Happy Holiday!
Enjoy the gifts of life and family!
Enjoy the gifts of life and family!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
TDW 11-26-08 Taking Responsibility
By: Henry T. Blackaby
(Taking Responsibility)
Then the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate." (Genesis 3:12)
Adam and Eve did everything they could to avoid taking responsibility for their sin. Adam blamed his wife: “She gave me of the tree.” He even pointed an accusing finger at God, saying it was “the woman, whom You gave me.” Eve blamed the serpent saying: “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” God ignored their excuses and announced the judgment they would face as consequences for their disobedience.
One of the dirges of mankind is that we refuse to take responsibility for our actions. We want to blame others for our problems: Our parents did not raise us well; our friends let us down; our pastor was not a good enough preacher; our children are rebellious; our employer is not sensitive enough; our spouse is not understanding; there is not enough time in the day . . . the excuses are plentiful! Yet forgiveness and restoration cannot happen until we accept full responsibility for our actions. An obvious indication that we have not genuinely repented is that we make excuses for our sinful behavior. Nowhere in Scripture does God excuse one person’s sin because of someone else’s actions. If we make a habit of blaming others for our failures, we will not reach a point of honest repentance. God will hold us accountable for our own actions, not others (2 Cor. 5:10). Strive always to acknowledge and take responsibility for your own sins. It will free you to receive God’s forgiveness and to press on to spiritual maturity.
(Taking Responsibility)
Then the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate." (Genesis 3:12)
Adam and Eve did everything they could to avoid taking responsibility for their sin. Adam blamed his wife: “She gave me of the tree.” He even pointed an accusing finger at God, saying it was “the woman, whom You gave me.” Eve blamed the serpent saying: “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” God ignored their excuses and announced the judgment they would face as consequences for their disobedience.
One of the dirges of mankind is that we refuse to take responsibility for our actions. We want to blame others for our problems: Our parents did not raise us well; our friends let us down; our pastor was not a good enough preacher; our children are rebellious; our employer is not sensitive enough; our spouse is not understanding; there is not enough time in the day . . . the excuses are plentiful! Yet forgiveness and restoration cannot happen until we accept full responsibility for our actions. An obvious indication that we have not genuinely repented is that we make excuses for our sinful behavior. Nowhere in Scripture does God excuse one person’s sin because of someone else’s actions. If we make a habit of blaming others for our failures, we will not reach a point of honest repentance. God will hold us accountable for our own actions, not others (2 Cor. 5:10). Strive always to acknowledge and take responsibility for your own sins. It will free you to receive God’s forgiveness and to press on to spiritual maturity.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
TDW 11-25-08 Knowing Versus Doing
By; Os Hillman
(Knowing Versus Doing)
Philippians 3:10
I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection....
If I asked you the purpose for which God made you, what might you say? You might give a lot of answers that required some action on your part. However, the simplest answer to that question relates to one primary thing: fellowship. The most important thing God desires from us today is to have a deep and intimate fellowship with each of us.
The apostle Paul said he wanted to know Christ, and by knowing Christ he could experience the power of His resurrection. I find this to be the hardest thing for many of us businesspeople to do. So often it is much easier to be busy with the urgent (or even Christian) activity than spending quiet moments before the Lord. Before we realize it, days have passed since our last quiet time with Jesus.
Jesus understood how important quiet moments were with the Father. "After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone" (Mt. 14:23). The more mature I become in my relationship with the Lord, the more precious this time becomes to me. It is a time I look forward to almost daily. It offers me a time to reflect, to share my concerns with my Lord, and to hear Him speak. In the last few years I have begun prayer walks, which accomplish three things: fellowship, prayer, and exercise. It has changed my prayer life. I have come to understand that Jesus views us as His friend and He wants to spend time with us. We are depriving Him of His time when we put Him aside for the urgent. An interesting thing happens when we make prayer a priority: Urgent things seems to wane as we focus on Him. He makes all these other things fall into place.
Are you taking the time to get to know Him today?
(Knowing Versus Doing)
Philippians 3:10
I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection....
If I asked you the purpose for which God made you, what might you say? You might give a lot of answers that required some action on your part. However, the simplest answer to that question relates to one primary thing: fellowship. The most important thing God desires from us today is to have a deep and intimate fellowship with each of us.
The apostle Paul said he wanted to know Christ, and by knowing Christ he could experience the power of His resurrection. I find this to be the hardest thing for many of us businesspeople to do. So often it is much easier to be busy with the urgent (or even Christian) activity than spending quiet moments before the Lord. Before we realize it, days have passed since our last quiet time with Jesus.
Jesus understood how important quiet moments were with the Father. "After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone" (Mt. 14:23). The more mature I become in my relationship with the Lord, the more precious this time becomes to me. It is a time I look forward to almost daily. It offers me a time to reflect, to share my concerns with my Lord, and to hear Him speak. In the last few years I have begun prayer walks, which accomplish three things: fellowship, prayer, and exercise. It has changed my prayer life. I have come to understand that Jesus views us as His friend and He wants to spend time with us. We are depriving Him of His time when we put Him aside for the urgent. An interesting thing happens when we make prayer a priority: Urgent things seems to wane as we focus on Him. He makes all these other things fall into place.
Are you taking the time to get to know Him today?
Friday, November 21, 2008
TDW 11-21-08 Do You Know How To Pray
By: Jack Graham
(Do You Know How To Pray)
--Romans 8:26
Go ahead, you can admit it… prayer is hard work. There is a weakness within us that makes prayer difficult. It is our humanity, our “flesh.”
When I start to pray, I can think of about ten other things I could be doing. Does that happen to you? I go over all my responsibilities or my mind wanders. Other times, I just don’t feel like praying.
But it doesn’t have to be that way! You and I can have effective, fulfilling prayer. What’s the key? Praying in the Spirit.
There are two ways to pray. You can pray in the flesh or you can pray in the Spirit. What’s the difference? Scripture says, “The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”
So if you pray in the flesh, you pray in weakness. Prayer through our own efforts alone and for our own purposes does not get through to God. But if you pray in the Spirit, you pray with strength.
Wouldn’t you like to pray with power? Wouldn’t you like to know that your prayers are getting through? You can if you partner with the Spirit in prayer.
I want to encourage you to depend upon the Holy Spirit in prayer just as you depend upon the Holy Spirit for witnessing, for teaching others, and more.
Because He is our Comforter and our Help!
(Do You Know How To Pray)
--Romans 8:26
Go ahead, you can admit it… prayer is hard work. There is a weakness within us that makes prayer difficult. It is our humanity, our “flesh.”
When I start to pray, I can think of about ten other things I could be doing. Does that happen to you? I go over all my responsibilities or my mind wanders. Other times, I just don’t feel like praying.
But it doesn’t have to be that way! You and I can have effective, fulfilling prayer. What’s the key? Praying in the Spirit.
There are two ways to pray. You can pray in the flesh or you can pray in the Spirit. What’s the difference? Scripture says, “The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”
So if you pray in the flesh, you pray in weakness. Prayer through our own efforts alone and for our own purposes does not get through to God. But if you pray in the Spirit, you pray with strength.
Wouldn’t you like to pray with power? Wouldn’t you like to know that your prayers are getting through? You can if you partner with the Spirit in prayer.
I want to encourage you to depend upon the Holy Spirit in prayer just as you depend upon the Holy Spirit for witnessing, for teaching others, and more.
Because He is our Comforter and our Help!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
TDW 11-20-08 Praise and an Untrue Heart
By: Michael Youssef
(Praise and an Untrue Heart)
Pride is not the only thing that can keep us from praising God. An untrue heart can squelch both the desire and the ability to develop a life of praise. An untrue heart is a heart that is insincere, hypocritical, or filled with doubt. The writer of Hebrews said:
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22).
There are some people who try to honor God with their lips while their hearts are full of anger, bitterness, or envy. However, God knows the status of our hearts and our weaknesses.
We cannot develop a life of praise alone or in our own strength. Instead, we must surrender our intellect, feelings, and will to the Lord. As we do this, God will empower us to develop a habit of praising Him—regardless of our circumstances.
