• Week one
• Day 5
• Please pray before you start. Ask for discernment, understanding, wisdom, etc.

Scriptures

James 2:8-12
If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

Matthew 6:1-8
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Isaiah 5:20-21
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

Devotional

Genuine Righteousness

The Word of God is such a high standard. Who can keep it? The Bible teaches us that apart from Jesus we have no ability to keep His Word; John 15:4-5 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. But we can be comforted. He has given us the grace to live according to His standard. Remember, He looks at the heart. He is focusing on the intent of your heart. The Beatitudes tell us that we must be poor in spirit – willingly acknowledge and confess our inability – but not to stop there. We have to look to him to cleanse us from unrighteousness and to provide His power and grace to make us adequate. We are so prone to hypocrisy if we do not face our sinfulness and inadequacy.

Hypocrisy is doing things for the eyes of men to see or forming a righteousness of our own by cleaning ourselves up on the outside and ignoring the inside. Ask the Lord to prick your conscience if necessary. We want to live the real deal. People are so desperately looking for someone to be the real deal, particularly when so much of the world around them is built on superficiality, facades, and lies. The people in your life need to know that you love them right where they are with all their frailties, sins and bad habits. They need to see Jesus. (I would add that if you believe something, you will change the way you do things BECAUSE you believe it.)

Take time today to share your concerns and struggles with the Lord. You could write it as a letter if you would like. Let Him know where you feel overwhelmed, apathetic, or concerned. Lay it all at His feet. Let Him know if you think that He is asking too much. Talk openly with Him about the areas in your life that you know are not what they should be. But, remember, He is your friend, your number one advocate, your defense, and your strong right hand. Be ready, open, and vulnerable. Be real. Really real. Depend on Jesus to be your protector and your defense. Ask the Lord to grow you in righteousness and to give you the grace to be genuine with Him and with others. Take time to pray the same for your family.

Until tomorrow my beloved brothers and sisters, remember to rest in the Lord for all your needs and in His ability to guide you to where you need to be no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in. We walk in His righteousness not our own. I love you all and until next time, stay peculiar!