GOD'S WAY IS ALWAYS BETTER. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE - Deuteronomy 12:4-7
⁴ You must not worship the LORD your God in their way. ⁵ But you are to seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go; ⁶ there bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. ⁷ There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the LORD your God has blessed you.

OBSERVATION
God was very clear with the people of Israel about the way He wants to be worshiped. He Himself established the patterns of true worship. He does not accept alterations made by man. God chose the way to do it and the place to do it. Unfortunately, the people of Israel came up with their version. They were worshiping God but according tho their way. The chose a different way and a different place. Such behavior caused them over time to loose the blessing of God over their lives. It started very subtle, with good intentions, perhaps to make things more convenient. But at the end, it ended up so far away from God's plan.

APPLICATION
In our sinful nature there is a tendency to always do things our way, especially our worship to God. Some people think that being a good person gives them access to a relationship with God, but they define in their own terms what a "good person" is and it is usually far from God's design. Others surrender to God's ways, but after a while they realize that things can be simplified according to their personal taste. Thy have their own version of obedience and create an alternative to be in compliance with God's Word. They hide behind grace to worship God in a way He does not want to be worshiped. They make their own version of what a church is, of what tithing is and how is given, etc. Influenced by this mindset, I have heard people making excuses for immorality, greed, unforgiveness, pride, and even abuse of power. That's why is better to always air on the side of God's Word and follow God's patterns of worship.

In the past I remember rationalizing God's Word to make it fit to what was convenient for me. I was completely deceived by my selfish nature and sin. And even though this happened many years ago, I can see this tendency keep lurking in my heart, trying to derail God's will for me, and replace it it in a subtle way with a man made version. I cannot give up to what is convenient for me. I must surrender everything to God and walk in full obedience to His word.

PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, please give me strength to follow your ways without twisting them and without making them more convenient for me. The truth is following you is not very easy at times. It requires a constant attitude of surrendering and yielding. I don't think you want things your way because you are unreasonable. Our thoughts are not your thoughts and my ways are not your ways. You want to be worshipped in a certain way becasue your plan is better than ours. Our best variations will never be better than your worst instructions. Please help me to stay faithful to your patterns and always humble and obedient to your instructions. Amen!