Then the Lord said,
"Because this people draw near with their words, and honor Me with their lip service, but they remove their heart far from Me. And their reverence for Me consist of tradition learned by rote."
Isaiah 29:13

We all have people in our lives who are pretentious lacking sincerity, I, like my Father, abhor the lack of genuineness and honesty. You can never have a real relationship with these folks. Their words are useless, and you can never trust or depend on them. The reverence they offer God consist of tradition learned by rote. The word "rote" means from memory, without thought of the meaning; in a mechanical way.

If you have ever been in a marriage, or had children, or attempted friendships with folks as such, you know it is very painful and unfulfilling. If you are the recipient you never feel valued and are robbed of any self worth.

How comforting and reassuring it is to know we pray to a God who understands. God the Father is perfect love, and yet we see in scripture how His own treated Him. In Isaiah 53 we have a heart wrenching description of how Jesus was treated.

As much as I despise hypocrisy and people not meaning what they say I know I am susceptible at times to do the things I hate as Paul said in Romans 7:15. Read it in context. Let us cry out of our hearts to Christ Jesus that we might love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, body, soul, and strength. Let us bring Him a broken and contrite spirit when we fail Him.

What shall we give to the King, the One who has everything? Allow His Word to give you an answer:

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." (Psalm 51:17)

Let us take a moment this morning to begin preparing the most important gift to be given this Christmas to the One who is most deserving.
In His love.

Teresa Roberts

Masterpiece Fitness

276-237-6680

Being snowed in this past week allowed time to enjoy my home decor celebrating the birth of our Savior!