Lip Service

Reading:  Matthew 13, 14, 15
My Verse:  (15:8,9)  "These people draw near Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts hold off and are far away from Me.  Uselessly do they worship Me, for they teach as doctrines the commands of men."

Here we have so sad a  thing!  Far too often we are performing empty ritualistic practices to make ourselves feel better - but go on with unrepentant hearts.

Lord Jesus, Your teaching here is so revealing of the heart!  You strip away all the trappings of religion and demand that we give You our heart - our whole self!  Our heart, mind and soul!  Nothing less is acceptable.  "And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect).  This is the great and first commandment." (Matt. 22:37,38)

So many of us hold onto pride - so that it becomes this great barrier to true repentance and a barrier to a growing relationship with You.  Thank You for the illustration of the Gentile woman pleading with You to heal her daughter.  She accepted who whe was - so unworthy, yet she knew and believed You were a God of love and mercy and on that belief she persisted!  (v. 15:22-27)  Her humility speaks to me and reveals to  me my need to seek out Your healing of my heart attitude.

Help me to not let this world's immediate problems overwhelm me as Peter let the rough seas overwhelm and take his eyes off You.  Too many things in this world cry out for our attention, drain away our energy so that we have nothing left for You!  We become numb and then all we can do it give You lip service.  "Uselessly do they worship me."  We don't have time or energy to search out Your truths for ourselves and simply let men lead us along. "for they teach as doctrines the commands of men."

Lord, I do not want to be there! I do not want my worship to be  empty ritualistic practice.    Today help me to worship You with all my heart, all my mind  and all my soul!

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!