Naked

Friday, January 12, 2024

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day:   Psalm 118:5-6

 I called on the Lord in distress; The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

Memory verse: Romans 8:32 ►

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Today's reading: GENESIS 29-30 MATTHEW 9:1-17

Naked

The fable of the Emperor's new clothes-remember-no one would tell him he was naked except a boy.

Jesus told the Pharisees basically the same thing. When you wear nothing but power, people can see right through the facade. They knew the law of Moses up and down and treated people with harsh contempt. They used their position to elevate only themselves.

Jesus said, "Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

"Mercy? We, the all-powerful, keepers of the law do not know mercy? Who is this peasant who tells us we are 'naked'?

The next time someone tells you that you are wrong and you allow it to make you angry, think about that anger you feel and know that some of that same feeling, that comes from the enemy, nailed Jesus to the cross. Color it anyway you want, but anger, left unchecked is pride out of control.

The hope is always in the 'self-control' and the rest of the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22, 23. Why do you think Paul tells us to put on Jesus?

Romans 13:14 ►Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

With anything else but Jesus, we are all naked, foolish emperors. But, clothed in Him, we have a life worth wearing-life eternal.

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven

I confess I lose my temper. Thank you for self control but I need to live more for You and less for me. Teach me, oh Lord.

Merciful, merciful, forgiving, Lord...

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen