Have you ever wanted to check yourself to see if you were truly becoming more like Jesus? We know that actions follow words spoken, which follow thoughts entertained. So we can truthfully say that what we say and do reveals what we have been thinking and meditating on the most! Where do thoughts come from? Godly thoughts that are in line with the Word of God come from the God of the Bible. Ungodly thoughts that are contrary to the Word of God come from the enemy. He KNOWS that if he can control your thoughts, he can control your very life! Look at today's Bible reading in Luke 6:6-11:
6 And it occurred on another Sabbath that when He went into the synagogue and taught, a man was present whose right hand was withered. 7 And the scribes and the Pharisees kept watching Jesus to see whether He would [actually] heal on the Sabbath, in order that they might get [some ground for] accusation against Him. 8 But He was aware all along of their thoughts, and He said to the man with the withered hand, Come and stand here in the midst. And he arose and stood there. 9 Then Jesus said to them, I ask you, is it lawful and right on the Sabbath to do good [so that someone derives advantage from it] or to do evil, to save a life [and make a soul safe] or to destroy it? 10 Then He glanced around at them all and said to the man, Stretch out your hand! And he did so, and his hand was fully restored like the other one. 11 But they were filled with lack of understanding and senseless rage and discussed (consulted) with one another what they might do to Jesus.
These scribes and Pharisees were the religious leaders of their time. They SHOULD have recognized Jesus as their Messiah, not only by the Word that He spoke, but by the things that He was doing! What was He doing? He was going everywhere teaching, preaching and healing (Matthew 4:23 & 9:35)! They could not stand it! Some of them were jealous of their prestigious positions and looked at Jesus as a threat. Why else would they react to the miraculous healing of a member of their very own congregation in such a way? They SHOULD have rejoiced with him! Many times we judge compassion and heart by how someone reacts to problems or tragedies, but I have found that the reaction to someone else's blessings is a true sign of spiritual maturity. Are YOU happier to see someone else receive blessings than even to receive them yourself? When you reach that point, you will know that you are well on your way to becoming just like JESUS! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with the Glory story we should all be telling! "This Is Our God":
Shalom in Him!
