06 / 24 / 06
(Comments in parentheses and emphasis are mine)

FIRST THOUGHTS:

We have all seen them before: Children who act like they love their parents only when they want something. (Some of us may even have a child like this). We all know what they look like. The parent’s first thought is, “Okay, what do you want, now.”

I don’t know about you, but I would simply hate to have this kind of a relationship that is based upon what the child receives. But we see it all over!! Many think that they are actually building a relationship when they give and give to their children … they are not. Just like our pets, our children know who “feeds” them. They know which parent is the “Daddy Warbucks”. These children know how much they can get away with and they know who has the money and how to get it! This is NOT true love. Actually, many of us may even have friends like this, as well!! The only reason they may be a friend is for THEIR own gain (what they can get out of the relationship)?

Can you imagine how God feels? Many say, “I love you”, but in actuality they believe that they are gaining eternal life by saying so. Some say, “I love you, Lord”, but actually they are being taught that they will gain wealth in saying such words or by a certain style of worship.

Spoiled children.

Yes, these people cannot hide behind their curtain of fake godliness. Can you talk about God with them? If it’s not during their scheduled weekly hour (at church) … forget it. That kind of stuff takes up way too much time. Do they want to learn something new about God? That, too, is impossible for they are content with where they are at and what their pastor is preaching. They may even feel that their relationship with God is perfect, for their life is going great … in their eyes. (You know … why “rock the boat” … Why spoil a “good thing”)

VERSES THAT TOUCH ON THE THOUGHT:

“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by me.” (Matthew 15:8-9)

(Mark expands on it, in Mark 7:8-9) “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.” And He said to them: “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!”

LAST THOUGHTS:

1-800-CALL-GOD

When they are in trouble is the only time many will call upon God. That seems to be their emergency number. Until then, this number is kept in the phone book. Just like those children who give lip service … there is no real relationship. They just keep their parents close enough for support.

God knows the heart of these “want-a-be” children. He is not being fooled, in the least. When His righteous judgment is reveled is when they will find out that “that number has been disconnected!

Yep, spoiled is what they are.

God cannot be mocked. Many think that they are fooling God with their traditions and man-made days … but they are not fooling God. This is where Satan’s deception comes in: Since life is good and problems are few and money is flowing … “God must be pleased” (Funny, it is when all these things are taken away and they are in need, that they finally truly search for God’s face)

Just something to think about