Daily Dose 2-4-12

Matthew 23:25-26 (MSG) "You're hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You burnish the surface of your cups and bowls so they sparkle in the sun, while the insides are maggoty with your greed and gluttony. Stupid Pharisee! Scour the insides, and then the gleaming surface will mean something.”

When we see pictures of Jesus, this one is not often painted. What must the look on His face been as He spoke with disgust to the spiritual leaders of His day? He was ticked! Instead of giving sound instruction for the spiritual hearts of the people, they were focused on increasing their own power and wealth coming into the synagogue. People looked to them as spiritual leaders, but Jesus saw their hearts. If you are a coffee drinker, you know what the inside of a white cup looks like after years of the piping hot, dark liquid penetrating the pristine white coating. If it is simply rinsed out for the next use, the white cup becomes dingy and stained. The outside may rinse off fine, but the inside never looks quite the same. If coffee is allowed to sit inside a white mug overnight, stubborn rings form that are harder to remove. What are you keeping inside the cup of your heart? Are you a pew-sitting Christian with striking attendance and service features designing your outside, but inside you allow the pristine surface of your redeemed heart to become dingy and stained? Go to Jesus. Imagine Him making this speech to you. As He confronts you about your cup, hand it to Him and let Him clean the inside for you. He will help you do the dishes every day if you let Him!

Dear Jesus, You know the stains on the cup of my heart. I have rinsed when You said scrub. Help me to bring back the pure, pristine heart You died to redeem. I love You! Amen

Daily Dose 2-3-12

Exodus 17:10-13 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

God can quite easily accomplish any task He chooses to do alone. He doesn’t NEED our help. The beauty of God’s love is shown when He chooses to accomplish His work WITH us and THROUGH us. At some point, we will all be in similar roles described in this scripture. Sometimes, we are called to be Moses and serve as the leader, encourager or prayer warrior. Other times, we will be like Aaron and Hur, supporting and serving leaders to carry out God’s will. Then, there will be days we are Joshua, fighting in the trenches. Our battles are tough and they seem impossible. We may not “see” God or the ones He has chosen to assist us, but we know when the power of God is shown. Where are you? Do you think your role of supporting leaders is insignificant? Think of Aaron and Hur! Are you a leader feeling weary and tired? Call on Godly people to help! Are you in the trenches feeling embattled and alone? Look to spiritual leaders to lift their arms for you! God doesn’t call us to fight our battles alone!

Father, Thank you for the leaders and prayer warriors You have placed in my life through the years. May I always be open and eager to serve in any role You ask of me to accomplish Your will. Amen

(Repost from 2-3-2011)