In Genesis 22, when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, He was asking him to surrender the object of his love. He was asking Abraham to give up something that meant more to him than anything else.
Did God want Abraham to sacrifice Isaac? No. God wanted to be certain that Abraham was willing to surrender everything to Him. Like Abraham, God wants us to surrender to Him. He wants us to praise Him. Praise is a sacrifice that costs us our pride, our plans, and our desires. True praise requires that we place everything on the altar to the Lord.
Don’t let pride or an untrue heart keep you from a life of praise. Yield to the Lord, come before Him in humility, and God will give you His strength and power to live a victorious life.
(Praise and an Untrue Heart)
Pride is not the only thing that can keep us from praising God. An untrue heart can squelch both the desire and the ability to develop a life of praise. An untrue heart is a heart that is insincere, hypocritical, or filled with doubt. The writer of Hebrews said:
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22).
There are some people who try to honor God with their lips while their hearts are full of anger, bitterness, or envy. However, God knows the status of our hearts and our weaknesses.
We cannot develop a life of praise alone or in our own strength. Instead, we must surrender our intellect, feelings, and will to the Lord. As we do this, God will empower us to develop a habit of praising Him—regardless of our circumstances.
In Genesis 22, when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, He was asking him to surrender the object of his love. He was asking Abraham to give up something that meant more to him than anything else.
Did God want Abraham to sacrifice Isaac? No. God wanted to be certain that Abraham was willing to surrender everything to Him. Like Abraham, God wants us to surrender to Him. He wants us to praise Him. Praise is a sacrifice that costs us our pride, our plans, and our desires. True praise requires that we place everything on the altar to the Lord.
Don’t let pride or an untrue heart keep you from a life of praise. Yield to the Lord, come before Him in humility, and God will give you His strength and power to live a victorious life.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
TDW 11-19-08 Being Different from the World
By: John MacArthur
(Being Different from the World)
“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise.” - Ephesians 5:15
Living wisely will set you apart from the world.
Walking in wisdom is an element of the worthy walk that Paul has been describing since the beginning of Ephesians 4. He says in verse 1, “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called” and then proceeds to describe this worthy walk with the following characteristics:
It’s a humble walk (4:1-3), a united walk (4:4-16), a unique walk (4:17-32), a loving walk (5:1-7), an illuminated walk (5:8-14), and a wise walk (5:15-17). The point that Paul is making in describing the various elements of the worthy walk is that Christians are different from the world. The world can’t be humble because everyone is fighting for his rights. The world can’t be united because it celebrates and exalts differences. The world can’t be unique because it’s trapped in its own self-destruction. The world can’t love because it doesn’t have the life of God—the source of real love. The world can’t know light because it lies in the system of darkness. And the world can’t be wise because the wisdom of God is hidden from the mind of man. As Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:7, “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Realize that being different from the world is an asset to your Christian witness, not a hindrance. When others see you obeying Scripture—when they see you walking in wisdom—they’ll notice you’re not like them. That difference can create opportunities to tell them about your Savior. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Keep walking in wisdom, and let others be attracted to the light of Christ!
Suggestions for Prayer:
Ask God to help you be a witness whose testimony shines brightly for Christ.
(Being Different from the World)
“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise.” - Ephesians 5:15
Living wisely will set you apart from the world.
Walking in wisdom is an element of the worthy walk that Paul has been describing since the beginning of Ephesians 4. He says in verse 1, “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called” and then proceeds to describe this worthy walk with the following characteristics:
It’s a humble walk (4:1-3), a united walk (4:4-16), a unique walk (4:17-32), a loving walk (5:1-7), an illuminated walk (5:8-14), and a wise walk (5:15-17). The point that Paul is making in describing the various elements of the worthy walk is that Christians are different from the world. The world can’t be humble because everyone is fighting for his rights. The world can’t be united because it celebrates and exalts differences. The world can’t be unique because it’s trapped in its own self-destruction. The world can’t love because it doesn’t have the life of God—the source of real love. The world can’t know light because it lies in the system of darkness. And the world can’t be wise because the wisdom of God is hidden from the mind of man. As Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:7, “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Realize that being different from the world is an asset to your Christian witness, not a hindrance. When others see you obeying Scripture—when they see you walking in wisdom—they’ll notice you’re not like them. That difference can create opportunities to tell them about your Savior. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Keep walking in wisdom, and let others be attracted to the light of Christ!
