. I love your posts. Every time I read it, I realize that it was written just for me. Thank you Holy Spirit! - C. G. "There is so much truth to what this devotional is saying...I really believe God knew I needed to read this...Thank you!" - I. M. "Timely words for my wounded heart...Thankful God uses the Words of healing for me in this devotional." - B. L. "This was an exceptional devotional." - C. S. "This is a blessing!! Your devotionals are always a blessing. Stay strong and steadfast in the LORD." - B. M. "What a beautiful devotional...This has truly helped me to unburden my heart." - C. 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- R. N. This is so beautiful and so needed. We forget that God is our first priority. We often put our all into pleasing our husband, but our all is supposed to go to God. I am learning and trying to live by this every day.
Thank you so much for obeying God and giving us this message!
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- B. M. "Thank you for allowing yourself to be an instrument of His peace and love."
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"Your devotionals really encourage me during some of my toughest times. God is truly using you to help and heal others--mentally and emotionally." - S. A. "Thank you for your encouraging spirit and uplifting scriptures about Ester and Mordecai. God bless." - R. H. "Just a quick note to say how much I appreciated the 'Hope Restored' devotional...There was so much Holy Spirit truth in it, and I thank you for it."
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- A. N. "Thanks for this blessing!" - N. M. "In 2011, I felt in my heart that 2012 was going to be a very difficult year; and yes, it has been. My stepson passed on in February at the age of 38. My strong-spirited mom, at the age of 72, also passed; and along with that, hopelessness found its way into my heart. But after reading today's devotion, it's a confirmation that the LORD sees and hears me. I believe once again that HE does heal the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Thank you, GOD, for this ministry, and may Your blessings be upon them."
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"God is really wonderful, and He knows what happens in our lives every second of everyday. Margaret D Mitchell's article is just what I needed today, to be told how special I am in God."
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the Spirit of the Lord flow more upon you in the name of God Almighty.
Amen and God bless you."
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"Your [devotional] was a 'now word from the Lord' for me. Very encouraging and right on!! I felt God speaking to me through it, and it was something He wanted me to hear right now. Thank you AGAIN for being sensitive enough to the Holy Spirit to write what He prompts you to write and send it when He wants you to send it. The timing was perfect! Thank you for your obedience. It always produces fruit!"
- R. M. "Thank you so much for the timely spiritual advice that you emailed out...about bosses and working. I am a Christian that burned out from working in 2008 and realized that I had let work take over, and my spiritual priorities went out the window. I basically crashed and burned and have spent the last few years (since 2008) rebuilding my life and getting my priorities right with God first and everything else second. I am going to print off this article and get a copy both at work and at home. This will greatly help me when I am back to work full-time from my medical leave of absence, and I want to thank you all for the wonderful words of wisdom. God bless you all this week as you all walk with Him." - D. K. "I so appreciate your devotionals, as they give practical advice but let God do the work!"
- L. W. "False accusations were made against me today, but thanks to your article you wrote today about how to handle evil co-workers, I can see that God is dealing with my character. I chose to forgive them and never to be offended by them, as this is not the first time I am encountering such in my workplace." - N. G. "Coincidence? Now, who believes in that? This was in my spam folder. I don't check my spam folder very often, and don't usually open any spam mail, except this one "happened" to be in my spam file and didn't belong there! And I often don't read every devotional...Holy Spirit INDEED!" - C. B. "I wanted to let you know that I enjoy reading your devotionals. I have been reading them on crosswalk.com for a couple of years. I look forward to reading them because I know that when I need wisdom in my workplace God always uses this devotional to give me clarity and peace. Thanks!" - N. R. "I want to thank you for your devotionals. As I read today’s words, 'Teaching Women' by Margaret Mitchell, I felt I wanted to share the song I wrote for my Mom several years ago. I took my thoughts from Proverbs 31...I smiled as I read Ms Mitchell’s words, as they outline the song so perfectly. I am so blessed to have a Christian Mom. As mentioned in the devotional, we have become great friends." - C. B. "Thank you very much for your kind of mercy by sending to me the strong passages of God`s words. I love to be in His house and learn all what is required and become strong in my Christianity due to my end of my life. Once more, again I say to you may the Lord bless all of you..."
