Some worship thoughts for followers of Jesus Christ!

Tag: Pharisee

Jesus Commandments

Beware of Evil Influences
“Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
(Matthew 16:6, NIV)

We have so many influences competing for our attention and submission. Some are good for us and some are bad. Nonetheless, the more time we spend fascinated by the things of this world, the more we become saturated in their messages and themes. In this commandment Jesus warns us to “be on guard” concerning the spiritual teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

A Pharisee is defined by the dictionary as “a member of an ancient Jewish sect, distinguished by strict observance of the traditional and written law, and commonly held to have pretensions to superior sanctity.” Subsequently, a Sadducee is defined as “a member of a Jewish sect or party of the time of Jesus Christ that denied the resurrection of the dead, the existence of spirits, and the obligation of oral tradition, emphasizing acceptance of the written Law alone.”

We all deal with self-righteousness. We all need more grace and humility. Outward complaining can show the heart of a person struggling with self-righteousness. You may not like the unexpected “pickle left in your sandwich,” but have you considered that there may be more to the “pickle” story? There usually is! I believe the opposite of self-righteousness is displayed through humility. Real compassion needs the testimony of sacrificial service. The deeper valleys we tread during our service will be the proof of God’s love, grace, and mercy working in our lives.

Father, Protect us from the evil influences to our soul in this world. Especially, our own minds! Help us to guard our eyes, ears, hands and heart from the things of this world that would obscure or obstruct our pursuit of You. O Lord! Break our will! May the Holy Spirit reign over all our decisions, guide our steps, and lead us in Your Way everlasting! In Christ’s Name, Amen.

Biblical Fasting

When Jesus spoke about fasting, he didn’t say if you fast, but “when you fast” (Matthew 6:16).

“Then the followers of John came to Jesus and said, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees often fast for a certain time, but your followers don’t?’ Jesus answered, ‘The friends of the bridegroom are not sad while he is with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and then they will fast.'” (Matthew 9:14-15).

Fasting does not impress God with our spirituality to the point that he ignores our disobedience. On the contrary, genuine fasting will always cause us to examine our hearts to make sure everything is right with Him. (Isaiah 58)

Several years ago, during a fast, God told me fasting was about “denying my flesh to strengthen my spirit.”

It’s not about dieting, it’s not about looking religious (hypocrisy), and it’s not about trying to do something religious in order to manipulate God. (I have tried this — I accomplished nothing.)

When the Bible uses the term “fasting” it has spiritual goals in mind.

Biblical fasting is “not eating” with spiritual communication in mind. You can pray without fasting, but you cannot fast without praying. Biblical fasting is deliberately abstaining from food for a spiritual reason: communication and relationship with the Father.

Fasting is a physical discipline necessary at times for holiness. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father is only as good as our communication with Him. Sometimes during our service to the Lord, the noise of sin in this world can dampen His voice. We are constantly bombarded with temptation and the desires of our flesh. Gluttony and Sex run rabid in our world. Not to mention, gluttony carries over into other areas of sin such as greed and materialism. God wants us to live in moderation – with temperance, restraint, and self-control. God wants us to live in peace. Pride and greed can not have a foothold in our lives physically or spiritually.

Fasting is a way for me to tell my flesh “No!” because I need a better relationship with my Father. I need to clearly hear Him. We must all realize there are something’s we can not accomplish by prayer alone. We need His divine direction, protection, healing, and revelation that can only be brought about through prayer and fasting.

We need to always be very aware of what we ask of Him — even in our songs and hymns: I surrender all (Do we really?) Just a closer walk (Are we ready for where that closeness will take us?)

By God’s Mercy, I will “offer my body up as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to the Lord.”

“When you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you” (Jeremiah 29:13,14). Fasting is an expression of wholeheartedness. This is clear from Joel’s call to the nation of Israel: “Yet even now,” says the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting. . .” (Joel 2:12).

(Taken from a devotion written in October 2007, Marshall Mabry)

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