How Do You Respond to Pride In Others?

Pride really isn't the most popular thing to talk about!  There's a reason I am writing this blog today.....and it may surprise you.  

Pride - 

From Oxford Dictionary  -

"A feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired."

From the Bible 

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). 

I'm pretty sure each one of us have experienced pride in our own life.   And I'm confident we know one or two people who are prideful, arrogant and even pompous.  God frowns on pride and there is much to say in His Word about being prideful.  Actually He uses the word hate!!

Proverbs 8:13 “To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behaviour and perverse speech.” 

Proverbs 16:5 “The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

This morning in my quiet time, I was venting to the Lord about someone.   This person has been getting under my skin every time I see them.   I was telling God how arrogant they were, how disrespectful, how prideful they are, it seems like every time they open their mouth!   I asked the Lord to reveal His heart for this person.  I asked Him to change my heart towards them.   Do you know what He told me?   He told me to pray for them.  He asked me to pray specifically that they would come into a place of humility.    That may sound like a good prayer, but to me that's a dangerous prayer.  I'll get back to that in a moment.  

Over the years, I have met and known many prideful people.   If you've read previous blogs, then you know that my brain works like a connect the dot board.  I pick up on patterns.   I pick up on clues both in the natural and in the spiritual realm.   I'm a feeler.  I often feel what is going on in someone's heart.  I can pick up on atmospheres.   There are many reasons people become prideful, but the most common one I have seen is they have been hurt.   You've heard it said that hurt people, hurt people.   

Pride is a "mask" people put on to deflect hurt and pain that may come their way.   If it's arrogant pride, the mask is to help them feel important.  Maybe growing up they were told lies that said they weren't.   False humility is also pride and this is one that I have struggled with.  I have deflected compliments and felt not worthy to receive them.  God used a book to point this out in my life.  The Lord also showed me one time in our home group.  I was placed in the center to get prayer.   Every wonderful prayer and prophetic word, I literally saw bounce off of me. They would not penetrate my heart.   I had a protective bubble around me.   I had no idea.  But it all stemmed from being told I was worthless and that everything bad that happened to me, I deserved it.  It's been a long journey and one I'm still one trying to overcome those lies.  I am finally learning to receive.  

So back to the prayer God has asked of me.  There are so many lost and hurting souls in the world.  There are many that their "ministries" are imploding.   Everywhere you turn, someone is being exposed and called out on their sin.   I have mixed emotions about that.   I am thankful that they are being exposed as to stop the continued pain they perpetrate on others.  On the other hand, I wouldn't want to be the one that gets exposed. I wouldn't want to cause hurt to others.  Would you?   Praying for someone's pride may be a dangerous prayer because it may cause someone's downfall.  And God may expose you in the midst of it.  

However, we can and must pray for these folks.  We could start with our own sphere of influence.  Surely, there is one or two people you can begin to pray for consistently.  Ask God to heal them of their hurts because that is where sin comes in.  Sin is a mask to cover up some kind of pain!   Ask the Lord to show you who to pray for and how to pray specifically.   Start with yourself.   We all have pride in one way or another.  God hates it and so should we! 

Pray for the ministries you see in the news or on social media that are crumbling because of sin issues.  Pray for the leaders to have a broken and contrite spirit.   Ask God to intervene.  He's a God of mercy and compassion but He is also a God of justice!  

God rescues the afflicted by their affliction; He instructs them by their torment. Job 36:15 HCSB 

This verse I read today in my quiet time.  Often God will use hardships to get our attention.  He doesn't cause them.  He allows them.  Sometimes the hardships are for our own good.  To get us in line with His Truth.  Other times they are used to grow our faith and draw us near to Him.   Will we allow these hardships to make us better or will we choose to be bitter.  It's our choice!

Prayer Requests/Praise Reports

Ken & I will be traveling to Kansas City, unexpectedly due to Ken's father's health.  He has been diagnosed cancer and it has already spread.  It's very aggressive and fast growing.  We are thankful for the Lord providing through some family air fare and accommodations.  There are other expenses that we are trusting Him for.   Please pray for Clyde and Donna, his parents - for peace that passes all understanding!   Please pray for our travel days as well.  Both coming and going will be long days up at 4 and not home or to hotel until after 10pm. 

 I have entered a competition for https://favchef.com/2024/michele-cole - If you're on Facebook please vote daily.  I am in 2nd in my group (lots of groups) and the competition ends in July.  If I were to win, I would receive $25,000 which I could use towards publishing the books I'm writing or a newer more reliable SUV. ??  But there are other perks to winning as well.   I'm thankful that I have fed 1000's of people over the years and they liked my cooking because that has helped this competition greatly!  However, I am competing against professional chefs and others.  It's all popular vote right now.   I'm humbled by the favor God is giving me..... and it's definitely a stretch for me.   The Lord's will be done!

