Skip to main content

woe to the Pharisees and lawyers

If one should ever be tempted to think that Jesus was all mushy and only said "positive" things that would build people's self-esteem, he should read Luke 11:37-54. Jesus goes against any idea that one might have about not offending your dinner host. A Pharisee had invited him to dinner and Jesus first makes a point by not ceremonially washing his hands - which gives an open door for a "real" conversation. One of the things he accuses the Pharisees of doing...

"For you pay tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, and yet disregard justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others."


Makes me think - am I disregarding justice and loving God and emphasizing smaller, more insignificant things? It seems like it is one of those things of making an idol out of some good thing. For instance, lately I've been doing tons of reading and strategizing on how to save money on groceries and household items. Basically, trying to reduce the amount I need and spend in my "Household" budget. This is potentially a good and God-honoring task. Several verses from Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 about being a good home-manager and seeking food for my family "like merchant's ships" etc. etc. can be used to support this effort. However, my temptation and yes, my sin, has been to put those things and efforts before loving my husband and children. It has been a temptation to use my "quiet time" in the morning doing internet research instead of concentrating on reading the Scriptures and prayer. I have obviously been "disregarding justice and the love of God" in exchange for something that might be "good", but obviously not in the right priority. Father, forgive me and help me to see this sin clearly so that I may put it off and put on what You consider the right perspective.

Popular posts from this blog

cast off the slave chains

I just can't get out of Romans 8. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" I woke up this morning with thoughts of God's sovereignty on my mind. The fact that He controls everything and will let nothing go further than He has decreed. He is a kind and loving Father who I can trust. So, I don't have to worry about the events of today. Though I can't always trust other people to do the right thing (or even myself for that matter!) or put my confidence in 'things' today - I can put my confidence in my heavenly Father and rest in His adoption of me as a child. So, no need to put on the slave chains of fear again - let me just remind myself of who my Father is.
Read more

all things

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Rom 8:28) He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things ? (Rom 8:32) all things - greek word "panta" (forgive the laziness in not using greek manuscript) I remember Lance preaching about this. He said that the word used meant literally "all things". Big things, small things, spiritual things, normal things. This is a good word to remember. Especially in the midst of this pregnancy. God is interested in using all aspects of my life to conform me more to the image of His Son.
Read more

hearts like tinder-boxes

From Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: 2 Samuel 11:2 And it came to pass in an evening-tide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house. At that hour David saw Bathsheba. We are never out of the reach of temptation. Both at home and abroad we are liable to meet with allurements to evil; the morning opens with peril, and the shades of evening find us still in jeopardy. They are well kept whom God keeps, but woe unto those who go forth into the world, or even dare to walk their own house unarmed . Those who think themselves secure are more exposed to danger than any others. The armour-bearer of Sin is Self-confidence. David should have been engaged in fighting the Lord's battles, instead of which he tarried at Jerusalem, and gave himself up to luxurious repose, for he arose from his bed at eventide. Idleness and luxury are the devil's jackals , and find him abundant prey. In stagnant waters noxious creatures swarm, and neglected soi...
Read more