"Before his downfall a man's heart is proud but humility comes before honor" (Proverbs 18:12).

Recently Kathy Griffin, an actress I had never heard of, won a Hollywood award. Now generally I have low regard for worldly awards of this type and rarely give any attention to them at all. In a nutshell I would sum up my attitude with a Biblical phrase, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter" (Isaiah 5:20).

During her acceptance speech, Griffin noted that many recipients thank Jesus for their award -- then made it a point to emphatically declare, "No one had less to do with this award than Jesus." She then raised her trophy and proclaimed: "This award is my god now!"  There was more to this vile discourse but it was so crude and blasphemous I will not allude to the exact quote.

Thank God for the eternal truthfulness of His Word!  The daily Proverb has proven true countless times. 

Consider the first phrase, "Before his downfall a man's heart is proud."  Resisting a prideful attitude is something we all have to deal with at least to some degree. It may be our position, education, looks, talents or possessions.  Or it might even be the lack of these things! 

Consider those who've had a "downfall" (the KJV more bluntly translates "destruction").  The downfall might be a business failure, broken marriage or prison term.  Or it might be something that will not be revealed until the final judgment and ultimate destruction.  Pride always has its consequences, whether immediate or future.

"But humility comes before honor."  The highest honor is that from God Himself.  He values humility. 

Consider for a moment the people that you have come to truly honor.  So often in my life they are people who demonstrate humility.  And generally the people that I honor the most are relatively unknown.  If I were to list the top ten people whom I esteem with great honor very few readers would even recognize their names. They've never attained traits that would bring them fame from the world, but they've faithfully served God and impacted those whose lives they have touched.  We're going to meet a lot of people like this in heaven.

May God help us to hide this Proverb deep into our hearts and recall it frequently as we seek to live lives of honor before God and man.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer:  Father, I wholeheartedly acknowledge before others all that I have, all that I am and all that I ever hope to be I owe it all to You.  You are a gracious and generous Father who deserves all the praise, glory and honor due Your name. Today I humbly proclaim You to be my Lord and Master.  To God be the glory!  Amen.

---

Source for actress blasphemy

---

"A Little Foolishness" Yesterday I first invited daily encouragement readers to visit our new blog which will be a collection of humorous and satirical stories drawn mostly from our years of ministry, as well as my sometimes fertile imagination. We also welcome submissions from readers. The first post is a parody of using the nasal strip for ministry purposes.

---

---

Today's suggested music:
"We Bow Down" (Audio)