Scripture
I pray that God will give peace to everyone who belongs to Christ.
~I Peter 5:14, CEV
Quote
Peace is not the absence of trouble; it is the presence of Christ.
~Sheila Walsh
Isaiah asked some soul searching question: Why waste your money on junk? Why work hard for something that doesn’t satisfy? These are good questions. The Pharisees of Jesus day lived by a point system. They got points for giving alms to the poor; they got points for saying their prayers three times a day and they even got points for fasting. The Pharisees had no interest in pleasing God; they were people pleasers and when they did their good deeds, they made sure everyone knew because the desired end of their good deeds was the praise and admiration of men. Jesus called them hypocrites or actors: they were not what they seemed.
The bottom line is that they played to the audience not God. Jesus passion was to please the Father but they didn’t think like Jesus. They were motivated by the praise of men. Jesus says in John chapter five… “I do not accept glory from human beings, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? Jesus said the Pharisees got their reward, the praise of men, but it is short lived. The praise of men is junk food; it doesn’t nourish or satisfy. You see, men, no matter how much they admire you, cannot give you peace. The Pharisees did not have a relationship to God, He was not their Father. The world can never give us peace: only Jesus can give peace.
Not a lot of extra: we got another rain yesterday and I am not complaining. I am pretty sure that Lilly is coming home this week, maybe the later part. I’ve to to check on Tracey B. I have not heard a thing. Have a great day and week.