HOW HE IS DRESSED
Today's reading: Proverbs 1-3

"Listen, my child, to what your father teaches you. Don't neglect your mother's teaching. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and clothe you with honor." Proverbs 1:8-9 NLT

My little boy is a 6'3" bearded, going to college and practically self-sufficient fella now.

The words of this proverb go through my mind every day...

What have I taught him?

What have I shown him?

How have I exampled God's love in how I raised him?

Did anything good come out of me being his momma?

Has what I've clothed him in honored God?

Did he hear all I've said over the years?

Will he hear my voice in his head...better still will he hear the Word of God in his head...when he goes to make decisions?

I so want him to be a well-dressed man.

I TELL MYSELF
Today's reading: Psalm 141-150

"Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, I tell myself." Psalm 146:1 NLT

Ever had to have a talk with yourself?

A literal sit down in front of the mirror and sort a few things out kind of chat?

The kind of conversation that one can only carry on with one's self?

A get things straight and get them out in the open pow-wow?

Like the one this psalmist begins his psalm with?

Oh, I do. Quite often. Some days several times in a day!

Because the world isn't telling me the truth.

The media doesn't have my best interests at heart.

Few, if any, know of my own personal struggles.

And no one but me, myself and I are going to stand before God and give account of this life I've lived.

So there are days, like today, when I have to tell myself--Praise God.

Go ahead, girl, praise God!

No matter what the morning's already been like, or the direction the day ahead seems to be heading--praise God!

Despite what the scale says, the news tells me and the gear the emotional roller coaster is stuck on--praise God!

Knowing which customers might approach my counter, the bills that may arrive in the mail, the things that may fall apart today--praise God!

Praise God, I tell my self. Praise God!

THANK YOU
Today's reading: Psalm 134-40

"Oh, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, you who serve as night watchmen in the house of the Lord. Lift your hands in holiness, and bless the Lord. May the Lord, who made heaven and earth, bless you from Jerusalem." Psalm 134 NLT

I needed this reminder this morning.

As I get up with the alarm.

Put on my face.

Do something with this hair.

Gather my Bible, my sermon notebook and my favorite pen.

As I write out my tithe check.

As I gussy up and slip on shoes that are not as comfy as my flip-flips.

As I spend some time praying over, about and for the hours to come.

As I prepare to enter the house of the Lord for worship...

I'm reminded of all who serve in order that I can gather with my church family and hear the Word of the Lord in music and in voice.

May God bless you pastors--for the hours you've spent preparing to give us God's message. For the little fires you've put out amongst our far-from-perfect family of believers. For the midnight calls you've answered. For the excitement you need to bring to us, so we can catch it.

May God bless you janitors--for the sweeping, swiping, swiffering and sanitizing you're doing each week--especially now with the current rules and codes. For the spills you clean up. For the bathrooms you clean. For the dusting you do.

May God bless the midnight pray-ers--for the middle of the night prayers you send up on behalf of your brothers and sisters in Christ. For the texts you send out letting us know you're praying. For the cards you send to encourage. For the times you give and give and give and really need to get.

May God bless the musicians and singers--for the atmosphere of praise you usher us into. For the songs selected. For the keys played so well. For the background vocals. For the times we see you cry through a song because we know how much it means to you. For standing up there and doing it all especially on the days when you're the ones needing ministered to.

May God bless the families that struggle to get there each Sunday, but do. For being devoted. For being intentional. For being a part of our family of believers.

May God bless your part in our Sunday worship!

NOT ME
Today's reading: Psalm 120-133

"Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don't concern myself with matters too great or awesome for me." Psalm 131:1 NLT

Oh, how I wish I could state this verse is how I live.

That I never took on the role of judge and jury.

That I never attempted to control a situation.

That I never thought I knew more, and knew better, than another.

That I never...gulp...attempted to be God.

How much simpler my life would be if I let God be God and do the things God can do and busy myself with what He asks me to do.

Even in my prayer life.

Especially in my prayer life.

My prayers tend to be more instructions for Him to follow that requests that I see His will.

Been there?

I don't want to concern myself with things too great for me.

I don't want to tackle knowing the future based upon what little I know of the present.

