From Performance To Relationship
John 5:41-44
41 “Your approval means nothing to me, 42 because I know you don’t have God’s love within you. 43 For I have come to you in my Father’s name, and you have rejected me. Yet if others come in their own name, you gladly welcome them. 44 No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God.
Luke 18:9-14
9 Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: 10 “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! 12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Devotional: Jesus told the Pharisees, "Your approval means nothing to me." He wasn't shaken by human opinions because He lived for His Father's approval alone. How often do we pray to impress others rather than connect with God? Religious performance builds walls; authentic relationship builds intimacy. God isn't looking for eloquent prayers that sound spiritual—He's looking for sincere hearts that are brutally honest. When you stop performing and start relating, prayer becomes conversation, not recitation. You can cry your ugly cry. You can stumble over words. You can be desperate and raw. Your Father already knows you completely, and He loves you anyway. Today, lay down the need for human applause and seek only His approval.
Reflection: Are you praying to impress people or connect with God? What would change if you only sought His approval?
41 “Your approval means nothing to me, 42 because I know you don’t have God’s love within you. 43 For I have come to you in my Father’s name, and you have rejected me. Yet if others come in their own name, you gladly welcome them. 44 No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God.
Luke 18:9-14
9 Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: 10 “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! 12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Devotional: Jesus told the Pharisees, "Your approval means nothing to me." He wasn't shaken by human opinions because He lived for His Father's approval alone. How often do we pray to impress others rather than connect with God? Religious performance builds walls; authentic relationship builds intimacy. God isn't looking for eloquent prayers that sound spiritual—He's looking for sincere hearts that are brutally honest. When you stop performing and start relating, prayer becomes conversation, not recitation. You can cry your ugly cry. You can stumble over words. You can be desperate and raw. Your Father already knows you completely, and He loves you anyway. Today, lay down the need for human applause and seek only His approval.
Reflection: Are you praying to impress people or connect with God? What would change if you only sought His approval?
Posted in Daily Devotions
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1 Comment
Awww-I love this Pastor Robin!! I am terrible at praying out loud publicly!! I get super nervous, and don’t know what to say & I ramble on. Lol, just ask Diane Graham & Adrian Wellons!! ?
nBUT…this makes me feel SO much better about it!! I love the part about it just being a conversation versus something memorized or scripted. Kinda like talking with an old friend who just wants to hear what you have to say straight from your heart and you know they won’t be judging you. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that. Thank you for the encouraging message this morning! Have a great day! ?