The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. -Luke 18:11

Good morning and terrific Thursday to you! In today's era, despite the apparent disregard for the word of God, there is a notable expansion in its accessibility. This expansion has led to a multitude of individuals, both laity and clergy, who possess deep theological knowledge and formal education in the field.

I observed this phenomenon years ago when a leader, aiming to motivate one of his ministers, pointed out that several members of the mother’s board held degrees in religion. This remark was intended to encourage the minister to pursue further study.

However, a pitfall often encountered by those who answer this call is the risk of adopting a Pharisaic attitude—rigid, doctrinaire, lacking in compassion, and marked by arrogance. The true path to emulating Christ involves not only diligent study to gain approval from others but also embodying Christ's love, understanding, and acceptance of all, even those who differ from us.

The mantra remains: continue learning while maintaining love. By combining knowledge acquisition with a compassionate heart, one can guard against the joy-stealing trap of comparison and truly grow in Christ, becoming more effective in serving His kingdom.

#prayforthepeaceofIsrael

God bless you and command your day!!!