I don't want to have the control I believe I want to have.

I don't want to play God--in my life or in the lives of my loved ones.

GOD'S PROMISE
Today's reading: Psalm 119

"I stay awake through the night, thinking about your promise." Psalm 119:148 NLT

Can you say you've ever tossed and turned through the night because God's promises keep coming to mind and prevent you from drifting off?

Ever been so overwhelmed by what God promises that your life has been interrupted? Put on hold? Paused while you ponder?

Ever been told you talk too much about God's promises?

Most of us cannot answer 'yes' to these questions.

Promises don't keep us up at night, problems do.

Being overwhelmed by promises don't suck the life out of us, but stress does.

Praise doesn't fall off our lips as easily as discussing current predicaments.

Why not?

His promises are huge!

His promises are tested!

His promises are backed by His Word, and His words!

His promises are guaranteed!

His promises are for each and every one of His children!

So why aren't we overcome by them? Celebrating them? Allowing them to rock our world?

Why aren't we allowing them to keep us up at night?

KIND, GOOD & MERCIFUL
Today's reading: Psalm 112-118

"How kind the Lord is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours!" Psalm 116:5 NLT

I don't know if you needed this reminder, but I think I did.

Some days I am overwhelmed by all the blessings He has poured into my life.

Busy. Scheduled. Distracted.

So much so, that I often lose sight of how marvelous He is.

How good He is to me.

How full of mercy He is in regards to my sins and failures and the consequences I should bear for them.

So verses like this reset me. Re-focus me. Remind me.

God is so good...God is so good...God is so good, He's so good to me.

EVERYTHING
Today's reading: Psalm 107-111

"Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails." Psalm 111:3 NLT

I know it says, 'everything', Lord--but 'everything'?

I'm going to need Your help with this...

Because not everything looks like it comes from You.

Not all circumstances fall into a category one might describe as revealing Your glory.

Not all things that come along in my day are nice.

But You allow them, don't You?

Some to show me Your righteousness in the rear view mirror of life.

Some to draw me closer to You as I trust You through it.

Some to remind me that this world is not my home and there is heaven awaiting me.

Remind me, Lord, that You are in it all.

Give me eyes to look past the unloveliness of this life and into Your greatness.

Strengthen me as I wait for You to change the circumstances--or change my heart about them.

Please--and thank You.

I TELL MYSELF
Today's reading: Psalm 104-106

"Praise the Lord, I tell myself; O Lord my God, how great you are!" Psalm 104:1 NLT

Just what I needed this morning.

Right out of the gate.

Before anything else filled my mind, my vision or my thoughts.

Because, sometimes, in all honesty, I have to tell myself to praise the Lord.

Oh, don't tell me I'm the only one...

Sometimes the stuff drags you down, the requests on your heart pile up and the happenings in the world weigh you down.

That's when I have to tell myself to praise the Lord.

My preacher might not be there to remind me.

I might not have my Bible in hand to bring it to my memory.

My Christian friends may all be at work, on vacation or unreachable by phone.

So, I have to tell myself.

And I have to follow through with doing it!

Because there is always something I can praise Him for.

On the darkest days.

During the scariest of storms.

When everything seems topsy-turvy.

That's when I have to tell myself to praise the Lord.

Because He is always so worthy of my praise!

A JOYFUL SYMPHONY
Today's reading: Psalm 95-103

"Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song, with trumpets and the sound of the ram's horn. Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King!" Psalm 98:5-6 NLT

Make a joyful symphony before the Lord...

I've never noticed that.

In all the years I've been reading my Bible, Genesis to maps, I've never noticed those words...

..make a joyful symphony...

Sure I've seen the instruction to 'Sing', even to 'Sing a new song', I even recall being asked to 'Make a joyful noise'...but a symphony?

I had to look up the definition of the word, just to be sure.

A symphony is an elaborate musical composition for full orchestra.

My take?

It's including all of me in the joyful noise I make for the Lord.

My eyes, my hands, my words, my feet, my thoughts, my heart, my soul, my attitude, my expectations and my prayers. It's all of me, all that I'm in charge of, praising Him in unison.

