Relationship not Religion

Read: Matthew 23:27; Matthew 6

 The world is full of religions. Men and women all over the world are engaged in activities designed to prove their individual worthiness or righteousness to a higher power. Many abstain from dancing, smoking, drinking, playing cards, movie attendance, swearing, eating meat, wearing provocative clothing or makeup, in a bid to prove their piety. Still others attend several services a week, pray in a certain direction, pray a certain amount of times a day, cover their heads, use beads to count how many prayers they have said, even wear special clothing, all while volunteering for every religious activity they can fit in their schedule.

 While there are certainly some good things that can be said for religious activity, it is important to look at what Jesus had to say about those engaged in exhaustive religious practices in his day. He was quick to point out that it wasn't the practices that made the individual righteous in God's eyes but it was their hearts. While the pharisees appeared to be very pious in truth their hearts were far from God. God doesn't want your religious practices, He wants your relationship. He's not as interested in how much time you spend in church as how much time do you spend alone with him. If you are seeking righteousness, why search anywhere else other than the presence of God? If you only spent one or two hours a week with your significant other it wouldn't be long before you would find yourself having trouble in your relationship. Is it any wonder why many feel dissatisfaction in their relationship with God? Starting today, make it a daily practice of spending time with God reading (scripture), talking (prayer), and listening (meditation).

Prayer: Dear Lord- Thank you for your love and kindness. Please help me to be more like you every day. Help me to put you first in my life both in what I say and what I do. In Jesus name- Amen.