Saturday 1-16-16 (Home in Modesto,
California)
Scripture reading for today: Gen 39
- 41 Luke 16
S=Scripture O=Observation
A=Application P=Prayer SOAP for the soul.
S. Luke 16:14-15 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these
things, and they derided Him. And He said to them, "You are those who
justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly
esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. NKJV
Luke 16:14-15 The classy Pharisees jingled the
silver coins in their pockets while listening to Jesus’ stories. They
made crude jokes about Him, snickering among themselves, mocking Him.
Jesus confronted them directly, “You guys look pretty good to your peers, but
there is a God in heaven that can see what’s under your fancy robes. He’s
looking at your hearts. While men applaud you... what God sees
stinks.” NUHV*
O. Jesus did not
take kindly to outward displays of religion... when He knew that under that
façade they were stuck-up brats.
A. But what about
me? I like to look good to my peers, too. I haven’t even started to
preach yet and the audience is applauding me. I act cool and as humble as
I know how... and tell them to be seated. But what is God seeing under my
pretty striped shirt. Does He smell something nasty... like pride, for
instance?
P. Savior, rescue me from
the stench of religious pride as I stand before a small group or before
thousands. Protect me from the danger of working so diligently to look
good before men while failing to be acceptable in Your sight. That would
be a tragedy. May I fall at Your feet and never forget that if any event
is going to really bring lasting fruit for Your kingdom, this grain of wheat
has to hit the soil and die. Amen.
Ralph
*New Unauthorized Hiatt Version
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