The right motive...

Father, your creation declares your greatness and lovingkindness, encouraging statements of pure truth in our daily walk... It's only right that you search our hearts and expose the motives that lie beneath what we claim to believe. Your word reminds us in Jeremiah 17:9–10 that "the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind." Lord, we remember how the so called "religious leaders" of Jesus’ day saw His miracles with their own eyes; how the blind received sight, the lame walked, and the dead were raised; yet they hardened their hearts and justified His death to protect their power and traditions. Let us not fall into that same trap of pride and self-interest, twisting the truth to fit our desires. Forgive us when we cling to comfortable lies instead of humbling ourselves before your word. Purify our beliefs, that they may be rooted in love for truth, not in fear of losing control, and teach us to surrender every hidden motive and follow Jesus with a sincere heart… Thank you, Jesus, for showing us that you are the way, the truth, and the life; THE answer for those committed to seeking the truth in all things!