The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 4:14-15 (NLT)
14 Don't do as the wicked do, and don't follow the path of evildoers.
15 Don't even think about it; don't go that way. Turn away and keep moving.
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 19:12-14 (NLT)
12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don't let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin.
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
The Word of God for encouragement:
Matthew 15:7-9 (HCSB)
7 Hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you when he said:
8 These people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.
9 They worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commands of men."
My observation:
Jesus is looking for true worshippers. Did he find some when he attended your church yesterday? It might appear to the casual reader of the bible that the words of Jesus are harsh. A closer reading will show that Jesus, if he was harsh, reserved that tone for the religious leaders who did not measure up to what the prophets of God wrote. Our focal passage from Matthew is an example.
Jesus wanted people of faith to know that true worship is more than what you say on Sunday with your lips. God is not pleased with those who honor Him with their lips on Sunday, but dishonor God with their lives the rest of the time.
Jesus was calling people then and he is calling us today to be people of genuine faith, and to be people who are true worshippers.
My prayer:
Father God, my dear Father, I recognize that you are a God who sees everything and who knows everything. Father, with this in view, I can only cry out like your servant David:
Psalm 139:23-24 (HCSB)
23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.
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1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
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