The Evil Inside of Me
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. (Matthew 23:25-28 ESV)
Too often, when I read Jesus’ confronting words to the scribes and Pharisees, I envision those types of people, when I, in fact, fit the description and am guilty of all charges.
David did this, too. When the prophet Nathan told David of a man who had committed a selfish, unjust act, David demanded vengeance. Then Nathan turned to David and said: “You are the man.”
We often want justice for other people’s sins, while praying for mercy for our own.
Jesus’ words to the scribes and Pharisees made a direct hit to my heart today. He described these men as giving attention to the outward actions, while ignoring the true issue – the inward motivation of a sinful, selfish heart.
Like many religious people today, the scribes and Pharisees lived a life of legalism according to the letter of the law. But Jesus revealed that a person’s heart, as well as his actions, is seen and judged by God.
There are two words that are often used in scripture to define sin: Transgression and Iniquity.
A transgression (trespass) is an outward action or choice to cross the line and sin.
Iniquity is our inward motivation to sin. It is our heart, thoughts, attitudes that, left unchecked, lead us to eventually transgress.
Many people only see their transgressions as sin, but Jesus said: “Even if you hate your brother in your heart… Or look at a person with lust in your heart…you have already sinned.”
The Holy Spirit desires to draw our attention not merely to our transgressions, but also to our iniquity, in order that Jesus can set us free from both the outward actions and the inward motivation of sin.
God declared a powerful truth through the prophet Isaiah – one that clearly depicts the forgiveness and freedom we have in Jesus Christ:
He was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquity.
Did you see the significance of what God said?
Jesus was wounded (outward bleeding) for our transgressions (outward acts of sin).
And…Jesus was bruised (inward bleeding) for our iniquity (inward motivation to sin).
The blood of Jesus is powerful enough to not only forgive you of your sin (outward and inward), but to set you free from the bondage of sin!!
As Paul said; “Sin shall not have dominion over you any longer!”
Today, allow God to go past the obvious, outward transgressions to confront the secret, inward motivations of your heart.
He whom the Son sets free is free indeed!
Father,
May the words of my mouth (outward) and the meditation of my heart (inward) be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer.
Amen.
You Have Access to Heaven’s Resources
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19 ESV)
Jesus has given to every believer the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
Think of it this way: Jesus has given you the keys and access code to a safe deposit box of unlimited resource, provision, healing, peace, joy, ability, and authority.
Whatever your circumstance in life you have access to heaven’s resources.
You are not limited.
You are not at a dead end.
You are not without hope.
You have the keys.
Jesus taught us that accessing heaven’s resources comes through prayer. When we pray we are literally invoking God’s will to be done “on earth as it is in heaven.”
Simply put, prayer brings heaven’s resources to earth.
Worry and fear are a waste of time and energy. Allow faith to rise up in your spirit! Approach your gracious God through prayer. Ask Him to intervene in your life, and watch as heaven invades earth!
Nothing is impossible with God!
When a Man Fights in Faith
And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:32 ESV)
Goliath was intimidating. Backed by the Philistine army, he came out every day for forty days to taunt and threaten the army of Israel.
Fear paralyzes even warriors. The men of Israel, along with their King, Saul, were at an impasse. Their fear kept them from going any further.
They were face to face with an enemy they weren’t confident they could defeat. So, rather than fighting, they stood trembling.
David, the youngest of eight brothers, had been sent by his father to check on his older brothers who were in the army. As he approached the camp he heard Goliath’s threats and dishonor of God.
Instead of trembling in fear, David responded out of his faith. He was stirred to action, eventually facing the giant and bringing him to his death.
One man’s faith can conquer the fear of an entire army.
The tide had turned. Now the Philistines were trembling, while Israel was shouting. All because one man stood up to fight.
Is the enemy taunting and threatening you, attempting to strike fear in you?
Don’t stand paralyzed and afraid! Rise up in faith! Your God is your shield! The battle belongs to Him, and He always wins!
Father,
Today I refuse to be paralyzed with fear. I choose to trust in The Lord of Heaven’s Armies to bring victory to my life, my family, my church, and my community.
In Jesus’ name, amen!
The Spiritual Gift of Prophecy
And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” (1 Samuel 3:10 ESV)
At a time when the prophetic word of The Lord was rare, God chose to speak to a boy – a young man named Samuel, whose parents had dedicated him to The Lord, bringing him to live and serve among the priests.
Samuel had never heard or sensed the voice of God before, so when he heard this Voice he assumed it to be the priest Eli. Once Eli realized that Samuel was hearing the Voice of God, he instructed Samuel to listen carefully.
God did not take it easy on Samuel just because he was a rookie. The word from The Lord was direct, precise, and caused a heaviness of heart. God told Samuel that his mentor and father-figure, Eli, along with his sons, were about to die because of their disrespect toward God.
Despite the sobering message, Samuel proved faithful to the Voice of God. Therefore God trusted Samuel with His Voice. Samuel became one of the most influential prophets/priests of the Old Testament.
Although God speaks directly to people through His Word and His Spirit, He still speaks through others. The gift of prophecy can be exercised by any Spirit-led believer; and the office of Prophet still functions today.
I have experienced the blessing of prophetic words being spoken to me, confirming God’s direction for my life. I have also given prophetic words to many people.
I am more convinced than ever that God loves speaking to and encouraging His people, and that He loves to utilize people to bless other people.
Certainly we must never abuse this precious gift by either blindly trusting every word uttered to us, or by using the words “God told me” to manipulate people in any way.
Discernment and judgment must be exercised in weighing every prophetic word against the revealed Word of God (Scripture).
But when this gift flows in alignment with the Word and Spirit of God, it is a tremendous blessing to others.
Like Samuel, may we be people who hear and declare the Voice of God!
And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. (1 Samuel 3:19 ESV)
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Faithful, but Fierce
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, (Deuteronomy 7:9 ESV)
The God I serve is a faithful God. He keeps His word. He fulfills His promises. He is gracious and kind, benevolent and merciful.
There is no god like God. Generation after generation has benefited from His covenant love. But, make no mistake, the same covenant love that is described as faithful is also fierce.
God is not careless or crude, nor will He permit me to be so. His ways and thoughts are Holy – entirely set apart from mine.
In His presence I am keenly aware of my frailties – my sin. But His grace is greater still.
He does not ignore sin.
He redeems me from it.
He does not lower His standard of righteousness.
He became Man so He could pay the necessary price to give me His righteousness.
He is God.
I am not.
Yet, He loves me.
Thank You, Father. Today I receive Your covenant love!
Pastor Dale Jenkins 