The One Thing God Really Desires

Pretender.

Poser.

Actor.

All of the above well describe the point God was apparently trying to get across when Jesus confronted hypocrisy in his audiences repetitively. We can draw this conclusion because the word hypocrite is given to us by the Greeks and the term evolved from their theatrical performances. It was used to describe masks worn by Greek actors -- as their masks would display a fixed expression -- many times for the sake of humor by portraying an emotion that was the exact opposite of the lines being spoken by the actors.

Understanding that it is from this perspective that the word hypocrisy is to be viewed, Mark 7:6, then draws an even clearer picture of what Jesus desires of us, “Well has Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.’"

God despises hypocrisy because when it comes to worship he doesn’t desire theatrics. He just wants our pure, unadulterated adoration. He wants our hearts.

Don’t just invite him to come into your heart, give him your heart.

---

Watch Pastor Eric's Message on this subject: One Mask You Should Never Wear

Twice Mine

The boy who held his little boat and said, “It’s mine, I made it,” suffered a keen disappointment. One day, with exuberant anticipation, he carried his boat to the shore of the lake and sailed it on the clear, blue water. The little boat skimmed along as the gentle breeze blew its sails across the rippling waves. Then suddenly, a gust of wind caught the little boat and snapped the string the boy was holding. Out farther and farther the little boat sailed until, at last, it vanished from sight. Sadly the boy made his way home--without his prized possession. It was lost.

The weeks and months went by. Then one day as the boy passed a toy shop, something caught his attention. Could it be? Was it really? He looked closer. It was. Yes, there in the display window was his own little boat. Overjoyed, the boy bolted into the store and told the owner about the boat on display. It really belonged to him. He had made it hadn’t he? “I’m sorry,” the shopkeeper said, “but it’s my boat now. If you want it, you’ll have to pay the price for it.

Sad at heart, the boy left the store. But he was determined to get his boat back, even though it meant working and saving until he had enough money to pay for it.

At last, the day came. Clutching his money in his fist, he walked into the shop and spread his hard-earned money on the countertop. I’ve come back to buy my boat,” the boy said. The clerk counted the money. It was enough. Reaching into the showcase, the storekeeper took the boat and handed it to the eager boy. The lad’s face lit up with a smile of satisfaction as he held the little boat in his arms. “You’re mine,” he said, “twice mine. Mine because I made you, and now, mine because I bought you.”

Dale E. Galloway, Rebuild Your Life

---

Watch Pastor Eric's Message on this subject: Take Me Home

The One Thing You Should Take Away From THAT Day

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭NIV)

‬‬ Caleb was a man who knew God had a plan for his life. And, it was a good plan. A plan to prosper him! Now, therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim (GIANTS) were there, and that the cities were great and fortified... (Joshua 14:12 NKJV) But, on that day, the day God revealed his plan, humanity also started talking.

Have you ever experienced THAT DAY?

You know, "that day," when God was speaking so clearly but so was the enemy...

Heaven speaking on one side but humanity rebutting it on the other side. Maybe it was coming from a loved one, a friend, a well-meaning prayer partner, or your worst critic; but, you were hearing the plan of God and all others could hear and relay was the plot of the enemy. God was revealing that he had good things for you, yet the enemy was trumpteting through choruses of negativity, "The giants are too big! The enemy is too organized! We can't! We shouldn't! You can't! You shouldn't!"

You can relate to Caleb.

You can also probably relate to David. God telling you he desires to use you to kill giants, but others telling you the enemy will use the giant to kill you! You can relate to Joseph. God giving you dreams to celebrate. Others telling you, the manifestation of your dreams they will never tolerate. You can relate to Paul. Jesus telling you he will save you. Others telling you, you've done too much wrong to ever be called by God. But, you can also further relate to Paul, because you know, if you have surrendered to Jesus' invitation, "where sin abounded, grace abounded much more" (Rom 5:20) What we learn from Caleb, David, Joseph, and Paul about how to handle "that day" -- the ultimate takeaway from their experiences and examples:

---

Give more attention to the PLAN of God

than you give to the PLOT of the enemy.

---

Caleb said as much on his way up the mountain, "I will drive them (the giants) out of this land, just as the Lord said!" (Ref. Joshua 14:12)

Climb your mountain, Caleb!

Onward and upward!