I had the privilege of attending my home church this weekend and hearing a dynamic message from the Word of God. Pastor Bobby Blakey (our high school pastor) took us to 1 Thessalonians where he taught us how to receive biblical preaching and understanding the true honor it is to have the Word of God before us.
1 Thessalonians 2:13-16
And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. 14For you, brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews, 15who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to all men 16in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.
Before I get into the points Bobby laid out for us, we need to examine the way we prepare to hear God's Word. If you knew that God was going to tell you something very important wouldn't you prepare for that? Spend time in prayer and meditate on His Word prior? Obviously the answer is yes...well every time you sit in on a sermon GOD IS SPEAKING DIRECTLY TO YOU!! Prepare your hearts to respond.
1. Don't Just Hear God's Word ABSORB It (v 13)
-It should be the energy of our faith
-It should change us and define who we are
-We need to receive it for what it is...the WORD of God
-Acts 17:1-4 is an example in scripture of Paul and how those under His leadership responded to the Word...they realized it was God speaking DIRECTLY to them and they responded to that
-2 Timothy 3:16-18 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
-1 Peter 1:20-21 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
-2 Timothy 2:15 reminds us that study of the Word of God takes work! But think about that for a moment. We study many things throughout our lives, whether it be in school or for personal knowledge and none of those pertain to eternity except God's WORD...so treat it like that!
-Yet, don't blindly accept everything the pastors teach you either, check it against the Word of God like the Bereans in Acts 17
2. Expect to Be at Odds With People (v 14-15a)
-You will suffer and be persecuted at the hands of those who don't believe
-Be prepared for people to attack you because you know the truth
-God's Word displayed in your life will turn people's worlds around
-2 Timothy 3:12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, reminds us that all will be persecuted when pursuing holiness.
-Rejoice in your persecutions however as they are only present pain for eternal glory. Look at Matthew 5:11
3. Know God's Got YOUR Back (v 15b-16)
-God will judge those who are your enemies, in fact ultimately they are His enemies
-He is in control of it all! Rest assured
-Matthew 23:32-27 promises this judgement
-Knowing this should give you confidence and boldness to preach the Word
-Welcome the Word of God daily and LIVE IT OUT
-Let Him be glorified in You
So what are some practical ways to absorb a message? Especially when you are hearing multiple a week?
1. Take notes, and go over them...study them so that it sinks in
2. Look up the cross references the preacher/pastor throws out. Do your own Bible study of the study
3. Talk about it with others who heard it too whether that be one-on-one or in a small group
YOU SHOULD ALLOW THE WORD TO PENETRATE AND MANIFEST IN YOUR LIFE...WELCOME HIS WORD!
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
The Battle for Truth
One of the many things God has been teaching me lately is to be a "doer of the Word". I so often am quick to give a gentle rebuke to those I encounter and to admonish them with a passage of scripture in hopes that they may press on and pursue Christ. However, recently I was convicted in my heart by the tendency I have to not follow my own encouragement and rebuke. One such thing I fail miserably in and have been striving at improving is taking every thought obedient to Christ...and what a struggle it truly has been, yet a rewarding one in the process.
2 Corinthians 10:5 says,"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." I am quick to quote this verse yet fail to act it out practically in my own life on a daily basis. I have wrestled with the idea of what that means and how not obeying this command I could be in disobedience to Christ.
I have singled out a specific idea...the idea of "truth" and thinking upon that only. Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." It is easy to focus on things that are not reality, whether that be in dreaming or thinking on things that cause you to stumble in your walk with the Lord or whatever it may be. It also is easy to think untrue things about those around us, especially those in the body of Christ. It is easy to believe the things we hear about people or make preconceived judgments about people around us without giving these people the opportunity to show themselves to us.
Thinking about things that are true requires diligence and much strength from the Lord. It is a constant struggle yet something that we as Christians should strive to accomplish. It is something I struggle with daily, but a battle I am willing to fight as it is allowing me to experience God's grace, faithfulness and truth in His Word like never before! God's word is truth and therefore as we think about things,a as girls dream things up, or think things that are not edifying to the body or others we need to stop and meditate on His Word, pray or worship in order to fill our minds with those things that are right, true, lovely and pure...think on HIM!
