[This is Party one of a 7 Part Series]<\/p>\n
I recently read an article that stated the ‘7 traits of successful children\u2019 written by a psychologist. Of course I wanted to see what was classified as \u2018successful\u2019 and whether I was doing a good job or not.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Of course, I logically know that most psychologists operate from a secular world-view, but I clicked anyway\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
The first point confirmed my suspicion: Self Confidence!p<\/p>\n
This is what most of the world chases and what is associated with \u2018successful’ people. From a Biblical point of view though, Self Esteem is just selective pride. Essentially, it is a human believing that they can survive, cope, thrive, win, succeed – whatever – on their own. Biblically speaking this is close to blaspheme – trusting in horses, but not even the horses and forces of a king, but of self!<\/p>\n
God has a different prescription for His people: Trust in Him<\/em><\/span> not self\u2026 Lets face it. No one can change or control any part of their day. We are subservient to His will\u2026and that is a\u00a0powerful<\/em> place to live.<\/p>\n What is said to be the middle verse of the Bible:\u00a0<\/p>\n It is better to take refuge in the LORD<\/em>\u00a0than to trust in people. \u00a0<\/em>Psalms 118:8 (NLT)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n If you can raise children that can know and trust in the Creator, you have succeeded in parenting. But there is a word missing in that sentence. Do you know what it is?\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAlone\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The word is alone<\/em> – and some might hate me for stating it clearly. Why? Because most of us have added other \u2018things\u2019 to trust. Whether it is psychology, money, family, financial security, feelings, church, partner, teaching – the Bible calls everything<\/em> else by its correct title: idols.\u00a0<\/p>\n Consider this Bible verse that is (unfortunately!), very<\/em> clear:\u00a0<\/p>\n If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone<\/strong>. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty<\/strong> is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.\u00a0<\/em>James 1:5-8 (NLT)\u00a0<\/strong>[emphasis added]<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n How clear is that??!\u00a0<\/p>\n If you have faith in\u00a0anything<\/em> in addition to God, you have divided loyalty<\/em> and\u00a0you should not expect your prayers to be answered! It\u2019s not like you need to walk away, commit murder or change religions – all you need to do is allow anything<\/em>\u00a0to be a source of security in your life – and that is pretty easy to do!\u00a0<\/p>\n Most of us think that if we believe in God, we are ok, but this is what the Bible says:\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cYou say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/i>James 2:19 (NLT)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Have we added to our faith in and trust of Christ?<\/p>\n God knew that this would be a temptation, so He gave us a clear instruction to avoid this pitfall. He didn\u2019t want us to suffer the consequences.\u00a0<\/p>\n You must not worship the gods of these nations or serve them in any way or imitate their evil practices. Instead, you must utterly destroy them and smash their sacred pillars.<\/em>\n
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25 \u201cYou must serve only the LORD your God. If you do, I will bless you with food and water, and I will protect you from illness.\u00a0<\/em>Exodus 23:24-25 (NLT)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n