January 16th, 2026
Scripture – “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Proverbs 16:18 NIV
Observation – When we believe that every good thing in our lives is the result of our own intellect, effort, or creativity, we should be careful. That mindset is like a tall tree with no root system. It may look strong and impressive, but when the winds of life come—and they always do—it has nothing anchoring it, and it will fall.
Application – Jesus’ desire for each of us is a deep, abiding relationship with Him. When God blesses us and we respond by boasting in ourselves, it’s easy to imagine God in heaven, eyebrows raised and arms crossed, saying, “Let’s see how he does on his own.” In His mercy, God may remove His hand of blessing and allow us to experience life apart from Him.
In those moments, we are faced with a choice: to humble ourselves, repent, and rely fully on God or to continue in pride, stubbornness, and a hardened heart. True strength isn’t found in self-sufficiency, but in humility and dependence on the One who sustains us.
Prayer – Lord, when life is great let us hit our knees in gratitude and share our blessings with those around us and those in need. Amen.
What are you doing? Do it better 