Posts Tagged With: righteousness

Where’s the Joy? A Widow’s Walk

Posted on April 6, 2025 by tricialathrop

April 5

I texted Norm today. I just needed to let him know how much I miss him. My head knows he’s gone, my heart grieves his passing, but part of me still denies the finality of his death.

Where’s the joy?

I am thankful for the blessing of Norm in my life.

I pray for the strength and wisdom to walk this earth as God would have me walk.

I rejoice that death is not final, that because of Jesus Christ, there is more to come.

Where’s the joy? Hope in the Lord.

O Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill?

He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart.

He does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a reprobate is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord;

He swears to his own hurt and does not change; He does to put out his money at interest, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things will never be shaken.

Psalm 15

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: death, faith, hope, love, righteousness | Leave a comment

Where’s the Joy? A Widow’s Walk

Posted on March 26, 2025 by tricialathrop

March 25

I finally got through to Norm’s pension plan. I’ve tried to call for over a week and kept getting a busy signal. I found a number on one of the letters he had received, they gave me the number I needed. So I think I’m set, I’ll know if it all went through in a few weeks.

Then while doing taxes, I found that I needed a form from a financial company. They said click on this link to get the form. I needed an account number and a password, which I could not find. I called the number on the site. Since I didn’t have the required information, they said I needed to email another group for them to get permission to give me the form I needed…and that group said they no longer handled that particular financial issue. So…what to do?

I’ve handled our finances for quite a while. In fact, I was trying to make sure Norm knew where all the accounts and numbers and passwords were located. I thought I had what I needed for Norm’s accounts, but no. Suggestion for those of you with a spouse, make sure there is a copy of all your accounts and all passwords in a place that your spouse can find and that you have the same from your spouse.

As I deal with the financial aspect of Norm’s passing, this Saturday we will have a celebration of his life. I went through his memory box and found some high school memorabilia and some of his award photos and a newspaper article about him. I need to figure out the best way to display those…but there are a few things missing from his college days. I’ll have to see if there is another box somewhere.

It’s been a busy day, some success, some failures. Tears come at unexpected times. I miss Norm’s presence. I miss his wisdom. I know he’s in a better place, doesn’t make me miss him any less.

Where’s the joy? Not in paperwork…

I am thankful that I finally got through to Norm’s pension.

I pray for wisdom as I plan the service for Saturday, that it will honor the Lord, and celebrate the life Norm led.

I rejoice that God knows what I need and has it all under control.

For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?

And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!

Do not worry then, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear for clothing?” For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your Heavenly Father knows that you need these things.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:25-34

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: bible, faith, god, hope, jesus, righteousness, widow, worry | 1 Comment

Exceeding the Righteousness of the Pharisees

Posted on May 5, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 18 of 49

Exceeding the Righteousness of the Pharisees

Jesus began his sermon with the character qualities of kingdom citizens, explained the effect a citizen can have in the community, assured them that he had not come to destroy, but fulfill the Law. He made the mind-boggling statement, “unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”

His next section addressed what it means to exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. Each part begins with the phrase, “You have heard” or it could be read as “you understand the Law to say”. Then he countered with “but I say to you”…

Jesus taught as a rabbi, expounding the Law by explaining what it meant, and suggesting ways to put the teaching into practice.

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.

Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

Mt 5:21–26.

He started with murder. Most of us don’t have a problem keeping this commandment.

You shall not murder. Ex 20:13.

Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death. Ex 21:12.

Murder is the end result of a relationship that has failed miserably. Anger and hate take us down a road that may not lead to physical murder, but it may lead to murder of a reputation or quality of life.

Relationships with one another are so important, that Jesus said to leave the gift we bring to his altar, and make amends with the person who has angered us or we have angered.

Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.

Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.

But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

1 Jn 2:9–11.

He concludes this section with a call to make peace with another before getting to court, with the reminder that the judge may not rule our way.

What your eyes have seen do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?

Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret, lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end.

Pr 25:7–10.

The next section deals with adultery, sexual intercourse with someone other than the spouse. Again, most of us who are followers of Christ only have sex with our spouse.

You shall not commit adultery. Ex 20:14.

Jesus identifies the first step in betrayal, the lustful desire.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’

But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.

