Are we like the Pharisees?

I was reading in the Gospel of John last night when I came upon something that made me stop and think, "Am I like the Pharisees?" I will quote the passage, "Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn - and I would heal them. Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him. Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God" (12:37-43).

It is the last phrase I want to comment on, "...for they loved praise from men more than praise from God." Were these leaders that came to Christ Pharisees? I believe they were; I also believe that Nicodemus was one of them. They would have been afraid to let the other Pharisees know because they knew what would happen; after all they were Pharisees too. It says that they (the Pharisees) loved praise from men more than praise from God. Do we love praise from men more than praise from God? Shouldn't what God think be more important than what men think? It should, but because we are human and often have self-esteem issues, we crave praise from others. Does that make us Pharisees? We often criticize the Pharisees, but take a good look at yourself; Do you think like the Pharisees? I know I do. This is something that I have been working on - doing things for the right reasons, not doing things for people, not doing things to get a reaction from people, to soothe my ego - but doing things for God; after all, isn't what He thinks more important?

Am I there yet? No. And I won't be here on the earth; but I want to do things for the right reasons. Do you?

Are you are a Mary or a Martha?

Luke 10:38-42: "While Jesus and his followers were travelling, Jesus went into a town. A woman named Martha let Jesus stay at her house. Martha had a sister named Mary, who was sitting at Jesus'feet and listening to him teach. But Martha was busy with all the work to be done. She went in and said, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me alone to do all the work? Tell her to help me."
But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. Only one thing is important. Mary has chosen the better thing, and it will never be taken away from her."


Which sister are you most like?

Martha...given to hospitality and organization...is there anything wrong with that? NO. Mary...likes to think...she likes to listen to Jesus teach...is there anything wrong with that? NO. Then where's the problem? It's in the attitude and balance.

Martha wanted Mary to help her. Did she ask her? No. Instead she stewed about it, got upset and went to Jesus about her sister. Have you ever done that? Have I? Yes, I have. I find that I am a lot like Martha. Martha wanted to do what was right; but she had a bad attitude about doing it alone. Why do we do things? Is it for us or is it for God? We need to examine our hearts. Why was Martha upset with Mary? What she was doing was good; but why was she doing it? Maybe she wanted credit and didn't get it...maybe she wanted a compliment...maybe she wanted to be noticed...whatever the reason, it was wrong. She was being selfish...she wanted the glory. Why do we do what we do for God? Do we have selfish motives; or do we do it for God. It is so easy to do things for the wrong reasons...I have problems with that. No matter how hard I try not to be selfish when doing things, it has a way of creeping in. I am working on this. I ask God to help me do things for His glory, not mine. I have to keep asking though.

Mary...was there anything wrong with sitting at Jesus' feet listening ...no, of course not. But we need balance in our lives. We need to be like both sisters...it's good to serve and it's good to listen...but watch the attitude that goes with both...Mary could have been the one to get mad...she could have been jealous of her sister...she could have thought that Martha wasn't as spiritual as she was...the balance of things is having a right attitude...it's a heart matter. Where is your heart at?

I want to be like both Mary and Martha...one that serves with the right attitude and also has time to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen. This is an ongoing thing...ask God to help you to have a right attitude...and to have the time to really listen to what He has to say to you.

Does reading the Bible change you?

Someone close to me told me a while back that they couldn't see where reading my Bible was doing anything for me...that they couldn't see a change in my life...that floored me...it bothered me A LOT...I thought I could see a change in me...I definately felt different when I read my Bible than I did when I didn't read it...I thought about this for months...and then it hit me...you can read the Bible all you want, but if you don't ask God to change you through it, then it's just like reading any other book...if you want to be changed, ask God to change you, He will...but be prepared...it won't be easy...change is hard...but it is definately worth it! So, read your Bible yes, but if you want to be changed by it, then ask God to change you...you will be glad you did!

Are you living in Laodicea?

In 1985-86, I had a roommate at London Baptist Bible College. She had this tape that I liked - Steve Camp "Fire and Ice". I bought it. On this tape there was a song called "Living in Laodicea". Recently, I bought "The Steve Camp Collection" on CD and this song is on it. Listening to my itunes this morning, I heard this song. It reminded me of what our pastors are trying to get through to us. Read the lyrics and see what you think. Are you living in Loadicea?

Oh Lord, take Your plow to my fallowed ground
Let Your blade dig down to the soil of my soul
For I've become dry and dusty, Lord I know there must be
Richer earth lying below.

Chorus

For I've been living in Laodicea
And the fire that once burned bright, I've let it grow dim
And the very Word I swore that I would die for, all has been forgotten
As the world's become my friend.

We have turned from Your law to try to find a better way
Each man does today what is right in his own eyes
We will pay the price for our sinning
We can never know true living, we've exchanged His truth for lies.

Chorus

For I've been living in Laodicea
And the fire that once burned bright, I've let it grow dim
And the very Word I swore that I would die for, all has been fogotten
As the world's become my friend.

It is no small of a thing that He's done for you
By shutting the gates of hell upon the cross
We were sentenced once but now we are pardoned
And He chooses to use us though we fall.

So, while we're living in Laodicea
Keep the fire burning bright, don't let it grow dim
For the very Word we swore that we would die for, it must not be forgotten
Fear the world become a friend.


I confess that I have been living in Laodicea! Thank you God for showing me my erring ways. I want to be fire burning bright for You!

So, are you living in Laodicea? Is your light burning dim? Has the world become your friend? Are you as excited now as when you first became a Christian? Your light doesn't have to grow dim! Ask God to bring you back to your first love. After all, it didn't leave, you did! Spend time with Him...Get back in tune with God...He's waiting!