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Our Daily Bread                                     Friday, June 24 1994

                             PLEASING GOD
Read: Matthew 5:1-12

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
--Matthew 5:3

On a scale of 1 to 10, how would we rate the condition of our spiritual life?
Even though we may desire to please the Lord, our efforts are so inadequate,
our motives often selfish, our faithfulness questionable. No matter how much
we do, we fall so far short!

Perhaps these thoughts will encourage you: First, remember how God sees us.
Because of Christ's work on the cross, we are completely forgiven and perfect
in His sight.

But then there's our present love-trust relationship with Christ. Perhaps we
see ourselves as a meager "1." We can still please God, though, if our att-
itude is right. He knows we're not capable of perfect performance, but He
expects the right attitude of heart. Jesus didn't say, "Blessed are those
who achieve their potential and never make a mistake." He said, "Blessed are
the poor in spirit,...those who mourn,...the meek." We may have just made a
mess of our life, and there may be painful consequences to pay, but we can
still please the Lord if we repent and humbly confess our sin.

Because we are in Christ, we are always a "perfect 10." And that should
motivate us whenever we get discouraged over our slow spiritual growth.
--MRD II

                   No condemnation now I dread;
                   I am my Lord's and He is mine!
                     Alive in Him, my living Head,
              And clothed in righteousness divine. --Wesley

Bible in one year: 2 Kings 7-10

Thought for the day:

On God's grading scale, we all rate zero without the perfect one.




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