A Lesson For The Religious #153

Luke 18:10-14

10 "Two men went up to the temple complex to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

11 The Pharisee took his stand [a] and was praying like this: 'God, I thank You that I'm not like other people [b] — greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth [c] of everything I get.'

13 "But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even raise his eyes to heaven but kept striking his chest [d] and saying, 'God, turn Your wrath from me [e] —a sinner! '

14 I tell you,

this one went down to his house justified rather than the other; because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." (HCSB)

Do you ever get the “look down your nose syndrome?” Simply put; do you sometimes think you are better than someone else? Jesus was very hard on people whose attitude was that of the Pharisee. The parable of Jesus illustrates two people. One person was pious in his own mind. He gave examples that would have been appropriate for a religious person of his day. He was a pray-er. He prayed to himself, by himself. He saw himself as absent of greed, unrighteousness, adultery, or even someone remotely like the tax collector. He fasted twice a week and was a faithful tither.

Most churches would give anything to have a church full of people like this man. “Maybe we do.”

In the same room, but far away, likely because of shame, stood the dreaded tax collector. He saw his sin but could do nothing about it. He was broken by his sin and recognized he deserved punishment. He cried out for mercy. Jesus’ conclusion: the tax collector was justified before God, made right, accepted and received God’s love and forgiveness. The Pharisee on the other hand was not. Jesus then says if we exalt ourselv

es we will be humbled. If we humble ourselves God will exalt us.

What a great lesson for religious people. Our acceptance by God is based on our broken and humbled hearts. Put one on today. God will exalt you.

_______________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks,

Hope your day is off to great start and ends even better.

Sandy and I are enjoying our summer.We are spending our time watching our grandsons and trying to catch up on things that need done around the house. We have several projects still not completed. There are not enough hours in the day to get them done and take a good nap.

Thanks for your prayers for Johnny. Also thank you for inquiring about his wellbeing. He is better. He now has his helmet in place in order to correct the ‘toaster head’ he received as a preemie. He doesn’t like it very well, but it is necessary. Wediscovered his digestive issues were caused by reflux, milk allergies, and yet to developswallowing techniques. He should outgrow all of them by one year. We praise God that he continues to grow and flourish. He is over 13 pounds.

We are scheduled to be in South Dakota again this year. We leave the last week of July and come home the first week of August. We look forward to seeing friend

s in Pierre. They have been hit hard by the flooding of the Missouri river. Many have damaged homes. Pray for them.

God continues to bless both Sandy and me with good health. I have

discovere

d that retirees never get a day off. We are so grateful for the strength to serve the

Lord and our family.

We would really appreciate your prayers for the opportunity to teach and preach in the area while we are home. ~ DGW