Tuesday Devo

Read Luke 6:1-11. The point of this passage is that religion is meant to connect us to God not for men to create rules with so they can control others. We must be very careful what "rules" we invent as we are trying to help and lead others. The law did have specific restrictions on what one could do on the sabbath, but the Pharisees had added much to what God said.

The religious leaders were the ones abusing the scriptures in this case. The more we study scripture we must be careful to remember the greatest commandments - love God and love people. Paul said it this way, "love is the fulfillment of the law." In other words the point of the law was to lead us to love.

The religious leaders couldn't see the miracle of this guy being healed - all they could see was how Jesus wouldn't play all their games. How sad the last verse of this passage is - how pride can so blind us to what God is really up to! This story reminds me of a cranky professor who once started to teach how sinful it was to wear anything but your best clothes every week to church. Another man-made rule that keeps many from feeling welcome to God's presence. 

questions

1) Examine what is really important to you about church. Is there anything that you have turned into a law that God did not intend? (proper dress, communion issues, tithing, worship...)

2) The pharisees were so busy finding faults with Jesus they missed the miracle. Do you have a critical spirit at time? What miracles have you been missing around you? Ask God to show you.

Prayer

Read the following fruit of the spirit very slowly - spend 30 seconds on each. Ask the Lord to show you how you can do each better and just listen to the thoughts he puts in your mind. Think back to yesterday - the previous week. Think through your family, friends, co-workers.

"Lord show me where I could love more..." (listen for 30 seconds or more)

"Lord show me where I could have more joy..." 

""peace

""patience

""kindness

""goodness

""faithfulness

""gentleness

""self-control

Thank you Lord (confess any sins you may have committed) Let me grow in these fruit! Amen.