Lip Service or Life Service: What's It Gonna Be?

The Scriptures in Mark 7 talk about people honoring the Lord with their lips, but not with their hearts. Could it be even today there are some people in the church laboring according to what some preacher or prophets says instead of the Scriptures? There are even today false prophets and preachers. Sometimes they do not know that they are false. The Christians have to seek the word of God through the priests and the prophets, discerning what is true and what is not. Don't marvel at the gift, but look at the life. Christians have to determine if a priest or prophet calls themselves so because it is a prize or symbol of stature.

Know that God is lining up His people for the latter days. Despite the problems within the U.S., this nation has sent more resources and missionaries around the world in the name of Christ than any other. This message is about how we should want to pursue God in these waning days. We have to decide whether our lives will be summed up with lip service or a life of service.

We can hide from each other, but we cannot hide from God. We cannot drink from the cup of communion and then drink from the cup of demons. Consider the things that have to be removed from your life.

Hebrews 12 says we should cut off and cast away every weight, burden, and sin that easily comes upon us. Lay aside everything that holds us back. In other words, resist. Resist sin and then look to Jesus, as our author and finisher of our faith. Is the word just on your lips, or is it also in your heart? You're the one who chooses the words that come from your lips. It's a reflection of the level of behavioral discipline and sanctification of your life. There has to be a hunger for God's word and then a willingness to apply it to your life. We must know God for ourselves.

Who is in God's family? Those who do the will of God. Do you want your life to count for something other than just going to church? God does not want the optics, He wants the compliance with the edict (a formal command). Your inner life has to match your outer life. If your inner life is spiritual then your outer life will demonstrate that spirituality. We have to consistently work on what comes out of us and not what goes into us.

We really must obey the Holy Spirit, being aware of who is speaking the command. Some people naturally love to do or be evil, with excuses like 'I can't help myself' or 'I'm only human'. No!!! We are commanded to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. It's yielding or giving ourselves over to the Holy Spirit. It's relinquishing our control to God. It's deciding to make Him, Lord from the heart. How can we say we want all that God has to offer, but unwilling to give Him our all?

Recognize your triggers. Recognize what or who gets you upset producing negative reactions. Start making adjustments. Watch and pray.

What a man sows will come back to him exponentially. The way of the transgressor is hard. Do not let sin or works of the flesh rule and reign in your body.

We must be anchored by the teachings of God. Prepare to get rid of some things. There is a greater level of Christian maturity awaiting us all. God is trying to get us to become more sensitive to His Spirit, which involves training and practice.

You have to get out of the way so that God can have His way.