It's all of me playing the same praise song. It won't work if my hands and words are busy singing His glory but my heart is humming a mournful hymn in regards to an unanswered prayer.

It's getting on the same page--in the same hymnal--on the same song--in the same key!

And doing it grandly. Elaborately. With excellence.

EVEN KNOWING
Today's reading: Psalm 89-94

"You spread out our sins before you--our secret sins--and you see them all." Psalm 90:8 NLT

Just when I'm thinking I might be a pretty good Christian, have a good heart, am not self-centered, or have a striking resemblance to my Father...I find a verse like this.

A verse that reminds me of my great need for a Savior.

And not only a Savior, but a gracious, merciful, full-of-love-for-His-children kind of Redeemer.

Because to think He knew each and every one of my sins BEFORE He went to the cross for me is not a thought I can comprehend.

Each and every one.

The ones no one else know about.

The ones I have covered up with good deeds and kindness.

The ones I won't even allow myself to speak out loud.

He knows about them all. And forgives them all. And loves me despite them all!

What a Father!

LISTEN CLOSELY
Today's reading: Psalm 81-88

"Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord;.." Psalm 86:6 NLT

God,

I need you to listen closely to my prayer, too.

Not just to hear it all...

Or to know my list of wants and needs...

Or to hear my confessions...

But listen closely, in order that You will know what I'm asking for wrongly and adjust my heart as needed.

Listen so closely that You will know what the root of my desire is.

What's driving me.

What's really going on in my heart, even past the King James words of my prayers.

Listen closely and diagnose my problems.

Listen closely and hear the praises I lift up in my inadequate way.

Listen closely and understand my hopes for my prayer requests are probably self-centered, but Yours are eternal.

Just listen closely, Lord.

SO WE CAN
Today's reading: Psalm 78-80

"...Revive us again so we can call on your name once more." Psalm 80:18 NLT

When I think about this verse, here is what comes to mind...

A person being given the opportunity to come up out of the deep waters for the third time. Gasping for breath. Calling out the name of Jesus.

A person given a few more breaths before his life ends. Through labored breathing. With a slowed pulse. Just enough energy left to whisper the name of Jesus.

A person careening into an accident. Seeing the oncoming car. Pressing the brake harder than ever before. The flashing red lights. The shooting pain. The strangers helping. Repeating Jesus' name over and over.

A momma pacing the floor at night with a feverish baby in her arms. In the darkest of the night. When the doctor's offices are closed. The medicines haven't worked. The semblance of sleep foreign to her. Singing Jesus' name over her child like a lullaby.

Just enough time, energy and hope to call on the name of Jesus.

No grand accomplishments. No audience. No world impacting evangelistic message.

Just His name on our lips.

WITHOUT HOLDING BACK
Today's reading: Psalm 73-77

"I cry out to God without holding back..." Psalm 77:1 NLT

That's the relationship I have with God.

The kind where everything is on the table.

No emotion is dismissed, attempted to cover over or not discussed.

The good ones, the bad ones--and the ugly ones.

The ones that have my hands raised and my lips singing praises.

The emotions I have a hard time putting into words, or the ones I am embarrassed to hear myself say out loud.

And the feelings that leave me mad, sad, disappointed, questioning and broken hearted.

I tell God everything.

And He still loves me!

I have never felt as if He has allowed His jaw to hit the floor in disbelief or His eyes to roll in disgust or His love to waiver even though the emotions I share aren't godly, aren't kind or aren't something to be proud of.

Without holding back.

And that's how His grace and mercy are showered on me!

WELCOME
Today's reading: Psalm 69-72

"Be to me a protecting rock of safety, where I am always welcome..." Psalm 71:3 NLT

Have somewhere you go that you always, no matter the reason for your visit or the time of day or even if you don't 'call ahead' feel welcome?

Your mom's house?

A good neighbor's front porch?

A dear friend's home?

If you have that place, you know what the psalmist is asking for.

A place to crash...

A place to sit a spell...

A place to regroup...

A place to unwind...

A place to share your heart's deepest needs--or sit quietly no questions asked...

God is that place for those of us who know Him.

His welcome mat is always beckoning us to stop and visit.

