No Condemnation

Posted on July 22, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
No Condemnation

July 22

No Condemnation

Today’s Scripture Readings:  Psalm 77:16-20;2 Chronicles 6:12 – 7:10; Romans 7:14 – 8:8; Proverbs 19:24-25

Today’s Scripture Focus: Romans 7:14 – 8:8

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2 ESV).

“No Condemnation” (8:1)! Yet many of us carry around a load of shame, guilt and condemnation. The good news is this: There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. God is the Father of compassion who gladly runs out to meet all of his prodigals. He runs to us, embraces us, kisses us, brings the best robe and rings for our fingers and declares that “it’s time to party” for the prodigal has come home.

Our heavenly Father loves us deeply and does not condemn us. But we do not always live as if that is true. Many times others treat us as if that is not true. Their words shame us and condemn us. How unlike Jesus who said, “Neither do I condemn you, Go and sin no more.”

God has chosen each of us full well knowing our past, our present and our future. He knows all about us: our ups and downs, our victories, our low points, our times of devotion and our times of rebellion. The amazing truth of scripture is that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” He sees our desperate condition and loves us enough to send his Son to die for us to clean us up and give us a new and better life. It is amazing, he knows all about us and chooses us anyway and gives us the grace we need. Truly, there is no condemnation for those who are his children.

Are you living in the freedom of knowing that there is “no condemnation?” Spend time in his presence and find the life and peace that come from that truth sinking deeply into your heart.  This is a truth that can set you free.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the freedom of living without condemnation. Thank you for the joy and peace that it brings to live without shame. When others try to condemn or shame us, remind us of your love and acceptance. Amen.

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Hide and Seek

Posted on July 21, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Hide and Seek

July 21

Hide and Seek

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 77:1-15;  2 Chronicles 4:1 – 6:11;  Romans 7:1-13;   Proverbs 19:22-23

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 77

“I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out tiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted. I remember you, O God, and I groaned; I mused and my spirit grew faint” (Psalm 77:1, 2 NIV).

Hide and seek. We all loved to play it as children. We would play it for hours on end, day after day. We especially liked to play it with Dad. He was so much better at hiding than we were. He made it a challenge. As children, we found delight in the seeking process and we were positively ecstatic with joy when we finally found him. Sometimes it seems like God plays hide and seek.

The Psalmist, like many of us, has forgotten the joy of “hide and seek.” He has forgotten the child-like giggles and laughter when we ran through the house looking under everything, opening every door, checking every closet, every nook and cranny (even small kitchen appliances where I guarantee dad would never fit). He has forgotten the delight of seeking the one who loves us enough to make it a challenge. So have most of us. It was a fun game for kids, but we are ready to move on.

We groan, we can’t sleep and even singing songs in the night doesn’t seem to help (3-6). We are filled with questions and the answers seem as elusive as the presence of God (7-9). We feel abandoned. But God still delights in our seeking. “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13). His ways are beyond our ways and we may not understand all that God is doing in the times when he seems to be hiding. But know that the seeking process is not without purpose and rightly understood may even become a source of delight. Yet his ultimate goal in all of this “hide and seek,” is the mutual joy we have when the seeking process finally leads to “finding.”

We all have times when we wonder if God is hiding. We have times when we don’t feel the sense of his presence. But know that he is there, hoping that you will remember the childhood delight of seeking him diligently—hoping that you will not give up the search before the laughter and joy of “finding.”

This is not to criticize the Psalmist, he is groping in the dark for light and he is making some good choices: he opens his heart to God in honesty and pours out his concerns, he remembers the ways God has been faithful, he tries to make sense of things in light of what he knows about God. He remembers that God was there when they came up against the Red Sea, delivering them from their troubles though “his footprints were not seen” (19). God seemed to be hiding then too, but he hadn’t forgotten them. 

Does it seem like God is playing “hide and seek” with you? Then perhaps this is a time to become child-like again; a time to enjoy the seeking again–to rediscover the joy of hide and seek.

Heavenly Father, when I don’t sense your nearness help me to remember the joy of “hide and seek.” Help me to trust you in the dark and to be filled with anticipation for the moment when once again I am found. As I seek, fill my eyes with faith and perseverance in the joy of rediscovery of your goodness and love. Amen.

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A Heart of Wisdom

Posted on July 20, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
A Heart of Wisdom

July 20

A Heart of Wisdom

Today’s Scripture Readings:  Psalms 76:10-12; 2 Chronicles 1:1-3:17;  Romans 6:1-23;  Proverbs 19:20-21

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Chronicles 1:1 – 3:17

“Give me wisdom and knowledge to rule them properly for who is able to govern this great nation of yours?”(2 Chronicles 1:10 NLT).

