Good morning. I have missed writing to you. As you know, we changed texting services when we moved the church to a new management software. After much tinkering, I think we have finally configured this program correctly. We will see. Here is today's devo.

We try our very best to live rightly. We want to please God. So we give to the poor and call for the sick. We are careful to say our prayers and try not to gossip and cuss. We don't hang out in the bars until we can't feel our legs, and we try to eat right most of the time. We go to church, read our Bibles, and try to stay out of trouble. Surely, that keeps us square with God.

Maybe, but maybe not. King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 21:2, "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart." In other words, your actions may be on point, but your insides can still be a hot mess. You might look good on the outside to others, but God knows the real you. Like a savvy buyer of a used car, God isn't fooled by a fresh coat of paint.

God is more concerned with your motives, values, and intentions. He wants to know what it is inside of you that pushes you to do those things. Is it really a motivation to please the Lord, or is it a pride thing, you know, looking the part to keep a good reputation or to feel good about yourself? Your motivation drivers are important to God. Tend to them first. Focus your mind and affix your values to match His. Then your right actions will follow, and God will be pleased. -Pastor Mike

BTW, yesterday, I told the ice skaters in my snow globe a scary story. They were a little shaken up.