Scripture

These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away. Their worship is a farce, for they replace God's commands with their own man-made teachings. For you ignore God's specific laws and substitute your own traditions. Mark 7:7-8

Observation

In this passage the high and mighty Pharisees and teachers of religious law do their best to nail Jesus and his disciples for lack of discretion and abeyance to the ceremonial laws. As usual Jesus reveals their hearts by pointing out that the very thing they are so proud of and are policing other on, they are guilty of breaking themselves.

Application

We are so event oriented in our society. Worship is for guitar-driven segments in our Sunday morning services. Bible study is that time we read it during our LIFE Groups. Prayer is the time just before I pass out on my pillow at night or the action reserved for moments of great desperation. Everything is segmented off in our minds, but not in God's. From His grand perspective He sees it all at once. We soon find out that His response to our worship is not determined by our ceremony or ritual, but rather by our heart actions leading up to that moment. Jesus uses a couple of examples in this chapter to point out how God sees worship:

1.        Abandoning parents in need when is an inconvenience. Where's the honor in that? What makes me think I can honor God with my songs if my actions leading up to it haven't been honoring of those He has called me to care for?

2.        A filthy and undisciplined thought life. If I am lusting, full of anger, or thinking about how I can advance my own cause, what make me think I can come before the Lord pretending that my words come from a pure heart? He can't touch that kind of worship. It's tainted and mixed.

We can, like the Pharisees, miss the forest for the trees. We can get so good at looking good and yet our hearts can remain far from God.

Prayer

There's this song from Casting Crowns entitled "Lifesong". It speaks of a lifestyle of worship and not just an event. I think of times when I get angry with my kids or frustrated with people, or let my eyes wander and then find myself with my guitar wondering why I can't connect with You. This is why. Worship is my Lifesong to You. My actions will determine if my offering is a sour note and off key or if is a beautiful sound that pleases Your ears. Let my Lifesong sing to You.

Scripture

We struggled along the coast with great difficulty and finally arrived at Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea..."Sirs", he said, "I believe there is trouble ahead if we go on shipwreck, loss of cargo, injuries, and danger to our lives." But the officer in charge of the prisoners listened more to the ship's captain and the owner than to Paul. Acts 27:8,10-11

Observation

It wasn't a logical choice to stay in Fair Havens. Though I'm sure it was warm and inviting during certain seasons of the year, but it was not so in the winter, "exposed harbor a poor place to spend the winter". Everyone wanted to go to Phoenix which had a "good harbor". Besides, why should the ships officers listen to this zealous Jewish prisoner over the experts? So, they wound up seeing the fulfillment of all Paul had prophesied. Even then Paul promised the ship and its crew safely because he believed God's promise that no one would die.

Application

My 31st Birthday is tomorrow. As I read of the adventures of Paul I am inspired and encouraged. Because Paul was in the middle of God's will, because his heart was set in obedience, Paul was in a spiritual Fair Havens. Whether in an exposed harbor or a good one, a solid ship or a ship wreck, in clear weather or in a storm, toasty by the fire or with a poisonous snake hanging from His arm, freely roaming the cities or chained in jail, Paul was in a good place because he was with God and where God wanted Him. God has given me a life of Fair havens as well. Depending on the season of life I have felt more exposed or less, but I have always known His presence. My heart is filled with thankfulness and song. The way the book of Acts closes is the way I want my life to close. For the next two years, Paul lived in his own rented house. He welcomed all who visited him proclaiming the kingdom of God with all boldness and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him .(28:30-31) Paul may have been living in a house prison, but he was in a state of Fair Havens because he was with God.

Prayer

My Birthday prayer is that You would write the next chapters of Acts in my life. That I wouldn't seek to find comfort or safety in the the things of this life, but simply be satisfied to know that I am standing with You. You have been and always be my Fair Haven. As Aslan said to Lucy in Narnia, "I'm not safe, but I am good", so You say to me in the midst of my storms and my calm days, "Don't be afraid. I am with You and will not let you go." Like Paul I will continue to believe in You and Your promise even when others around me may falter or fall. Thank you for a life filled with Your presence, the most precious gift of all.