Ordinary Time: Monday, July 10, 2006

Old Testament Lesson

Numbers 32:1-6, 16-27

We see here in this passage folks making promises to the Lord. And Moses tells them, if you are true to your word, you will be blessed. However, if you break your word to God, your sin will be found. Our promises to God are not a trifling thing. Our promises to God are not something to be taken lightly. If we have promised God that we will do something, we had best about doing it.

I've asked this question to my folks in sermons before, and I ask it you now, what if God kept His promises to you in the same manner that you kept your promise to Him? Could you count on Him to be true? So often, we do not keep our word to God. Now, thankfully, God is always true to His word. We should aspire to be like God, true to our word. True to our promises to God, and to each other. God is faithful to us. Can we say the same about ourselves?

New Testament Lesson

Romans 8:26-30

It is only when we acknowledge our weakness that we can find God's strength. It is only when we admit that we cannot do it; that we are not strong enough; that we cannot save ourselves, then and only then do we find God's graces.

The irony is that God's grace is always there. Our eyes are just too blind to see it. We must humble ourselves, we must realize that we need God. We must come to Him in our weakness. But, when we come in that manner, He gives us strength.

You cannot be strong enough today for all of your challenges. But, God can. And through the power of His strength, you can overcome. On your own, you can't. But, with God, all things are possible.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 23:1-12

We see that truth of the New Testament Lesson in this passage. Jesus shows us that the religious of His day; they were doing their acts to be seen. They loved being seen as religious, being seen as holy, being seen as perfect. And, in that, that is their reward.

True religion is done for the eyes of God, not the eyes of others. True faithfulness is done for the eyes of God, not for the eyes of others. We must see to be truly religious, not just seeking to appear to be religious. The only praise that matters is hat of God. The only reward that matters is that given of God. The only recognition that matters is that at the end when God says, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Today, do you live more mindful of the eyes of men, or the eyes of God?