Clear Conscience

Acts 23: Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” ² At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. ³ Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”

 

⁴ Those who were standing near Paul said, “How dare you insult God’s high priest!”

 

⁵ Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.

 

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After telling the lie, immediately I asked myself… “What do I have to gain from this lie?” I mean, I had gotten in the habit of lying to cover myself. I was insecure about everything and I felt a lie was easier to live with. I even lied to myself.

 

There were lies I told myself to hide from the truth of my sins.

There were lies I told others to hide the fact that I was an imposter when it came to “being good.”

There were lies I told by withholding my sin and looking at everyone else’s.

 

Paul spoke directly to the church leaders and said his actions were done “in all good conscience.” This meant Paul was as open about his sin as he could be. His motive was purely based on speaking about JESUS being GOD.

 

With this, the high priest had Paul to be punched in the mouth. The high priest did not act like one of GOD’s servants, so Paul acknowledged what he had done based on the scripture.

 

GOD wants me to learn about HIM so I can live with a clear conscience.

GOD wants me to understand what true freedom means.

GOD wants me to seek HIS kingdom so my conscience can remain clear.

 

Sin throws me off. I mean, when I sin, my conscience feels guilty and I look for GOD’s punishment. When I do that, it means I do not fully understand HIS grace. HE forgave me once and for all when HE said “It is finished.”  

 

Yes, there will be consequences to my sin, but knowing JESUS forgave all my sins clears my conscience. HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me, guiding me away from the stronghold of sin. I may not be perfect, but I am taking a step in GOD’s direction each day.

 

What are you hiding?

Are you looking at someone else’s sins and not your own?

Will you admit your sins to others so your conscience can be clear to speak about JESUS today?

 

Security

Security

John 12: ¹⁷ Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness. ¹⁸ For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign. ¹⁹ The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!”

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Looking around at the other seniors, I could see they had nice clothes. I started rationalizing why I would not get the job. I mean I was wearing the same suit I wore at my high school graduation. “And they probably cheated to get through college” I said to myself. “And they probably lied in their interviews.” I don’t like those people.

• There were times when I was very insecure.
• There were times when my insecurities led me to protect myself by not trying.
• There were times when I thought negatively of others not knowing I thought negatively of myself.

Jealousy ignited amongst the church leaders as they were losing their crowd. “The whole world goes after HIM” were their words. But they were said in anger, not in praise. They were not feeling secure, and desired to get that security back. They made a plan made from hatred.

• JESUS wants me to place my security in HIM.
• JESUS wants me to seek HIM for my validation.
• JESUS wants me to trust in HIS decisions and not worry how I look.

GOD wants me to give my desires to HIM. HE can take my dreams and do what HE wants in the time HE wants. HE says to me “If you feel lonely, insecure or protective of yourself, then come to me and I will help you.”

JESUS can take my negative view of others and make me see people as HE sees them. HE values when I feel secure in HIS promises towards me. I am grateful HE holds onto me and will never let me go.

• Are you insecure?
• Do you speak negatively of others, not knowing how you feel about yourself?
• Will you allow GOD to open your eyes to HIS grace for you and “those” people today?

Meanwhile

Meanwhile

John 11: ⁵³ Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death. ⁵⁴ Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples.

⁵⁵ And the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went from the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves. ⁵⁶ Then they sought Jesus, and spoke among themselves as they stood in the temple, “What do you think—that He will not come to the feast?” ⁵⁷ Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a command, that if anyone knew where He was, he should report it, that they might seize Him.

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After observing what everyone was doing, I could see the flaws. I quickly assessed what to do and began to tell them the corrections. When things were going as “I” expected, I took a break. Someone came to me with “suggestions” on how I could have handled things better. I did not notice “my” mistakes.

• There have been times when I wanted to see people act like me.
• There have been times when I desired to see the results of what “I” told people.
• There have been times when I paid so much attention to what other people were doing, that I forgot to do the things I was supposed to be doing.