Suggestions for Prayer:
Ask God to help you be a witness whose testimony shines brightly for Christ.
Monday, November 17, 2008
TDW 11-17-08 Judas
By: Max Lucado
(Judas)
If God has called you to be a Martha, then serve! Remind the rest of us that there is evangelism in feeding the poor and there is worship in nursing the sick.
If God has called you to be a Mary, then worship! Remind the rest of us that we don’t have to be busy to be holy. Urge us with your example to put down our clipboards and megaphones and be quiet in worship.
If God has called you to be a Lazarus, then testify. Remind the rest of us that we, too, have a story to tell. We, too, have neighbors who are lost. We, too, have died and been resurrected.
Each of us has our place at the table.
Except one. There was one at Martha’s house who didn’t find his place. Though he had been near Jesus longer than any of the others, he was furthest in his faith. His name was Judas. He was a thief. When Mary poured the perfume he feigned spirituality. “The perfume could have been sold and given to the poor,” he said. But Jesus knew Judas’s heart, and Jesus defended Mary’s worship. Years later, John, too, knew Judas’s heart, and John explained that Judas was a thief (John 12:6). And all these years he had been dipping his hand in the treasury. The reason he wanted the perfume to be sold and the money put in the treasury was so that he could get his hands on it.
What a sad ending to a beautiful story. But what an appropriate ending. For in every church there are those like Martha who take time to serve. There are those like Mary who take time to worship. There are those like Lazarus who take time to testify.
And there are those like Judas who take, take, take, and never give in return. Are you a Judas? I ask the question carefully, yet honestly. Are you near Christ but far from his heart? Are you at the dinner with a sour soul? Are you always criticizing the gifts of others yet seldom, if ever, giving your own? Are you benefiting from the church while never giving to it? Do others give sacrificially while you give miserly? Are you a Judas?
Do you take, take, take, and never give? If so, you are the Judas in this story.
If you are a Martha, be strengthened. God sees your service.
If you are a Mary, be encouraged. God receives your worship.
If you are a Lazarus, be strong. God honors your conviction.
But if you are a Judas, be warned. God sees your selfishness.
(Judas)
If God has called you to be a Martha, then serve! Remind the rest of us that there is evangelism in feeding the poor and there is worship in nursing the sick.
If God has called you to be a Mary, then worship! Remind the rest of us that we don’t have to be busy to be holy. Urge us with your example to put down our clipboards and megaphones and be quiet in worship.
If God has called you to be a Lazarus, then testify. Remind the rest of us that we, too, have a story to tell. We, too, have neighbors who are lost. We, too, have died and been resurrected.
Each of us has our place at the table.
Except one. There was one at Martha’s house who didn’t find his place. Though he had been near Jesus longer than any of the others, he was furthest in his faith. His name was Judas. He was a thief. When Mary poured the perfume he feigned spirituality. “The perfume could have been sold and given to the poor,” he said. But Jesus knew Judas’s heart, and Jesus defended Mary’s worship. Years later, John, too, knew Judas’s heart, and John explained that Judas was a thief (John 12:6). And all these years he had been dipping his hand in the treasury. The reason he wanted the perfume to be sold and the money put in the treasury was so that he could get his hands on it.
What a sad ending to a beautiful story. But what an appropriate ending. For in every church there are those like Martha who take time to serve. There are those like Mary who take time to worship. There are those like Lazarus who take time to testify.
And there are those like Judas who take, take, take, and never give in return. Are you a Judas? I ask the question carefully, yet honestly. Are you near Christ but far from his heart? Are you at the dinner with a sour soul? Are you always criticizing the gifts of others yet seldom, if ever, giving your own? Are you benefiting from the church while never giving to it? Do others give sacrificially while you give miserly? Are you a Judas?