2 Corinthians 10:5 says,"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." I am quick to quote this verse yet fail to act it out practically in my own life on a daily basis. I have wrestled with the idea of what that means and how not obeying this command I could be in disobedience to Christ.
I have singled out a specific idea...the idea of "truth" and thinking upon that only. Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." It is easy to focus on things that are not reality, whether that be in dreaming or thinking on things that cause you to stumble in your walk with the Lord or whatever it may be. It also is easy to think untrue things about those around us, especially those in the body of Christ. It is easy to believe the things we hear about people or make preconceived judgments about people around us without giving these people the opportunity to show themselves to us.
Thinking about things that are true requires diligence and much strength from the Lord. It is a constant struggle yet something that we as Christians should strive to accomplish. It is something I struggle with daily, but a battle I am willing to fight as it is allowing me to experience God's grace, faithfulness and truth in His Word like never before! God's word is truth and therefore as we think about things,a as girls dream things up, or think things that are not edifying to the body or others we need to stop and meditate on His Word, pray or worship in order to fill our minds with those things that are right, true, lovely and pure...think on HIM!
Monday, September 17, 2007
A Love Letter Read For the First Time
Lets face it...sometimes in our fleshly nature we just can't seem to desire to read God's Word or even worse we just read to read and don't process a word we read. As Christians we are given the privilege of having a manual on life! Everything God, our Creator and Lord EVER wanted us to know we have...that is pretty incredible! We must not take advantage of all that God has given us and look at this amazing work as just another thing we have to read but rather we need to realize the privilege it is to GET to read this book. We as Christians in America have the Bible in its entirety as well which many around the world cannot say.
I am reading a book called Living by the Book by Howard and William Hendricks in which one is instructed on how to read the Bible and live by its truth. After reading a few chapters I got to the chapter entitled "You Must Learn to Read". What I read challenged and motivated me to read the Bible like I never have before! As Hendricks writes, "It is often said that familiarity breeds contempt...or ignorance" (69). This is so true, many times we skip over verses or even entire passages of scripture with the attitude of "I've read this a thousand times". However, it is a discipline to change your mindset about the Word. Sometimes picking up a different version might help as you are unfamiliar with the wording. But in actuality what we really must do is look at it as a treasure that we have just found and behold it as a new found gem each time we open the page. Hard to do? Of course, but a fresh perspective is what we need!
Secondly, Hendricks' notes that we should read the Bible as a love letter. You know when you get a letter from the one you love the anticipation and excitement drives you to read it as fast as you can...not to stop half way through and come back later that day or even later that week! It goes the same with the Bible! God has written us a love letter to behold. If people read the Bible with this mindset we would be a race of "spiritual giants" as Hendricks speaks of.
"If you want to understand the Bible, you've got to learn to read--better and faster, as for the first time and as if you were reading a love letter. Just think of it: God wanted to communicate with you in the twenty-first century--and He wrote His message in a Book."
I am reading a book called Living by the Book by Howard and William Hendricks in which one is instructed on how to read the Bible and live by its truth. After reading a few chapters I got to the chapter entitled "You Must Learn to Read". What I read challenged and motivated me to read the Bible like I never have before! As Hendricks writes, "It is often said that familiarity breeds contempt...or ignorance" (69). This is so true, many times we skip over verses or even entire passages of scripture with the attitude of "I've read this a thousand times". However, it is a discipline to change your mindset about the Word. Sometimes picking up a different version might help as you are unfamiliar with the wording. But in actuality what we really must do is look at it as a treasure that we have just found and behold it as a new found gem each time we open the page. Hard to do? Of course, but a fresh perspective is what we need!
