In Malachi, we see people trapped in religious routines, forgetting the very God they’re meant to adore. Their sacrifices are mere leftovers, their worship is a chore, and their hearts are indifferent. When God declared, “I have loved you,” they cynically replied, “How have you loved us?” This startling exchange should unsettle us. But before we criticize their callousness, we must ask: Is our worship vibrant and transformational, or just a lifeless checkbox on a religious to-do list? Beware, because spiritual apathy creeps in quietly! If you’re just going through the motions, ask God to rekindle your love and restore a genuine heart of worship. It’s not about rituals—it’s about a relationship that ignites awe for the One who first loved us.
Christmas Past, Present and Future
All of us, to one degree or another, deal with three main areas of life. We battle with the shame of things we did in our past; we struggle to understand why certain things are happening to us in the present; and we often experience fear of the unknown about our future. The real Christmas story is about a Savior who came to give us forgiveness from our past, peace in the present, and hope for our future!