Acknowledge Every Good Thing.

By C. Emerson Strain

It always amazed me that the Scribes (who knew the letter) and Pharisee (who knew the law) missed the blessings of God, when Jesus came right in their mist. They were so religious that they found fault with Jesus.

Every time Jesus cast out a devil out of someone who was possesed or opened the eyes of the blind, or opened the ears of the deaf; the Pharisees found fault with the miracle.

Mat 12:22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
Mat 12:23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
Mat 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

When Jesus healed the blind and the lame, the religious leaders didn't like it.

Mat 21:14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
Mat 21:15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased,

When Jesus told a man that his sins were forgiven, the scribes (who knew the letter) didn't believe God could do it.

Mat 9:2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
Mat 9:3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.

All of Chapter 9 of the book of John is devoted to a story of a blind man that Jesus open his blinded eyes. What a miracle! But the religious people of that time didn't glorify God for what he had done.

John 9:16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the Sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.

What is interesting is that they were scripturally correct. The old testament said that the seventh day was a day of rest.

Lev 23:3 Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.

What is more amazing is the family, that their son received his sight, they were more worried what the religious people would think if they said that God did this. They distanced themselves from their son when they were questioned.

John 9:20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:
John 9:21 But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
John 9:22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

But the young man knew what the Lord had done in his life, whether his family wanted to admit it or not. John 9:30 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvelous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.

If the Lord blesses someone, rejoice with them.

Rom 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
ROM 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

If the Lord answers a prayer for someone, be glad with them. If someone gives their heart to the Lord be glad for them. If someone goes and is baptized, rejoice with them. If someone gets filled with the Holy Ghost be glad with them.

Open your eyes to what the Lord is doing around you, Don't become a Pharisee. Don't become a Scribe.

2 Cor 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
2 Cor 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Phil 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.


Phile 1:6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

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