NOT THERE--YET
Today's reading: Psalms 62-68

"You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver melted in a crucible. You captured us in your net and laid the burden of slavery on our backs. You sent troops to ride across our broken bodies. We went through fire and flood. But you brought us to a place of great abundance." Psalm 66:10-12 NLT

Did you notice what the psalmist says...

He had been tested...

He had been put under pressure, melted like silver in a crucible...

Captured...

Given a heavy burden...

Broken down...

Heated up in tense situations...

Almost drowned out...

Been there, done that, have the T-shirt as proof, you might say.

We've all walked through trying times. Long seasons of ugliness. Horrible, never want to re-visit them experiences.

Read on...

Go ahead, read the last sentence...

But You brought us to a place of great abundance.

There is a Promised Land awaiting. A green pasture provided for His sheep. A resting place. A peaceful spot where you can dry your eyes and allow Him to heal your wounds. A banqueting table in God's presence.

It's there, if we keep on keeping on.

If we continue to hold tight to Him.

If we persist in believing He holds us.

AAH, MONDAY
Today's reading: Psalm 56-61

"Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!" Psalm 61:4 NLT

Life might be easier, less stress-filled, more full of godliness--if we were to live all our days in the church house.

The worship music always as a background.

The Word of God always in our ears.

The peace and calm of the sanctuary.

The altar always at our disposal.

But the world is where we live and breathe and work and function and are called to minister.

Besides, God isn't just in our houses of worship, He is within us.

So today, this summer Monday, find safety and security in His presence--where ever He has you today.

Make where you are a place of worship.

Know, without a doubt, that He is watching safely over you, even outside of the church.

MERCY AND LOVE
Today's reading: Psalm 50-55

"Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins." Psalm 51:1 NLT

I'm going to go out on a limb here and make this statement for both of us...

God's mercy and love are undeserved.

Unmerited.

Favors bestowed on our lives.

Because we, once again I'm lumping you in with me, don't deserve it.

Our best deeds fall short.

Our thoughts aren't always pleasing.

We don't always choose to obey.

We wake up some mornings and are most unlovable.

So we, you and I, need, desperately need, God's mercy and love.

Wouldn't you agree?

EVEN IF
Today's reading: Psalm 43-49

"God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!" Psalm 46:1-3 NLT

God is here for you.

Even if it feels as if the world and its foundations have crumbled beneath your feet.

Or all you've ever know has slipped away, either over time or with a sudden event.

Or if nothing seems right, orderly or the way you had always hoped it would be.

God is here.

He is your refuge and strength.

Always here for you!

AGAINST HIM
Today's reading: Psalm 38-42

"O Lord, I prayed, have mercy on me. Heal me, for I have sinned against you." Psalm 41:4 NLT

There's been a whole lot going on in the media as of late in regards to 'loving your brother'.

I'm not here to settle it all with a short devotion.

Or comment on it from my prayer chair.

I'm not even providing you with an opinion of my own, but providing you with a quote from this week I like, admire and believe to be true--based upon today's verse, not upon the validity and trustworthiness of the one who made the statement.

The words I read were to this effect...

We can make all the reforms we want to make. Change all the laws we want to change. Provide classes, training and symposiums on the fact that all men are the same on the inside. But until the heart is changed by God, everything else is simply cosmetic.

Those words were brought back to my memory when I read today's verse.

It's true.

Until God heals me, and each person seeks His healing of the heart individually, there will be no lasting change on any level in regards to any problem our world faces.

Until I, and every person on earth, comes to the realization that any sin committed is not against the victim, it is against the One True God, we'll never grasp the scope of its stench.

So I'm choosing to spend some time with the One who can heal the sickness of my heart today. I'm much in need of His remedy to my ills.

PAUSE
Today's reading: Psalm 34-37

"Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act..." Psalm 37:7 NLT

Have a hard time being still?

Not in your DNA?

Not how you're wired?

Don't feel like you're accomplishing much by pausing in His presence?

Give me a list and I'll give you something to applaud me for...

Provide me with a task and I'll serve in that way...

Let me do someone's laundry, run for their groceries, mow their yard...

But be still?

Stop and listen?

Wait patiently?

Ugh!