Do you take, take, take, and never give? If so, you are the Judas in this story.
If you are a Martha, be strengthened. God sees your service.
If you are a Mary, be encouraged. God receives your worship.
If you are a Lazarus, be strong. God honors your conviction.
But if you are a Judas, be warned. God sees your selfishness.
Friday, November 14, 2008
TDW 11-14-08 Be Bold and Shine
By: Eddie L. Long
(Be Bold and Shine)
I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Joshua 1:5–6
Judgment for America is inevitable. Things are occurring that could seriously affect the whole nation. More people could die than ever before because of deadly diseases and questionable actions buried under mountains of bureaucratic cover-up and political gamesmanship.
What is the church doing during all this? We are whimpering in the dark and worrying about the future when we should be at the head of the procession, leading the nation into the kingdom of light. We are supposed to be bringing kingdom principles to institutions, systems, and procedures that are indefensibly wrong. We are supposed to be the city of God, set on a hill, with a word from heaven in the midst of darkness.
We have no right to whine about how bad things are unless we are in the middle of the mess working around the clock to establish the kingdom. Jesus commanded (He did not suggest) that we go into all the world and preach the gospel of the kingdom. This does not mean that we should send a token number of missionaries into harm’s way, and it definitely does not authorize us to build a fort in our backyard and hide out from the big, bad world. It is a summons for all who call themselves Christians to take Christ the King and His kingdom to the world.
It is time for the church to rise up and usher in the kingdom. We must take to heart God’s word to Joshua just before he crossed the river of no return and possessed the land of promise: “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous” (Josh. 1:5–7 nkjv).
Heavenly Father, the task is great, but You are more than enough for me. If You will stand with Me as You stood with Moses, then I cannot fail. Guide my steps and grant me the courage to take the kingdom to the very gates of hell in Jesus’ name, amen.
(Be Bold and Shine)
I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Joshua 1:5–6
Judgment for America is inevitable. Things are occurring that could seriously affect the whole nation. More people could die than ever before because of deadly diseases and questionable actions buried under mountains of bureaucratic cover-up and political gamesmanship.
What is the church doing during all this? We are whimpering in the dark and worrying about the future when we should be at the head of the procession, leading the nation into the kingdom of light. We are supposed to be bringing kingdom principles to institutions, systems, and procedures that are indefensibly wrong. We are supposed to be the city of God, set on a hill, with a word from heaven in the midst of darkness.
We have no right to whine about how bad things are unless we are in the middle of the mess working around the clock to establish the kingdom. Jesus commanded (He did not suggest) that we go into all the world and preach the gospel of the kingdom. This does not mean that we should send a token number of missionaries into harm’s way, and it definitely does not authorize us to build a fort in our backyard and hide out from the big, bad world. It is a summons for all who call themselves Christians to take Christ the King and His kingdom to the world.
It is time for the church to rise up and usher in the kingdom. We must take to heart God’s word to Joshua just before he crossed the river of no return and possessed the land of promise: “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous” (Josh. 1:5–7 nkjv).
Heavenly Father, the task is great, but You are more than enough for me. If You will stand with Me as You stood with Moses, then I cannot fail. Guide my steps and grant me the courage to take the kingdom to the very gates of hell in Jesus’ name, amen.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
TDW 11-13-08 Faith or Experience?
By: Oswald Chambers
(Faith or Experience?)
. . . the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me —Galatians 2:20
We should battle through our moods, feelings, and emotions into absolute devotion to the Lord Jesus. We must break out of our own little world of experience into abandoned devotion to Him. Think who the New Testament says Jesus Christ is, and then think of the despicable meagerness of the miserable faith we exhibit by saying, "I haven’t had this experience or that experience"! Think what faith in Jesus Christ claims and provides— He can present us faultless before the throne of God, inexpressibly pure, absolutely righteous, and profoundly justified. Stand in absolute adoring faith "in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God— and righteousness and sanctification and redemption . . ." ( 1 Corinthians 1:30 ). How dare we talk of making a sacrifice for the Son of God! We are saved from hell and total destruction, and then we talk about making sacrifices!