The church leaders had taken their hatred of JESUS to the final level. They banded together to kill HIM using legal technicalities of the Bible. They spent their time, in which they should have been preparing for the Passover, spying for JESUS in a quest for murder. Meanwhile, JESUS prepared to save the world.

• GOD wants me to focus on HIS love every day.
• GOD wants me to sing praises to HIM every day.
• GOD wants me to tell people about JESUS every day.

When I sing, praise and speak highly about JESUS, there is no room for hatred in my heart. Unfortunately, it holds true for the opposite. When I try to control others, or get mad at them easily or speak slanderous words, I am not filled with GOD’s SPIRIT and am acting on my own.

GOD wants me to bring people to HIM and let go of them. I can only run one life, which is mine, and most times I do not do that very well. BUT GOD forgives me and I am delighted to tell others HE can do the same for them.

• Are you busy thinking what someone else should be doing?
• Do you easily see the flaws in others and not yourself?
• Will you take a step back and allow GOD to grown them and you in HIS own way today?

Seeking by Lurking

Seeking by Lurking

John 7: ⁵And everyone went to his own house.

John 8: But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

² Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. ³ Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, ⁴ they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act.

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Listening intently to every word, I wanted to catch this person in a lie, “I know they are guilty” I said to myself as I replayed events in my mind over and over. Something seemed strange this particular day when I saw the person. “This is the day I catch them in their lie” I thought. The person confessed their strange behavior on a very serious illness.

• There were times when I looked for something to be wrong with people.
• There were times when I watched people intently to see if they would fail.
• There were times when I sentenced people as guilty, then I watched them prove their guilt to me.

After the crowd left, JESUS went to the Mount of Olives, usually to pray. When HE returned HE was met by the church leaders who caught a woman in the act of adultery. They must have lurked behind her as she met with her lover or was the male someone they knew? Whatever the case, they did not accuse him.

Bringing her to JESUS, they demanded a biblical answer to trip HIM up. They sought failure for her and JESUS, hoping guilt would show their superiority.

• GOD wants me to seek people with grace, not guilt.
• GOD wants me to desire restoration for people, not reasons to leave them.
• GOD wants me to follow people to serve them, not harm them.

Motive for proving someone’s guilt is usually a problem with GOD. As I have said many times, “We are all in the mud, throwing mud at each other, saying ‘you have mud on your face’.” Pronouncing someone guilty, then watching them prove their guilt may be the very thing that makes me “guilty” before GOD.

HE wants me to admit my guilt to restore guilty people. Instead of lurking for superiority, HE wants me seeking people to bring back to HIM, gently. I am glad people were sent to bring me to HIM.

• Are you accusing others?
• Do you want to feel good about yourself by making someone else look guilty?
• Will you start seeking guilty people to gently bring them back to JESUS to save them and you today?

Overlooking the Obvious

Overlooking the Obvious

John 5: ³⁷ And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. ³⁸ But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. ³⁹ You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. ⁴⁰ But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

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“Our FATHER who art in heaven… whole bunch of words… amen!” was the summation of my quick recital of the LORD’s prayer. As soon as I finished mumbling the words I would then add “That means I need my bike fixed” or “That means I need more money.” I hoped I could get GOD to listen by saying some words HE would be familiar with first.

• There were times when I wanted to play by the rules so I could get GOD to do what I wanted.
• There were times when I looked at the scriptures as a level of achievement or a measure of my faith.
• There were times when I desired to be like specific people in the Bible, overlooking what the words were really about.

JESUS speaks to the church leaders saying “You do not have the FATHER’s word inside of you because you do not believe in ME, whom the scriptures are written about.” HE said they were overlooking HIM as they developed sermons about buildings, programs and family management. GOD wants me to think differently.

• GOD wants me to believe in all of the scriptures HE as reveled to mankind.
• GOD wants me to believe that every word in the Bible is about JESUS’s love for me.
• GOD wants me to believe in JESUS as my savior so others can do the same.

