The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

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The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:11-14 (ESV)

The Pharisee: Full of himself, prideful, smug, our pastor calls them “the ‘look-at-ME’s.’” This man by tooting his own horn showed no respect before God.

The Tax Collector: Looked down upon by the community, humbled himself before God. He recognized he was a sinner. He asked for God’s mercy.

Luke tells us that the tax collector, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified.

Have I been a Pharisee? Yes, at one time or another in my life, I believe I have been. Have I admitted I was a sinner? Yes, when my words do not please God. When I have bad thoughts about another person or a situation.

Why did Luke say the tax collector, considered by the community as a thief, go home justified? God saw his heart and heard his pleas and saw him ‘just-as-if-I (he)’d’ not sinned. God forgave him--the tax collector.

God forgives each of us our sins when we humble ourselves and ask for His mercy. He does this because of His grace for us.

Abba Father: Please help us to humble ourselves when we come before You. Please forgive us our sins and speak words of kindness into our ears. Guide us as we strive to live for You in this fallen world. In the name of Jesus’ I pray. Amen.    

Book Review: The Psalms of Asaph:

Amazon.com

Struggling with Unanswered Prayer, Unfulfilled Promises, and Unpunished Evil

By James N. Watkins

Publisher: Bold Vision Books

Page count: 209

            James Watkins from Hope and Humor blog has explored the writings of Asaph in reference some hard questions of the Christian life.

Jim gives scriptural evidence that Asaph, a chief musician in David’s court, experienced times of doubt (Psalm 73.)

He uses his expertise to explore the writings of Asaph with examples from the Bible, from well-known Christian writers, from his own life experience, and from people he knows personally.

This book would benefit anyone who searches for answers to the deeper issues of prayer that seem to vex them.

The Psalms of Asaph is well-written and thoroughly researched. I believe it would be an asset to anyone’s personal library.

I found a study guide for small groups on his website, Psalms of Asaph study guide

I purchased this book myself. I chose to review it and give an unbiased review.

                             

Some Music I have heard lately.

I heard this first hymn at a funeral today. I love the words. The deceased gentleman was one that my visitation partner and I visited on a regular basis.

                I heard this hymn at a funeral last Friday. I had met the deceased gentleman, his wife, and their youngest son at one of the former churches I attended.

     

The Body

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If one member suffers, all suffer together, if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

1 Corinthians 12:26 (ESV)

The apostle Paul gives the Corinthian believers a picture of the church that is quite accurate. He compares the church to a body.

In his comparison, he tells us that a body has many members-a physical body has many organs that make up different systems. Likewise, a church is made up of different boards and committees, made up of individual people. The one phenomenon that can happen in the body of the church is people begin working together and friendships are formed. I say “can happen” because the Holy Spirit has to be invited into the hearts of those involved in the working of God’s houses of worship.

In a given few weeks, I personally have grieved for a family who suddenly lost their husband and father, and a second family who lost their father after a stroke and another disease. Also, I have rejoiced over the birth of our pastor’s granddaughter, two daughters and a son to people who call our church their church home.

God created the biological family and in-law families. He also created the spiritual family. We can learn from all three of these families what we need in order to live and guide us through those difficult times we will face in life sometimes just by being there with us.

Yes, I am still around. Break will have to come later. Please bear with me. The Holy Spirit is in control of my life. 

Plans Change

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Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Proverbs 19:21 (ESV)

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)

Yes, I know. I am supposed to be on a blog break, actually a vacation with Hubby. The weather forecasts changed out plan. Since we decided to wait until the weather would be better-(read not raining and not cold.) I have had the theme of these scriptures on my mind.

Instead of departing our home and heading south, I attended a funeral at our church. The departed gentleman was in a car wreck north and east of our city last Saturday. When our pastor began the service, he said, “Gathering here today was not in any of our plans. It wasn’t even on our radar.” These words brought me back to thinking about the plans we make.

As human beings, we are not able to see the future, we only see a small part of our lives. God sees the big picture and knows what lays ahead for us. We have to trust Him for everything. We also need to thank Him for all He has given us, and for all the people He sends into our lives.

Our bags are still packed. We don’t know when we will get to leave for warmer climes. I am learning to wait upon God and listen to what He has to tell me. I try not to get upset when plans don’t go the way I think they should. I believe this is part of obedience.

Spiritual Refreshing at Special Times

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Repent, therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19 (ESV)

The Apostle Peter had healed a beggar. The healed man was ecstatic over what had happened. Those who saw him were amazed.

Peter began to speak to the people about how they had denied God’s son and turned Him over to be crucified and had asked that a murderer be released to them.

Peter, then tells the crowd that all they had to do in order to be forgiven and refreshed is to repent, turn away from their bad acts.

Repentance has a simple definition; “To turn away from.” Before a person can truly repent one has to recognize what he or she did was wrong. A person who is guilty of evil things has to acknowledge that his or her actions were wrong and/or hurtful to others.

The wrong-doer has to search his heart to understand these steps. Also, that person needs to be certain that he or she can honestly say that what they did was wrong. There is no room for ‘lip service’ in this process. True repentance comes from the heart. 

I am taking a break from my computer. I will be back online on April 23. 

Refreshing of Our Spirit

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for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people.1 Corinthians 16:18 (ESV)

Paul, toward the end of his first letter to the believers at Corinth, writes thanking them for sending Stephanus, Fortunatus, and Achaicus to him. He tells them that these three refreshed his spirit.

What does it mean when someone or something refreshes our spirit? Do we feel better about things? Are we able to view our surroundings with joy and gladness? Does the work go easier?

As God’s child, I sometimes get frustrated when I watch the news broadcasts. Even reading the newspaper can bring me down. However, from time to time, I hear or read something that perks me up.

At times, when I pray about a need or a circumstance that vexes me, I have to ask God to give me His eyes to view that situation.

When I pray the Lord’s Prayer, I find my spirit lifted when I focus on the words: “Give us this day our daily bread,”

We have times when God will use a friend to refresh our spirit. One of my local friends does this just by speaking. I can usually hear the joy bubbling in her voice. We have known each other long enough that I can also sense when something is bothering her.

We truly have times when God uses those down times to minister to us. He refreshes us by His very presence. Even if our circumstance seems bleak and unchanging, He is there with us and that fact refreshes our spirits in ways that nothing else will.