Please pray for Ken's health - teeth and other things going on....  He is the healthy one, so this is hard on him.  

Please pray for me - pain, new pain, sleep.   My doctor has put me on a new medication that is supposed to help with pain but not narcotic or habit forming.....it also has other benefits for thyroid, sleep and more.   I am having some of the "rare" side effects so dosing has remained low for now.  Pray that if this is something God will use, i won't have the awful side effects.  

Thank you so much for your ongoing love and support.  We are continuing to trust God daily for needs and for the timing of His vision.  Lots of stuff stirring there.....  

Let me know how we can pray for YOU!!! 

Hugs, love and prayers.

Ken & Michele Cole 

michele@wantinsight.com

michelecole.thrivelife.com - quality freeze dried food - simple to use, quality, non GMO, nutritious & delicious.   I am looking for people who might want to host a Tasting Party - you can earn free food without even spending anything.  

Here are ways you can give if you feel led:

1.  Non tax deductible donations can be made to:

     Ken & Michele Cole, 103 Geneva Ave, Hamilton, MT 59840  (preferable as the options below will tax us) 

     This is the only way currently we can use funds for our personal needs at this time.  or through 

Paypal - paypal.me/micheleacole 

Venmo- @Michele-Cole-20

Cashapp - cash.app/$micheleacole2019     

2.  Tax deductible options:

     Checks payable to Sonlit Fields, 103 Geneva Ave, Hamilton, MT 59840

     This goes into our ministry account to be used for outreach and saving towards our vision.

     Donor Fund - The Signatry - Ken & Michele Cole - listed under Want InSight Fund.

     7171 W 95th Street, Suite 501, Overland Park, KS 66212

     Phone 913 310 0279

     www.thesignatry,com

     This is an option to keep gifts anonymous - again for outreach and savings toward our vision.

Vision

God has given us a vision to build a retreat property along with ministry equipping center.  

The retreat portion of our ministry is to provide a safe place for pastors, lay leaders & other ministry folks to come and be refreshed & encouraged through prophetic ministry (if wanted).  We will offer private cabins with kitchens & full bathrooms, and plenty of places to roam on the property to get quiet with the Lord. 

We will offer other specialty retreats - marriage, healing, prophetic teaching & activating people into the world & health and wellness retreats and more.  

The Lord has graced us with the desire to come alongside the Church - to bring healing, deliverance & freedom to new/newer believers.  We are not wanting to replace their church, but better help them be ready to serve in their church. 

In our community building - we will eventually have a 24/7 prayer room, healing & prophetic rooms and a place for community worship services for those on the property.  

Our passion is to minister to a lost & hurting world.   To equip the saints to do the same and to be a blessing to our community and surrounding areas.  Our hopes are that we can pour out God's love in a mighty way to bring more and more souls into the Kingdom, get them discipled, called into their purpose & destiny and released to do God's business!!!!  We also have a passion to give generously to help those in need and to help others launch into their God given destinies.  

 

Jesus Your My Only Hope

Poem
Written in the wee hours of 12/16/19.

I used to write poetry when I was younger....and then it stopped.
This morning, as I was deciding to get up or just lay in bed...the Lord put this  in my thoughts and then felt led to journal it.....and now post it.  This is the first poem I've written in many decades.

I wrote this for the many family, friends and acquaintances, who  are desperate for God's touch. My heart is burdened by the many saints that are in tremendous pain, health issues and suffering. For me it's been 35 years. Compassion and empathy run deep. Intercession for others has been a major part of my life for all of you who needs Jesus to touch you. My prayers is that today will be that day. Today will be a new day - the beginning of freedom from all you have had to endure.
May God's love overwhelm you and overtake the pain, the sickness in your body!! 

12/16/19

Jesus Your My Only Hope! 

