Friday, November 25, 2011

Which is the right way?

In my latest trek through the Bible--this time the Evidence Bible published by Bridge-Logos in Orlando--I've been reading in Deuteronomy. I'm amazed at how such an old book can be so relevant to today. In Deuteronomy 12:8 Moses shared God's message to the Hebrew people: "You shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes." People at that time built and worshiped idols. They performed many rituals for their dieties. They even sacrificed their children in hopes of pleasing their gods. Even those who worshiped the God of Abraham sometimes invented ways to please Him. But God gave very specific instructions about how to worship Him so "that it may go well with you, and with your children after you, when you shall do that which is right in the sight of the Lord." (Deut. 12:25) God is not interested in our brand of religion, whether we pretend to worship him or someone else. How can we be sure what really pleases God? There are so many religions, so many denominations of Christianity, so many styles of worship. What standard should we use to see if our actions and attitudes are what God approves? Moses reminded the people, "What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: you shall not add thereto, nor diminish from it." (Deut. 12:32) Herein lies the answer to our dilemma. We cannot do what is right in our own eyes. We have an obligation to find out what God requires. This is found in the Bible, God's holy book. Which do you choose: what is right in your own eyes or what is right in the sight of the Lord?

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Are You Listening?

Sometimes I really surprise myself. I think I have it all together, and then I realize I don't. I have an old cassette of Dino Kartsonakis that I love to hear. The only place I can play it is in the car. It's a great stress reliever to listen to his beautiful piano music blended with sounds of nature--the ocean or a rain storm. After a long day at work, I had some errands to run. As I drove, my mind whirred at top speed, processing all the obligations I tried to manage. I mentally cataloged my to-do lists for school, home, and church. Traffic demanded my attention. A long wait at a red light forced me to halt. Suddenly, under the current of all that had demanded my focus, I heard a sweet melody. Dino's music had been playing during my ride, but all those stressors had completely blocked it from my perception. At times like this, I am reminded that God is speaking words of love and wisdom to me. But so often I am not even listening. I block out His gentle call with a myriad of mindless matter. Perhaps a friend might say, "God does not talk to me." I must reply, "He is speaking. But are you listening?"