Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

THURSDAY MAY 14


LISTENING WITH LOVE

READ:
Luke 18:14
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Everyone who
exalts himself will
be humbled, and
he who humbles
himself will be
exalted.
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One August evening in Vermont, a young missionary spoke at our small church. The country where he and his wife served was in religious turmoil, and it was considered too dangerous for children. In one of his stories, he told us about a heart-wrenching episode when his daughter pleaded with him not to leave her behind at a boarding school.

I was a new dad at that time, having recently been blessed with a daughter, and the story upset me. How could loving parents leave their daughter alone like that? I muttered to myself. By the time the talk was finished, I was so worked up that I ignored the offer to visit with the missionary. I charged out of the church, saying out loud as I left: "I'm sure glad I'm not like..."

In that instant, the Holy Spirit stopped me cold. I couldn't even finish the sentence. Here I was, saying almost word for word what the Pharisee said to God: "I thank You that I am not like other men" (LUKE 18:11). How disappointed I was in myself! How disappointed God must have been! Since that evening, I've asked God to help me listen to others with humility and restraint as they pour their hearts out in confession, profession, or pain.

**Lord, may we be quick to listen and slow to speak and to judge. A proud
attitude so easily infects our lives. Give us instead a humility that reflects Your
heart and love. ______________________________________________________________
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We don't get closer to God by passing judgment on others.

**************************Today's Bible Reading __ Luke 18:9-14**************************
9 Also [Jesus] spoke this parable to some who trusted
in themselves that they were righteous, and despised
others: 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one
a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee
stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I
am not like other men__extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or
even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of
all that I possess.'

13 "and the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so
much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying,
'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'

14 "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified
rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be
humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
The story that Jesus tells of the two men who
went into the temple to pray reminds us of what God considers
important. The religious Pharisee focused entirely on himself
and his efforts, highlighting what he did and didn't do. However,
the tax collector, who would have been considered one of the
worst sinners of his day, recognized his unworthiness and focused
on God and His mercy. Jesus said it was the "sinner" who went
away justified before God (vv. 13-14). Jesus wants His listeners to
understand that it is not what we do that makes us right with
God; it is God who makes us right with Him.