FEBRUARY 5, 2020

“One thing you can't hide - is when you're crippled inside.” 
― John Lennon

EXODUS 37-38

 22Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made everything the Lord commanded Moses; 23with him was Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan—an engraver and designer, and an embroiderer in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen.(37:22-23)

MATTHEW 23:23-39

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. 24You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

25“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

JOURNAL 

Oh how often I am guilty of this...making sure the outside looks good before worrying over the inside. I think it is common for us all because we get something out of the outside being "clean" yet most often the internal is between us and God. Yet if there is one place to start it is in "justice, mercy and faithfulness". To seek perfection in these 3 will take care of the part that the world sees. 

I can't help but wonder the blessings and the change that would happen if we truly aspired to loving others and valuing compassion, grace and love as much as we do winning, championships and fame. 

To see hard work, dedication and excellence play out in way that is rewarded is great. But how much greater to honor and seek the fruits of the spirit and to truly walk in the heart and soul of the spirit of God...

27“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

MATTHEW 23:27-28