Liar

There's a gap in most of our lives when what we "think" in our heads and "say" with our hearts- don't match up with what we "do".

If we think that going to Church is good; say we are faithful members; yet don't attend on the regular or don't engage while we are in attendance. We're just liars. 

If we sing songs about surrender but never fully commit to giving our ways over to the Lord. again- we're just liars.

I'm thinking that this is why God told the Israelites in Amos 5:  Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. Whoa. 

If we know that worship is not about music...that our worship SHOULD NOT be dependent on our circumstances or issues- YET come into church and offer tired worship, defeated praise, and unfocused attention- we don't really believe that worship is just about who God is and what he has done for us OR that there is any power in praise/worship that would benefit us to get out from behind our emotions and our will and let God have his way with us.  So basically what we do is tell God "yeah, I know You're good and all... I know You're great...but I'm too tired...or I'm too distracted...or I'm too irritated...or I'm (whatever-fill in the blank) to really say thanks- So I hope that this half-baked "thank you" is enough for You because it's what you're getting tonight until You do something to make me feel better or give me my way"- that's what we tell an Almighty Ever-loving God- sometimes on a weekly basis. Brave.

SO NO WONDER we've got issues. because the 2 or 3 times set aside to get in God's presence (the only place where we can truly be changed- newsflash: you can't change yourself) we've hoodwinked ourselves into complacency! We've lied to ourselves so much- that what we are offering as "praise or worship" is acceptable : when it is based on our mood, our checkbook balance, our relationship status, etc; NOT based on the fact that God is good- all the time. period. We've lied to ourselves and to others because we've forgotten to be like David in Psalms 122:1...to be glad when it's time to go to God's house- David didn't just mark that off his "to-do" list. He was expecting and excited to go to God's house- and it wasn't because of the preaching or the preacher, or the music, or seeing other people there- it was because he was glad to get to bless God for all that He is and all that He has done. Can you say the same? 

Don't lie.