But if I would, if I would do what He asks, how He asks me to do it, I'll have the energy, the enthusiasm and the right attitude to savor what He does for me.

You will, too.

When I consider the pause as just a part of my preparation, it looks different.

It's slowing me down to notice His works.

THE LORD'S PLANS
Today's reading: Psalm 28-33

"The Lord shatters the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes. But the Lord's plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken." Psalm 33:10-11 NLT

I think it's time this truth came to the forefront.

High time it was exposed.

The right time for it to be in the spotlight, instead of all the others things that are...

The Lord's plans stand firm!

No matter the political spin or party in office.

Despite the media outlets and their attempts to sell discontent, fear and depression.

Or germs or face-masks or whether to meet in houses of worship or wait.

Or the latest conspiracy theories.

Or the current stance on whether to immunize or not.

Or if the virus will return with a vengeance.

Irregardless of the actions of bad apples in a otherwise hard-working bunch of peace-keepers.

And without any prejudice in regards to skin tone, ethnicity or gender.

God's plans prevail. He is at work. His purpose for our being is still this--to bring Him glory.

I just thought you might need that reminder in the midst of this topsy-turvy, roller-coaster ride of a season we all are going through.

NO ONE
Today's reading: Psalm 22-27

"No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others." Psalm 25:3 NLT

Am I trusting God?

No, really...am I?

With everything?

With everyone I love?

With what I'm seeing slip through my fingers?

If I am, I have nothing to fear. Nothing to worry about. Nothing to dread. Nothing to be ashamed of.

If I'm not?

Well, if I'm not, I'm deceiving myself with false hopes, unsecure truths and unfounded promises.

UPHELD
Today's reading: Job 18-21

"He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. He delivered me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me. They attacked me at a moment when I was weakest, but the Lord upheld me." Psalm 18:16-18 NLT

Five or six years ago I gave a hurting friend a Dollar Tree timer.

The times were tough for her. Her body and health were failing. Her faith was wobbly, to say the least. She, admittedly, said she didn't think she could make it through another day.

So I gave her the timer with these instructions...When it's the worst, set your timer for one minute and get through that single minute. Then repeat as needed.

Seemed like the oddest of gifts, but I've been texted by her and simply told, 'God and I made it through another day, minute by minute.'

I think that's what 'being upheld' in these verses means.

No big rescues. No evident deliverances from hard situations. But His hand on our shoulders. His arm around us. His breath in our lungs. His cheering getting us up one more time. His hand reaching down to grab ours. His light lighting up the very next step--one step at a time.

One minute at a time.

Get yourself a timer...

I AM PRAYING TO YOU
Today's reading: Job 9-17

"I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray." Psalm 17:6 NLT

God,

It's You I cry out to in the middle of the night. Not the government, not the great spiritual leaders, not even my closest, godliest friends.

It's You I call on in an emerging crisis. Not my loving parents, my doting husband or my committed son.

It's You I speak to when a burden is heavy, a sin has left a terrible mess of my circumstances or my heart, or when I just don't know what to say. Not my pastor, my boss or Google.

Sure You work situations through means which may include any or all of those folks--but it's You I pray to.

You are my hope.

You are my help.

You are my rescue.

You are my closest friend.

Thank You.

THINKING ABOUT HIS LAW
Today's reading: Psalm 1-8

"But they delight in doing everything the Lord wants; day and night they think about his law." Psalm 1:2 NLT

I'm a thinker.

No, my words don't always reflect that.

No, my actions don't always point to that fact.

No, I don't always follow through on my thought processes.

But my thinking, well, it's not always fixated on God's Word.

Oh, how much easier my life would be if it were.

How much simpler my decisions and choices would be if it were to be the case.

I worry and fret over current events.

I focus on to-do lists.

I attempt to use mind-control over situations where I have little to no say.

So, I want, starting today, to think about His Law.

When my mind wanders to things I cannot control...

When my mind gets bogged down in what I have to accomplish...

When my heart and mind are bound up in what I so desire to see God do...

I want to focus on His Word.