If you were given an opportunity to receive one thing from God, what would you ask for? A computer glitch where the billions from Elon Musk’s bank account get transferred into yours? Perhaps you’d prefer to ask for the opportunity to have Al Roker tell you how beautiful you are on your 100th birthday. Or would you prefer the honor of being the president of the United States of America (with all the office’s power, prestige, honor and headaches)? Solomon faced such a choice. What did he choose? 

He bypassed all the selfish possibilities, and asked for the thing he most needed: wisdom. God was so pleased by his choice, that he gave him wealth, long life and honor too. All he asked for and so much more! Solomon made the choice we all need to make, he asked for wisdom. It’s a choice we need to make daily. Life is filled with confusing choices and too many options. It takes an hour just to get down the cereal aisle these days with all the options—and that is one of life’s easier decisions. What about all the moral dilemmas? What about the tough calls? What about the decisions that will impact my life and my family forever?

God is always pleased when we ask for wisdom. His word makes it clear that it is ours for the asking. He delights in giving it to us, whenever we need it.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him (James 1:5. NIV). 

God invites you to ask. He gives wisdom generously. He never faults us for coming back again for more of it. He never grows tired of our daily requests for more of his wisdom. He is all-wise and there is nothing that causes him confusion.  

Take the time today to open your heart to Jesus. Tell him all your troubles, your concerns and problems. Ask him your questions. Then listen for his wisdom. Through his word and by the still, small voice of his Spirit, he has some wisdom for you today.

Heavenly Father, I stand in need of your wisdom today. Guide me into your truth and direct my steps. Give insight and discernment in the application of wisdom to my life. In Jesus name, Amen.

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Be Strong and Courageous

Posted on July 19, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Be Strong and Courageous

July 19

Be Strong and Courageous

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 76: 1-9; 1 Chronicles 28:1 – 29:30;Romans 5:6-21; Proverbs 19:18-19

Today’s Scripture Focus: 1 Chronicles 28:1 – 29:30

“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged by the size of the task, for the LORD God, my God is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you” (1 Chronicles 28:20 NLT).

It’s a debilitating disease. A disease of the heart—a heart attack indeed. It eats away at the heart and causes it to wither. In its final stages it combines with hopelessness and fear to completely debilitate the victim. It makes them unable to accomplish any task. It tempts the victim to give up. It is contagious—highly contagious. What is this terrible disease? Discouragement.

To be discouraged is to lose heart. The heart, instead of living out of the “strength and courage” and hope found in our life in Christ, gives in to the temptations of fear and hopelessness. The thief, who only wishes to steal and kill and destroy, shoots the arrows of discouragement into our hearts.

At first, we hold up the shield of faith. But our arms get tired and we let down our guard and our shield only to be attacked again, this time without the shield in place. The heart begins to wither.  Then more arrows of fear and hopelessness find their target. Finally, we have lost heart. The heart attack of discouragement leaves us numb and lifeless—unable to accomplish any task. Those called to a great task are those most likely to be targeted by discouragement arrows. So take heart, you must be causing some threat to the enemy or he wouldn’t bother to waste his arrows on you.

Have you ever noticed that when God calls a leader to a great task, he repeatedly reassures them with words like these: “Be strong and courageous,” “Do not be afraid” and “Do not be discouraged.” Why? Because he knows that their “strong and courageous” heart will be tempted to give in to fear and discouragement. The enemy knows that discouragement is an epidemic that keeps us from accomplishing the task in God’s strength and courage.

Solomon had been given the task of building the temple. Listen to these encouraging words and take them to heart. They are protection against the heart disease of discouragement:

“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work . . . is finished” (28:20).

God is with you. He hasn’t forgotten you. Don’t grow weary in well doing. You will reap a harvest if you do not lose heart and give up. He is strong and courageous. He is not fearful or discouraged. Spend time with him today and let him deal with the fears, hopelessness and discouragement. Get that armor on today and stop giving in to the attacks of the enemy. You’ve got things to accomplish. Get to it!

Father, I stand in response to your command to be courageous against all the fears, and doubts, and disappointments that I face. Strengthen me, open doors before me, guide me, empower me. Don’t allow past memories of disappointment discourage me and rob me of my peace, my joy, my confident hope. I am trusting in you to strengthen my heart. Amen.

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A Hope That Will Not Disappoint

Posted on July 18, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
A Hope That Will Not Disappoint

July 18

A Hope That Will Not Disappoint

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Psalm 75:1-10; 1 Chronicles 26:12- 27:34; Romans 4:13 – 5:5; Proverbs 19:15-16

Today’s Scripture Focus: Romans 4:13- 5:5

“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed…” (Romans 4:18 NIV).