Secondly, Hendricks' notes that we should read the Bible as a love letter. You know when you get a letter from the one you love the anticipation and excitement drives you to read it as fast as you can...not to stop half way through and come back later that day or even later that week! It goes the same with the Bible! God has written us a love letter to behold. If people read the Bible with this mindset we would be a race of "spiritual giants" as Hendricks speaks of.
"If you want to understand the Bible, you've got to learn to read--better and faster, as for the first time and as if you were reading a love letter. Just think of it: God wanted to communicate with you in the twenty-first century--and He wrote His message in a Book."
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Christian Beware
My dad recently sent me an article by Jonathan Edwards entitled Spiritual Pride. My initial reaction was to pass over it with the thoughts of thinking that I didn't fall prey to this sinful attitude and heart. However with interest I decided to read on and discovered a deeper truth, that many including myself struggle with this almost hidden yet destructive sin.
Edwards begins by saying, "The first and worst cause of error that prevails in our day is spiritual pride. This is the main door by which the devil comes into the hearts of those who are zealous for the advancement of Christ". Think about this idea for a moment...the devil's desire is to make those who are disciples of and zealous for the Lord Jesus the most ineffective and stained with sin as possible. Although the advancement of the kingdom doesn't hinge on our participation we should desire to live lives holy and worthy of the calling we have been given.
Pride begins in the heart and infiltrates the life. It is not something an individual must work at but rather a daily struggle to resist. It is the elevation of oneself to a higher position than may be true or the thought that one is better than reality. Pride leads us to believe that we don't struggle with pride a faulty assurance indeed. Pride takes many shapes and forms and lays deep within the heart and again daily be purged. It is a transitioning of the way the mind works from thinking highly of oneself to putting others before oneself. God's Word has much to say about pride:
"In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." -Psalm 10:4
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." -Proverbs 11:2
"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." -Proverbs 16:18
Spiritual pride is even harder to detect. It is through the fruits or lack of in the Christian life that one can distinguish the error. Jonathan Edwards does a brilliant job of highlighting the fruits of the prideful one: "Spiritually proud people often speak of almost everything they see in others in the harshest, most severe language. Commonly, their criticism is directed against not only wicked men but also toward true children of God and those who are their superiors. The humble, however, even when they have extraordinary discoveries of God's glory, are overwhelmed with their own vileness and sinfulness. Their exhortations to fellow Christians are given in a loving and humble manner, and they treat others with as much humility and gentleness as Christ, who is infinitely above them, treats them.
Spiritual pride often disposes people to act different in external appearance, to assume a different way of speaking, countenance, or behavior. However, the humble Christian, though he will be firm in his duty; going the way of heaven alone even if all the world forsake him; yet he does not delight in being different for difference's sake. He does not try to set himself up to be viewed and observed as one distinguished, but on the contrary, is disposed to become all things to all men, to yield to others, to conform to them, and to please them in all but sin.
Proud people take great notice of opposition and injuries, and are prone to speak often about them with an air of bitterness or contempt. Christian humility, on the other hand, disposes a person to be more like his blessed Lord, who when reviled did not open His mouth but committed Himself in silence to Him who judges righteously. For the humble Christian, the more clamorous and furious the world is against him, the more silent and still he will be.
Another pattern of spiritually proud people is to behave in ways that make them the focus of others. It is natural for a person under the influence of pride to take all the respect that is paid to him. If others show a disposition to submit to him and yield in deference to him, he is open to it and freely receives it. In fact, they come to expect such treatment and to form an ill opinion of those who do not give them what they feel they deserve."
May our hearts be motivated to seek His strength and wisdom alone and not our own. May our desire be to serve others and our Savior before ourselves. It is not an easy way of life, it goes against our natural fleshly desires and instincts to serve oneself first and foremost and to boast in ones triumphs and abilities. We must be quick to remember that any talent we have is not our own but on loan for the glory of God, any strength or ability we possess must be used for the furthering of His kingdom and it again is only in His strength that we can refocus our minds to humility and reverence.
