Good day everyone! Today I want to stress the importance of doing things differently. If we continue to do, say and react as we did in 2008-the change we're looking for will not be able to break through. 2008 was the year of New Beginnings; 2009 is the year of Transition (the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another). It is going to be hard, we are creatures of habit-both good and bad. But I'm determined with prayer to step up to the challenge. How about you? Have a Monday full of positive change. And if you fail, get back up and try again. You can do it!
Love-LT
PRAYER: LORD today is a good day because You made it. Guide me in walking in full expectancy of what You have purposed for me today. Let me depend on Your strength to make the changes that are best for me. I'm committed to becoming what You have created me to be and rebuke every fallacy of who I think I should be. I love You LORD, and I'm so very thankful that You will ALWAYS love me unconditionally. You are the best! I am so grateful for You. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, amen.
MATTHEW 15: 12-20
CLEAN AND UNCLEAN: part 3
PLEASE READ THE VERSES DIRECTLY FROM THE BIBLE:
These verses will be broken up to discuss each point
REVIEW v.1-11: Jesus told the Pharisees and teachers the following about breaking "religious" tradition- "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?... you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You Hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men (Isaiah 29:13).' " Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen and understand. What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.' "
(v.12-20) Then the disciples came to (Jesus) and asked, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?" (Jesus) replied, " Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into the pit."
Peter said, "Explain the parable to us."
"Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them. "Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man 'unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean.'
The Pharisees were blind to God's truth, therefore Jesus told His disciples to leave them alone. Anyone who listened to the teachings of the Pharisees would risk spiritual blindness as well. Not all religious leaders see God's truth clearly. Make sure that those you listen to and learn from are those with good spiritual eyesight-they teach and follow the principles of Scripture. The way to do this, is to continue to learn the Word. Everything needs to be tested by the Word of God. If you KNOW it, it will be hard for people with evil intentions to lead you astray. Even with me, don't just trust whatever I say. Go to your Bible (it's time to get one if you don't have one) and KNOW the truth for yourself. And always pray, God will not lead you astray when you put your full trust in Him.
We work hard to keep our outward appearance attractive, but what is deep down in our heart (where others can't see) is more important to God. When people become Christians, God makes them different on the inside. It doesn't happen automatically, it is a journey and a process-but He will continue the process of change inside of us only if we ASK. God wants us to have healthy thoughts and motives, not just healthy bones. Don't you want healthy thoughts and motives?
PONDER THIS:
WHAT ARE YOU LIKE INSIDE?
ACTION:
STAY ALERT THAT YOU ARE NOT BEING LED BY THE BLIND!
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