Good Morning Biblejournal family,
Today’s Reading: Luke 12
Our last few posts have included the importance of prayer. How have these chapters engaged and enhanced your focus on prayer? While I have reflected on prayer, I think about how my daily prayers can include praying for growing in a relationship with our Lord personally, for family, friends, and those still lost. Many times these prayers can have a focus on current circumstances I’m going through or ones that have been shared. One of my continual prayers is found at the beginning of todays reading. Speaking to me, really, convicting me, is the first couple verses of Luke. Enjoy reading through Luke 12 as it is filled with so many warnings and encouragements.
In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.
We have written on hypocrisy many times throughout bible journal the last few years. If you would like to read some more look up hypocrisy in the search box. One of the last ones I wrote about I reflected on was, ” Do as I say, not as I do. “
Today, my heart reminded me of the Pharisees, wanting to appear to look good on the outside, yet on the inside their hearts were far from God. Their selfishness was growing like yeast. It’s scary when I think how selfish I can be at times, the continual private prayer I have is to have this awareness when my selfishness can creep in and avoid the temptation. So when I looked back at one of my study bibles on this topic it reminded me about these possible signs to avoid. Hypocrisy is knowing the truth but not obeying it. People can say they follow Him, yet not obey. My simple prayer is to obey. Hypocrisy can include a self-serving life. Leading should be not about control or position, but serving others. Hypocrisy can include an outward conformity without an inner reality. Saying one thing…and doing another. Honestly, I’ve fallen short many times. It’s hard to admit. Thankfully Romans 5:8 reminds me that Jesus loved us so much, that he died for us, while we were still sinners. That daily we can ask God to search us, see if there is anything offensive in us, and lead us closer to Him. Psalm 139:24.
Dear God,
I pray to help us live rightly. To simply obey. Lord help us to be aware of all the ways the world can pull us away from you. Help us to focus on your words of truth that can will keep our paths straight, in your light, and away from hypocrisy. God we know that there is nothing we do or say that you don’t already know or see. Help us to take up our cross daily and submit to you. We love you Lord and thank you for your words today that will be implanted in our hearts and minds today. Amen