“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (Matthew 15:8)
Sinners never made Jesus angry. He was concerned about them, he saw in them a brokenness that needed to be fixed, but never was he angry at them. All the lowlifes and corrupt people of his day were drawn to him and in the hearts of each one of them, they found a friend in Jesus. You would think that such a holy man would reserve his closest friendships for the religious leaders of the day, but he most assuredly did not. In fact, the religious leaders of the day (the Pharisees) wanted no part in Jesus and were the only people that could do what no sinner could do… Make Jesus angry!
Pharisees were not bad people, they were misguided people. That is the mistake that we sometimes make. We cast them as the villains of the New Testament, but these people committed their lives to living out God’s law, following it precept by precept, living by the very letter of the law. Their problem was that they were not doing it for their hearts, they were doing it for their egos. That is why Jesus said of them, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” The Pharisees were responsible for leading God’s people closer to Him, instead they only pushed them farther away by heaping on them rule after rule. Not to mention, at the same time, they thought that they had it all together themselves.
I think it is important to realize that Jesus was not angry at the Pharisees because their “hearts were far from Him”. I think it actually grieved him deeply that they were far from God. What made him angry was that they were causing others to be far from him! They were the “blind leading the blind” and if “a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a ditch”.
Look, you and I are not Pharisees, but we are representatives of God. We lead and influence people by the choices that we make and we cannot lead people if we are blinded into thinking we don’t have any problems. We are just sinners needing Jesus and that is the message that we need to project to the world.
At Rhapsody Church we have this saying, “It’s not about me”. The Pharisees made a choice a long time ago that it was going to be about “them”. We have the same choice to make. We can be like the Pharisees and make it all about us, or we can be like Jesus’ sinner friends and make it all about him.
Prayer: God, please teach me that what I do matters. Help me to conduct myself in a way that honors you and does not cause others to stumble.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Devos for April 21st (by Hannah K.)
Psalm 57; Mt. 9
Application:
Psalm 57 made me think of all the times when I felt like everything in the world was against me and things were stressful and not going how expected and I was just able to cry out to the Lord and say “things aren’t going well I feel attacked and I can’t make it through this storm of life without you, protect me and guide me, and no matter what happens I will praise your name because you are the Great I am and your love is never ending.”
Prayer:
Lord, help me to see the light at the end of the tunnel during a brutal storm of life, I know that you will forever stand by my side and for that I am so thankful. I cannot withstand the trials that come my way without your grace and mercy. Thank you for sending your only son to die so that I might live what a sacrifice that is. May you help me to remember the significance of each day of this Holy week and praise your name that Sunday is coming. I love you so much and I am nothing without you, I pray all of this in Jesus name AMEN!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Devos for April 19th (By Joy Berg)
Matt. 6:1
"Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven."
From whom do you seek your reward? Your peers, your family or maybe someone you look up to in your life? Do you look for the words of appreciation when you do something good for someone? Are you upset or frustrated when you have given your time or money to someone and invested in their life and yet there is no gratitude or thankfulness in response? This is so easy for our flesh to fall into. To seek the reward from those around us, to be noticed by others for our "good deeds" instead of looking to our Father for our reward. The Bible says that if we practice our acts of righteousness before others, that's it! That is all the reward that we will get. How sad. Look for creative ways this week to give, pray and fast for other's in your life in secret. And in the secret place with your Father.....look for your reward. It will be great! On earth and in heaven!
"Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven."
From whom do you seek your reward? Your peers, your family or maybe someone you look up to in your life? Do you look for the words of appreciation when you do something good for someone? Are you upset or frustrated when you have given your time or money to someone and invested in their life and yet there is no gratitude or thankfulness in response? This is so easy for our flesh to fall into. To seek the reward from those around us, to be noticed by others for our "good deeds" instead of looking to our Father for our reward. The Bible says that if we practice our acts of righteousness before others, that's it! That is all the reward that we will get. How sad. Look for creative ways this week to give, pray and fast for other's in your life in secret. And in the secret place with your Father.....look for your reward. It will be great! On earth and in heaven!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Devos for April 14th (By Pastor Ryan)
Voice
When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took Mary as his wife.
Matthew 1:24
When God spoke, Joseph obeyed. His obedience allowed for his calling to be made real. But moreover, his obedience was actually a larger part of God's grand design for humanity.
Sometimes we get gut feelings. We know something we are doing is wrong. Sometimes we get the same feeling about something we ought to do. I am of the belief that many of those gut feelings are God speaking to us. How we respond to those little moments where His voice is faint decides, in many cases, how He will speak to us in the future - or for that matter whether He will. When we choose to ignore God's small voice, we harden ourselves from His large voice in the bigger picture of our lives and world. Our lives in Christ are determined not by a few big decisions, but by daily small decisions.