We must continually focus and firmly place our faith in Jesus Christ— not a "prayer meeting" Jesus Christ, or a "book" Jesus Christ, but the New Testament Jesus Christ, who is God Incarnate, and who ought to strike us dead at His feet. Our faith must be in the One from whom our salvation springs. Jesus Christ wants our absolute, unrestrained devotion to Himself. We can never experience Jesus Christ, or selfishly bind Him in the confines of our own hearts. Our faith must be built on strong determined confidence in Him.
It is because of our trusting in experience that we see the steadfast impatience of the Holy Spirit against unbelief. All of our fears are sinful, and we create our own fears by refusing to nourish ourselves in our faith. How can anyone who is identified with Jesus Christ suffer from doubt or fear! Our lives should be an absolute hymn of praise resulting from perfect, irrepressible, triumphant belief.
(Faith or Experience?)
. . . the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me —Galatians 2:20
We should battle through our moods, feelings, and emotions into absolute devotion to the Lord Jesus. We must break out of our own little world of experience into abandoned devotion to Him. Think who the New Testament says Jesus Christ is, and then think of the despicable meagerness of the miserable faith we exhibit by saying, "I haven’t had this experience or that experience"! Think what faith in Jesus Christ claims and provides— He can present us faultless before the throne of God, inexpressibly pure, absolutely righteous, and profoundly justified. Stand in absolute adoring faith "in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God— and righteousness and sanctification and redemption . . ." ( 1 Corinthians 1:30 ). How dare we talk of making a sacrifice for the Son of God! We are saved from hell and total destruction, and then we talk about making sacrifices!
We must continually focus and firmly place our faith in Jesus Christ— not a "prayer meeting" Jesus Christ, or a "book" Jesus Christ, but the New Testament Jesus Christ, who is God Incarnate, and who ought to strike us dead at His feet. Our faith must be in the One from whom our salvation springs. Jesus Christ wants our absolute, unrestrained devotion to Himself. We can never experience Jesus Christ, or selfishly bind Him in the confines of our own hearts. Our faith must be built on strong determined confidence in Him.
It is because of our trusting in experience that we see the steadfast impatience of the Holy Spirit against unbelief. All of our fears are sinful, and we create our own fears by refusing to nourish ourselves in our faith. How can anyone who is identified with Jesus Christ suffer from doubt or fear! Our lives should be an absolute hymn of praise resulting from perfect, irrepressible, triumphant belief.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
TDW 11-12-08 Taking The Gloves Off
By: Jeff Schreve
(Taking The Gloves Off)
"Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the front seats in the synagogues, and the respectful greetings in the market places. Woe to you! For you are like concealed tombs, and the people who walk over them are unaware of it." Luke 11:43-44
Have you ever been told that Jesus was always sweet and nice? That He would never say anything harsh to anyone? I had someone tell me that one day years ago. I knew that the person who said this was not too familiar with the Gospels.
To be sure, Jesus was kind and tender and gentle when it came to broken, repentant sinners. The woman caught in adultery in John 8, the prostitute in Luke 7, and Zaccheus in Luke 19 are proof positive of that fact. But when it came to unrepentant, religious phonies, Jesus was as tough as nails and spoke directly and bluntly to them.
In Luke 11, Jesus is having lunch at the home of a certain Pharisee. From the passage, it is obvious that other Pharisees, Scribes and experts in the Mosaic Law (called lawyers) are also at the luncheon. Jesus pulls no punches in His discourse with them. He denounces their white-washed tomb religion (looking good on the outside but rotten on the inside). He tells them repeatedly, "Woe to you!"
To be sure, this was not the Pharisees' favorite sermon. This was not a feel good message... this was an insulting, scathing rebuke (Luke 11:45). After hearing Jesus say these things, they became VERY hostile to Him. Why? Because Jesus had called them on the carpet and exposed their hypocrisy. He knew their hearts were rotten - that they were walking in pride and selfishness and dishonesty and cover up - and He took the gloves off and told them so.
WHY WOULD JESUS DO WHAT HE DID?
