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For you don't delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it. You have no pleasure in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. O God, you will not despise a broken and contrite heart. Psalms 51:16–17 WEB.

When I first came to the Lord, I was so zealous that I wanted to make up for everything I'd ever done wrong. I fasted for weeks, gave all that I had, tried to memorize the Bible, prayed throughout the day, and listened to the Bible all night. I began attending Bible college in the evening, and like many other students, I developed a very legalistic view.

I wanted to earn my salvation and prove that my dedication to the Lord was stronger than everyone else there. The school became a repetition competition, where we just repeated the things that we had heard someone else say. My knowledge seemed a mile wide and an inch deep. It was shallow.

Oh, I knew a lot about Jesus, but I didn't know Him. I talked a lot about Jesus, but I didn't talk to Him. I sang a lot about Jesus, but I didn't sing to Him. Jesus said that there would be those who would call Him "Lord, Lord," and He would say, "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:23). Well, that was me in a nutshell. I was so busy trying to be a good Christian that I had no time for Him.

The Lord eventually broke me down to nothing, stripped away everything I had, and separated me from everyone I knew. It turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to me.

He had told me early in life that I would be in the ministry one day. Yet, when it delayed coming about, I decided that I must have disappointed Him somehow. I must have taken too many wrong turns in life, and He finally gave up on me. I had many excuses for why He didn't use me in ministry, but the delay was because He was preparing me for it.

Eventually, I dropped my pretend "Church Face" and started to just be me. I began to involve God in my decisions every day, and I talked with Him as a friend. I learned to relax and include Him in whatever I was doing. Only then did a relationship begin to develop between us, and that soon became life-changing. Like the tiny mustard seed, your faith will grow.

Attending church, fasting, praying, giving, reading the Bible, and singing praises are all good in moderation. But let Jesus be your main focus, and don't neglect Him while you are doing it. Believe me, you can do it because I have done it. Your Bible is not God. It just tells us about Him.

I encourage you to make Jesus a part of your life each day. Be a real person serving God the best you can. When you stumble, repent and try to do better next time. Be honest with Him, for He already knows who we are better than we do.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for loving me. Please help me be a better person, and make me stable. Lead me to where You want me to be and open the doors that You want me to go through. Come into my life and be a part of it, for I am Yours. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.” James 5:13 ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network. If you are interested in joining the prayer team, here is how to get started Prayer Partners.