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"[This devotional] has been a blessing to read when I arrive at work."
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"Loved, loved your [devotional] this morning. So sweet...xoxox." - C. M. "This [devotion on "A New Day"] is so timely. I am praying now for God to touch a situation in my life. I believe He is doing something new. Thank you for sending this." - D. J. "I recently shared your devotion on "Transition" with my email group. I received so many responses regarding how it "spoke" to individuals and encouraged them in their current situations. I just want to thank you for your work in encouraging God's people. Continue to point us to Christ." - A. A. Thank you soooo much for your devotional on “Direction.” WOW!!! My
prayer the day before was, “God I am at a crossroads, and I do not
know what to do or which way to turn." He certainly answered the
absolute truth! I have shared this with other women, and their response
was the same as mine: WOW!!! Continue to encourage women all over
this world, and you be encouraged as well!
- S. C.
This is beautiful! - D. J. Wow, that was awesome! Thank you! - M. J. I have truly been blessed by the devotional, A Women's Walk - thank you for making it so clear and concise for someone like me ... every devotional is so applicable to the day's needs in my heart - Christ knows what we need every day! - L. H. God Bless You this is awesome! - S. B. Oh thank you for this message, this devotional ... Love these messages! - M. R. I ... shared it with my group of ladies ... and they were extremely touched ... And one has gone on to take every opportunity to testify of God on any flight, as do I! - J. L. We can apply this to anyplace where we are around others! - N.G. This is wonderful! - D. R. Wow, what a wonderful message my friend. I totally feel this one deep down. Love you! - D. W. Thank you! God sent me the words I needed to read. May the peace of Christ be with you! - K. T. I am encouraged so much by reading your devotionals! - D. H. I love the weekly devotionals! - Y. M. This [devotional] was right on time for me today! I was just looking to hear something from God. I get so many different devotionals in my email at my own choosing. As I was deciding which ones to delete and which ones to keep, the Holy Spirit led me back to this one. It truly, truly hit home, right where I needed it the most. I am so encouraged and blessed by this devotional. Thank you very much, and keep writing! - D. J. Thank you for a good word of encouragement, hope and truth! - R. M. Thanks for sending this! It is just what I needed this morning! - M. M. Thank you for your beautiful weekly devotionals! - M. W. Thank you so much for your weekly devotional! It blesses me every single time! - B. G. Your devotional, A Woman's Walk, is a great resource of truth and assurance to me! God bless! - J. C. Thank you for a good word! - D. R. Thanks for sending this weekly devotional! I am always blessed, and this one is ministering powerfully to me! - G. K. Your messages inspire me a lot! I love reading them, and I do share them with people at church. Keep up the good work ..." - E. R. I read your devotion every week during my quiet time early in the morning. As I prayed this morning, I asked God to show me a passage to help me through the day. I also asked Him to help me with the situations at work, which I always do. I then clicked onto, "A Woman's Walk." WOW, did it ever touch me today!!! Thank you so much for your devotions, as they always help me through the work week! - D. R. I read one of your devotions, and I must thank you for these words of encouragement. I was feeling such dispair ... but the Bible text brought me much comfort. - C. G. This was a perfect message for me! I need to return to my good habits of starting my day absorbing God's word and spending time with Him. Have a wonderfully blessed day! - P. S. Thank you so much for your wonderful message and for being partners with me. May God bless you! - P. M. Such an on-time word! Almost to the minute! Thanks! - J. H. After our chat on Facebook, my very first one ever, I checked my emails, and this devotion that I receive really spoke to me. I also thought of you. Praying that your week will be filled with God's love, joy and peace. - B. S. All I can say is WOW! - A. S. These devotionals are awesome! I look forward to reading them, because I feel that the Lord is speaking to me through them. - P. E. |
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