The day they got belted for pride

4/9/09

In the book of Jeremiah there is an account where GOD told the prophet to buy a linen belt and put it around his waist. wear it but don't wash it. Then after a bit he told Jeremiah to go hide it in a crevice and did so. Next he was told to dig it out of the crevice but it was ruined and completely useless. GOD went on to say because you have left me and with your pride and stubborn heart you thought you knew better what to do and started worshipping idols you will be like this belt. Completely useless!
I have chosen you to be my people for my renown and praise and honor. But you have not listened.

Every once in a while my wife will ask if I heard her. I reply I always hear you I just don't always obey you..(just for your info,such curt replies no matter how witty and marvelous the orator are not received well at all.)

Take a look at the ingredients in this stew of trouble GOD's chosen people had gotten themselves into:
pride
refuse to listen
stubborn heart
worship false gods
the end result they became useless and GOD first in his mercy warned them that he was going to turn their hearts back to HIM even if he had to spank them.
Did you ever stop to think that in order to sin in any way that you do the 4 things above?
Pride= teddy knows best,I can do it no matter what you say.Who are you
to tell me I can't.
Refuse to listen= I know it's wrong, I'm still gonna do it.
Stubborn Heart=so what if it hurts you, I don't care.
Worship false gods= I get more of a rush of this than I do you GOD so
leave me alone. If I can only get.......then I will be complete.

Not all pride is bad for example when your children make good decisions or any thing that honors GOD and righteousness.
Pride, my way or the highway.Pride is when we take on a self made, I don't need GOD or nobody, don't tell me what to do ,I am my own man. In a very real sense you're saying I am my own god.

One day I was driving up New Berry Hill Road repenting for not following GOD like I should of when this thought came to me. Ted you can't go 10 minutes without putting yourself first. I was blown away just looking at the past 10 minutes in fact I saw most all of my day was tending to ted and what ted wanted. I suppose that is why Jesus said love your neighbor as you love yourself, he knew that we certainly care for ourselves.
After a good long look at myself where I felt like a crudola self centered booger butt. The Good Shepherd said it's not what you do as much as whether you do it in me , with me. Ted do you have a heart that stays with me no matter if you're brushing your teeth or praying with your wife?
Is there a place where I am included?
I too, even though I'm just ted was made to honor and praise GOD by the everyday living with him.
Just like the chosen people Israel I want GOD's blessings.
What parent will bless and encourage a child that is willfully going the wrong way. Only a parent who doesn't care.
I want more of GOD and less of ted. The experience of his pleasure for me is my cherished portion.
GOD is still saying if you draw close to me I will draw close to you.