Modern Day Pharisees?

I read this on Today in the Word a while back. I found it amazing because I know people that are like this. They miss the needs while rule-keeping is so "vital" to what they perceive as unity in the body. But some real needs were getting overlooked as the church continued to shrink as one after one, the sheep died off. The "faithful" few continue to encourage themselves now that the "backsiders" are gone because God is slimming down the church for the end time revival. Other churches [that are growing] are just experiencing "swelling" and not true growth because they are "compromisers" who don't believe the same rules that "our" church believes. God have mercy on the Pharisees. I don't want them to go to hell even though some of them would be glad if I did.

TODAY IN THE WORD
Most people dread the arrival of an IRS auditor who will scrutinize their record keeping and analyze every receipt. But in Jesus' time, tax collectors had a thoroughly scurrilous reputation. They had the unenviable task of collecting taxes and tolls for the civil and religious authorities, and they frequently overcharged in order to keep the extra profit for themselves. Levi was one of them.

The Pharisees wanted to keep God's law, but they were so invested in their own interpretation that they couldn't recognize when God Himself was right in front of them. Prayerfully consider the following questions: Are you more concerned about things being done a certain way than about extending mercy to those in need? Do you reject “sinners” rather than pray for an opportunity to reach the lost? If your heart resembles a Pharisee more than Jesus, be willing to abandon your interpretation and embrace His authority.

Number 1 Command

Deuteronomy 6:5
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

God Cares about you!

Isaiah 42:3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (7) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Philippians 4:6-8 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Love Casts out Fear

1 John 4:17-18
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (18) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Strive for Balance
Hebrews 13:17-18
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (18) Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
1 Peter 5:1-7
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: (2) Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; (3) Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. (4) And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (5) Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (6) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (7) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

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RTW Original - 10 CHs with He. 11 and 1 Cor. 13

RTW = READ THE WORD
9 [10]* Chapters a day!

List 1 - Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts; Repeats every 117 days.
List 2 - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Dueteronomy; Repeats every 187 days.
List 3 - Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Hebrews; Repeats every 78 days.
List 4 - 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, Revelations; Repeats every 65 days.
List 5 - Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon; Repeats every 62 days.
List 6 - Psalms; Repeats every 150 days.
List 7 - Proverbs; Repeats every 31 days.
List 8 - Johua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicals, 2 Chronicals, Ezra, Nehmiah, Esther; Repeats every 249 days.
List 9 Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosiah, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi; Repeats every 250 days.
*List 10 - [optional] Alternately Read Hebrews 11 [Faith] and 1 Corinthians 13 [Love]. Repeats every 2 days.


Note: Click on the references below to read them online.
Day 1 - Matthew 1; Genesis 1; Romans 1; 1 Thessalonians 1; Job 1; Psalms 1; Proverbs 1; Joshua 1; Isaiah 1; *[Hebrews 11 link above]
Day 2 - Matthew 2; Genesis 2; Romans 2; 1 Thessalonians 2; Job 2; Psalms 2; Proverbs 2; Joshua 1; Isaiah 2; *[1 Corinthians 13 link above]
Day 3 - Matthew 3; Genesis 3; Romans 3; 1 Thessalonians 3; Job 3; Psalms 3; Proverbs 3; Joshua 3; Isaiah 3; *[Hebrews 11 link above]
Day 4 - Matthew 4; Genesis 4; Romans 4; 1 Thessalonians 4; Job 4; Psalms 4; Proverbs 4; Joshua 4; Isaiah 4; *[1 Corinthians 13 link above]
Day 5 - Matthew 5; Genesis 5; Romans 5; 1 Thessalonians 5; Job 5; Psalms 5; Proverbs 5; Joshua 5; Isaiah 5; *[Hebrews 11 link above]
Day 6 - Matthew 6; Genesis 6; Romans 6; 1 Thessalonians 6; Job 6; Psalms 6; Proverbs 6; Joshua 6; Isaiah 6; *[1 Corinthians 13 link above]

To Be Updated...