Edwards begins by saying, "The first and worst cause of error that prevails in our day is spiritual pride. This is the main door by which the devil comes into the hearts of those who are zealous for the advancement of Christ". Think about this idea for a moment...the devil's desire is to make those who are disciples of and zealous for the Lord Jesus the most ineffective and stained with sin as possible. Although the advancement of the kingdom doesn't hinge on our participation we should desire to live lives holy and worthy of the calling we have been given.
Pride begins in the heart and infiltrates the life. It is not something an individual must work at but rather a daily struggle to resist. It is the elevation of oneself to a higher position than may be true or the thought that one is better than reality. Pride leads us to believe that we don't struggle with pride a faulty assurance indeed. Pride takes many shapes and forms and lays deep within the heart and again daily be purged. It is a transitioning of the way the mind works from thinking highly of oneself to putting others before oneself. God's Word has much to say about pride:
"In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." -Psalm 10:4
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." -Proverbs 11:2
"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." -Proverbs 16:18
Spiritual pride is even harder to detect. It is through the fruits or lack of in the Christian life that one can distinguish the error. Jonathan Edwards does a brilliant job of highlighting the fruits of the prideful one: "Spiritually proud people often speak of almost everything they see in others in the harshest, most severe language. Commonly, their criticism is directed against not only wicked men but also toward true children of God and those who are their superiors. The humble, however, even when they have extraordinary discoveries of God's glory, are overwhelmed with their own vileness and sinfulness. Their exhortations to fellow Christians are given in a loving and humble manner, and they treat others with as much humility and gentleness as Christ, who is infinitely above them, treats them.
Spiritual pride often disposes people to act different in external appearance, to assume a different way of speaking, countenance, or behavior. However, the humble Christian, though he will be firm in his duty; going the way of heaven alone even if all the world forsake him; yet he does not delight in being different for difference's sake. He does not try to set himself up to be viewed and observed as one distinguished, but on the contrary, is disposed to become all things to all men, to yield to others, to conform to them, and to please them in all but sin.
Proud people take great notice of opposition and injuries, and are prone to speak often about them with an air of bitterness or contempt. Christian humility, on the other hand, disposes a person to be more like his blessed Lord, who when reviled did not open His mouth but committed Himself in silence to Him who judges righteously. For the humble Christian, the more clamorous and furious the world is against him, the more silent and still he will be.
Another pattern of spiritually proud people is to behave in ways that make them the focus of others. It is natural for a person under the influence of pride to take all the respect that is paid to him. If others show a disposition to submit to him and yield in deference to him, he is open to it and freely receives it. In fact, they come to expect such treatment and to form an ill opinion of those who do not give them what they feel they deserve."
May our hearts be motivated to seek His strength and wisdom alone and not our own. May our desire be to serve others and our Savior before ourselves. It is not an easy way of life, it goes against our natural fleshly desires and instincts to serve oneself first and foremost and to boast in ones triumphs and abilities. We must be quick to remember that any talent we have is not our own but on loan for the glory of God, any strength or ability we possess must be used for the furthering of His kingdom and it again is only in His strength that we can refocus our minds to humility and reverence.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Get Involved!
Often times we think that there isn't a need for us in the local body in terms of service or giftedness. However scripture teaches us something very different. Whether you are the member of a body of twenty or twenty thousand God commands us to faithfully be involved in church life.
1 Timothy 3:14-15 reads, "Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth." It is evident from this passage in scripture that God has given us instructions or rather guidelines or commands in regards to how our local churches should be running.
If you are not a member of the family of God I am going to ask you to stop reading here. The following is only for the believer and the disciple. If you desire a personal relationship with Him I pray that you would search His truth and His word, repent and put your faith in Him!
The truth of God is to be upheld by the gathering of the body of Christ. We must work together to show the truth of the living God! You are commanded to be involved and to serve the body of Christ throughout scripture. Church needs to be the priority of your life rather than part of it! So often we think that it is just another added activity to add to our hectic schedules, we need to change our hearts, attitudes and mindsets and realize the privilege it is to "get" to go to church. All of your activities should therefore come secondary to participation in church.