Overlooking JESUS is quite easy to do when I am focused on “my” problems. I mean I tear through the scripture trying to see whether it is right or wrong to cut off the person who “I” feel is driving crazy. Soon I make the entire Bible about me and I look at it as a manual to live.

GOD wants me to change my thinking. HE wants me to see a revelation of HIS overflowing love for me. Because of this love, HE wants me to follow HIS example to being those who are rejecting HIM back to HIM. I am grateful that every word is about JESUS.

• Are you making the Bible about you?
• Do you try to twist the words of the Bible to make others act different?
• Will you relook at the Bible and see JESUS’s love for you so HE can guide you by HIS grace?

Blinded by the rules

Blinded by the rules

John 5: ¹⁶ For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath. ¹⁷ But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”

¹⁸ Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. 

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After years of doing whatever I wanted to do, I decided to go back to church. I had enough of “sinning” and I wanted to follow GOD for a change. As I got deeper into reading and attending church, my speech started to change. “Look at THOSE people doing THAT sin.” I mean how dare they sin!

• There were times when I measured people to ‘my’ standard.
• There were times when I looked at what people were doing wrong so ‘I’ could correct them.
• There were times when I felt ‘I’ had arrived because of where ‘I’ had come from.

The church leaders sought to kill JESUS because HE performed a miracle on the Sabbath. JESUS replied with an answer stating HE and HIS FATHER have been working together. This statement grew the rage of the church leaders so they figured they had justification for their legal actions.

• GOD wants me to follow HIS word, knowing I am still a sinner.
• GOD wants me to read HIS word, knowing people need grace.
• GOD wants me to understand HIS heart through observing HIS actions while HE walked the earth.

Over the years I have tried to correct people into salvation from what I can see. If I see the right evidence, then I feel my work is done. BUT GOD says something different. HE wants me to plant HIS seeds and take my eyes off of the person as I give them to HIM.

Strong faith does not require seeing what GOD is doing in “that” person’s life. GOD wants me to recognize what HE is doing in my life so I can drop my complaints, control and conspiring attitude. I recognize I do not follow GOD’s rules, that’s why I need HIM and thank HIM for HIS grace.

• Do you think you are good at following rules?
• Are you busy pointing at those who do not follow the rules well?
• Will you ask GOD to open your blind, rule based eyes and allow HIM to add a measure of grace to your heart today?

Good At It

Luke 18: ⁹ To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: ¹⁰ ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people – robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”

¹³ ‘But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

¹⁴ ‘I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’

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Slapping the winning card onto my forehead in exuberance for all to see was my goal, but alas I did not know how to play the card game. I studied the rules. I played and played until I was good at it, missing many classes along the way. Now, I too could slap the winning card onto my forehead in a shout of victory! I was very good at that game, if I must say.

• There were times when I wanted to feel that I was “good at something.”
• There were times when I wanted to be better at something than other people.
• There were times when I wanted to be superior at something so other people would look at me as if I were special.

JESUS spoke to the crowd about church leaders who thought they were “good at this god thing.” HE spoke about how proud they were to follow the rules and compare themselves to others.

BUT HE also contrasted this example with a person whom everyone hated because of his thieving profession. The tax collector did not see himself as worthy, but asked for mercy from GOD. The tax collector was the one who JESUS said was the humble one.

• GOD wants me to know I can never be “good” enough to meet HIS standards.
• GOD wants me to tell people about my sins rather than trying to put on a front that I am perfect.
• GOD wants me to show people that sinners like me can be saved without having to “pay” or “do” their way into heaven.

The “Good News about CHRIST” is not really good news if every human can’t achieve it. I mean if JESUS’s gift of salvation is based on how good I follow the rules, then I am in trouble. JESUS points out that I need HIM as my savior. I sin daily and walk away from HIM daily, BUT GOD is my forgiver. I will never be “good at” following HIM. That’s why I love GOD.