I pray that God would help you, and me as well, to honor His will by responding to His voice on the daily small issues. So that He may use us for His big plans.
When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took Mary as his wife.
Matthew 1:24
When God spoke, Joseph obeyed. His obedience allowed for his calling to be made real. But moreover, his obedience was actually a larger part of God's grand design for humanity.
Sometimes we get gut feelings. We know something we are doing is wrong. Sometimes we get the same feeling about something we ought to do. I am of the belief that many of those gut feelings are God speaking to us. How we respond to those little moments where His voice is faint decides, in many cases, how He will speak to us in the future - or for that matter whether He will. When we choose to ignore God's small voice, we harden ourselves from His large voice in the bigger picture of our lives and world. Our lives in Christ are determined not by a few big decisions, but by daily small decisions.
I pray that God would help you, and me as well, to honor His will by responding to His voice on the daily small issues. So that He may use us for His big plans.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Devos for April 12th (By Jordan W.)
“Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:8-9)
If ever there was a red headed step child of the bible, it was Paul. He was the most persecuted of all apostles and boasted the most impressive resume of suffering since the days of Job. Take a look at this rap sheet of persecution:
*5 times- whipped within an inch of his life.
*3 times- beaten with rods.
*3 times- shipwrecked and stranded in the sea.
*1 time- stoned and left for dead.
*Countless times in peril, weariness, toil, nakedness, and hunger.
The list could go on, but I think you get the idea, Paul had it pretty rough. And despite all his great suffering, never did Paul utter a word of complaint. Never, that is, until the “thorn” in his side. We don’t know exactly what the thorn was; all we know is that it drove Paul to his knees, pleading with God three times to remove it. He endured everything else, what "thorn" could be so bad that he felt he could not endure it? We don’t know, but we do know that Paul wanted it gone.
Something inside of me wants God to remove this thorn, because if God won’t remove Paul’s “thorn” what chance do I have? I mean, this is the apostle Paul, right? This is the greatest evangelist that the world has ever known. This is a man who gave up everything to follow Christ and held nothing, nothing back. Surely God will answer this one small request, but… He doesn’t.
Instead, he offers him this, “My grace is sufficient. My strength is made perfect in your weakness”
Paul learned what we must learn. Sometimes at our weakest point, we lean on God the most. And, only when we are weak, when we have no more strength of our own, do we see just how strong He is. Sure God can take away all of our troubles, sure he can take away our thorns, but then we would never be weak enough to seek His strength. Instead, he allows us to feel the pain as the world presses down upon us. He allows us to limp weakly into His open arms. Why? Because when we are weak, He is strong.
Prayer:
“Lord, please help us to find your strength in our times of weakness”
If ever there was a red headed step child of the bible, it was Paul. He was the most persecuted of all apostles and boasted the most impressive resume of suffering since the days of Job. Take a look at this rap sheet of persecution:
*5 times- whipped within an inch of his life.
*3 times- beaten with rods.
*3 times- shipwrecked and stranded in the sea.
*1 time- stoned and left for dead.
*Countless times in peril, weariness, toil, nakedness, and hunger.
The list could go on, but I think you get the idea, Paul had it pretty rough. And despite all his great suffering, never did Paul utter a word of complaint. Never, that is, until the “thorn” in his side. We don’t know exactly what the thorn was; all we know is that it drove Paul to his knees, pleading with God three times to remove it. He endured everything else, what "thorn" could be so bad that he felt he could not endure it? We don’t know, but we do know that Paul wanted it gone.
Something inside of me wants God to remove this thorn, because if God won’t remove Paul’s “thorn” what chance do I have? I mean, this is the apostle Paul, right? This is the greatest evangelist that the world has ever known. This is a man who gave up everything to follow Christ and held nothing, nothing back. Surely God will answer this one small request, but… He doesn’t.
Instead, he offers him this, “My grace is sufficient. My strength is made perfect in your weakness”
Paul learned what we must learn. Sometimes at our weakest point, we lean on God the most. And, only when we are weak, when we have no more strength of our own, do we see just how strong He is. Sure God can take away all of our troubles, sure he can take away our thorns, but then we would never be weak enough to seek His strength. Instead, he allows us to feel the pain as the world presses down upon us. He allows us to limp weakly into His open arms. Why? Because when we are weak, He is strong.
