Yesterday's sermon was on being real with God. From the text of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount where he says (6:1-6, 16-18) to beware of our practicing our piety before others to get our reward from them, the instruction is for us to have a genuine and real relationship with God. Play acting before God counts for nothing. God desires us to be honest with ourselves, with others, and especially with Him.
Here's our study guide for today:
Monday: It’s in the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:16 says, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Yet, the pages of the Bible, including the case against Jesus and later Paul, were filled with “false witness.” If one is to be “real” with God there is some need to be real with ourselves. Why are we sometimes not “real?” A seminary professor of mine would quote above the essay section of exams, Psalms 50:9 (his translation) “I will accept no bull,” as a way of stressing that he wanted the best from us and not just ramblings. The Lord said it first! Pray the words of the Psalm that comes after the above mentioned one: Psalm 51:10-12.
Here are the words from the psalmist in the above mentioned text, starting earlier with verse 9:
9 But why should I want your blue-ribbon bull, or more and more goats from your herds? 10 Every creature in the forest is mine, the wild animals on all the mountains. 11 I know every mountain bird by name; the scampering field mice are my friends. 12 If I get hungry, do you think I'd tell you? All creation and its bounty are mine. 13 Do you think I feast on venison? or drink draughts of goats' blood? 14 Spread for me a banquet of praise, serve High God a feast of kept promises, 15 And call for help when you're in trouble - I'll help you, and you'll honor me." (The Message)
God, our God, the awesome God of all the universe has everything at His command. What he wants more than anything else is a real relationship with us. Like I mentioned in the sermon back in the day when dating was still around, we can't fool God with accomplishments, attributes, or assets. God knows what we have, God wants who we are, not what we pretend to be.
Let today be a day of becoming honest with God and with ourselves.
PRAYER: God, thank you for sharing Jesus with us. Thank you for forgiving our sins and letting us be real with You. We pray that this would carry over into all areas of our lives. Let us be real with ourselves and in turn, real with others, especially those who love us. Bless those who are in need. And use us for blessing others as well. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great day.
Blessings,
e.v.
