Proverbs 16:18-19
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.

Pride was the first sin! Isaiah 14:12; Satan, who was known as Lucifer, which means light bearer, was found to be with pride and was cast out of heaven.

Pride separates us from God.

Pride is the assumption that I am the most important person in my world-SELF is the focus of pride.
Pride saysÉÓIt is my way or the highway!Ó
Pride saysÉÓMy way is right and your way is wrong!Ó

Pride is an attitude. Jesus is our perfect model for every attitude.

Philippians 2:5-11 ÒYour attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every nameÉÓ

When we exalt ourselves, God will humble us, but when we humble ourselves as Christ did, He will exalt us! (Luke 14:11)

Pride is the engine that drives our obsession with significance- the obsession to Òbe somebodyÓ to prove to the world that we are special.

Pride in the hands of the devil is:
* Destructive
* Dangerous
* Destitute
* Demoralizing
* Degrading, and full ofÉ
* Depravity

Pride is the tool that men use to exalt themselves over others, but becomes the means to their ruin!

What are we to do with pride? Some say Òswallow your prideÓ, but if you swallow spilled milk, you will get sick. NO! We must throw out the rotten pride, let God redeem us, give us new focus, new energy, and new determination to use for God, instead of ourselves. If we are going to boast, we should boast in the Lord. That is pride properly placed.

One last thoughtÉ If you remove the “I” from pride (pr de), there is nothing left. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8

Peace!

John 11: 41-43
Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, ÒFather, I thank You that You have heard Me. V.42 ÒAnd I know that You always hear Me but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent me.Ó V.43 Now when He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, ÒLazarus, come forth!Ó

In this month of October, if you believe you will see the glory of God. Without any doubt, seeing GodÕs glory is an awesome miracle. Miracles bring to life the infallible and undeniable proofs of works of God, such as raising a four-day-old dead.

The fact of the matter is God that was, that is, and will be is still in the business of answering prayer. He has never budged from doing what He says He will do.Taking a lesson from the raising of LazarusÕ death will add and enlighten how God works out miracle. There is clear evidence that God expects a construction from the expectant while He concludes with manifestation.

Take away the stone
The first step to the miracle of restoration is Ôtaking away the stoneÕ.In the life of so many believers, some precious stones have been carried along from Egypt . Until that precious stone (habit, attitude, deception, manipulation, lying, gossiping, pride, etc.) that does not glorify God in a believerÕs life is taken away, God is not granted access to enter in to that cave to release restoration. It does not matter how close the believer has walked to serve Jesus. As long as the stone is yet to be rolled away, miracles will not commence to come forth.

Jesus the Lord of lords could have commanded the stone at the cave to roll away, but this would have not allowed the believer to work out his own salvation. The closest in the walk with God by virtue of serving Him will have a problem identifying the need for a stone to be moved. However, until he makes the first step attempt to remove his own stone, the Lord will not act.

Jesus said, ÒTake away the stone.Ó Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him ÒLord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.Ó (John. 11:39) Martha, a server of the Lord experienced firsthand what it is to let Jesus do His work at will. Martha would not take time to rest when there was a need but would rather serve. Despite all her services, Martha could not identify her place in faith. With all the times she had spent serving Jesus, she forgot that God can also axe stench regardless of how strong the stench is. He is able to turn it to a sweet smelling aroma. Only take away the stone.

Thank Him
After the removal of the stone, Jesus lifted His eyes and gave thanks to God.The most effective thanks offering demonstrated is the miracle provoking thanks offering. Thanking God with the firm belief that you will receive that which you are to ask God is provoking. Thanking God for that which you are to receive can bring forth infallible miracles like that of Lazarus.

When spoken without faith, manÕs word can be inferior. The same occurs when man quotes GodÕs promise without a depth of understanding of the root of the Word of God being quoted. The depth of the Lord can only be obtained when you study the Word. Pastor Adejare Adeboye (General Overseer of RCCG) said when you read the Word you skim the surface. When you study, you discover the treasure. Does the believer understand the direction of his/her thanksgiving? Thanksgiving should not just be a noise making exercise that is without a specific target.

Take away that precious stone of Egypt (i.e. habit, attitude, deception, manipulation, lying, gossiping, pride, etc.) and thank Him more for what you want to ask from Him. Then your miracle will have its way.

Prayer for this month of October:
Father, impart every believer that sets eye on this message with encouragement. O Lord, as direct thanks offering begin to come unto You, let road to miracles be opened. Let the stench be of the old be converted to a sweet smelling aroma. Let the garment of shame be converted to fame and favor. Let every seeming road block to lead to victory. May provision and healing be opened up in JesusÕ name, Amen.

LORD, have mercy.

1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world-the cravings of the sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

The lust of the flesh- physical appetites and their gratification is designed to draw us away from the will of God to serve the flesh and fail in our dependence on God.

The lust of the eyes- Self-interest and worldly offerings draws us away from the word of God and eats away at our confidence in God. We see what the world has to offer and desire it above our relationship with God. We think we need it and that God wants us to have it.

The pride of life- Stresses self-promotion and self-exaltation tempts us to set our own destiny apart from GodÕs input. In fact, it tells us we are god. It draws us away from worship of God and destroys our obedience to Him by urging us to take charge of our own lives.

Jesus was also tempted three times in the very same areas. Matthew 4:1-10 There are three critical issues reflected in these channels of temptations.

1. The will of God in your life, as expressed through your dependence on God.

2. The word of God in your life, as expressed through your confidence in God.

3. The worship of God in your life, as expressed through your obedience to God.

Every temptation that Satan throws at you will challenge one or more of these values. He will watch you to learn where you are most vulnerable and will tempt you in any area that you leave unguarded.

Our ammunitionÉPhilippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.

The battle is in the mind and if we can keep our minds on God and His word, we will not fall into the devilÕs trap. There are some questions we should ask ourselves during these times of temptation.

1. Does this thought line up with GodÕs truth?

2. If this thought becomes action, will the outcome be lovely and contribute to excellence in my life?

3. Will other believerÕs approve of my actions?

4. Will the Lord approve?

5. Is it something for which I can praise God?

If the answer is no to any of these things, dismiss it immediately and keep saying no. Remember friends, it is our chief end to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. God bless and stay focused.

In Matt. 21:12, Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. So many people are in the temple but very few are the temple. It should not be about coming and going on Sundays. Paul asked in 1Cor.3:16, do you not know that you are the temple of God and the spirit of God dwells in you? It is not enough going to the temple but being a temple. Some walk into church and walk out the same way because through out the worship, they are busy thinking of how dollars will be converted to pounds. It is not about entering and exiting but about dwelling as the temple. Jesus mentioned in v.13 of Matt. 21 that His temple, (that is you) shall be a house of prayer not a den of thieves. Are you a praying temple? How is your prayer life? The end of all thing is at hand (not a speculation but a confirmation); therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers 1Peter 4:8. Let the seriousness of your prayer not be limited only to the time of urgent need, let it be consistent with seriousness always.

I pray God in His goodness and mercy will help us in our prayer life.

Amen.