25th. March. 2022. Daily Devotion.
23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. Matthew 23:23
When laws, rules, regulations, and ideas, grounded in Biblical thinking, becomes priority over patience, kindness, compassion, love, forgiveness, gentleness, joy, peace, justice, mercy, faithfulness, and self-control, something is radically wrong. Jesus recognized this when he called the Pharisees, hypocrites.
Have we become hateful, hypocritical Christians, focusing on some things, but ignoring the matters of the heart? Do we, by our hypocrisy, strut piously while shutting the door to the kingdom in the faces of people? Who would ever want to come through the doors of the kingdom, when we do not really enter ourselves? (Matthew 23:13) Hateful Christianity, an oxymoron, like oil and water, will not mix. Woe unto us who spew hate, or even have a condemning thought, claiming it’s in the name of Jesus Christ. J Calvert
God, Thank you for showing me your true love by grace, not judgment. In Christ Name, Amen
Though we cannot love you as we ought, O Lord, let us love you as we are able, that guided by your light and kept by your power, we come at the last, into your glorious presence. Amen. Thomas Ken (1637-1711)
Loving God, I long for a place where all are welcome regardless of gender, ethnicity, status, ability and sexuality. A place where it doesn’t matter if I am on my own, or my upbringing is different, or my politics and views are not the same as others near me. I long to see a smile, and Christians willing to be accepting of everyone, prepared to welcome just as Jesus did. Amen.
General Prayer for this time
Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy
in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.
A prayer for the world
God of love and hope,
you made the world and care for all creation, but the world feels strange right now.
The news is still full of stories about Coronavirus.
Some people are worried that they might get ill.
Others are anxious for their family and friends.
Be with them and help them to find peace.
We pray for the doctors and nurses and scientists, and all who are working to discover the right medicines to help those who are ill.
Thank you that even in these anxious times, you are with us.
Help us to put our trust in you and keep us safe. Amen.