Inventory Time

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Matthew 3:7-12

Steps: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

In this story the prophet of God takes the inventory of the Jewish leadership. He calls them vipers for in their hearts they did not want to serve God. The Pharisees and Sadducees came to the prophet to look like they were in harmony with God when they were not at all. God knows the hearts of all men and He chose to reveal these men’s hearts publicly to give them a chance at recovery and to alert the people around them that all was not as it appeared. The mission of Jesus was to reveal the hearts of men and to give each and every one a chance to repent, to get power from Him and to get into recovery through His power. That opportunity is available to all people, including us.

Prayer for Today: God, it is scary to know that You can reveal our heart to all the world at any time. We know that You are not intent upon embarrassing us but to give us all a chance to repent and to come into recovery with You. Help us to recognize that You are not trying to hurt us, but our addictions are intent upon killing us. Help us to surrender the addictive thoughts and behaviors to You and to receive the gift of recovery from You. Thank You again for Your mercies toward us.