Friday, June 22, 2018

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).

 

10 thoughts on “Friday, June 22, 2018

  1. Dear Ger, on your comments from yesterday, you asked for prayer for your grandniece Madison as she graduated from Highschool. You were faithful taking her to Sunday School when she was younger and the Bible days in Proverbs 22: 6-7, Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. I do pray that the Lord will work in Madison’s life, as she grow into the woman He wants her to be. May The Holy Spirit bring to mind the things she learned in S.S. May the Lord put a shield around her and protect her from harm and danger. I pray this in the name off our precious Lord and Saviiour Jesus Christ. Amen

  2. I am so thankful for this daily reading and commentary of God’s word. Thank you to all who participate in the posting of it and also those who share their thoughts and prayers. This legacy of Reverend David’s, binds us together, as the old chorus goes, “with cords that cannot be broken”. Blessings to all, today and everyday.

  3. Thank you Eleanor for praying for Madison. I believe she is searching for reality. I wrote on her card that she not forget the things she learned in Sunday School the very things you prayed for. Thank you and God bless you.

    • Yes,Ger,the world has plenty ‘on the outside’.Lets hope she (and others ) learn to look on the inside,as May did with David when he was fishing with (and for) Win….I love that story.It turns my whole inside with the warmth of His love.God bless

  4. Lord TY for this day! Lead Deb to good employment! Help her to forgive the hurt; she will Lord with YOUR HELP,
    bless me with a financial blessing, Lord You know what I desire to do with the money, pay off debts.and help others,get upgrades done
    TY Lord for the meetings we had to discuss the future of our church……..the visiting Pastor was excellent, TY for the time together, bless Donna, she is definitely not judgemental at all, this is so refreshing, thank you Lord in Jesus Name I Pray amen

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