• Do you think you can reach perfection by dropping off a few sins?
• Do you look down on other people or complain about how they are running their lives?
• Will you stop comparing yourself to other people and look at JESUS’s perfection as your salvation?
• Will you ask for HIS mercy on your mountain of sins today?

Fatally Right

Luke 14: Now it happened, as He went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath, that they watched Him closely. ² And behold, there was a certain man before Him who had dropsy. ³ And Jesus, answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

⁴ But they kept silent. And He took him and healed him, and let him go. ⁵ Then He answered them, saying, “Which of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?” ⁶ And they could not answer Him regarding these things.

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After the rededication I felt something needed to change in my life. I decided not to do certain things I categorized as “sin.” I did notice positive changes in my life so I decided to “make” others do the same.

When they did not respond well, I pointed out what the Bible said about the topic at hand. Not only did they stop listening to me, they went further in the opposite direction I was trying to steer them to.

• There have been many times when I judged people’s actions.
• There have been many times when I watched people to see if they were doing as “I” expected them to do.
• There were times when I thought “If people would just follow every word in the Bible, then they would be fine.”

Incapable of being righteous, the church leaders placed heavy burdens on the people to be “perfect” according to their made up rules. When JESUS went to their house and healed on the Sabbath, there was no rejoicing over another human who was made whole. There was silence. JESUS then challenged their interpretation of the law of the Sabbath and further silenced them.

• JESUS wants me to study HIS word in order to bring people together.
• JESUS wants me to understand HIS grace in order to restore people back to HIM.
• JESUS wants me to learn of HIM so I can grasp the grace and mercy HE has shown me.

Knowing the Bible is one thing, knowing why the Bible is here is another. Simply put, GOD recounts how HE has shown love to a world HE cursed. With Satan’s decision to “be GOD”, Satan was thrown out of heaven to the world, and he tried to ruin humans. GOD has already redeemed mankind through JESUS and desires my free will to choose HIS gift of grace.

• Are you full of pride that you have reduced a few sins?
• Are you fooling yourself about your righteousness?
• Can you seek grace and mercy even for those you feel do not deserve it?
• Will you seek restoration versus segregation today?

Hostile Takeover

Mark 12: Then He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. ² Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers. ³ And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. ⁴ Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated. ⁵ And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some. ⁶ Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ ⁷ But those vinedressers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ ⁸ So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.

⁹ “Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others. ¹⁰ Have you not even read this Scripture:

‘The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.

¹¹ This was the Lord’s doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

¹² And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.

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Seeing a crowded bus, I noticed a group of people who hung around the back door waiting for people to exit so they could slip on. A free ride was the goal. Wow! I thought to myself. I shimmied onto the bus and it worked. I tried it on the next bus and the driver stopped the bus and made me come to the front and pay. That cured my bus hopping in a single trip.

• There were times when I tried to force my way in.
• There were timed when I tried to sneak my way in.
• Three were times when I tried to get in places I did not belong.

The church leaders thought they had exclusive rights to heaven. They lorded their positions to the point of hating JESUS for exposing their sinfulness. This parable solidified their hatred as JESUS said they would kill HIM.

• JESUS wants me to confess my sins or HE will one day point them out.
• JESUS wants me to tell people my sins so the sin will lose its power over me.
• JESUS wants me to focus on HIS love instead of hating HIS methods.

GOD’s love requires that I believe in HIS SON. I can become a church leader and still rot in a place of eternal separation fro GOD if I do not truly believe in HIS SON. JESUS is the focus of the parable. HE was sent for my salvation.

• Are you trying to force your way into heaven?
• Do you think you goodness deserves a heavenly seat?
• Can you stop thinking you are good enough for heaven because of your title and start believing in JESUS?

Looking Good

Mark 7: Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. ² Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. ³ For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. ⁴ When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.

⁵ Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?”

⁶ He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:

‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.

