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.

From Dedication to Healing

[S] 1 Chronicles 26:26-27 --
Shelomith and his relatives were in charge of all the treasuries for the things dedicated by King David, by the heads of families who were the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and by the other army commanders. Some of the plunder taken in battle they dedicated for the repair of the temple of the LORD.

[O] There was a need to repair the temple of the Lord. They needed funding to meet this need. The funding was met by the offerings King David dedicated. Our dedications to our local church community is used to build up His ministries. The word "repair" prompted me to think that above the practical aspects of the buildings, etc. how much we are in need of the healing of our souls. As we observed that King David's victories were led by God in a supernatural ways, but He still uses our offerings to build up His ministries rather than doing everything for us. Couldn't He have repaired the temple Himself? Yes, but it was the offerings of His people that was used to repair it instead. God includes us in His wonderful works.

[A] When giving to God's ministries, don't hold back. Those are opportunities for me to be included in His works.

[P] Dear God, as You look at our hearts and not what or how much we offer to You, I want to dedicate my whole heart to You and also dedicate the rest of the resources You granted me to have in this world. I pray that my offerings will be used to repair/heal Your people here. In Jesus' name. Amen.