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It's good to be still in quicksand. It's good to be still when there is a scorpion on your face! You could probably think of a few good reasons to be still and wait for the danger to pass. That's the comforting message that God gives to us in times of spiritual frustration, doubt, confusion, or anxiety. He touches our heart and says: "Be Still". On Sunday, we read over Psalm 37. Read it again: do you see the instruction from our God? He opens our eyes to the dissapointing results of people that do not follow His words, they wither and become nothing. Did you notice the life that He gives to those that follow after Him? "Commit your way to the LORD;trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." We will never be disappointed with the results of following after Jesus! But the results of envying others that do wrong will result in disappointment and shame. The same God that silences the stormy waves in Mark 4:37-41 is the same God that looks at the hurt in your life, the confusion in your thoughts and says: "Be Still, I am in control, look to me and you will never fall!" It's hard to be patient for God, but you will find it worth it - I have! PETE

I believe that Paul had a better understanding of his purpose in life than anybody I've ever known. When he said in Philippians 1:21-26 "To live is Christ, to die is gain" he was communicating to all of us that he knew his significance in life was to glorify Christ and make him exalted. Like how a gardner jakes joy in seeing his plants bloom, God takes joy in seeing us bloom where he plants us. Paul was planted to serve Christ by sharing the gospel. For Paul, his purpose for living and purpose for dying was the same, to glorify Christ. He was torn between two great scenarios, to serve Christ in this world or enjoy Him in another. He wanted to see Christ, but knew that Christ had a plan for Paul on the earth. Paul's live purpose was to keep Christ at the center of everything that he involved himself in. Living for Christ was not a mere option, but his purpose for living. Why has God placed you in the environment that you are in? (Football team, clubs, family, school, etc.) And how can you bloom where you are "planted"?

According to C.S. Lewis in his book "Mere Christianity" it is pride that is the anti-God state of mind. "It is through pride that the devil became the devil..." and it is pride that hinders us from loving others like Christ. Christ imitates the opposite of pride to us...humility. Philippians 2:4 instructs us to "...look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Consider this story:One of the old saints, according to the legend, in his journey overtook two travelers. One was a greedy, covetous man; the other was of a jealous and envious nature. When they came to the parting of ways, the saint said he would give them a parting gift. Whichever made a wish first would have his wish fulfilled, and the other man would get a double portion of what the first had asked for. The greedy man knew what he wanted; but he was afraid to make his wish, because he wanted a double portion and could not bear the thought of his companion getting twice as much as he had. But the envious man was also unwilling to wish first, because he could not stand the idea of his companion getting twice as much as he would get. So each waited for the other to wish first. At length the greedy man took his fellow by the throat and said he would choke him to death unless he made his wish. At that the envious man said, “Very well; I will make my wish. I wish to be made blind in one eye.” Immediately he lost the sight of his eye—and his companion went blind in both eyes.

Humility shows itself in practical ways as we deal with others. Esteem the virtues of others, excuse people's faults with gentleness, and admire the virtues that God admires. Think of this quote by C.S. Lewis: “A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.” Is pride in your life keeping you from focusing directly on Christ? PETE