His situation was absolutely hopeless.  How could Abram and Sara—well past child bearing years—become the father of many nations? The facts: “his body was as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old and Sara’s womb was also dead.” Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed.

How could he have hope, when his situation seemed hopeless? What was his secret?

He remembered the promise. “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God” (20).

He knew that “the promiser” was faithful. “Being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised (21). “He considered him faithful who had made the promise” (Heb. 11:11).

Hope that doesn’t disappoint comes from an intimate walk with our God who is faithful to his promises. It remembers the promises of God and finds the grace to stand and persevere even through the trials of faith. It finds strength by relying on the character of the one who is faithful—strength to believe and strength to praise and give glory to God (20). It looks to the future glory when the going gets tough down here (5:2-5). It also remembers that God has a purpose in the trial of our faith that can bring joy even through the times of suffering (we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope).

When it’s all said and done, this trial of faith is going to cause me to hold on to Jesus more tightly, and he’s going to rub off on me. I’m going to become more like him—and I will find that my hope brought me through without disappointment. Most importantly, nothing can separate me from his love and knowing that he loves me can help me through the deepest, darkest trial (5:5, 8:28-39). I don’t know about you, but that brings me hope!

Heavenly Father, thank you for being faithful to your promises. Help me to persevere in this time of trial that this hard time will produce character, and character will produce hope, a hope that will not disappoint. Pour out your love into my heart today and help me to press on in faith. I am trusting in you, Father and trying to keep step with your Spirit which gives me strength. Amen.

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A Heart that Trusts

Posted on July 17, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
A Heart that Trusts "He trusted God when the way was unclear. He trusted God when the promise seemed impossible. This is the essence of faith--of a heart that trusts God: resting in the faithfulness of God." -Jeff Syverson

July 17

A Heart That Trusts

Today’s Scripture Readings:  Psalm 74:12-23; 1 Chronicles 24:1 – 26:11; Romans 4:1-12; Proverbs 19:15-16

Today’s Scripture Focus: Romans 4:1-12

Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. Now to one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness (Romans  4:3-5 ESV).

If you are looking for an example of faith, real faith, it’s hard to ignore Abraham. Clearly, he trusted God. Nearly all the New Testament writers make a point about that (see Galatians 3, James 2 and Hebrews 11 for a few more examples).

He trusted God when the way was unclear. Hebrews 11 describes his faith this way: “When called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, he obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country.” He trusted God and followed him “even though he didn’t know where he was going.” Have you ever been there? I have. Faith often requires following God “in the dark.” We walk by faith and not by sight. Abraham trusted God even when the way was unclear.

He trusted God when the promise seemed impossible. God promised a son through whom his descendants would be as the stars of the heaven, as the sands of the seashore. But he was “past age” and “as good as dead” —and Sarah was barren (Heb. 11:11-12). When it was all said and done, he trusted God to do the impossible and a son was born (that doesn’t mean there weren’t a few struggles of faith along the way—and a few missteps). He trusted God to fulfill an impossible promise. He trusted God when the cost seemed unbearable. Most strikingly, Abraham trusted God enough to be willing to sacrifice the son of the promise simply because God asked him to.  Abraham’s faith was tested severely, and he passed the test. In this life, we all face trials of faith (James 1).

What was the secret of this man who knew how to trust God?  What was the key to his faith: “He considered Him faithful who made the promise” (Hebrews 11:11). He knew God personally and knew that he could be trusted. He knew that God was always faithful to his promises.

This is the essence of faith—of a heart that trusts God: resting in the faithfulness of God.  

Open your heart today to know the God who is faithful to his promises. Take your questions, burdens and worries to him—knowing that he cares and is faithful—and find rest for your soul.

Faithful God, I come to you today with questions, burdens and worries. You have always proved faithful to your promises, so now I pray for you to meet my needs according to the promises of your Word. Guide me, provide for me, watch out for me. I am trusting in you. Amen.

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Cleaning Up the Mess

Posted on July 16, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Cleaning Up the Mess "We are blind to the ruin and misery caused by our sin. Not to mention the ruin and misery that follows us wherever we go." --Jeff Syverson

July 16

Cleaning Up the Mess

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 74:1-14; 1 Chronicles 22:1 – 23:32; Romans 3:9-31; Proverbs 19:13-14

Today’s Scripture Focus: Romans 3:9 – 31

“There is no one righteous, not even one; [11] there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. [16] ruin and misery mark their ways, [17] and the way of peace they do not know” (Romans 3:10, 11, 16,  17 NIV).

