"Between The Lines" -2

"How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?"
(Psalms 94:4)
It's really not just a matter of humility, but there must be a good amount of passion, otherwise we just become used up without a purpose. I want to believe that God does have a purpose for my life, and it is that belief that encourages me to stand, even though I might feel like sitting down, or just stay seated. Maybe I am speaking to the choir, but not without speaking to my own heart in the process. Here is another way that God works, in that He allows us to see our own mistakes as we seemingly help others through theirs. We really need to keep our eyes wide open, because none of us have it all under control; and as soon as we think that we do, we set ourselves up for a major defeat, and maybe even some hard lessons in humility. To keep with the message that I believe God is speaking, there are two main points to this verse; one is the way that someone speaks, while the other is the reason they think they can speak that way. Sure, we could look at this with the view of wicked people putting down people that belong to God, and people who think they are better than those who count on God for guidance; but in the area of what it takes to become as a child, there needs to be a little respect for being, not just a child, but a child of God. This is where I believe the passion comes from, from the fact that we are His child, we are given boldness; but it's not boldness just to be bold and outspoken, but it's boldness to have compassion and purpose. When it says, "all the workers of iniquity boast themselves," it is speaking about those who boast themselves being workers of iniquity. In other words, if you are going to boast yourself, then that is your reward, to boast yourself; but in the process of doing so, you snub your nose at God, thinking that you have strength and power on your own. The ax cannot chop on its own, and the saw will not saw on its own; neither will a child of God do the things of God on his own. Whether that is loving others, overcoming temptations, or just being the vessel you have been called to be, you are totally dependent upon God! That is all that I want to be, His child; needing Him for everything! Today, I pray for all those who will be attending the Men's Conference, including myself: God, speak into our hearts. Give us passion that has compassion for others and a boldness that has purpose for your Kingdom, as a child of that Kingdom. Amen...
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) NLT