“I have loved you deeply,” says the LORD. 

But you retort, “Really? How have you loved us?”  

I am not at all pleased with you, says the LORD Almighty, and I will not accept your offerings…Listen to me and take it to heart. Honour my name…it was I who sent you this warning so that my covenant with the Levites may continue…the purpose of my covenant…was to bring life and peace, and this is what I gave them.  

For whom the LORD loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights—And scourges every son whom He receives—The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise—for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord—If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

Mal.1:2NLT; Mal.1:10;2:2,4,5; Prov. 3:12 NKJV; Heb. 12:6 NKJV; Ps. 51:17 ESV; Eph, 5:8-10 ESV;  I Jn. 1:8-9 ESV

The words we want to hear are not always the words we most need to hear. In a world gone wild grasping for Kudos the children of God must be wise in their giving and receiving of words.  I am as eager to be found pleasing as anyone.  I smart from even a perceived cold shoulder.  But I am reminded today that even the One who loves me most, especially the One who loves me most, must sometimes issue warnings and correction.  Where would I be if He didn’t?  And in my words, whether issuing from tongue or fingertips may I be guided by the wishes of the One whose pleasure matters most!