Left to myself, I can make a mess faster than anyone I know. I can’t explain how or why, I just know it’s true. Put me in a room and it will show signs of my inherent messiness in short order.

Paul tells us that spiritually speaking the same is true of all of us. We all have a tendency to make a mess of our lives and everyone else’s. “Ruin and misery mark their ways” (16).

Until we see the mess we’re in, we don’t see our need for the remedy to our situation. We are blind to the ruin and misery caused by our sin. Not to mention the ruin and misery that follows us wherever we go.

How does he describe the mess we’re in? “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away and become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” “Their throats are open graves, their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips.” “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

God gave us the law, in part, to show us what a mess we’re in. He also wrote the requirements of the law on our hearts (conscience) and that is a pretty good reminder too (2:14-15).

Sin is messy. It messes up our lives and those around us. More importantly it messes up our relationship with God. It is a poison that does incredible damage and ruin. “Ruin and misery mark their ways.”

Because we’re all “a mess,” spiritually speaking, we need someone to clean us up and make us new. The law shows us how messy we are and points us to Jesus, the one who is able to deal with the sin in our hearts. He made a way for the sin and its consequences to be dealt with: the cross. As we turn from the mess we make because of our sin and turn to Him, confessing our sin and opening our heart to a relationship with Jesus, he comes to dwell in our heart and make us new. Sin and guilt are dealt with. We enter into a relationship characterized by faith and trust which brings life—life lived to the full (life as it was meant to be lived) now and in eternity (where it only gets better).

Then each day we open up the “mirror” of the word, to see the areas of our life where we are still a little messy. We allow him to make adjustments. This is the daily transformation that comes as Christ is formed in us through faith (James 1:19-25). Open your heart to Jesus today, and allow him to enter the “mess you’re in” and bring his transforming “glory.” As you do, you begin to look a little more like Jesus everyday (2 Cor. 3:18). That’s a makeover we all need every day.

Lord Jesus, I invite you into my heart. Renovate it and make it new. From that new place, that clean place, begin the work of transforming my heart in such a way that I look a little more like you everyday. Amen.

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God is the Strength of My Heart

Posted on July 15, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
God is the Strength of My Heart "We need to open our hearts to God. But we do so in his presence, and when possible in the company of a loving group of fellow believers who are there with us to help us move from bitterness to strength." Jeff Syverson

July 15

God is the Strength of My Heart 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 73:15-28;  1 Chronicles 19:1 – 21:31;  Romans 2:25 – 3:8; Proverbs 19:10-12

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 73

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever”

(Psalm 73:25-26 ESV).

Some questions just can’t be answered to the heart’s satisfaction. Questions like: “Why do the wicked prosper?” As Asaph begins this Psalm he pours out his heart to God. He is in a place of suffering while the wicked only seem to prosper. How can this be? Somehow life just doesn’t seem fair. Why am I the one suffering, and not the wicked?

In the first 14 verses, Asaph seems to be “in a fog.” When you are hurting, things are often that way. Your situation seems worse than it really is; the situation of those we envy seems much better than it really is. When life gets us down, we don’t see things clearly (22) and we tend toward self-pity. Even trying to understand becomes oppressive (16). Our heart left to itself tends toward grief and bitterness (21, 22).

But there is a turning point in this lament Psalm: verse 17. “Till I entered the sanctuary of God.” The lament is an important part of our prayer life. We need to pour out our hearts, like Asaph, in complete openness and honesty. We need to open our hearts to God: even our questions, doubts, fears and wounds. But we do so in his presence, and when possible in the company of a loving group of fellow believers who are there with us to help us move from bitterness to strength. We need to enter the sanctuary of His presence.

We pour out our hearts to God, and suddenly we become aware of his presence—his nearness. “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel” (23-24).

In his healing presence, our hearts our strengthened. He, himself, becomes “the strength of our heart and our portion forever” (26). We find the courage and strength for the day. We are able to place the unanswerable questions in the hands of the Sovereign Lord and move ahead in the joy of his presence.

“As for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” It really is good to be near God. Pour out your heart to him and he will draw near to you. ”The Lord is near to all who call on him. To all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18). Let your heart be strengthened in his presence.

God, you are the strength of my heart. I bring my hurts, my doubts, my questions, my concerns and I lay them at your feet. Thank you for always being with me and holding my right hand. Thank you for guiding me with your counsel. Thanks for strengthening me for the tasks of this day. Amen.

