August 8
"This people honors me with their lips,
but
their heart is far from me.
And in vain they worship me,
TEACHING
AS DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN."
Mark 7:6-7
What
religious practices do you keep? And why do you keep them? Is it
because that's the way you were brought up? People generally continue
with the traditions they were brought up with, but of what value are
they?
"SURELY OUR FATHERS HAVE INHERITED
LIES,
worthlessness and unprofitable things."
Jeremiah
16:19
In this passage in the book of Mark, Jesus is targeting
their TRADITIONS.
God does not desire religious traditions. He
calls them vain. Worthless.
Many of us were raised to observe
traditions as though they were religious practices that gain points
with God. If you've done them all your life, they make you feel good.
It's easier to keep traditions than to change the heart, which is
what the Lord truly desires.
"For you do not desire
sacrifice,
or else I would give it;
you do not delight in burnt
offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
a broken
and a contrite heart..."
Psalm 51:16-17
“NOTHING in
my hands I bring,
simply to thy Cross I cling.”
from "Rock
of Ages"
Go before the Lord with no tradition, no
religious practice, go empty-handed and simply bow before him on your
knees and open your heart to him. Say it out loud. "Father, I
open my heart before you. Please show me what you want from me. Here
is my heart. I’m willing to part with anything that displeases
you." And mean it. It's not religion that God wants, it's your
heart.
3 comments:
Sister Paula, it's been on my heart a lot lately and in my teaching. Our Lord WANTS a relationship with those who call Him Father, not lip-service! Jesus came to show us the Father, Why? Because without Jesus showing us Who the Father is we couldn't have a relationship! Great, great start of the week message. Again thank you for sharing it with us! God Bless! 👍💗🕊📖😇
Thank you, Roland. I can't imagine not having a relationship with the Father. It's my whole life.
Thank you Roland. I can't imagine not having a relationship with the Father. It's my whole life.
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