Christian Devotional – June 9, 2012

VERSE:
Matthew 15:8–This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.

TRUTH:
It can be so easy to just go through the motions. We turn our relationship with Jesus into just another line on our daily “to do” list. We say the right things and do the right things, but for all the wrong reasons. Jesus accused the pharisees of honoring Him with their lips, but not with their hearts. What would Jesus say to us if He stood before us? Do we follow and obey God because we love Him and desire Him? Or is it just because we’ve always done it this way, or because other people expect us to, or because we want the favor and approval of others? Where is our heart?

RESPONSE:
Lord, it’s easy to get into a routine and just follow You because that’s what people expect. Forgive me! I follow You because I love You and I desire a close relationship with You. Help me not to lose sight of that and be distracted by any other reason for doing what You would have me do!