Prayer:
“Lord, please help us to find your strength in our times of weakness”
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Devos Saturday edition (By Pastor Brandon)
Thanks for nothin’!
2 Corinthians 2:14
Paul said, “Now thanks be to God who ALWAYS leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place” (Emphasis mine)
What do you think about when you think of victory? Winning? Fun times? Bragging rights? The Packers winning the Super Bowl? Generally the thought of triumph and victory brings good thoughts, good times, and good feelings.
Did you know that Paul was thrown in jail, beaten with rods multiple times, once beaten so bad that they hauled him outside the city and left him for dead, falsely accused over and over, ship wrecked and had to float out at sea for a whole day, bitten by an incredibly poisonous snake and had some of his closest friends turn on him, and much more. Now, I’m not the smartest pastor in the world, but I know enough to know that this does NOT sound like triumph. It certainly is not ALWAYS being led in triumph!
So, we can only conclude one of three things… either…
I choose to believe number 3. Paul did not go down in history as a crazy man. In fact, he was highly intelligent, well educated and well respected as a scholar. Further, had he been a liar his writings would have been exposed a long while before being put in the bible. So, we’re left with one explanation- triumph in Christ meant something different to Paul than what we normally think of when we think if victory and triumph.
The question really is triumph for who and for what? Me and my life? Me and my plans? Me and my family? For Paul the answer to this question was for Jesus and His Kingdom. You see, Paul shook the poisonous snake off his hand and turned it in to a testimony to tell others about Jesus. Triumph. The Philippian jailer who was guarding Paul in prison wound up getting saved because of Paul’s testimony. Triumph. The scars and marks from the beatings he took became an encouragement to other Christians facing persecution to hang in. Triumph.
No matter what we face, as long as we know for Who and for What (Jesus and His Kingdom), Jesus will ALWAYS lead us in triumph.
2 Corinthians 2:14
Paul said, “Now thanks be to God who ALWAYS leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place” (Emphasis mine)
What do you think about when you think of victory? Winning? Fun times? Bragging rights? The Packers winning the Super Bowl? Generally the thought of triumph and victory brings good thoughts, good times, and good feelings.
Did you know that Paul was thrown in jail, beaten with rods multiple times, once beaten so bad that they hauled him outside the city and left him for dead, falsely accused over and over, ship wrecked and had to float out at sea for a whole day, bitten by an incredibly poisonous snake and had some of his closest friends turn on him, and much more. Now, I’m not the smartest pastor in the world, but I know enough to know that this does NOT sound like triumph. It certainly is not ALWAYS being led in triumph!
So, we can only conclude one of three things… either…
- Paul was crazy, out of his mind and didn’t know what he was saying.
- He is a liar
- Or… he had something else in mind when considering what triumph in Christ really means.
I choose to believe number 3. Paul did not go down in history as a crazy man. In fact, he was highly intelligent, well educated and well respected as a scholar. Further, had he been a liar his writings would have been exposed a long while before being put in the bible. So, we’re left with one explanation- triumph in Christ meant something different to Paul than what we normally think of when we think if victory and triumph.
The question really is triumph for who and for what? Me and my life? Me and my plans? Me and my family? For Paul the answer to this question was for Jesus and His Kingdom. You see, Paul shook the poisonous snake off his hand and turned it in to a testimony to tell others about Jesus. Triumph. The Philippian jailer who was guarding Paul in prison wound up getting saved because of Paul’s testimony. Triumph. The scars and marks from the beatings he took became an encouragement to other Christians facing persecution to hang in. Triumph.
No matter what we face, as long as we know for Who and for What (Jesus and His Kingdom), Jesus will ALWAYS lead us in triumph.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Devos for April 5th (By Pastor Ben)
Scripture: Psalm 61:2 “from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.”
Here David is calling out to the Lord, remembering times that his heart has been faint yet he was able to lean on the Lord. David says “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I” Two things about this jumped out at me. 1 is that by calling it a rock higher than he is saying the issue is bigger than he can resolve. Often when we are in a troubled situation we tend to lean on our own strength. David recognizes that the solution is higher than he can reach and asks for God to lead him to that place. 2 Throughout the New Testament we see that Jesus is our rock, our foundation. The rock that is higher than I would be Jesus. In times of trouble for you and I we would need to be lead to Jesus! I want to be lead to him so that he can be my helper, my strength, my portion, my refuge, my hiding place. Jesus is my all and he is the rock that is higher than I.
Lord let me turn to you before I’m in over my head, before I’ve exhausted all other measures. Help me to have a mindset of you first. I want to rest in you when things get overwhelming because you are my rock and tower from my enemy. I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.
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