⁷ And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

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Preparing for church was a chore this particular day. As I put on my only dress shirt, the frayed elbow finally gave way. Maybe I can hide it by putting on the jacket. No one will notice.

• Many times I tried to look good in front of people.
• Many times I tried to keep up appearances in front of people.
• Many times I tried to show people that everything was fine when everything was really bad.

Performing ritualistic washing had become a major performance amongst the Scribes and the Pharisees. Appearing “clean” to people meant they held themselves to a higher standard so they could impose greater demands to have others “look good.” BUT GOD sees through it.

• GOD sees my heart and knows it needs cleaning.
• GOD sees my thoughts and knows they need to be put under HIS guard.
• GOD sees my desires and many times they do not include HIS desires.

My desire for fashionable good looks crept into my spirit life as well. Hiding lusts for sex, money and power had become the norm. I could afford nice suits and give more money than people made in a year, but where was GOD? HE was buried deep under my “good looks.” GOD desires to break through my good looks so HE can shine today.

• Are you busy telling people how “good” you look?
• Do you hide your flaws so others can think you are better than you are?
• Do you give false pity on those who do confess their sins?
• Will you open your mouth and tell people your sins so GOD can do a marvelous work in you?

This is How You Do It

Mark 2: ²³ Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. ²⁴ And the Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”

²⁵ But He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: ²⁶ how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?”

²⁷ And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. ²⁸ Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”

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Confusion finally led me to make a phone call to my uncle. He was a master carpenter and I had a project that required his expertise. He patiently told me what to do but his tips were counterintuitive. “Use sandpaper after staining the wood?” that sounds crazy!

• Sometimes the rules seem strange.
• Sometimes the steps don’t make sense.
• Sometimes the instructions seem wrong.

GOD rested on the seventh day which is strange within itself. I mean GOD can’t get tired so why rest? HE wanted me to see HIS example of what should be done on a regular basis. HE created a Law for me to follow but HE did not create me to follow Laws.

• GOD wants me to follow HIS ways because HE loves me.
• GOD wants me to believe in HIS methods because HE knows they will lead to great things.
• GOD wants me to understand HIS heart so I can apply the Law with the right motive.

Pharisees and legalists hold people to the letter of the Law without regards to how the HOLY SPIRIT should guide them to apply it. Instead of the Good News of “freedom” they spread the shackles of bondage to laws. GOD wants me to remove any fear that may cause me to control people with the Law.

GOD wants me to see that HIS love is freeing, whole and full of healing. HE made the Law for me, to guide me and protect me. I was not made for rules, they are made for me.

• Are you trying hard to follow the rules?
• Are you exhausted trying to follow what churchy people are telling you?
• Will you ask GOD to show you how to follow HIM with the right heart today?

Performance Evaluation

Matthew 26: ⁶ While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, ⁷ a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.

⁸ When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. ⁹ “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

¹⁰ Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. ¹¹ The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. ¹² When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. ¹³ Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

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Disturbed by the pressures of the week I sat on the couch drained. My prayer time led to a number of complaints of “what I did not have” and how “this” person or “that” person was mistreating me. With all these things spinning in my mind, I could not rest. GOD can you hear me!?

• Sometimes I wonder where GOD is.
• Sometimes I get upset that GOD may not be listening.
• Sometimes I think GOD is not performing up to HIS potential.

When the woman poured expensive perfume on JESUS, the disciples immediately evaluated her performance as being wrong. They had no idea that she was being led by the SPIRIT to prepare our LORD for HIS death. They were busy looking at achievement. BUT GOD wants something different.

• JESUS wants me to sometimes focus only on HIM.
• JESUS wants me to bring HIM my concerns but sometimes focus only on HIM.
• JESUS wants me to express my worries, doubts, fears and short comings, but sometimes focus only on HIM.

“She has done a beautiful thing to ME” JESUS said to the disciples. HE wasn’t saying they were wrong; it’s just sometimes you need to focus on GOD alone. HE wants my attention and praise just as much as my concerns, perhaps more. By anointing JESUS with my love, I raise HIM over my concerns.

