Who is God Seeking

~~~ Isaiah 1:10, 16-20 ~~~ Psalm 50 ~~~ Matthew 23:1-12 ~~~

Jesus scolded the scribes and the Pharisees 

for not being who they claimed to be.

He warned the people to not be fooled

 by their behavior...

their actions were not even aligned 

with their own words.

All their works are performed to be seen.

These holy learned men shrouded

 their true selves in fine clothing.

They become their own diversion.

But nothing can be hidden or disguised before God.

God looks deep within...

God sees the 'pimples' in our soul.

God is not impressed 

with your position at the banquet table.

God seeks those who desire 

a humble and contrite heart.

God seeks those who...

cease doing evil; learn to do good.

This is precisely what we are called 

to do each year during Lent.

We have forty focused days 

to catch ourselves doing evil...

none of us are perfect...we are all sinners.

We have forty focused days 

to learn to do good.

Now is the time to do some soul searching.

Now is the time to stop sinning...at least

 make the serious intention.

Do you really want to do good?

Or is it only when people are watching you?

Jesus shows us the way.

We do not have the task to discover 

what being 'good' means.

God is seeking you.

Help Him find you faster 'do good'

for He already knows who and where you are today.

Blessings 

turn away from evil and do good.

~~~Peace~~~

You Can Do Better

~~~ Isaiah 1:10, 16-20 ~~~ Psalm 50 ~~~ Matthew 23:1-12 ~~~

Wash yourselves clean!
Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes;
cease doing evil; learn to do good.

If only it was that easy to just wash ourselves clean...
that is to wash our soul clean.
We can cease doing evil. We can learn to do good.

We must first come to the realization that we are doing evil...
that there is more we need to learn about doing good.

We cannot sit back on our laurels being proud of ourselves.
As long as we are still breathing we can learn to do better.
We can always become a better person.

I do not want to be like the scribes and the Pharisees.
They thought they had arrived that they had all of the answers...
that they were the authority and had the final words.

They focused their attention mostly on their physical appearance.
No matter how you are dressed
if you are acting like a jerk you are still a jerk.
...do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Rather than showing off it is better
 to be genuine and sincere when you are with others.

Let the love of Jesus come through as you interact with others.

Concentrate on how you can better be a representative,
 an ambassador of and for Jesus.

We have been called to serve others
 not rule over them
 with heavy hands and
countless rules and regulations.

He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way
 I will show the salvation of God.

Praise God in every situation.
God will Bless us as he shows us the path of salvation.
Have you praised God today?


~~~Peace~~~

Much Ado About Nothing

~~~ Isaiah 1:10, 16-20 ~~~ Psalm 50 ~~~ Matthew 23:1-12 ~~~

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;

but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

It is not possible to have a new heart and a new spirit

unless you admit your need and desire.

If we do not admit to our own sinfulness 

we will not see the need for anything to change.

The scribes and Pharisees were quite proud 

of their position in the community and their accomplishments.

They wanted to be given proper recognition.

They expected special seating in places of honor.

They expected to be greeted as Rabbi.

They paraded in their fine robes and long tassels to be seen by all. 

Jesus came on the scene and said all of this is just
much ado about nothing.

How you look is not what matters.

What people call you is insignificant.

Where you sit is inconsequential.

Is it your actions that speak volumes of who you really are?

How you treat others, not what you say about them?
Rather you must search your heart for the
real intention for your actions.

All their works are performed to be seen.

Jesus poked holes in everything about them...

in how they presented themselves...
how they dressed...their position of authority.

Do you hide behind external actions under
the guise of being more pious?
Is God going to love me more if I do...?

The truth is there is nothing
we can 'do' to make God love us more.
Honestly, how much more love
do you think God could give you?

He sacrificed all out of love for you.
Every Lent we are reminded in a very clear way
just how deep his love for us runs.

Jesus accepted his mission to love us unconditionally.
Are there people in your life that you love unconditionally?

If you have children it may very well be in that love
 that you can find meaning as just how much God's love is for you.

Perhaps it is the love you have for your pet.
We love our pets with unconditional love.
Truly what can a pet give back to you?

Consider today how God's love for you
is represented in how you love.

Blessings from God
 must emerge from within your heart.

The heart that loves in any capacity
cannot be a stony heart.

~~~Peace~~~