RELIGIOSITY….“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded….James 4:8

CONSIDER THIS: Religiosity is described in the dictionary as “exaggerated or affected piety and religious zeal”. If you look up the word “affected”, it means “something done to impress others”. The “disease” which this word carries, is infectious. Yet if we REALLY follow the command above, we too can have the single exclusive blessings of True Christianity (which is GRACE) rather than two-faced religiosity, which leads to eventual destruction. Ask the Pharisees whom Jesus condemned in Matthew 23.

ACTION: Jesus told us to remove the log from our own eyes before looking at the log in another person’s eyes. Today, let us look in the mirror of our soul to discern if we are guilty of the same shortcomings of others whom we criticize for the same thing. Then repent at the Foot of the Cross and quit this sort of conduct, of accusing others, while we are just as doubleminded as they are.

Father, in the Name of Jesus, You know our every thought, action and intention. You search the hearts of men and women and most times, we fall short of the desired mark. Lord, today we ask that You reveal anything hidden, which we cannot see ourselves, because we are too busy looking at the things which others are doing, or not doing. In addition, help us not to be doubleminded as we put on fake faces in public of peace, tranquility and piety, when behind the scenes, when we are by ourselves, all kinds of unresolved or sinful things are going on. Lord, remove the fake religiosity in our lives, which can condemn as as Pharisees and may we be the same behind closed doors, as Christians, as we are in church on Sunday morning. May we be the walking definition of Spiritual Integrity, in Jesus’ Name amen.

DAY 11: SERVE….”For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many….Mark 10:45

CONSIDER THIS: We live in a “me-first” society. In fact, this country, which was once the world’s economic engine, has become a land full of “Service Industry”. Simply put – we want to be served, and pay top dollar for it. The welfare mentality, created by fifty years of dependency, leads many to expect others to serve them rather than what the Bible teaches. To be like Christ, our service must be other-focused and the joyful fruit of our Salvation. After evaluating yours, are your intentions like Jesus’ in today’s verse? Do you give first…or like most (even in the church). expect to be waited on, hand and foot?

ACTION: The great bard of the 1960’s – Bob Dylan – once sang “You gotta serve somebody”. Today, how about finding someone in your circle and mine, to whom we can reach out and say “is there anything you need right now”….”can I help with anything, I know things are kind of tight with you at this moment”. Or “can I pray for anything for you and your family”? Most people are afraid or feel weird going to a mission or nursing home to minister to someone else. Now is the perfect time to step out of the comfort zone. Would you?

Heavenly Father, on this brand new day, activate the heart within me, which You placed and which I have so conveniently shoved to the side, while I only think about my own needs. Lord, I pray for an opportunity today to minister to someone who needs the special touch from the Savior, someone who needs the kind of love- today – which will show them, visibly, that there is a God Who loves them and cares about them. Lord, today, let me be Your hands and feet and mouthpiece, in Jesus’ Name amen.