Love not Power - Day 114 Month 4-24 Week 17-2

 Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year)


Numbers 30:1-31:24, Psalm 91, Jeremiah 9:23-10:10, Luke 20:19-47

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2030%3A1-31%3A24%2C%20Psalm%2091%2C%20Jeremiah%209%3A23-10%3A10%2C%20Luke%2020%3A19-47&version=NASB1995


Love not Power


Beware of the religious leaders, who like to walk around in expensive suits, and love respectful greetings in the world, and lead mega churches and sit at the head table at banquets and prayer breakfasts, who take the homes of widows’, who give sacrificially to their causes, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers.


I took the liberty of rewriting Luke 20:46,47 and changed the wording to a more current representation of current North America.  Not all leaders of mega churches fit that category; not all who lead prayer breakfasts fit that category; not all wear expensive suits; and some do look after the widows.  The point I’d like to suggest is that many religious leaders are in it for their own personal gain and glory or they are misguided in their allegiances.  I was reading this morning a news story where a US religious leader, who is a staunch supporter of US president Donald Trump, receives over $1 million per year for the 2 “ministries” he oversees.  I know how many people, without great financial means, have supported both of their organizations extensively.  I have a problem with that.


I have a test to confirm their authenticity!  Does the religious leader accurately represent the character of God?


In our Jeremiah reading today we read, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts, boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things.”  In Luke 7:22 we read Jesus' description of His ministry to John’s disciples “the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them.”  In Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus stated what is expected by God for people who represent Him.  That is “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” and “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”   Jesus also says in John 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  The Biblical quotations could go on and on!  This is the character of God and the expectation of anyone who is a Jesus follower.  In short, God is Love!!


A small encouragement for those who love Jesus.  Psalm 91:1,2 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will live in the protective shadow of the Almighty.  I will say to the LORD,”My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!””


Isn’t it amazing, we can have safety in the arms of God because He loves us!


Have a great day!

Steve

steve.d.pauls@gmail.com


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