Why was Jesus so stern with the Pharisees and religious leaders? Why was He not sweet and wooing and tender in His rebuke? I think for two main reasons:
1. As a Warning - The Pharisees were honoring God with their lips while their hearts were far away from Him. God HATES that. That makes God sick to His stomach. If you ever want to experience the anger of God (hopefully you do not), just become a religious phony and see what happens. Start living life as they did - inwardly selfish, proud, mean, rotten, and dishonest... in love with money and respect and power and prestige... while outwardly acting so holy and righteous. That kind of living brings a stern "woe to you" from God.
2. As an Example - Far too often, Christians fail to stand up for the truth and call a spade a spade. In our world today, we can get so concerned about being politically correct that we dishonor God in the process. Our call from the Lord is to be faithful to Him and take a stand for Jesus Christ and His Word... even if it offends some people... even if it means we are unpopular... even if it means, as it did for the disciples, that we lose our lives as a result.
There is no telling the impact God's people could make on this world if they got real, got honest and got right with the Lord in their own hearts... and took a strong stand for righteousness and the truth in their own community. Surely we are to speak to people in love, but we are to speak THE TRUTH in love. May we not get these two things separated from one another.
God will bless with a "well done" if we humbly and honestly walk with Him... and stand for Him amidst the onslaught of compromise and political correctness.
(Taking The Gloves Off)
"Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the front seats in the synagogues, and the respectful greetings in the market places. Woe to you! For you are like concealed tombs, and the people who walk over them are unaware of it." Luke 11:43-44
Have you ever been told that Jesus was always sweet and nice? That He would never say anything harsh to anyone? I had someone tell me that one day years ago. I knew that the person who said this was not too familiar with the Gospels.
To be sure, Jesus was kind and tender and gentle when it came to broken, repentant sinners. The woman caught in adultery in John 8, the prostitute in Luke 7, and Zaccheus in Luke 19 are proof positive of that fact. But when it came to unrepentant, religious phonies, Jesus was as tough as nails and spoke directly and bluntly to them.
In Luke 11, Jesus is having lunch at the home of a certain Pharisee. From the passage, it is obvious that other Pharisees, Scribes and experts in the Mosaic Law (called lawyers) are also at the luncheon. Jesus pulls no punches in His discourse with them. He denounces their white-washed tomb religion (looking good on the outside but rotten on the inside). He tells them repeatedly, "Woe to you!"
To be sure, this was not the Pharisees' favorite sermon. This was not a feel good message... this was an insulting, scathing rebuke (Luke 11:45). After hearing Jesus say these things, they became VERY hostile to Him. Why? Because Jesus had called them on the carpet and exposed their hypocrisy. He knew their hearts were rotten - that they were walking in pride and selfishness and dishonesty and cover up - and He took the gloves off and told them so.
WHY WOULD JESUS DO WHAT HE DID?
Why was Jesus so stern with the Pharisees and religious leaders? Why was He not sweet and wooing and tender in His rebuke? I think for two main reasons:
1. As a Warning - The Pharisees were honoring God with their lips while their hearts were far away from Him. God HATES that. That makes God sick to His stomach. If you ever want to experience the anger of God (hopefully you do not), just become a religious phony and see what happens. Start living life as they did - inwardly selfish, proud, mean, rotten, and dishonest... in love with money and respect and power and prestige... while outwardly acting so holy and righteous. That kind of living brings a stern "woe to you" from God.
2. As an Example - Far too often, Christians fail to stand up for the truth and call a spade a spade. In our world today, we can get so concerned about being politically correct that we dishonor God in the process. Our call from the Lord is to be faithful to Him and take a stand for Jesus Christ and His Word... even if it offends some people... even if it means we are unpopular... even if it means, as it did for the disciples, that we lose our lives as a result.
There is no telling the impact God's people could make on this world if they got real, got honest and got right with the Lord in their own hearts... and took a strong stand for righteousness and the truth in their own community. Surely we are to speak to people in love, but we are to speak THE TRUTH in love. May we not get these two things separated from one another.
God will bless with a "well done" if we humbly and honestly walk with Him... and stand for Him amidst the onslaught of compromise and political correctness.
Monday, November 10, 2008
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