Today at Grace Community, Rick Holland gave seven expressions of involvement in the local church. Lets take a brief look at these:
1. BAPTISM (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:19-20)
*Proclaiming your faith
*Must have happened post conversion
*Full immersion
2. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP (Hebrews 13)
*Attaching your faith
3. HOLINESS (1 Peter 1)
*Demonstrating your faith
*Must pursue this with your whole heart
4. ATTENDANCE (Hebrews 10)
*Committing your faith
5. EVANGELISM (Matthew 28)
*Sharing your faith the good news
*Should happen all the time
*Don't use biblical truth to do unbiblical things
6.. PERSEVERANCE
*Continuing on in your faith
*Continuing on with endurance
7. SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES
*Growing in your faith (bible reading, prayer etc.)
Spend time with the Lord and ask Him to show you how He can use you in His household with the gifts He has graciously given you and then get involved!!!
1 Timothy 3:14-15 reads, "Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth." It is evident from this passage in scripture that God has given us instructions or rather guidelines or commands in regards to how our local churches should be running.
If you are not a member of the family of God I am going to ask you to stop reading here. The following is only for the believer and the disciple. If you desire a personal relationship with Him I pray that you would search His truth and His word, repent and put your faith in Him!
The truth of God is to be upheld by the gathering of the body of Christ. We must work together to show the truth of the living God! You are commanded to be involved and to serve the body of Christ throughout scripture. Church needs to be the priority of your life rather than part of it! So often we think that it is just another added activity to add to our hectic schedules, we need to change our hearts, attitudes and mindsets and realize the privilege it is to "get" to go to church. All of your activities should therefore come secondary to participation in church.
Today at Grace Community, Rick Holland gave seven expressions of involvement in the local church. Lets take a brief look at these:
1. BAPTISM (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:19-20)
*Proclaiming your faith
*Must have happened post conversion
*Full immersion
2. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP (Hebrews 13)
*Attaching your faith
3. HOLINESS (1 Peter 1)
*Demonstrating your faith
*Must pursue this with your whole heart
4. ATTENDANCE (Hebrews 10)
*Committing your faith
5. EVANGELISM (Matthew 28)
*Sharing your faith the good news
*Should happen all the time
*Don't use biblical truth to do unbiblical things
6.. PERSEVERANCE
*Continuing on in your faith
*Continuing on with endurance
7. SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES
*Growing in your faith (bible reading, prayer etc.)
Spend time with the Lord and ask Him to show you how He can use you in His household with the gifts He has graciously given you and then get involved!!!
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
The Heart (part 2)
I have the privilege of being in a biblical counseling class here at Master's that teaches you principles for the marriage and family.
So often women and girls are often told to "guard their hearts" from our guy counterparts. But what we fail to realize is that when Solomon writes in Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life." he is referring to guarding our hearts from our own selfish, lustful flesh! Think about that for a moment...we are given a warning that we should watch out for ourselves. It is so true though, we are easily persuaded by selfish desire, ambition and motivation and quick to desire to give into that fleshly instinct. We must watch ourselves closely, asking the Lord to chasten and refine us, praying that He would guide us and direct us and give us wisdom and that more importantly He would guard our hearts from the flesh.
What exactly is the heart?
-The inner man is at contrast with the outer man
-The Inner man has a comprehending mind, affections, and will
-Specific references are given to the mind
-Specific references are given to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will
-The Conscience
-A seat of appetites and passions
-A seat of New Testament lusts and desires-->having a strong desire for something
Ask yourselves these questions as you examine your own heart and its desires to see as David prayed if there is "any unclean way in me".
Where do you spend your time?
What are your priorities?
What do you think you need?
What motivates you?
I would be happy if...
What do you value or treasure?
What are you living for?
When pondering these questions we are quick to realize how evil and wicked our hearts truly are and how askew we are in what we seek first. Let us be motivated to produce good fruit from our hearts and it is again only through the work of Christ on the cross that we could ever attain anything towards holiness.