REALIZATION
Today's reading: Job 39-42

"Then Job replied to the Lord, I am nothing--how could I ever find the answers? I will put my hand over my mouth in silence. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say." Job 40:3-5 NLT

Job has spent several chapters and many days by the ash-pile of grief questioning why God would do what He had done.

To Job, it didn't seem fair.

Or kind.

Or deserving.

So he questioned the One who had allowed it all to happen.

And lovingly, authoritatively and with all truth, God let him in on a little secret (chapters 38-39), Job is not God.

Job wasn't there when God formed the earth...

Job doesn't hold all the answers to life and nature...

Job doesn't know all he thinks he knows...

Job isn't entitled to answers...

Job was asked, we are asked, to trust the One who was...who holds...who knows...who has the answers and the reasons.

A PENSIVE PAUSE
Today's reading: Job 35-38

"He directs the snow to fall on the earth and tells the rain to pour down. Everyone stops working at such a time so they can recognize his power." Job 37:6-7 NLT

I've done that, haven't you?

Stopped to notice the first snow flake or the first few drops of rain as they hit the window or the pavement?

Like a small child, I do it in wonder, in admiration, in awe of His abilities and His ways.

It's those pensive pauses that we need more of in our lives.

Times when we stop what we doing, what we're worrying over, what we're trying to fix--and look into the wonders of what He can do.

It's noticing the dandelion growing between the sidewalk cracks...

Or the veining on a leaf...

Or the cloud formation in a blue sky...

Or the bubbles of air trapped in a glass of cool, from the tap glass of water...

Or the roadmap of veins along the back of your hand...

I urge you to pause long enough today to see God's fingerprint in something. It will do you good.

DENYING THE GOD OF HEAVEN
Today's reading: Job 31-34

"Have I put my trust in money or felt secure because of my gold? Does my happiness depend on my wealth and all that I own? Have I looked at the sun shining in the skies, or the moon walking down its silver pathway, and been secretly enticed in my heart to worship them? If so, I should be punished by the judges, for it would mean I had denied the God of heaven." Job 31:24-28 NLT

Ouch.

I mean, pull-the-stickiest-bandage-off-an-already-sore-wound, ouch!

Go ahead, re-read these verses...

Did God poke you in the ribs and clear His throat, giving you cause to think He placed this portion of Scripture in His Word JUST FOR YOU?

Now, one might argue, we are beings created by God with an inborn desire to worship.

Sad thing is, we end up worshiping the wrong things.

Man-made things.

Things we think we have control over.

Things we are led to believe make us look better, bigger, wiser, more put-together.

But to read--to read and swallow--the words, I had denied the God of heaven.

That's where the band-aid adhesive pulled off good skin, healing skin, hurting skin--and hair!

We would never, but we do.

We know better, but we do it anyway.

We shouldn't, but we are all guilty of it.

Think about this portion of Scripture as you go about your day. Go ahead, try to not think about it!

BUT NOW
Today's reading: Job 25-30

"But now..." Job 30:1 NLT

Job knew, if anyone ever would, the flip-flop one's world can make with a bit of news.

Just one phone call.

A diagnosis.

A broken promise.

A leaked secret.

A hurtful word.

Job knew.

He was fully aware of what he had, what he had lost, the status he no longer held among friends and community, the health he had quite possibly taken for granted.

And those changes leave him broken.

Bitter.

Damaged.

Alone.

His faith stretched thin, very thin.

Grasping.

Crying out.

Wondering why.

But still calling on the Lord.

Still choosing to live a righteous life.

Still believing the God who 'made the winds blow and determined how much rain should fall, made the laws of rain and prepared a path for the lightning' (Job 28:25-26) was in control.

I think we can do the same.

I don't see where we have any other viable options.

IT'S IN OUR BEST INTEREST
Today's reading: Job 21-24

"Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied: Can a person's actions be of benefit to God? Can even a wise person be helpful to him?" Job 22:1-2 NLT

It's quite true, really.

What God asks of us isn't because He needs anything we can do--it's all in our best interest.

Obedience?

Praise?

Whole-hearted worship?

Love for others and for ourselves?

Forgiveness of those who have hurt us?

How could there be anything a self-sufficient God would ever need from those He has created?

But for the created one, you and I, the benefits far outnumber any effort required in the doing.