September 18
Isaiah 28:14-30:11 | PS 62:1-12 | Prov 23:19-21 | Gal 3:23-4:31
“But my doctor said”, “But my pastor said”, “But my President said”. Beware of trusting opinions based on one’s position or the letters after one’s name. We must discern. As a physician I have been shocked as to what has been put forth from the so-called leaders of my profession. I have also been disheartened by those who represent our nation and those in media. I have been troubled by the stances of many spiritual leaders. It’s not that no one can be trusted, but you must evaluate the character of the individual, and verify if what is being said matches up with what the Bible says. If it does not, then don’t listen and don’t allow yourself to be influenced, no matter how reputable or sincere the individual might appear.
We read in Isaiah 29:10, “For the Lord has poured out on you The spirit of deep sleep, And has closed your eyes, namely, the prophets; And He has covered your heads, namely, the seers.” He goes on in 29:13-14 “Therefore the Lord said: “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men, Therefore behold, I will again do a marvelous work Among this people, A marvelous work and a wonder; For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.”” Jesus quoted this in reference to the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 15:7-9. These individuals were the most revered in Jewish society at that time.
It’s not just who we listen to. We need to raise a mirror to ourselves. Are we following Jesus on the surface? We read in 1 Samuel 16:7, “ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”” We never want to go through the motions. We want to be people after God’s own heart. It has less to do with your denomination, how often you go to church, how many ministries you serve in, and more to do with your personal walk that God alone sees. Spiritual blindness is pervasive and reaches all levels. If we want to open ourselves to God, read Jesus’ words in Matthew 5, in the Beatitudes, and drink them in slowly and take some time to reflect.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: