Prideful. Arrogant. Conceited. Those were just some of the words that I thought of as I read John's descriptions of Babylon and the hearts and attitudes of that city's inhabitants. Additionally, I couldn't help but notice the heavy focus on luxury starting in verse 7 ("she glorified herself and lived in luxury") and throughout the remainder of chapter 18. Now when I first read this chapter, I was super critical. But then I read the chapter a couple more times and it dawned on me that I was definitely thinking a little too highly of myself. :( I'm no stranger to pride and there are plenty of times I let myself get fixated on "having" things.
So do you have any thoughts on avoiding the type of behavior set out here in Revelation 18? What are some precautions we can take or put in place to keep our attitudes about ourselves, our position and our money in check? Tami W.
We always try to get some kind of material thing.Even me up to this morning after pray service i was walking home and i saw land for sale and i said (i wish) and i have to check myself then i said, i would like enough money to buy that land and still have enough money to build a nice house....
Reading Revelation 18 i was looking at it as wow the wrath of will come hard on the earth and i am looking at what i can build me being selfish.....
God wants us to deny ourselves and build him up before men so that he will be Glorified in the heavens and on the earth.
we learn but seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all things shall be added unto you....unto us.
we must be willing to deny ourselves and pick up our Crosses for Christ Jesus.. the very important thing is DENY YOURSELF!!!
Sometime we all loose perspective and zoom in on our own desires instead of Gods desire for us. God wants us to have nice houses and things,but he don't want the houses and things to have us. When we put the houses amd things before God we become idol worshipers! We are to appreciate what God blesses us with and be good stewards of what he has entrusted us with,period. And always seek him first!
Robert R.
I'm so thankful for P4 because it is a part of seeking first and I find that when I do it first thing that promise of all these things falls into place for me (or all these things are no longer part of my heart's desires). I'm always amazed by this because rarely am I ever able to see a connection between what I have read and answered questions about but it almost seems like God is honoring more the doing than the subject matter. Then later on, usually a few days later and always when I least expect it, the connection becomes clear to me.
Is there a way to get the Power Plan (reading guide) "questions with answers" from previous weeks? I am new to P4, and have been reading a week at a time from the web site. Thank you.
Great question, Amelia. Yes, we do have an archives page that includes all the past readings and questions in pdf format. The answers are posted on the website as a bonus only during the current week which goes Monday through Sunday. You'll find a link to the archives section on the top of the page called "Your Power Plan"--the same page where you're already going to get the day's reading & questions. Click here to go to the archives now.
As always, you can sign up for the daily email which will deliver the reading plan to your inbox every day.
Thanks for your question. Glad to have you reading along with us.
A great reality check is to spend some time with the homeless or less fortunate in your community. Recently our pastor reminded us that one wrong choice and anyone of us could be in the same situation as them. Be thankful for all your blessings, spiritual, health and material.
Enjoy your day!
I love Linda's comment about the homeless. We often think we have problems, but others have concerns as well. We need to keep things in perspective. I try to keep things simple in my life. I think that's the best way.
Carol, I like and agree with your comment about "keeping things simple in your life". Sometimes our actions complicate life. Rather than reacting to situations I'm dealt with I am learning to respond.
Enjoy your day!