It's Harder to Sin, Actually

[S] Hosea 13:2 --
2 And now they sin more and more,
And make for themselves molten images,
Idols skillfully made from their silver,
All of them the work of craftsmen.
They say of them, "Let the men who sacrifice kiss the calves!"

[O] There is a saying that no one needs to be taught how to sin (as in little child capable of lying on his own) but in order to keep sinning it requires more energy than worshiping and obeying God because I believe it's the enemy's trick to divert our energy in vain things away from following God by feeding our desires to working harder and harder to achieve higher and higher goals and yet without any grace.  As seen in this passage, the people made idols skillfully by professional craftsmen.  This was no amateur-ish job but products requiring a lot of time and effort, just so they can give sacrifice and kiss these very-well-made objects more for their self satisfaction.

[A] I need to slip into the presence of God's grace more and more -- not to get lazy in His grace -- in gratitude and thanksgiving, praising His saving grace for me.  The first portion (tithing) of my energy needs to be directed at doing this rather than trying to "skillfully" make my worship "craftier" because in the end that will direct my focus at what I "did" rather than what He's "done" for me.

[P] Dear Jesus, I come to the foot of the Cross You bore as the symbol for me to enter into the presence of Your grace.  May my heart throughout today be lifted up by being contained in such a presence radiating Your peace and wonderful grace.  In Your name.  Amen.