November 20, 2022 - Matthew 23:23-24

“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. Blind guides! You strain your water so you won’t accidentally swallow a gnat, but you swallow a camel!” Matthew 23:23-24 NLT

Lord, we don’t ever want to be found as hypocrites. Help us to be sincere and faithful in every area of our lives. Holy Spirit, please closely examine our hearts. Change the places that need to be changed. Open our eyes to the places where our walk doesn’t match our talk. Show us the places where our lives are not being lived out in your Kingdom principles. Change our perspective so that we are not focused outward on others but are first and foremost concerned with how we are living. Remove the “camels” from our lives. We don’t ever want to tolerate or justify allowing them to stay in our lives. Tear down the lies that “allow” us to do so. Give us a strong desire to make these things right and a hatred to allow ungodly behavior in our lives. Forgive us for not fully giving these areas over to your Lordship. Help us change any area of our lives that you don’t want to bless.

Holy Spirit, give us a greater understanding of your Word and your Kingdom ways. Show us how to put them into practice in our whole life. Teach us how to extend grace and forgiveness to others the way you do with us. Also teach us how to balance walking in grace and discipline when needed. Help us learn how to disciple others through humility and love. As others are “learning to walk” teach us how to encourage them in taking more steps and celebrate the successes and not condemn them every time they stumble and fall. Make us more like you in this.

In Jesus name, amen.