Taking steps and yet..
Hedged in, can’t move forward, can’t move backward
Like a caged bird….with a broken wing. Trapped!
I want to fly but the storm is strong
and then but for a moment a spark of hope
and then the winds from the storm knock me down
They are too strong for me to stay afloat long
The embers need fuel
Hope is waning once again
Will this life be all I know
The promises are there, yet in this lifetime?
Will I ever know?
I keep hearing soon
But a day is like a thousand years
How much pain can one endure
How much sickness, clinging to his hem
How many sleepless nights
Don’t ask, you might just have to find out
Is this the life that’s been promised or just an imagination
Is it faith or wishful thinking
It’s been said I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living
How old will I be
How much longer must I wait
I barely enough to get through this moment
Let alone another day, week or year
So many faithful praying saints
Yet some giving up, tired too.
But He is faithful to bring new.
God’s grace sustains me - more like carries me anymore
He says His grace is enough and yet
I’d prefer to be moving on
Home is where my heart is
Unless He sparks my hope and fulfills the longings and desires He has placed there..
But do I long anymore? Is there any point?
God’s Word doesn’t fail
His promises are true
His love is never ending
Hurry Lord to my rescue
I’m weary. I can’t go on another minute
Without You breathing life into me once again
Take the enemy out with one loud Roar!
Do it Lord, for Your glory!
Your Word brings life
Your Truth doesn’t fail
Your Faithful
Your Loving
Your Kind
You are Compassionate
Have mercy on Your children
Bring me through as it will glorify Your name.
Say the word and I shall be healed
Jesus your my only hope!

So after I wrote this - I stopped and spent some time just listening to God.  I asked Him for a Scripture that would bring comfort...  Here's what He gave me.

God’s Constant Love

Psalm 107 TPT 

107 Let everyone give all their praise and thanks to the Lord!
Here’s why—he’s better than anyone could ever imagine.
Yes, he’s always loving and kind, and his faithful love never ends.
2–3 So, go ahead—let everyone know it!
Tell the world how he broke through
and delivered you from the power of darkness and
has gathered us together from all over the world.
He has set us free to be his very own!
4 Some of us once wandered in the wilderness like desert nomads,
with no true direction or dwelling place.
5 Starving, thirsting, staggering,
we became desperate and filled with despair.
6 Then we cried out, “Lord, help us! Rescue us!” And he did!
7 He led us right into a place of safety and abundance,
a suitable city to dwell in.
8 So lift your hands and thank God for his marvelous kindness
and for all his miracles of mercy for those he loves.
9 How he satisfies the souls of thirsty ones
and fills the hungry with all that is good!
10 Some of us once sat in darkness,
living in the dark shadows of death.
We were prisoners to our pain, chained to our regrets.
11 For we rebelled against God’s word
and rejected the wise counsel of God Most High.
12 So he humbled us through our circumstances,
watching us as we stumbled, with no one there to pick us back up.
Our own pain became our punishment.
13 Then we cried out, “Lord, help us! Rescue us!” And he did!
14 His light broke through the darkness and
he led us out in freedom from death’s dark shadow
and snapped every one of our chains.
15 So lift your hands and give thanks to God for his marvelous kindness
and for his miracles of mercy for those he loves!
16 For he smashed through heavy prison doors and
shattered the steel bars that held us back, just to set us free!
17 Some of us were such fools, bringing on ourselves
sorrow and suffering all because of our sins.
18 Sick and feeble, unable to stand the sight of food,
we drew near to the gates of death.
19 Then we cried out, “Lord, help us! Rescue us!” And he did!
20 God spoke the words “Be healed,” and we were healed,
delivered from death’s door!
21 So lift your hands and give thanks to God for his marvelous kindness
and for his miracles of mercy for those he loves!
22 Bring your praise as an offering and your thanks as a sacrifice
as you sing your story of miracles with a joyful song.
23 Some of us set sail upon the sea to faraway ports,
transporting our goods from ship to shore.
24 We were witnesses of God’s power out in the ocean deep;
we saw breathtaking wonders upon the high seas.
25 When God spoke he stirred up a storm,
lifting high the waves with hurricane winds.
26–27 Ships were tossed by swelling sea, rising to the sky,
then dropping down to the depths,
reeling like drunkards, spinning like tops,
everyone at their wits’ end until even sailors despaired of life,
cringing in terror.
28 Then we cried out, “Lord, help us! Rescue us!” And he did!
29 God stilled the storm, calmed the waves,
and he hushed the hurricane winds to only a whisper.
30 We were so relieved, so glad as he guided us
safely to harbor in a quiet haven.
31 So lift your hands and give thanks to God for his marvelous kindness
and for his miracles of mercy for those he loves!
32 Let’s exalt him on high and lift up our praises in public;
let all the people and the leaders of the nation know
how great and wonderful is Yahweh, our God!
33 Whenever he chooses he can dry up a river
and turn the land into a desert.
34 Or he can take a fruitful land and make it into a saltwater swamp,
all because of the wickedness of those who dwell there.
35 But he also can turn a barren wilderness into an oasis with water!
He can make springs flow into desert lands
36 and turn them into fertile valleys so that cities spring up,
and he gives it all to those who are hungry.
37 They can plant their fields and vineyards there
and reap a bumper crop and gather a fruitful harvest.
38 God will bless them and cause them to multiply and prosper.
39 But others will become poor,
humbled because of their oppression, tyranny, and sorrows.
40 For God pours contempt upon their arrogant abuse of power,
heaping scorn upon their princes,
and makes them wander among ruins.
41 But he raises up the poor and lowly with his favor,
giving them a safe place to live where no one can touch them.
God will grant them a large family and bless them!
42 The lovers of God will rejoice when they see this.
Good men are glad when the evil ones are silenced.
43 If you are truly wise, you’ll learn from what I’ve told you.
It’s time for you to consider these profound lessons
of God’s great love and mercy!

Ken & Michele Cole
...faith keeps me going.....
michele@wantinsight.com

Here are two ways you can give:

1.  Non tax deductible donations can be made to:

     Ken & Michele Cole, PO Box 371, El Dorado Springs, MO 64744.

     This is the only way currently we can use funds for our personal needs at this time.  or through PayPal.Me/micheleacole

2.  Tax deductible options:

     Checks payable to Sonlit Fields, PO Box 371, El Dorado Springs, MO 64744

     This goes into our ministry account to be used for outreach and saving towards our vision.

     Donor Fund - The Signatry - Ken & Michele Cole - listed under Want InSight Fund.

     7171 W 95th Street, Suite 501, Overland Park, KS 66212

     Phone 913 310 0279

     www.thesignatry,com

     This is an option to keep gifts anonymous - again for outreach and savings toward our vision.

Vision

God has given us a vision to build a retreat property along with ministry equipping center.  

The retreat portion of our ministry is to provide a safe place for pastors, lay leaders & other ministry folks to come and be refreshed & encouraged through prophetic ministry (if wanted).  We will offer private cabins with kitchens & full bathrooms, and plenty of places to roam on the property to get quiet with the Lord. 

We will offer other specialty retreats - marriage, healing, prophetic teaching & activating people into the world & health and wellness retreats and more.  

The Lord has graced us with the desire to come alongside the Church - to bring healing, deliverance & freedom to new/newer believers.  We are not wanting to replace their church, but better help them be ready to serve in their church. 

In our community building - we will eventually have a 24/7 prayer room, healing & prophetic rooms and a place for community worship services for those on the property.  

Our passion is to minister to a lost & hurting world.   To equip the saints to do the same and to be a blessing to our community and surrounding areas.  Our hopes are that we can pour out God's love in a mighty way to bring more and more souls into the Kingdom, get them discipled, called into their purpose & destiny and released to do God's business!!!!  We also have a passion to give generously to help those in need and to help others launch into their God given destinies.  

Enough is Enough

We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God  Acts 15:22b

Have you been experiencing an unbelievable amount of trials recently?  

Are you feeling the heaviness of the load?  

Is your cross becoming overwhelmingly daunting to carry?

Can you take one more disappointment? 

Have you found yourself saying “enough is enough”? 

idioms.TheFreeDictionary.com defines Enough is Enough  

1.  This situation needs to stop

2.  That is enough, and there should be no more.; Stop! 

3.  People say enough is enough when they think that something, usually something bad, should stop.

4.  No more will be tolerated.

Last night we received an email - and to say the least it was a door slamming shut.  It brought discouragement, hopelessness, confusion, doubt and much second guessing ourselves.  

This morning in my quiet time, I found myself grieving, weeping, and crying out to God, enough is enough. I told the Lord I don’t know how much more disappointment I can take.  After several minutes of this, I found myself travailing for many others who are in this similar place.  I was naming them one by one and saying Lord - enough is enough!  

I’ve shared this before - but years ago when I was at my worst - I was in my bed, lethargic and near death, unknowingly.  I was crying out to the Lord and before my eyes, I saw Jesus kneeling at my bedside.  He had his hands folded in prayer and was weeping.  He looked up to heaven and said Father, enough is enough.   I was sure at the moment, I would be healed. I wasn’t.  I was devastated.  Why would Jesus cry out to the Father and they are one - and not honor that prayer?  Why would the Lord allow me to continue in health issues?  

Why is it that a significant number of Christians are finding themselves under incredible intense pressure and circumstances?  Why is it that one thing after another continues to “attack” a good number of the Body of Christ?  Health - sickness, chronic pain, chronic insomnia, lack of finances, the inability to find work, family issues, things breaking down or wearing out, strife, divorce, death,  These are just a few of the long list of “trials” a bunch of our friends and acquaintances are going through.  Many are “all of the above”.   It’s unbearable!!!   

Why does one experience so much hardship?  Here are just a couple of reasons that come to my mind.  

