DAILY READINGS: Ezra 5; Daniel 6; Revelation 2:1-17
And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, He said unto
him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. Mark 12:34a
Reality must exceed ritual. Here is what this wise scribe realized. Unless
his faith involved all of his heart, soul, mind, and strength, no prescribed
ritual would bring him into God’s presence. What about us?
Are we so caught up with the cold grip of orthodoxy, that we’ve lost
sight of Him? While it is certain we are to be obedient to the precepts,
principles, and patt erns He’s drawn out for us, performance of these
without a heart that belongs to Him is hypocrisy. When we “show
up” for the meetings of our assembly, He desires that the whole person
“shows up”. He knows the diff erence. —Rick Morse
Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were off ering far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine; demands my heart, my life, my all. —I. Watt s