Matthew 23:26 (NIV)Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. A conversation that Jesus often had with the Pharisees had to do with their hearts. He was constantly challenging them in areas of hypocrisy. This was because their tendency was often to worry about what others saw on the
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Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24(NIV) Have you ever felt like God’s work in your life is being hindered? Does
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Joe, a leader at First church, was charged with finding a company to repave the church parking lot. His college buddy had recently started a paving company and Joe secretly wanted to help his friend build up his business. Though Joe knew about previous less-than-honest dealings that his friend was involved in, he presented the company in a positive light,
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Psalm 36:7(NIV) How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. Yesterday as I left the office on my way to lunch I saw this young straggly looking guy on the sidewalk with a confused look on his face, I asked if he needed help. Then he asked me if I could
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Romans 6:6-7 (NIV) For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Sometimes when I read this verse I wonder to myself about certain sins that
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A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. Proverbs 11:18 (NIV) Lunch time at our local high school is usually uneventful. After students down their lunches, they file into the hallway for thirty minutes of free time. On warmer days, students can be found outside on the lawn, but on a particularly
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Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Romans 13:1 (NIV) My wife’s grandmother used to repeat the familiar saying that nothing is certain except death and taxes. Amazingly, she died on April 15, the due date for federal taxes
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Do to others as you would like them to do to you. Luke 6:31 (NLT) I was perturbed. It was frustrating enough that the mechanic couldn’t tell me why the red warning light had come on in my car. But in addition, he rattled off a long list of other items he said needed immediate attention. He was willing to
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The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 (NIV) Last Saturday I was working on the brakes on my car. I dropped off the rotors at a local mechanic’s shop, and the man at the counter told me it would take about an hour to turn them. Perfect, I thought.
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The LORD detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights. Proverbs 11:1 (NLT) We hadn’t been in our new home very long when I went down to the basement one evening to retrieve some laundry. To my surprise, I discovered a puddle on the floor and drips coming from under the water meter. The meter looked
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