So often women and girls are often told to "guard their hearts" from our guy counterparts. But what we fail to realize is that when Solomon writes in Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life." he is referring to guarding our hearts from our own selfish, lustful flesh! Think about that for a moment...we are given a warning that we should watch out for ourselves. It is so true though, we are easily persuaded by selfish desire, ambition and motivation and quick to desire to give into that fleshly instinct. We must watch ourselves closely, asking the Lord to chasten and refine us, praying that He would guide us and direct us and give us wisdom and that more importantly He would guard our hearts from the flesh.
What exactly is the heart?
-The inner man is at contrast with the outer man
-The Inner man has a comprehending mind, affections, and will
-Specific references are given to the mind
-Specific references are given to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will
-The Conscience
-A seat of appetites and passions
-A seat of New Testament lusts and desires-->having a strong desire for something
Ask yourselves these questions as you examine your own heart and its desires to see as David prayed if there is "any unclean way in me".
Where do you spend your time?
What are your priorities?
What do you think you need?
What motivates you?
I would be happy if...
What do you value or treasure?
What are you living for?
When pondering these questions we are quick to realize how evil and wicked our hearts truly are and how askew we are in what we seek first. Let us be motivated to produce good fruit from our hearts and it is again only through the work of Christ on the cross that we could ever attain anything towards holiness.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
The Heart (part 1)
In today's society the heart is often associated with those warm fuzzy feelings we get when we are around the person we like/love or really anything that has to do with our emotions and what we are feeling inside. However as Christians we need to remember what the biblical definition of the heart is. Here are a few verses that might help you understand more accurately the way God looks at the heart of man:
-Genesis 6:5 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.
-Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
-Psalm 55:21 His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.
-Psalm 73:7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity ; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.
-Psalm 101:5 Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him will I put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him will I not endure.
-Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
-Psalm 141:4 Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.
And the list could go on for a while...
Prior to our being purchased with the blood of Christ we were utterly depraved men and women. We were destined for eternal separation from our Creator and eternal punishment and torment. However in His goodness, love, and mercy He has rescued us. Until we receive our perfect bodies we will be faced with an internal struggle and battle within our hearts against the flesh and the Spirit. In our old nature we did whatever pleased ourselves yet now that we have been saved we are faced with a dilemma that goes on day after day...dying to ourselves and serving the Lord! It is only in His strength that we are capable of pleasing and glorifying Him and saying no to sin, and we must ask for that strength and ability daily.
In the high school ministry at my home church we often refer to our hearts as 'cesspools of wickedness'. I love this illustration! It is so true. Apart from Christ and His power we are evil and maligned and desire nothing of holiness or godliness, but as 2 Peter 1:3 reminds us,"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." What a reassuring promise for the believer. May the condition of our fleshly hearts humble us and may that sadness motivate us to examine ourselves daily and to pick up our cross daily and surrender our hearts to the Lord!
-Genesis 6:5 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.
-Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
-Psalm 55:21 His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.
-Psalm 73:7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity ; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.
-Psalm 101:5 Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him will I put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him will I not endure.
-Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
-Psalm 141:4 Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.
And the list could go on for a while...
Prior to our being purchased with the blood of Christ we were utterly depraved men and women. We were destined for eternal separation from our Creator and eternal punishment and torment. However in His goodness, love, and mercy He has rescued us. Until we receive our perfect bodies we will be faced with an internal struggle and battle within our hearts against the flesh and the Spirit. In our old nature we did whatever pleased ourselves yet now that we have been saved we are faced with a dilemma that goes on day after day...dying to ourselves and serving the Lord! It is only in His strength that we are capable of pleasing and glorifying Him and saying no to sin, and we must ask for that strength and ability daily.
In the high school ministry at my home church we often refer to our hearts as 'cesspools of wickedness'. I love this illustration! It is so true. Apart from Christ and His power we are evil and maligned and desire nothing of holiness or godliness, but as 2 Peter 1:3 reminds us,"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." What a reassuring promise for the believer. May the condition of our fleshly hearts humble us and may that sadness motivate us to examine ourselves daily and to pick up our cross daily and surrender our hearts to the Lord!
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