Friday's Follow-up Versus
Ezekiel 33:30-32
“As for you, son of man, your people are talking together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, saying to each other, ‘Come and hear the message that has come from the Lord.’ My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice.”
• I am called to hear Jesus’ words and put them into practice, becoming like the wise man who builds his house on the rock.
Pondering Point
As this part of scripture infers, humility is often not identified merely by one's words, but more so in one's attitude. And the Lord clearly can see our hearts and what they are tied up in. Let's not be people of empty flattery with our words, but have our words align with hearts that have previously aligned with our Father in heaven. Or maybe we can say it this way: Let’s align our hearts with our Father in heaven before we open our mouths. Then our humility will be evident in both the attitude and the words that flow from our heart.
Prayer
Father God, I desire to be humble before You and others; I start by humbling my heart and asking that you align it with Yours. I conclude by asking that the words of my mouth as well as the meditation of my heart be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight (Psalm 19:14). In the name of my humble Savior Jesus I ask this. Amen.
Psalm 19:14
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Micro-Group Moment:
Learning about my place in the
mission and ministry of Hope Lutheran Church (or your own local church)
Values of Hope Lutheran Church (Why do we do what we do?)
We value living
in the Word,
under the Spirit,
with all people,
as disciples of Jesus.
Part I: Living in the Word: Throughout our lives, most of us have discovered that to become an expert in doing something, we needed to completely immerse ourselves in it, as is often done when learning to speak another language. The same is true with the Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that, “All Scripture [the Word] is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” God has provided everything that we need to live a godly life within His Word. While many read the Word for educational purposes, others seek answers, strength, comfort, support, direction, or advice. We encourage everyone to not only read the Word, but to meditate on it and live in it. In Proverbs 4:20-22, we are told to turn our ears to His words, to not let them out of our sight, but keep them within our heart for they are life to those who find them. Jesus himself reminds us of this when he responds to temptation in Matthew 4:4 saying “It is written: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Prayer
Father God, may I learn to value living in Your word so that I am thoroughly equipped for every good work that You have in mind for me to do. I pray this for my brothers and sisters in Christ as well. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.