Daily prayer is for obedience. We keep an index card with Romans 12:2 written on it from a small group activity years ago. The world has so much to offer. An achievement-focused lifestyle can pridefully lift you to where you feel like nothing else matters. In this breath of life until you realize our eternity.
Today’s Reading: Mark 8 (verse 15 & 34-37)
15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”
The world can infect and change your heart and mind. The same pridefulness that the Pharisees and Herod held can be seen in our world today. So I ask myself, do I provide lip service and merely admiring the truth? Or am I singing praises and obeying the truth? Pastor Charlie Welke rechallenged me this weekend as he talked about our “Domesticated Faith.” I reflected on the finite nature of our world and the infinite power of God. Am I allowing any yeast of the world to enter into my life? I prayerfully ask the Lord to search my heart, see if there is any offensive way, and lead me. Psalm 139:23-24
Author MaryLu Tyndall writes about the World system vs. God’s Truth.
The world says it’s all about you. God says it’s all about Him.
The world says elevate yourself. God says to put others ahead of yourself.
The world says grab as much power as you can. God says to be a servant.
The world says to eat, drink, and be merry, for this is all there is. God says you are an eternal being, so be wise with your time.
The world says the ends justify the means. God says the means will be judged in the end.
The world says outward beauty is everything. God says those with inner beauty will shine at the end.
The world says gather as many things as you can. God says only your treasure in Heaven will last.
The world says truth is relative. God says I am the truth.
The world says to be tolerant. God says to call evil, evil.
The world says it’s all about personal happiness. God says it’s all about personal sacrifice.
The world says death is the end. God says death is only the beginning.
Just as Jesus will warn us what to stay away from, he points us to the truth.
34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life[b] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.
God Bless your day!