Exodus 7-8, Matthew 15:1-20

I have been praying and asking the Lord what he wants me to learn these past few days. I prayed the same prayer last night before I went to sleep. Then this morning in our reading it became a little clearer. We are given a new heart once we surrender our lives to Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:17. But I still fight the flesh. We have covered the parable of the sower where we hear God's Word with joy but then business of life takes over. Then in Matthew 14 we see Peter walk on water until he takes his eyes off of Jesus and looks at his surroundings. Today Matthew 15:1-20 Jesus confronts the Pharisees about their true hearts. They worship with their lips but their hearts are far from true worship.

Why are we getting into God's Word? Is it an academic exercise? Is it to check the box on our list? Are we truly waiting to hear from Him? These last few days have become clear that I easily forget why I am sitting down and opening the truth of God's Word. This is the only way I can prevent the ugly heart that Jesus talks about in Matthew 15. To battle the day to day stuff and mind I need to sit, pray, and mediate on His Words. To keep our eyes on Jesus and not look at our circumstance like Peter did is the only way to have a heart of true worship.

Lord please help me remember these truths as I leave my house today. May my eyes, my mind, and my heart be focused on Jesus. Lord help take every though captive and make it obedient to you (2 Corinthians 10:5)in true worship and not just lip service. Amen

Larry

Tomorrow Exodus 9, 10, 11 Matthew 15 21-39