• Are you extremely worried?
• Do you feel you need to work harder to please GOD?
• Can you take some time to focus only on JESUS today?

Blocker

Matthew 23: ¹³ “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. ¹⁴ Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.

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After searching for the right programs and the right people with the right aged children, our church home was finally found. It had a normal cadence, a coffee shop and a book store. I was now part of “Insert church name” and proud of it. We did not exclude, but for some reason the crowd was full of high income people.

• GOD wants me to be careful of becoming blind.
• GOD wants me to be careful of falling into the habit of church.
• GOD wants me to be careful not to “Block” others from the kingdom unintentionally.

After a while I did not see the poor or widows or hurting people. Only smiling faces with no financial worries at all. The right things were said and the buildings were huge, but GOD wanted something different for me.

• GOD wants me to help the widows.
• GOD wants me to be sincere about my prayers, not just make long ones and compare them to others.
• GOD wants me to seek the lost and not just sit in church.

I must admit, having a church with all the amenities felt great, but my senses became dull to my neighbor’s needs. “Invite them to church” was the mantra versus “Lead them to CHRIST and send them out to do the same.” I still love that church and I did become part of their outreach group which was a much smaller crowd. I need to heed GOD’s warning of hypocrisy.

• Are you looking for church to be a club?
• Do you exclude people by the way they dress, or how they look?
• Can you consider the widows and other hurting people in your prayers to GOD today?

Lighten the Load

Matthew 23: Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: ² “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. ³ So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. ⁴ They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

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Perfection was my desire as I cast the vision to my employees. I only had a few people working for me but I had some grand ideas! “This is a lot of work” they said. “Keep going” I told them. When funding dried up I had to do it myself. “Wow, this is a lot of work” I realized.

• Practicing what I preach is not always easy.
• Practicing what I preach is not always top of mind.
• Practicing what I preach is not the first thing on my mind when I expect someone else to be perfect even when I’m not.

JESUS saw through the pastors and teachers of the day. HE saw their desire to be the “boss” rather than the employee. HE saw that in me as well. BUT GOD has a remedy.

• GOD wants me to serve others especially when I am the boss.
• GOD wants me to show people how to carry the load by carrying my own.
• GOD wants me to help others with their load.

“Amazing” should be the word people have of GOD when leaving my presence. They should not feel more burdened or bothered. GOD will convict, convince and contrive in those who are HIS. I do not have to force people to do hard labor to serve GOD cheerfully. GOD wants me to lighten loads.

• Are you placing heavy loads on people?
• Do you place loads on others that you have not done yourself?
• Can you stop placing heavy “churchy” burdens on people and lighten their load so they can see GOD?

Strange Teaching

Matthew 16: ⁵ When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. ⁶ “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

⁷ They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”

⁸ Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? ⁹ Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? ¹⁰ Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? ¹¹ How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” ¹² Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

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“Maybe people should use a pink envelope” I thought to myself as I dreamt of ways to distinguish the collection for the parking lot. It would require teaching as the collection was already complicated. But this was necessary!

• There were times I thought of rules for participating in church.
• There were times I dreamt of ways to “easily” follow the rules.
• There were times I believed that more rules meant more order.

When I look back on my church tenure I notice a soulless march towards rules and regulations. I mean, I “had” to be in church and I “had” to give and I “had” to sing and I “had” to pray.  There could be no deviations from the schedule, structure, dress or tone in order to fit in. BUT GOD wants me to act different.

• GOD wants me to follow HIS teachings, not the soulless teachings of man.
• GOD wants me to test every word that is being said to hear if GOD is in the words rather than man.
• GOD wants me to teach from HIS word, not from sinful, efficient ideas.

Having needs as a church is not the sin, but sometimes I can focus a little too much on the church building or group and not enough on GOD and HIS flock. I find myself name dropping the church name rather than JESUS’ name. GOD wants me to be part of the church of JESUS which could include every local gathering if they believe.

