Return to God

"I, Yahweh, have not changed in anything; just as you, children of Jacob, are always the same. Since the day of your ancestors you stray from my ordinances and do not practice them. Return to me and I will return to you, says Yahweh of hosts. But you ask: 'Why do we have to return?' Can a man deceive God? Yet you cheat on me and moreover ask: 'How did we cheat you?'" - Malachi 3:6-8

The thing that always happens when we forget God in our lives, or don't give Him the place He deserves is that we start to think, "what do I need God for? I'm fine. I'm having fun. I don't need that right now." And you can think that all you want but the truth, whether you accept it or not, is that you were created for one purpose - to love and serve God. When you stray from Him and occupy yourself with other things, examine yourself, you are missing something. Something inside is empty, something inside feels hurt. Often times, that empty feeling inside us leads us to go further from God because we seek superficial things to fill us, thinking we'll be happy with certain things. What you don't know is that our God is a jealous God. He loves us and wants us for Himself so when He sees that we stray, He'll let us go, but His grace won't follow us as we step into sin because His goodness is not compatible with evil. Yet, He'll always put someone or something in our paths to remind us of Him and of His love.

Like the verse says, "why do we have to return?" we ask ourselves and we ask others who try to guide us? Well, if for no other reason, then return to stop the hurt, to stop the pain. To stop those insecurities that can depress us or those problems in life that seem like huge mountains ready to devour us. And what happens when we return? God is there with open arms. When we return, God will tell us like He said to the prophet Jeremiah, "When you call on me I will listen. You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. I will let myself be found by you (Jer 29:12-14)." This is all the reason I need.

Today's Prayer:
Loving and merciful God, I thank You that Your goodness is much greater than my sin. I thank You because You overlook my shortcomings as long as my heart is in the right place. Help me to never ever stray. In Your Name we pray, amen.

Do Not Cheat God

"I, Yahweh, have not changed in anything; just as you, children of Jacob, are always the same. Since the day of your ancestors you stray from my ordinances and do not practice them. Return to me and I will return to you, says Yahweh of hosts. But you ask: 'Why do we have to return?' Can a man deceive God? Yet you cheat me and morever ask: 'How did we cheat you?'" - Malachi 3:6-9

God is not an option in your life. I come across way too many people who pick Him up and put Him down when it is convenient for them. When things are good, or they're busy planning out their lives with no concern for the will of God for them, they forget Him and ignore what they have been taught. Then when they need something, they immediately start praying and supplicating for God to listen to them. Even getting mad if the answer takes time. But it is as God says here to Malachi, He does not change the way He is with you, so why do you dedicate such little time to Him and not listen to His Word, His commandments? You cheat Him and then have the audacity to think you're getting away with it but you're not. God sees all things and knows what in the depth of your soul. If you really want to live a good, happy and successful life, put God first. Follow His commandments for your life always and He will take care of You. Don't cheat Him, or just try Him out to see how things go because you will fail. There is no real life away from God; all you will find is sadness and emptiness. Return to Him with all your heart and He will return to you. Remain in Him and He will remain in you.

Today's Prayer:
God, I am evil and stray from You although You are always there when I need You. I don't want to cheat You my Lord so please give me the strength to perservere out of love for You. In Your Name we pray, amen.