1. The enemy is doing everything in his power to turn us against our beliefs and even try to turn us away from God. If he can be successful in either of these, we become useless to the Kingdom of God.  That is Satan’s plan!! End of story. 

2. The Lord may be allowing our circumstances to shape us and grow us into a mighty army, a fortress and also ultimately the pure spotless Bride of Christ.  Our sufferings are for the good of the Church and the glory of God if we look at from an eternal perspective. 

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

If our eyes are fixed on Jesus we can rise above our circumstances and persevere. 

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5

This evening, I saw this by Matt Gonzales on Facebook and it strikes a chord.

”One of the marks of our maturity as sons and daughters of God is not how much scripture we can quote, how many miracles we have seen come to pass, or how well we can prophesy, but rather how much pressure or resistance can we be under before we abandon our core beliefs and convictions?”

Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.  Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. 2 Corinthians 4:1-2

I believe the only thing we can do is keep our hope in Jesus and draw near to Him.  He is beckoning us into a deeper intimacy and relationship.  He is preparing us through the fires of affliction.  

Are you willing to carry the cross He has chosen for you?  

Will you stay committed to the Lord despite the intense pressure?

Ask the Lord for extra grace and mercy so that you can endure to the end!  

Quitting is not an option!  (Though it is often a temptation) 

But he who endures to the end shall be saved.  Matthew 24:13 

A friend wrote this poem for Ken & I in June last year.... continues to be applicable.....still waiting, still weary...but wanted to share with you..... 

I love you dearly
For your hearts I see
I know the roads been weary

Just hang on to me.

Michele and Ken this message
It is heartfelt, that is true
Just keep looking upward
For my promises are true

The wait is nearly over
Your journeys to begin
Those dreams held deep inside you
It was I who put them in.

Just hold on a little more
The wait is nearly through
The three of us hand held in hand
Are walking out the door

This new life is a starting
With smiles upon your face
I see the mountains straight ahead
Go! Help my human race

Prayer Requests - 

Ken - find additional work - peace while finding peter to juggle peter to pay paul - LOL  

Michele - sleep, healing - peace and continuous reminder that God is faithful

Ministry - we are seeing some amazing fruit from our work here - continued connections to minister to.  

Also - Tuesday there are about a dozen of us getting on a video conference call to pray for us - for our ministry - for breakthrough - and whatever the Lord leads.  Would you also if you're available around 630pm = please be in prayer.  Thank YOU!  

Blessings,

Ken & Michele Cole

ken@wantinsight.com, michele@wantinsight.com

We are thankful and blessed by those of you who support us financially from time to time.  Would you please pray for us to have consistent, regular donors to help fund what God is doing in us and through us?  Any amount is truly a gift from the Lord.  Thank YOU!   

Here are three ways you can give:

1.  Non tax deductible donations can be made to:
     Ken & Michele Cole, PO Box 371, El Dorado Springs, MO 64744.
     This is the only way currently we can use funds for our personal needs at this time.

2.  Tax deductible options:

     Checks payable to Sonlit Fields, PO Box 371, El Dorado Springs, MO 64744
     This goes into our ministry account to be used for outreach and saving towards our vision.

     Donor Fund - The Signatry - Ken & Michele Cole - listed under Want InSight Fund.
     7171 W 95th Street, Suite 501, Overland Park, KS 66212
     Phone 913 310 0279
     www.thesignatry,com
     This is an option to keep gifts anonymous - again for outreach and savings toward our vision.

Vision

God has given us a vision to build a retreat property along with ministry equipping center.  

The retreat portion of our ministry is to provide a safe place for pastors, lay leaders & other ministry folks to come and be refreshed & encouraged through prophetic ministry (if wanted).  We will offer private cabins with kitchens & full bathrooms, and plenty of places to roam on the property to get quiet with the Lord. 

We will offer other specialty retreats - marriage, healing, prophetic teaching & activating people into the world & health and wellness retreats and more.  

The Lord has graced us with the desire to come alongside the Church - to bring healing, deliverance & freedom to new/newer believers.  We are not wanting to replace their church, but better help them be ready to serve in their church. 

In our community building - we will eventually have a 24/7 prayer room, healing & prophetic rooms and a place for community worship services for those on the property.  

Our passion is to minister to a lost & hurting world.   To equip the saints to do the same and to be a blessing to our community and surrounding areas.  Our hopes are that we can pour out God's love in a mighty way to bring more and more souls into the Kingdom, get them discipled, called into their purpose & destiny and released to do God's business!!!!  We also have a passion to give generously to help those in need and to help others launch into their God given destinies.