And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

Mt 5:27-30

Rabbinic teaching often used hyperbole and exaggeration. Jesus used it effectively. He painted a picture of how seriously God takes sin. Though we won’t cut off a body part and cast it away, we can take extreme measures like changing our habits or distancing ourselves from relationships that lead us astray.

“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’

But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Mt 5:31-32

Jesus teaching on divorce is seen in several passages (Mt 19:1-12; Mark 10:1-12). There were basically two different teachings by the rabbis. One group said that divorce was only valid in the case of adultery. Another said that a man could get a divorce if his wife displeased him in any way, and that could even be if he saw another woman that looked better.

“When a man takes a wife and marries her, if then she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, and she departs out of his house,

Dt 24:1.

Jesus made the point that the man who divorced his wife for anything other than sexual immorality, caused her and her future husband to commit the sin of adultery.

It’s a sobering implication that my personal sins can be the cause of another to sin.

Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.

For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.

So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.

It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.

Ro 14:13–21.

The Pharisees focused on the outward actions, Jesus focused on the heart.

Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting!

Ps 139:23–24.

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: 49 days, adultery, murder, righteousness | Leave a comment

Righteousness

Posted on May 4, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 17 of 49

Righteousness

Some Christians ignore the Old Testament, believing that since Jesus came, the Old Testament is no longer valid and have denied themselves a look at the rich heritage that is in Christ.

The Old and New Testaments are chapters of the same narrative, “The Story of God’s Plan for Redemption”. When first century Christians studied the Scripture, they studied the Law and the Prophets. Over and over we see God’s plan unfold from Genesis to Revelation.

We find stories of great faith and examples of immense failure. We read about miracles where God intervenes and struggles when God seems far away. Every book includes the hope of a coming redeemer who will take upon himself the penalty for sin and open the door for a restored relationship with the Lord God.

The words and works of Christ are foretold in the OT, and they enrich our understanding of the Lord, his love, his purpose, his provision, and his faithfulness and mercy towards us.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Mt 5:17–20.

Jesus said he did not come to destroy the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill them. It’s true we no longer offer animal sacrifices for our sins, Jesus shed his blood on the cross as that sacrifice. Studying about the sacrifices and the Passover Lamb helps us to understand just how seriously God takes sin. He loves us and he knows our sinful nature, that there is no way for us to come into the presence of a holy God on our own. He intentionally provided ways for the Israelites to enter his presence, and through Jesus Christ he provided a way for us.

He speaks that not an iota or a dot will be removed from the Law. In Hebrew it says, not the smallest letter or stroke (kotz) will be removed until all fulfilled. The smallest letter in Hebrew is the yod, ( ׳ ) and yes, that apostrophe is what a yod looks like. The stroke (kotz) is the part of a Hebrew letter that completes the letter, such as the little upward line in a mem, ( מ )or the tag on a tav ( ת ).

It’s important for us to engage the entire Word of God, not just the sections we like. I admit, some passages are hard to understand and raise more questions than answers, but continuing to interact with the Scripture brings clarity to the character of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.

Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast.

Ps 119:89–90.

Consider how I love your precepts! Give me life according to your steadfast love.

The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

Ps 119:159–160.

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

Is 40:8.

Jesus then told the people that obedience to the Word is essential in the Kingdom of God. Then he adds, “unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never see the Kingdom of heaven.”

Every listener would be wondering how anyone could enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The Pharisees had the reputation of being very holy and righteous. They held to a strict adherence to the Law, tithing on even their smallest crops. They had an appearance of holiness, but Jesus called them white washed tombs because their hearts were far from God (Mt 23:27).

When it comes down to it, our best works with perfect motives are just dirty rags. Our only hope for righteousness is that righteousness provided by Jesus Christ. When we accept that we need an advocate in order to stand before the Lord, then it is Jesus’ righteousness that covers us. He took our sin and shame and replaced it with his righteousness.

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

Ro 3:21–25.

Lord, thank you for providing Jesus Christ to be righteousness for us. You knew we could not approach you on our own, so you made a way for us through the cross. Thank you for paying the penalty for our sin, and then rising again to give us hope of a future resurrection where we will see the Kingdom of Heaven in all its glory.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Co 5:21.

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Php 3:7–11.

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