Today's encouragement comes from Deuteronomy 12:30b & 31a, where we read these words:
" . . . do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way . . . "This is a very "relevant" Scripture (above), because many (if not most) religi-ous organizations today *do* the very thing we are told not to do (here). They look at the sinful, idol-worshipping society in which we live, and they ask, "How do the people worship their gods? Let us design our services around their ways, so as to be 'relevant'."
Once a church sets out to be "relevant" to the culture with regard to its wor-ship services, that congregation has instantly become "irrelevant," (especially to God Himself). We are to look to heaven, and get our instructions from above; rather than looking to earth, to do as all the heathen do. The faithful church sets the standard for everyone, and invites sinners to come up to a life of dignity and worth (in Jesus).
[Puritan quote of the day: "It is a greater mercy to descend from praying par-ents than from the loins of nobles.” —John Flavel, in, "The Mystery of Provi-dence"]