• Are you proud of your church?
• Do you name drop your church name more than JESUS’ name?
• Can you stop coming up with more church rules and teach GOD’s words of love?

Rules to Support the Rules

Matthew 15: Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, ² “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”

³ Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? ⁴ For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’⁵ But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’ ⁶ they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. ⁷ You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:

⁸ “‘These people honor me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me.

⁹ They worship me in vain;
    their teachings are merely human rules.’”

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“Wear a suit to church” was the statement given to me. I actually did not understand why. I mean it was July and I had layers upon layers of clothes on. I asked, “Why do I need to put on this suit?” “Because you have to give GOD your best!” was the reply. I went to church, frowning and hot, but I looked good.

• Many times I followed human traditions.
• Many times I thought human traditions were GOD’s rules.
• Many times I made up rules to support GOD’s rules.

At first I thought making up rules to support GOD’s rules was a good idea. I rationalized “suit wearing” and started to make others do the same. Then one day I went out into the neighborhood and invited people to church. “I don’t have anything to wear” was the person’s issue. I have never worn a suit to church again.

• GOD sees my rules as a barrier to HIS Word.
• GOD does not want me to add a “jot” or a “tittle” to HIS word.
• GOD recognizes when I am following tradition versus following HIS guidance.

Meet on Saturday. Meet on Sunday. Sing three sings. Sing four songs. Dress up. Celebrate church anniversaries. Celebrate calendar holidays. Wear a cross. Don’t wear a cross.

After a while I forgot the primary message “Believe in the SON and you will be saved.” My traditions are quite dangerous. Divisive tones and exclusion are the undetermined side effects of my innocent rule making. GOD simply wants me to follow HIM.

• Are you making up rules to support GOD’s rules?
• Do you follow rules and traditions that are not in the Bible?
• Can you assess the effort you are making to support human rules and give your life to following GOD’s guidance?

Higher Habit

Matthew 12 ⁹ Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, ¹⁰ and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

¹¹ He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? ¹² How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

¹³ Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. ¹⁴ But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.

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Getting up and going to church was a real struggle for me. I mean after hanging out in the clubs with my “friends” I felt I owed it to myself to get some sleep. When I started going to church, it felt weird at first but soon became a habit. Soon I was a regular attendee and decided to tell “those sinners” they should do the same.

• I used to think church was the destination for sinners.
• I used to think church was a place to go that I could check off my list each week.
• I used to think church was the goal and getting “cleaned up” was the prize.

Taking my disgusting habits to a place where I could dump them off seemed like the right thing to do. Follow a few rules, sing a few songs, listen to someone tell me how wrong I was felt like the right thing to do to get my life on track. BUT GOD wanted so much more than that.

• GOD wants me to see HIM as the destination beyond church.
• GOD wants me to worship HIM daily not just minutes on a given day.
• GOD wants me to “be” with HIM rather than going to HIM.

Don’t get me wrong, going to a church that serves people through GODLY words and habits is great. BUT GOD wants more. HE wants me to open my eyes to HIS kingdom around me to tell people about the Good News. Church should not be a habit rather GOD should be a “relationship” that drives me to go to church and beyond.

• Are you judging someone because you attend church regularly?
• Do you feel you have made it because you go to church?
• Can you stop thinking more highly of yourself and seek those who need GOD today?

Look at Them

Matthew 12: At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. ² When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”

³ He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ⁴ He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. ⁵ Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? ⁶ I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. ⁷ If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. ⁸ For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

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“Look at those people sinning” I sneered. I was talking about “that” church with all of “those” people. “They aren’t following the Bible” I quipped.

• I have been judgmental.
• I have been condemning.
• I have been a stickler for the law and not for grace.

After stopping a few sins, I felt I ‘earned” the right to point out someone else’s flaws. I mean I was near perfection right? Dreadfully wrong!

