Proud or Broken?

Got this from a sermon by Phil Smuland I think he says that he got this from someplace else.

Which do you identify with? I started bold-ing the ones that I feel most guilty of and realized I'd bolded three-fourths of the list. If you don't have time to read the whole list read the first 4 pairs and the last 4 pairs.

Praise the Lord He is able to sanctify me and move me closer to the broken. I know I'm not capable to move myself....

proud - focus on the failures of others
broken - overwhelmed by their own spiritual need
proud - self righteous they have critical spirit. look at own faults with telescope, others' faults with microscope
broken - forgiving spirit. they look for good in others.
proud - look down on others
broken - esteem all others above themselves
proud - independent. self sufficient
broken - dependent. recognize and seek needs of others.
proud - seek to maintain control, must have agenda their own way
broken - surrender control
proud - prove they are right, need to be right
broken - willing to yield the right to be right.
proud - claim their rights.
broken - yield their rights
proud - demanding spirit
broken - giving spirit.
proud - self protective of time, rights, reputation
broken - self denied
proud - desire to be served
broken - motivated to serve others.
proud - long to be successful
broken - desire to be faithful, to make others a success
proud - desire self-advancement
broken - long to promote others
proud - driven to be recognized and appreciated.
broken - sense of unworthiness, thrilled to be used at all.
proud - wounded when others are promoted and they are overlooked
broken - rejoice when others are lifted up.
proud - think the ministry is privileged to have them.
broken - think they don't deserve to serve in this ministry
proud - think what they can do for God
broken - know they have nothing to give to God
proud - confident in how much they know
broken - humble at how much they have to learn
proud - self-conscience
broken - no concern for self view
proud - keep others at arms length
broken - risk getting close to others. willing to take risk to know others.
proud - quick to blame.
broken - accept personal responsibility
proud - unapproachable
broken - easily approached
proud - defensive when criticized
broken - receive criticism with humble, open heart
proud - concerned with being respectable.
broken - concerned with being real
proud - concerned with what others think.
broken - know that all that matters is what God thinks.
proud - work to maintain an image and protect their reputation
broken - die to their own reputation
proud - find it difficult to share their own spiritual needs.
broken - willing to be transparent
proud - want to be sure no one finds out about their sin
broken - willing to be exposed, and realize after confession have nothing to loose
proud - hard to say "I was wrong, will you forgive me"
broken - quick to admit their faults and seek forgiveness
proud - concerned about consequences of sin.
broken - grieved over the root of their sin
proud - remorseful for being caught
broken - repent over sin
proud - wait for other party to come to resolve a conflict
broken - take initiative to be reconciled. They get their first and apologize
proud - compare with others and feel they deserve honor.
broken - compare with Holy God and feel desperate for mercy
proud - blind to true condition
broken - walk in the light.
proud - don't think they have anything to repent of
broken - never stop repenting the deeds of the flesh
proud - think they don't need revival, though they think everyone else does
broken - continually sense their need for a fresh encounter with God

God Tests Abraham

We're studying James in my home group right now. The author's main point is to point out what real faith is as opposed to fake faith. James, as the brother of Jesus is uniquely able to teach on this topic, since he lived and watched Jesus for 30 years or so before finally believing in his big brother's message. In James 2, James points out that real faith is demonstrated by actions. He points to Abraham's near sacrifice of his son Isaac in Gen. 22. Here's just a couple thoughts on this amazing display of God caring about His child Abraham.

Gen 22:2 "...your son, your only son, whom you love..." God knew that Abe had put his faith almost in his son instead of in God. That for God to take the one thing/person that was the total joy and center of Abe's life would be such a personal test of faith for Abraham. God is such a personal God who is so interested in us and our personal development

Gen 22:6,9: Isaac carries the wood, and allows himself to be tied down. Isaac is no idiot, he knows whats going on, yet he submits to his father and to the Lord. We don't hear anything about Isaac's faith in this episode but it must have been super strong too. Can you imagine being Isaac and hearing for your whole life that you're the child of promise? Talk about pressure and expectations...

Gen 22:11,12 The Angel of the Lord stops Abraham. The Angel of the Lord is a Christophany, a glimpse of the pre-incarnate Christ. It's so Jesus to intercede directly in the Human experience and make sure that Abraham is cared for. Not that God the Father doesn't love us, but I just feel closer to Jesus, and I love to see Him acting in His intercessory, caring role. It makes my view of Him feel so consistent.

The whole story is a picture of the Gospel, with the father sacrificing the son, who willingly goes to his death, with the expectation of being raised from the dead. Praise God that He loves us enough to send His Son, who willingly came to die for our sins, and then to intercede for us before God.