- Tuesday, 10/12/21 Matthew 23:3, All therefore whatsoever [the Pharisees] bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. Inappropriate messengers DO
NOT invalidate godly messages. Poor examples of leadership DO NOT excuse disobedience. Genesis 31:1-2, And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father's; and of that which was our father's hath he gotten all this glory. And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before. It seems that Laban was influenced by his adult children. He had been OK with the financial arrangements with Jacob. Beware of unbiblical counsel, even if it comes from someone related to you. (And this may be more common because of their close relations to you.) Let the Bible and doing right according to God always be the standard and the main influencer of your thinking. Yes, our family may know our situation better than outsiders, but that doesn’t make them more spiritual, and probably removes most, if not all, of the their objectivity.
- Wednesday, 10/13/21 Matthew 23:23, Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Beware of more readily doing the visible, quantifiable aspects of Christianity while overlooking the non-visible, inner heart traits. Matthew 20:6, And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? Oh that we would be so willing to work for God that we would wait in a place of potential work this long...especially when it seems that we’re wasting time and spinning our wheels. Keep on serving as best you can where, praying all you can for greater usage, and be as available as you can when the Husbandman comes looking for laborers.
- Thursday, 10/14/21 Matthew 23:37, O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! True love is demonstrated when we want those who hate us, hurt us, slander us, and despise us to be right with God FOR THEIR SAKES. “I deserve to go to Heaven: me, Terry Hedderman, I am WORTHY of that!” Despite the seeming arrogance of that statement, it is true. Matthew 22:8, Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Those who refuse Christ’s offer of a free pardon from the Lamb of God but rather choose a fair trial from a holy God are not worthy to go to Heaven and WILL go to Hell. They chose to not become worthy via childlike, simple faith. Have you trusted His substitutionary sacrifice plus NOTHING such as baptism, good deeds, church membership, as your only hope for Heaven?
- Friday, 10/15/21 Psalm 98:4, Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. If we would revel more in the six things that He’s done that are detailed in V1-3, it wouldn’t be difficult at all to obey this fourth verse. Proverbs 10:17, He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth. There are 3 states for mankind given in this verse: there is the person who accepts and keeps instruction; there is (implied) the one who accepts reproof and allows himself to be redirected; and there is the one who refuses any attempts at direction. Where do you spend most of your time?
- Saturday, 10/16/21 Proverbs 10:23, It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom. To a fool, doing mischief is a game, i.e. it is FUN. But the wise man looks at the end of things and sees the danger of living to please the flesh, or the sin of aggravating another. Does Christianity seem to “not be working” for you? James 3:18, And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. The fruit of the righteous (if we’re saved, we’re righteous, right?) is planted in them that MAKE peace. Rubber hitting the road time: how forgiving are you? (That’s making peace when we are wronged.) How apologetic are you? (Making peace when we are wrong.) And the big one re: making peace: are you a active soul winner making peace between people and God?
- Sunday, 10/17/21 Matthew 25:45, Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye DID IT NOT to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. I sure want to be a doer to the least and not a not doer. Jesus will be on your path sometime this week: DO for the least of His, your brethren. Psalm 23:1, The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Some are predicting dire financial times are soon to come. Resolve now to trust the Shepherd then. Ask now for wisdom to deal with, and grace to be content in the situation then. And remember, He’s not a bit shaken nor surprised: He’s in charge, and He’s got us. On the mountaintop or in the valley, stay close to the Shepherd. Stay close, and get closer.
- Monday, 10/18/21 Psalm 25:10, All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. To the degree that we obey His directives, the more we will see our paths as pleasant and right and mercy-full. James 3:13, Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. The Christian who “has it all together,” whose Christianity “works” for him, the one who “is just different” from the rest, that Christian will have a good lifestyle (conversation), will actively be working for God, and will wisely adjust his pace to the pace of others and to their level of maturity.