• GOD wanted me to know “All have sinned and fall short of HIS glory” and I am included in the “all.”
• GOD wanted me to know HE desires mercy not sacrifice.
• GOD wanted me to know the law is fulfilled through JESUS, not through my actions.

I follow GOD’s laws because of JESUS, not the other way around. I cannot get more righteous by following a few rules and breaking others. GOD wants me to seek HIS mercy for me and those around me.

• Are you commenting on “those” people?
• Are you pointing fingers at someone else?
• Can you stop condemning others before GOD condemns you?
• Will you seek GOD’s mercy today for you and those around you who you are accusing?

Trying to Convince

Matthew 7: ²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

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Scared half to death I read this passage. I mean who can be sure they are saved if this is written? Also, the statement “Away from ME, you evildoers!” seems pretty permanent.

• It is quite possible for me to act righteous and not be righteous.
• It is quite possible for me to preach about JESUS and not believe in HIS position, power or protection.
• It is quite possible for me to actually drive out demons and perform miracles in JESUS name without believing “in JESUS name.”

Mimicking a follower of CHRIST is still effective because GOD’s word does not return void. In other words, even if I did not believe in what I am saying, the words are still true. I can say “GOD sent HIS SON to save the world” but if I do not believe HE saved me, then I have wasted my words. What can make me sure?

• GOD says to me “But the one who does the will of MY FATHER who is in Heaven will enter.”
• GOD says to me “Follow MY SON for who I AM well pleased.”
• GOD says to me “Be led by the HOLY SPIRIT and all will be well with you.

A sigh of relief came over me when I saw what I overlooked. GOD simply wants me to do HIS will and stop trying to impress the crowds by pretending to hear from HIM. GOD speaks to me daily through HIS word and when it says to stop, keep going or stand up, I need to obey immediately.

GOD wants my total attention and while I am still a bit nervous about this passage, HE enables me to clearly see that I can humble myself to obey HIS will. I do not have to “try to convince” GOD that I am doing HIS will when I am doing HIS will.

• Are you mimicking?
• Do you have dishonorable motives of leading a group or getting rich off of GOD?
• Can you stop using HIS people and seek GOD’s will for them?
• Will you stop siding with humans and ask GOD to lead you with HIS HOLY SPIRIT?

It is Time to Teach

2 Chronicles 17: ⁹ They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord; they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people.

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“I could have said that better” is what I thought as the old man stammered through his words. I looked around and saw people asleep. When they asked for volunteers, I said “of course!” I prepared a very entertaining speech and of course added some scripture for flavor.

As I filled the hour with my rhetoric, I kept everyone awake but someone came up to me and asked me to explain the deeper meaning of the scripture. I stammered and couldn’t explain.

• GOD said “Go Baptize and Teach” to me.
• GOD said “Teachers and preachers will be held to a higher standard” to me.
• GOD said “Do not think more highly of yourself” to me.

I had surface knowledge of GOD’s word and thought it was boring, outdated and irrelevant so I figured I would spice it up with entertainment. GOD says, “Do not add a jot or a tittle to MY word” meaning I don’t need the flash and fanfare.

GOD wants us to understand that we no longer live by the Law, but HE hasn’t thoroughly thrown it away. HE actually wrote the Law on every human’s heart to show how serious HE is about what HE said. GOD then cleared the confusion by summarizing the entire law through this statement… “Love one another as I have loved you.”

GOD volunteered to die for me so HE became a human to do so. HE allowed HIMSELF to be accused, slandered and murdered by pastors, ministers, preachers, missionaries and teachers who misinterpreted HIS true purpose and twisted HIS word for their convenience.

To teach means to live GOD’s word. It means saying all the promises along with the consequences. It means saying things that apply directly to me before they apply to who I am saying it to. GOD holds me to a high standard so I must be careful with my words.

• Are you complaining about someone?
• Do you think they are crazy?
• Do you think GOD is calling you to become the teacher instead of the complainer?
• Can you begin looking at GOD’s truths more deeply so you can begin teaching?