Today’s Reading:
Hosea 5:15-6:6
Psalm 51:3-4,18-21
Luke 18:9-14
In a lot of relationships, to get a girl to love you, you have to say the right words show the right set of gestures and buy loads of gifts. And if you are lucky, you might get a few yourself. But there is a relationship that does not cost much yet it is worth its weight in gold. Through the Prophet Hosea, God says: “What I want is love, not sacrifice; knowledge of God, not holocausts” (Hosea 6:6). Only two things are required love and knowledge.
Love and knowledge sound so simple but they carry a lot of weight. To love is to step out of yourself and focus on the other person. You also need to spend time with a person to know them. Quality time is a fundamental pillar of any relationship. Here, you will pick up character traits that the other person may or may not be aware they display. You see and you are seen when you love and share quality time; this is what God desires from us. Most relationships (even with God) are “Like the morning cloud, like the dew that quickly disappears” (Hosea 6:4). There are several synonyms with which we can describe this kind of relationship--fake, ephemeral, prideful, shaky, untrustworthy, unfaithful, weak, unreliable, conditional and selfish. May God grant you the grace to give your best to your relationship with God and make you the best person in your other relationships through Christ our Lord.
Our relationship with God should be inspired by the prayer of the tax collector: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13). It is the sincerity of the prayer that rings true and shows a willingness to grow into the ideal person that God has made us be. God responds lovingly to a humble and sincere prayer. In answering our prayer, God exalts us. Other words for exaltation are salvation, liberation from darkness, clothed with holiness, illuminated with knowledge, justification, strengthened with virtues, freed from sin, reconciled, forgiven and made ready for heaven.
JUDE-MARY OWOH
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud:
Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I believe and surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart, keep me from all evil, and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank You, Lord!
If you said the above short prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident reverend, pastor or priest, as the case may be.
Prayer:
May God exalt you above every evil and sinful tendency today and always in Jesus’ name. Amen.
May God exalt you above every evil and sinful tendency today and always and set your feet on favour and greatness in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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