“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye are like unto whited seplchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.” Matt. 23: 27
Today’s Christian Daily Devotional
I attended a party recently, and found myself having a conversation with a woman I knew casually. Our light conversation started to steer into “deep waters” as the subject of God and church came up. This woman, who is very down to earth and honest, claimed that she did not believe in God. Although she had no faith in God, she passionately made a point to let me know that this did not stop her from attending a church for the “ceremonies and traditions”. She felt it was important to be part of a community, and it always made her “feel good” afterwards. Of course, this verse is the first thing that popped in my mind! It made me sad to see that having a personal relationship with God did not seem like an option to her. Church was a something she did out of obligation, tradition and for her own social and personal fulfillment. She had never really let the truth of God’s word that was spoken to her at church actually sink into her heart. Despite what most people think, God is not a religion. He is not a church. He is not a tradition, or a ceremony. He is GOD and He will not be defined as anything less than the Alpha and Omega. Church was never designed to make men and women “feel good”. It was meant for us to get “right” with God. Gathering together with other believers is really about taking the time to celebrate who God is, what He saved each one of us from and a reminder of how He instructs us (in His word) to personally walk-out our faith throughout the week. Are you sick of the empty religious rites, repetitions and activities that you seem to perform mindlessly in church? Do you crave to know God as your personal Savior, the father of your heart and your best friend? You can know Him in this way if you refuse to put God in a “religious box” and open your heart to something much more fulfilling than filling an empty pew. Join me in a prayer for a deeper relationship with Him. You will never regret it.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I repent if I ever deduced you to a building or a congregation. You are God Almighty. You sent your Son to show me how much you loved me (and all sinners). Please open my heart to really seek your face the next time I am in a church service. Help me not to be distracted by anything that will keep my eyes off you. I know that even “religious” rites, can take the power of just enjoying the presence of God. Lord, I stand against anything that comes between me and my intimacy with you. Let no man put asunder what God has brought together, and I believe with all my heart, you drew me to yourself. Grow me up to my fullest potential in you, so I can serve and lead others to you. In Jesus’ precious name, sanctify every house of God that claims your name, Amen.”