OUTSIDE AND INSIDE
Today’s Reading: Matthew 23
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Here you see the Western slope of the Mount of Olives covered by thousands of Jewish graves facing toward the Temple Mount and the Eastern Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem. Those buried here desired to be first in the resurrection. The valley between is the Kidron Valley. This slope of the Mount of Olives has been used as a Jewish cemetery for over 3,000 years and holds approximately 150,000 graves. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection but Jesus said that by their traditions they caused the Scriptures to be ineffective in their lives.
Key Verses: Matthew 23:25b & 26
“Inside they are full of extortion and self indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.”
Learn to see as God sees and think as God thinks by making the Word of God a daily part of your thinking process. This is the eternal value of what we’re doing together in this blog. Over 3,000 years ago the prophet wrote, “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). It’s true; we do look on the outward. Therefore, it’s important to groom our appearance so we do not draw undue attention to ourselves and hinder the shining forth of the inner beauty of Christ. Cleanse the inside in two ways: The washing of God’s Word (Ephesians 5:26) and by confessing our sins, “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord, thank You for washing me inside with Your Word which I’ve just read, and thank You for washing away my sin by Your precious blood. I believe Your promises. You cannot lie. Therefore, it’s done. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
A few blog entries ago, I mentioned a woman named May, who asked me, a public school teacher, to conduct her husband Win’s funeral, even though I was not an ordained minister at the time. May had been born and raised in Northern Ontario. As a young man, Win, who was a railroad engineer, on almost every trip across that most northerly section of the tracks would notice a young girl running out of the bush, standing beside the tracks and waving at him. Eventually they met at the water tank (steam engine), and later Win and May married. May’s usual stance was hands on her hips and normally a cigarette was dangling from the corner of her mouth. She was probably 65 when I met her. Win was in his eighties. It would’ve been easy to see May only from her outward appearance; but there was a deeper May. One day I asked her why she would not allow an ordained minister or priest to conduct Win’s funeral. She said, “I knew what you were doing out in that boat with Win besides fishing. He told me you prayed with him and he became a believer in Jesus and was not afraid to die anymore.” I had the great honour of leading May to Christ also. The inner beauty of Jesus was evident as she lived to serve others. Sorry, I’m well over 100 words!
Love,
David
P.S. People see the outside, God looks inside! Do we just appear to be religious or do we have a genuine inner experience with God which shines out through ordinary looking people who have the reality of God’s Holy Spirit within.
Jews praying, no doubt very sincerely. Jesus, a Jew Himself, spoke of those who “Love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” (Matthew 6:5b & 6).
In Mt. 23 Jesus does the unthinkable for the times, He takes the religious teachers to task. Jesus condemned the pride and pretense of the religious authority, which had become so obviously pervasive that it needed to be addressed. This action, no doubt, greatly troubled the religious hypocrites in His midst and ultimately led Jesus to the cross. Jesus stated earlier “blessed are the meek”, these men were anything but humble and Jesus was going to expose their wicked ways. Jesus knew what He was doing, He followed His Father’s commands, it was the way of the cross …. the way of redemption, the way that could save all us all from sin and death.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!, amen! Cleanse us, Lord, by Your precious blood. Clean us from the inside out, that we may be vessels of your light and love to others. Let us soak in Your Word and Holy Presence, as the rain soaks the trees, flowers, plants and ground. Blessings, dearest saints, in the Lord.
Forever // Brian Johnson & Bethel Music // Tides Official Lyric Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ__W9VH9Lo
Amen each day you word is amazing yes each morning when I set my feet on the floor in y bed room I pray and thank God for another day. Read the word and pray your a good teacher David. Bless you
The Lord brought this Psalm to me, this morning:
The Joy of Forgiveness
A Psalm of David. A Contemplation
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no deceit.
When I kept silent, my bones grew old
Through my groaning all the day long.
For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah
I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I have not hidden.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You
In a time when You may be found;
Surely in a flood of great waters
They shall not come near him.
You are my hiding place;
You shall preserve me from trouble;
You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.
Do not be like the horse or like the mule,
Which have no understanding,
Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle,
Else they will not come near you.
Many sorrows shall be to the wicked;
But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous;
And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!”
Psalm 32, NKJV
I am blessed to be here with you David if you get to read this blog i would like a special reply through my email as i have a testimony i would love to share. .thank u David. ..
Beautiful story of Will and May and your witness to them David. Blesses me greatly. Love Psalm 32 Beverlee and it holds a special place in my heart. Blessings saints and sing for joy!
David I am blessed everyday with our blog and your personal words as well
Me too! Thank you!
Me three. Blessings!!
Blessings abound each day as I open our blog and read and meditate on The Word. I so appreciate our teachings and comments/songs from others.
Thanks to everyone. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
I personally don’t mind at all when you go over the 100 words. More, more about Jesus!
To Joel Dawkins
just letting you know that many people have shared their personal testimonies on this blog! I certainly have and I have read other testimonies also. For me, it is very encouraging to read the experiences that people have had in their walk on this earth and how many people have met “Jesus” on the road!
I am just trying to let you know that you can certainly give a testimony on this blog!
Again I wish to encourage anyone to share their AH HA moments with the Lord! I never get tired of reading these precious blogs…….
Again I am always so AMAZED how the Lord will show up just at the right time. Just the other day I could not find something that I know I had at the pool the night before, I was sure I did not loose this item. but could not find it in my bag, nor in my pocket……..
so when I went to the pool that night THERE WAS THE ITEM, RIGHT ON MY CAR SEAT WHERE I WOULD SIT! That was a GOD THING AGAIN, thank you Lord….
please pray for healing of cancer for Eva, complete healing, no need for surgery, thank you in Jesus Name I ask for prayers …….blessings to alll