What Jesus did: First things first

Matthew 22:34-35:

The Pharisees learned that Jesus told the Sadducees things they could not argue with. So the Pharisees met together. One Pharisee was an expert in the law {of Moses}. That Pharisee asked Jesus a question to test him. (ERV)  

Key Thought

We have a real sense of rivalry and pride playing into this situation. The Pharisees could gloat a moment at the Sadducees inability to trip up Jesus. "But we're better than they are. We study harder and follow God's Law more closely than the Sadducees. We'll trip him up for sure!"
But when truth is not the goal, when pride, comfort, and recognition become tantamount to life, then motives get jumbled and truth ends up getting forgotten. Those who seek the truth lose it when their goal is simply defeating someone else rather than searching for the truth.

Today's Prayer

Holy God, help me not become so blinded by someone I view as an opponent or antagonist that I forget my search for your truth. Please help me grow more determined to find and celebrate your truth. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

The Pharisees learned that Jesus told the Sadducees things they could not argue with. So the Pharisees met together. One Pharisee was an expert in the law {of Moses}. That Pharisee asked Jesus a question to test him. The Pharisee said, "Teacher, which command in the law is the most important?" Jesus answered, "'You must love the Lord your God. You must love him with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and most important command. And the second command is like the first: 'You must love other people the same as you love yourself.' All of the law and the writings of the prophets take their meaning from these two commands." So while the Pharisees were together, Jesus asked them a question. Jesus said, "What do you think about the Christ ? Whose son is he?" The Pharisees answered, "The Christ is the Son of David. " Then Jesus said to the Pharisees, "Then why did David call him 'Lord'? David was speaking by the power of the {Holy} Spirit. David said, 'The Lord (God) said to my Lord (Christ): Sit by me at my right side, and I will put your enemies under your control. ' David calls the Christ 'Lord.' So how can he be David's son?" None of the Pharisees could answer Jesus' question. And after that day no person was brave enough to ask Jesus any more questions {to try to trick him}.

— Matthew 22:34-46 (ERV)

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Wat Jezus Deed: Wanneer waarheid niet het doel is & Belangrijkste dingen eerst

Not the circumstances in which we are placed constitutes our comfort

"I find that it is not the circumstances in which we are placed,
but the spirit in which we face them, that constitutes our comfort."
- Elizabeth T. King

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over."
Psalm 23:4-5

Whatever I still have to go through
give that I always may have the right frame of mind
to overcome all the difficulties.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Niet de omstandigheden waarin we geplaatst zijn vormen onze troost

Niet de omstandigheden waarin we geplaatst zijn vormen onze troost

"Ik vind dat het niet de omstandigheden waarin we zijn geplaatst,
maar de geest waarin we met hen geconfronteerd worden, dat onze troost vormen. "
- Elizabeth T. King

"Ja, al ga ik door het dal van de schaduw van de dood, ik vrees geen kwaad,
want U bent bij mij, uw stok en uw staf, troosten me.
U bereidt een tafel voor mij in het bijzijn van mijn vijanden;
U zalft mijn hoofd met olie, mijn beker loopt over. "
Psalm 23:4-5

Wat ik ook nog zal meemaken Heer,
geef dat ik steeds de juiste geestesgesteldheid mag hebben
om al de moeilijkheden te overkomen.

English version > Not the circumstances in which we are placed constitutes our comfort

De ultieme maatregel van een man is niet waar hij staat

"De ultieme maatregel van een man is niet waar hij staat
in momenten van comfort en gemak,
maar waar hij staat in tijden van uitdaging en controverse. "
- Martin Luther King, Jr

"Als u enige aanmoediging hebt van het verenigd zijn met Christus,
als elk comfort van zijn liefde,
eventuele gemeenschap met houding,
eventuele tederheid en mededogen u iets zeggen,
maak dan vervolgens mijn vreugde compleet door gelijkgestemdheid,
dezelfde liefde hebbend, zijnde een in geest en van doel te zijn. "
Filippenzen 2:1-2

God, laat mij steeds de juiste keuzes maken bij uitdagingen,
en laat mij de anderen daarbij steeds met tedere ontferming,
goedheid, deemoed, zachtheid en geduld benaderen.

Engelse versie / English version > The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands
in moments of comfort and convenience,
but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,
if any comfort from his love,
if any fellowship with attitude,
if any tenderness and compassion,
then make my joy complete by being like-minded,
having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose."
Philippians 2:1-2

God, let me always make the right choices by challenges,
and let me continue to approach the others in tender compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > De ultieme maatregel van een man is niet waar hij staat

Everything that is done in the world is done by hope

Dutch version / Nederlands > Alles wat gebeurt in de wereld wordt gedaan door hoop

"Everything that is done in the world is done by hope."
- Martin Luther

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope …"
Romans 12:12; 15:13

"God cushions our hurting hearts with
soft pillows of comfort and hope."
- Judy Gordon

"Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the LORD."
Psalm 31:24

"Never talk defeat.
Use words like hope,
belief, faith, victory."
- Norman Vincent Peale

"Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope in His mercy,
Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us,
Just as we hope in You."
Psalm 33:18, 22

"There are no hopeless situations;
there are only people who have grown hopeless about them."
- Clare Boothe Luce

"I have set the LORD always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will rest in hope."
Psalm 16:8-9

I have set You always before me, Lord:
Because you are at my right hand, I shall not be moved so I shall not fall.
My hope is directed to you.
People can not do anything to me, everything is in your hands.
Let my actions by my hope in You be determined and be a sign of my faith.

Psalm 27 (Photo credit: TheChristianAlert.org)

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The big agenda item

"The big agenda item is God and His glory,
not me and my comfort."
- Max Lucado

"He said in a loud voice, 'Fear God and give Him glory,
because the hour of his judgment has come.
Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.'"

Revelation 14:7

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