The Lord is not interested in our "lip service".

This week's scripture is going to build a little off of last week's scripture. Let's first look at last week's scripture,

2NE9:28-29

O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.

But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.
We discussed what the difference was between being learned and being wise, and we discussed why those who were learned, but not wise, would perish, and what we need to do in order to be wise.

This week's scripture is:

Isaiah29:13-14

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

What does the first verse mean?

Have you ever heard the term “lip service”? It's when people say one thing, what they think you want to hear, but then do another. It's not honest and usually those kinds of people can't really be trusted.

What is the “marvelous work” that Heavenly Father is going to do? How can we be a part of that work? Are we already?

Why will the “wisdom of their wise men perish and the understanding of their prudent men be hid?”

Last week we talked about how some people are choosing not to follow God's counsel right now. Some are hurting or angry, some have been led astray and don't know any better, and some are just downright belligerent. In the early days of the church, William Law said, “If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God first, it will in the end make no difference what you have chosen instead.” Ironically, William Law later left the church over a dispute with another church member. But what he said is still true. When people choose to put something else before living the gospel and being true to the covenants they've made, no matter what the reason, they are choosing something else before the Kingdom of God, and in the end, that is all that will matter, that they did not choose the Kingdom of God first.

Last week, we discussed how we could strive to be wise as we sought after learning and education. This week, my challenge is for us to focus on not giving the Lord “lip service”. Let's focus on being honest and true to what we believe and what we say, especially in regards to our faith and the Lord. Let's commit to put the Kingdom of God first in our lives.

End by inviting family members to share their testimony.