I'm a Hypocrite - Crosswalk the Devotional - March 23

Truths observed at the intersection of faith and life by Crosswalk.com editors [Crosswalk.com Logo]( Crosswalk: The Devotional [Devotionals]( [Newsletters]( [e-Cards]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( I’m a Hypocrite by John UpChurch “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.” [Matthew 6:5]( The college-me would call the current-me a hypocrite. That’s what I did back then. Anyone claiming to be a Christian automatically earned that prestigious title. I could judge, after all, because I sat in my lofty seat in the college library and weighed such grave matters in my head and in my poetry. My pencil could strike down any Christ-follower with a witty rhyme. I knew they were all fake. So, I had a lot to learn about love. But I was right about the hypocrisy thing. The current me is, in fact, a hypocrite. Jesus warned us not to be like the hypocrites, those who put on a show but don’t let the show touch their hearts. And when I’m honest, that’s exactly what I do sometimes. My worship becomes a series of movements, a tentative toe-tap into the spiritual waters. All the while, my mind has drifted off to my bank account, my schedule, and my Instagram feed. That type of worship isn’t worship. It’s a show put on for my own gratification, one that makes me feel better about doing the “Christian thing.” In those moments, I’m exactly what my college self accused me of. Hypocrite. [CONTINUE READING →]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( You May Also Like: [12 Prophecies That Will Be Fulfilled before Christ's Return]( Debbie McDaniel This world can often feel like a dark place. Sometimes it’s hard to see light and hope in the midst of all the suffering and pain we see around us. Constant media headlines reveal the deep struggle, the pain, and brokenness so many have known. God's promises are true and He is faithful to bring them all to pass. Every single one. Jesus gives us eternal hope, rooted in Him, the promise of heaven, and the reminder that He will come again. Pastor and author Chu [CONTINUE READING →]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( [10 Ways Coronavirus Can Change Your Life for the Better]( Sue Schlesman Many folks may feel that nothing good can come of an insidious virus that has already affected over 180,000 people worldwide (and climbing) and caused about 7,000 deaths to date. And yet: We believe—or want to believe—that God takes tragedies and turns them into good. You may already know and quote Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11 to comfort you during difficult times. These are good verses, with promises of God’s plan to prosper us and redeem our suffering. However, even scripture can feel cliché and unsympathetic when delivered during a crisis. Tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and all sorts of [natural disasters]( occur regularly in our world. They seem like unnecessary horrors, yet God somehow brings good from the devastation they leave behind. Communities rally. Churches share. People seek comfort and find Jesus. And we can look for the hand of God even in the midst of coronavirus. Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/NiseriN [CONTINUE READING →]( [Crosswalk.com Logo]( [Read about Salem Web Network]( | [Unsubscribe From This Email]( [Email Preference Center]( | [View in Browser]( © 2020 Salem Web Network. All rights reserved. 111 Virginia Street, Suite 500, Richmond, VA 23219. This email is never sent unsolicited. You are receiving this email because your email address, {EMAIL}, is signed up to receive newsletters, updates, and special offers from Crosswalk.com - The Devotional. [Link](