Worship

Scripture

Matthew 23 contains one of my favorite verses of the Bible. Nothing hits harder than a critique from Christ in verse 27: “Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity.” On the outside, the Pharisees were doing everything right. Yet, in their hearts, they were full of selfishness and pride – wolves in sheeps clothing. Despite all their religious rituals, performance, and dress they couldn’t even see the Messiah standing in front of them. Part of me thinks it’s because they were so blinded by their own pride to see that Jesus was the Messiah, but another part of me thinks that they knew that if what Jesus was saying was true that they would lose much of the power they had worked so hard to create. It helps remind me that oftentimes God isn’t asking you to not do this or to do that, but where is your heart? Can you even hear me? If I was standing in front of you, would you recognize me? Or would you be blinded by your pride? Your stuff? Your other gods?

I remember yielding this verse against people who would critique me. It always felt good to find something about them that was “wrong” or sinful so that I could know I was better than them. In reality, I was walking around with a giant log in my eye and every time someone tried to point it out, I would gripe about the spec on their own. I was justifying my sin via the faults of others. “Well, at least I don’t do that!” Or, “Well, at least I don’t watch that!”

Oftentimes we think we are the main character in our walk of faith. We think everyone else plays the person with the log in their eye, evil Pharaoh, or the hypocritical Pharisee. When in reality, God is trying to show us we are those people. Not in a condemning way, but a loving way. A way that says, you once were like this, but you no longer have to be. I have come to fix everything. Stop trusting in yourself, in your rituals, in your status. I have made them all useless. I am your purpose.

Prayer

HONOR GOD

Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Consider it a privilege that we get to be ambassadors for the Lord. The way that we carry ourselves and communicate should be a reflection of who God is. Thank him for bestowing that honor on you 

ASK GOD

Ephesians 6:18-20

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Ask God with perseverance. Knowing that when you knock on the door he listens. 

SUBMIT TO GOD

Romans 12:2 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

The process of our minds being renewed is one of submission to God. Often we believe we know what is best for us, but let God’s word and His Spirit lead you to a place of transformation. 

CLOSING PRAYER

God, as I surrender to You fully. I don’t want anything to hold me back from the fruit You have available to me. Today I offer each and every area of my life to You, even the ones I’ve held onto in the past. Your ways are higher than mine and I can trust You with everything.  In Jesus Name, Amen.