Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

5 February 2025

Reading From Matthew 23:1-22

“Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.”

–Matthew 23:1-4

     It shows the amazing honesty and humility of Jesus that He advised His followers and all the people to do what the religious leaders told them to do.  If He had a prideful, arrogant, us versus them mentality, He would have seen the teachers of the law and the Pharisees as enemies.  From His example and His teachings, Jesus loved everyone and saw the potential in every human life for redemption and restoration.  He is our perfect example of life and godliness.  Jesus practiced what He preached and He urges us to do the same. 

“Lord Jesus, I pray that I would lead my life in an authentic way.  May I be the same person at work, at home, and at church.  I pray that Your sons and daughters would have the same honesty and humility that You showed as You lived among us.  Thank You for who You are and all that You do for us.  We love You, Lord Jesus.  Amen.”

The Lord detests lying lips,
    but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

–Proverbs 12:22

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

–I John 3:18

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

–James 1:22