Daily Devotional, Year 3 – January 6 (The Evil-Eyed Pharisee Scorner, Part 3: “Worshiping the god of Respectability!”)

By admin On February 10th, 2021

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Daily Devotional, Year 3 – January 6

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The Evil-Eyed Pharisee Scorner,

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Part 3:

“Worshiping the god of Respectability!”

To read Part 1, click here…November 3rd (The Evil-Eyed Pharisee Scorner!)

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“(Jesus) Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees…

all their works they do for to be seen of men:

they make broad their phylacteries,

and enlarge the borders of their garments,

And love the uppermost rooms at feasts,

and the chief seats in the synagogues,

And greetings in the markets,

and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.”

Matthew 23:2, 5-7

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James Tissot – The Pharisee and Publican – Brooklyn Museum & Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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In ancient times, it was easy to spot a man-made god!

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Because they were usually made of wood, metal, or stone.

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Idol: The Obsequies of an Egyptian Cat – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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MODERN-DAY GODS

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But today, our false gods are not so easy to detect!

Because today’s gods are mostly the lusts of our heart: Mammon (materialism), pride, lust, greed, and other similar inanimate objects.

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It is whatever we put before the true God that becomes a god or idol in our heart.

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Rolls Royce 5316 – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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THE GOD OF TELEVISION

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For instance, those who watch more television/Internet than studying or contemplating the Scriptures have most likely made video-watching into one of our gods.

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Academy Awards Ceremony – cropped image – Wikipedia – Share Alike Lic.

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THE GOD OF RESPECTABILITY

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Now, there is a god which is not so easily detectable, and yet, is one of the major gods of today’s world.

And this god is borne of the spirit of pride.

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It is “The God of Respectability”!

Yes, many humans worship The God of Respectability.

And to some degree, all humans do!

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Yes, each and every one of us have had foolish pride in our heart, to some extent.

In many, pride is almost undetectable.

In others, it sticks out like the proverbial, “sore thumb”!

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Rolls Royce 200EX ‘Ghost’ – Flickr – The Car Spy – Wikimedia – Share-alike license

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A WORLD OF PROUD PURSUITS

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And let’s face it! People often resort to extreme measures in order to gain the respect of others!

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**And “the god of this world” has provided many different ways in which we humans can gain the respect of others.**

(“the god of this world” reference: 2nd Corinthians 4:4)

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We now have giant industries which exalt humans to an almost god-like status: the professional sports industry, the music industry, politics, the television and movie industry, and even religion, etc.!

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New York Times Square – terabass – cropped image – Wikipedia – Share-alike License

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LUCIFER, THE ORIGINATOR OF PRIDE

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After all, wasn’t it pride that caused the downfall of Lucifer?

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Listen…“How art thou fallen from heaven,

O Lucifer, son of the morning…

For thou hast said in thine heart,

‘I will ascend into heaven,

I will exalt my throne above the stars of God…

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;

I will be like the most High.”

Isaiah 14:12-14

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Lucifer Fallen – Gustave Dore – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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IF WE LOVE PRIDE, WE’RE HIS CHILDREN

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And so, if Lucifer, who is, “the god of this world”, became the father of foolish pride, then what can we expect of his children? (1st Corinthians 4:4)

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And so, owning some beautiful home, or an enviable automobile, or gorgeous apparel, or a coveted career, or having money, or just being the “baddest” dude on the block: it’s all the “god of Respectability” that we are worshiping!

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And of course, it’s ultimately Lucifer who is that god we are truly worshiping!

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Satan presiding at the Infernal Council – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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GOOD NEWS! TIME TO CHANGE!

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Now the Good News is, that the true God, Yahweh, is willing to purify us from our love of pride and respectability!

Yes, and the Day which is just before us, has been designed for that very purpose…

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Listen…“Enter into the Rock, and hide thee in the dust,

for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of His majesty.

The lofty looks of man shall be humbled,

and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down,

and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

For the Day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty,

and upon every one that is lifted up;

and he shall be brought low:”

Isaiah 2:10-12

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And so, this and other similar passages reveal just who it is that will be the recipients of God’s wrath in the soon-coming Day of the Lord!

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Triumph of Christianity by G. Dore – cropped image – www.christimages.org – Limited use license – see their website for restrictions

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TO READ PART 4, GO HERE…

January 28 (The Evil-Eyed Pharisee Scorner, Part 4: “Dealing With Anger”)

Anger during a protest Wikimedia – Share-alike-License

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Drive out all my foolish human pride! Purify my heart. Give me the mind of Christ, so that I too can become meek and lowly on heart…

Prayer at Day’s End – Angelus by Jean-François Millet – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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“THE SCORNER (THE PHARISEE)”

“For from within, out of the heart of men,

proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications,

murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness,

deceit, lasciviousness, AN EVIL EYE,

blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”

Mark 7:18-23

Please tilt your head slightly to the left.

Do you see a man with a very long pointed nose?

(Obviously, the sketch to the right is just an exaggeration in order to help you find the face in the photo to the left.)

Do you see an angry look?

His right eyebrow is raised as if he is judging.

This second face in the Moon appears to be that of a combination of a man as well as a fox.

Or maybe a wolf.

Doesn’t he have a long narrow nose like a wolf or fox?

Maybe even a dog.

Nevertheless, the expression on his face, as he appears to look down upon the Earth, is that of scorn.

**This ‘man/fox/wolf/dog’ appears to be the icon of anger and scorn.**

As if he is disgusted at the sinners here below!

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He is very moral, you see!

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Moon – 2nd face Pharisee Scorner – by Cezar Popescu for Wikimedia – Universal Public Domain – cropped, highlighted & rotated photo

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TOMORROW:

January 7 (Satan: The god of This World, Part 1: “I Write The [Classical] Songs!?!”)

Violin Lullaby – Satan – Tartini’s Dream – Louis-Léopold Boilly 1761-1845 – Devil’s Trill Sonata – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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90-MINUTE OPEN FORUM

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ALL‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO LISTEN TO THIS 90-MINUTE OPEN FORUM, A QUESTION/ANSWER CALL-IN, TALK SHOW.

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CLICK HERE TO LISTEN…

Harold Camping Bible Conference Open Forum #14 (youtube.com)

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ABOVE PICTURE: Holy Bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Lic.

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