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An Honest Heart

Posted on July 14, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
An Honest Heart

July 14

An Honest Heart

Today’s Scripture Readings:  Psalm 73:1-14;I Chronicles 16:37 – 18:17;Romans 2:1-24;  Proverbs 19:8-9 

Today’s Scripture Focus: Romans 2: 1-24

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things (Romans 2:1 NIV).

“Pastor Jeff, that was a great sermon today! I only wish that Mrs. Jones was here today to hear it.” I’ve heard words like that many times as people were leaving the church after a Sunday worship service. Nearly always the person who makes the comment is completely blind to the fact that they probably needed the message more than Mrs. Jones did.

Who needs the good news (the gospel, which is the power of God)? We all do. Especially those of us who don’t think we need it.  In Romans 1, Paul points out the obvious fact that those living in idolatry and lifestyles characterized by sin, need good news. Chapter 2 points out that the one who thinks they have it all put together needs the good news too. The one who is tempted to think the sermon was for someone else— The one who is quick to point the finger—whose heart is filled with self-righteous pride, needs the good news just as much or more than the one they are so quick to condemn.

Some of us play the religious game very well. Paul points out that the good news is about life transformation, not playing religious games. The Pharisees played religious games better than anybody. And Jesus had some harsh words for them because of it.

Often the one who finds it most difficult to enter the kingdom is the religious one; the one who is not aware of their need. It is also a cause of lukewarm living. The diagnosis of the lukewarm Laodicean Church was this: “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing,’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” (Rev. 3:17).

Who needs good news? We all do– especially the self-righteous. The world already has enough bad news. We don’t need any more self-righteous judges pointing their fingers and bringing shame and condemnation. What it needs is people who have opened their heart to Jesus and are allowing his love to heal their hearts and flow through them to bring words of healing and salvation to others.

What brings people to Jesus? Not your condemning attitude. Too often the church comes across as bringing condemnation instead of hope and love. Listen to the words of Paul:

“…do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?”

God’s kindness, tolerance and patience: that sounds like good news to me!

Open your heart to Jesus and allow him to deal with your self-righteousness and pride. Experience a fresh touch of his love, his kindness, his tolerance and patience.  Then you may actually have some good news to share with a world that desperately needs it.

Spirit of God, search my heart. Point out and pull up any remaining roots of pride and sin. Give me the grace I need. Pour out your love into my heart. Fill me and empower me to bring love and grace and kindness to others. Amen.

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The Heart that is Free

Posted on July 13, 2025 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

July 13

The Heart that is Free

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 150:1-6; I Chronicles 15:1 – 16:36; Romans 1:18-32;

Proverbs 19:6-7

Today’s Scripture Focus: 1 Chronicles 15:1 – 16:36 (esp.15: 25-29)

“As the ark of the covenant of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart” (1 Chronicles 15:29, NIV).

What a contrast! David dancing before the Lord; Michal despising and trying to take his joy. David’s heart was free to worship God. His focus was the Lord. He danced and celebrated with all his might. Unconcerned for his dignity, he celebrated before his God. The ark – the visible symbol of God’s power and presence—was back and this was time to celebrate. Michal’s heart was bound up and unable to enter into the joy of worshiping God. Not only was she unable to enter into the joy of worship, she tried to steal David’s joy. She was more concerned with“appearances and doing things in a dignified way. Her heart was needy and bound up. It was in need of major renovation.

The Pharisees manifested the same attitude toward Jesus who was free to eat with tax collectors and sinners. The forms were more important to them than the substance. They spent all their time cleaning the outside of the cup, instead of cleaning the inside (Matt. 23). Their hearts needed healing (Matt. 13:13-15).

Paul dealt with a similar attitude in Galatians when the Judaizers tried to steal the freedom of the believers in the city of Galatia: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1).

He warned Timothy of those who would have “a form of godliness but deny its power.” In other words, watch out for those that would hold on to the form, and lose sight of the substance.

You serve a great and awesome God, and he delights in you. Soon you will once again enter into the assembly of believers to worship him –a place where he longs to manifest his power and presence. Let’s celebrate!

Don’t let anyone steal your joy and freedom. Allow Jesus to deal with your heart issues. Open your heart to Him. Then your heart will find the freedom to celebrate like David and it will not become needy and withered like Michal’s.

Open your heart to Jesus. Enjoy your time in his presence in the solitary place. Then join together with the saints to celebrate God with all your heart and soul and strength—with all the intensity you have. Find the freedom of David—the freedom of a heart set free. Don’t let anyone steal your joy!

Almighty God, set my heart free to worship you freely and with abandon. Take away the masks and the pretending and the concerns over what others might think, and allow me to joyfully express my praise. May my abandon lead others to find the joy of a heart set free. Amen.

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