Scripture
So My people come pretending to be sincere and sit before you. They listen to your words, but they have no intention of doing what you say. Their mouths are full of lustful words, and their hearts seek only after money.
~Ezekiel 33:31, NLT
Quotes
Actions speak louder than words.
~Samuel Langhorne Clemens
Someone has said, “Show business is sincere insincerity.” Actors in Hollywood are paid great sums of money to act a part but they seldom resemble the part they play. Sylvester Stallone who played John Rambo in FIRST BLOOD was a Viet Nam draft dodger. He fled to Canada to avoid serving in the military yet he knew how to play the part in such a convincing fashion you would assume he was a patriot. God told Ezekiel, “My people talk about you in their homes. They say, ‘Let’s go down to the LORD’s house and hear Ezekiel the preacher.’ They sit and listen but they have no intention of acting upon what you say. You are like a musician who entertains them with love songs. They admire your voice and your talent but they have no intention of responding to your message.” Can you think of an instance where insincerity is a noble thing? There may be some exceptions but in most cases insincerity reveals a vain and selfish heart.
God does not want lip service. Pious prayers and praise songs mean nothing if the heart is not right. The LORD said through Isaiah the prophet, “You are wasting your time bringing Me your offerings. I am disgusted with the smell of the incense you burn. I cannot stand your religious gatherings because they are all corrupted by your sins. I hate your holy days; they are a burden that I am tired of bearing. When you lift your hands in prayer, I will not look at you. No matter how much you pray, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with blood. Wash yourselves clean. Stop all this evil that I see you doing. Yes, stop doing evil and learn to do right. See that justice is done – help those who are oppressed, give orphans their rights, and defend widows.” The one place where we do not want to be insincere is when we gather for worship: yet I fear it is the place were we do most of our acting.
Another beautiful day, no too cold, not too hot. Our garden looked a little better yesterday. I have some squash that I think will live. Gregg thinks the bugs had already gotten to them before I sprayed. Speaking of old Gregg, he has had a pretty rough week. He got an infection in his right leg. We need to lift Gregg up in prayer. He would appreciate it and so would I.
VBS Kick Off Rally last night and it went very good. I think T-Shirts are still on sale.
Don’t forget to pray for our Pastor and his upcoming fact-finding mission trip.