The law Written on our Hearts
12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature, do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
O God, by nature, we’ve all sinned against You, but we have been redeemed in Your grace. Holy Spirit, teach our hearts to dwell on Your word and laws, for they benefit our growth. As Christians, let us not seek what that unrighteous want, which is this fallen world’s immediate reward. Our rewards lay with You.
If we’ve sinned, O God, forgive and lead us to a better understanding of Your attributes, promises, and responsibilities.
Do not Act like Hypocrites
“17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonour God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written,”“The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.””17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonour God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
O Jesus, let not our minds and hearts deceive ourselves by boasting in our righteousness and become blind like the Pharisees. That our faith and obedience is to please You always.
When we share our knowledge of You, let it be the truth, unlike the unrighteous ones who love falsehood and desire affirmation in their power and greed.
Let all our teachings be truthful with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Teach us how to abhor idols and resist temptation that is unprofitable to our souls.
Matter of the Heart
25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
The law has condemned us, and we must repent to our God, for he wishes us to love Him and love this personal relationship with Him. Holy Spirit led us closer to Jesus, for we desire to be nearer You and learn what is pure, profitable, and suitable for everyone. Call our hearts to Your steadfast love.
Morning, November 3rd, 2023
“And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,”— Acts 9:11
Prayers are instantly noticed in heaven. The moment Saul began to pray the Lord heard him. Here is comfort for the distressed but praying soul.
Oftentimes a poor broken-hearted one bends his knee, but can only utter his wailing in the language of sighs and tears; yet that groan has made all the harps of heaven thrill with music; that tear has been caught by God and treasured in the lachrymatory of heaven.
“Thou puttest my tears into thy bottle,” implies that they are caught as they flow. The suppliant, whose fears prevent his words, will be well understood by the Most High. He may only look up with misty eye; but “prayer is the falling of a tear.”
Tears are the diamonds of heaven; sighs are a part of the music of Jehovah’s court, and are numbered with “the sublimest strains that reach the majesty on high.” Think not that your prayer, however weak or trembling, will be unregarded.
Jacob’s ladder is lofty, but our prayers shall lean upon the Angel of the covenant and so climb its starry rounds. Our God not only hears prayer but also loves to hear it. “He forgetteth not the cry of the humble.”
True, He regards not high looks and lofty words; He cares not for the pomp and pageantry of kings; He listens not to the swell of martial music; He regards not the triumph and pride of man; but wherever there is a heart big with sorrow, or a lip quivering with agony, or a deep groan, or a penitential sigh, the heart of Jehovah is open; He marks it down in the registry of His memory; He puts our prayers, like rose leaves, between the pages of His book of remembrance, and when the volume is opened at last, there shall be a precious fragrance springing up therefrom.
“Faith asks no signal from the skies,
Charles Spurgeon
To show that prayers accepted rise,
Our Priest is in His holy place,
And answers from the throne of grace.”
Let’s Go Pray!
PrayingOverScripture 