Listen

The Fourth Day of Christmas

Be very careful when you go to worship God. It is better to listen to God than to give sacrifices like fools. ~ Ecclesiastes 5:1a (ERV)

So get rid of everything evil in your lives—every kind of wrong you do. Be humble and accept God’s teaching that is planted in your hearts. This teaching can save you. ~ James 1:21 (ERV)

Lord, thank you for teaching us. We know that we need instruction. But sometimes it is hard to change. We say that we want to learn your new way. Often, however, we're just talking -- trying to convince ourselves that we're good people. We know that you want us to stop doing the things that you dislike. You want us to listen and pay attention to what you are saying. The very fact that you care enough to instruct me is encouraging. I'm going to pay more attention to you today and trust that you, Jesus, will save me from the evil in my life. Amen.