The Thoughts and Heart

What do we cherish most?  Where do we spend the majority of our thoughts?

Psalm 119:15-16 says, "I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees, I will not neglect your word."

It's the Lord's desire that our thoughts be toward Him.  He wants us to seek Him and find our satisfaction in our relationship with Him.  If we are seeking to know His Words, then we will seek to follow them as well.  What has the most attention in our thought life?  We can't separate the two.  Where we think is what we treasure most in our hearts.

Father, may I ever be mindful of You....loving and obeying You.  Amen.

Take a Step

How much faith does it take to move mountains?  What does faith look like?

Matthew 13:31-32 says, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.  Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches." NIV

Faith always begins small.  It begins with tiny steps forward, but with each step it's able to grow. If we remain stationary, then so will our faith.  However, the Lord is calling us to place one foot in front of another, trust Him, and watch Him grow us.  What are we doing?  Faith doesn't grow if it isn't watered.  Let's water our faith and move forward to what the Lord is calling us to do for Him.

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Are We Really Hearing?

What's the point?  Sometimes when talking to people, we can talk to them until we are blue in the face.  They just don't get it?  Reasons vary.  Sometimes because they aren't truly listening and other times just because their hearts are blinded to the truth.

Jesus said in Matthew 13:13, "This is why I speak to them in parables: though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand."  NIV  Jesus began to understand there were people in the crowd who were just not getting it.  Instead of speaking to them more bluntly and trying to get them to understand, He instead spoke in parables.  So to many, it just sounded like good stories to the listeners.

Would we be the among He would explain the parable to or would we be the ones who just don't see or hear?  It's an open and willing heart to know truth that determines if we get the message or not?  Do we know what kind of heart we have toward the Lord and truth?

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What are You Choosing?

Are we feeling bogged down by the pressures and stresses of life?  Do we feel as if we can't go on?

We are reminded in Hebrews 12:1 that Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. KJV

It's not the Lord's desire for us to feel trapped by the things of this life.  His desire is to set us free and enable us to experience the freedom that comes from trusting Him.  He provides what we need if we are willing to lay aside those things that keep us from seeing Him.  The race run with patience is before us, but we have to choose to take it.  Will we?

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Do Good

Do we really understand just how valuable we are to the Lord?  Have we been able to comprehend the extend of His love and grace for us?  Do we really get it?

Matthew 12:11-12 says, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out?  How much more valuable is a man than a sheep!  Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."  NIV

We aren't suppose to get so caught up in the laws that we lack doing good for the one that needs it on the Sabbath, even if it is an animal.  The Lord didn't make the laws, so that they would keep us from doing good, but to remind us what is good.  We're to honor the Sabbath by extending kindness when the opportunities arise no matter what day it is.

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Simply Come

There are times in our lives when all of life gets in the way.  It seems like troubles come in multiples, and we can become overwhelmed.  We can wonder how we are going to keep breathing and keep moving forward in life.

Matthew 11:28-30 are words of comfort from our Savior, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."  KJV

We learn several things from our Lord's words here.  First is His desire for us to trust Him, but we also see that He recognizes two things.  He knows we are struggling deeply, and we need rest.  He assures us that He knows how to ease our burden.  We are told that He is our place of refuge because He is meek and lowly in heart, and He can provide rest for our souls.  Do we want rest? If we truly do then we must recognize what we need to do... come to Him. Otherwise rest will continue to elude us.

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Extending Grace

How often do we expect so much from ourselves, and then when we don't meet up to our own standards we beat ourselves up?  How often do we also do the same toward others?

Romans 8:1 says, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

NASB

Do we get that?  Do we truly understand that?  In the midst of conviction when we have blown it, do we truly understand the extent of the Lord's forgiveness for us?  Do we desire grace and mercy by those around us when we mess up?  Do we extend the same toward other brothers and sisters in the Lord when they mess up?  Is our church a place for healing or are we shooting our wounded?

Father, enable us to understand Your forgiveness so that we might live above the enemies destructive lie that we are hopeless and useless for Your Kingdom.  Help us to extend grace and mercy toward those around us who need to be lifted out of the mire and given encouragement to continue the race of following You.  Amen.

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Know That You Know?

Do we know that we know that we know Him?  How do we know?  How can we be sure?

Matthew 11:27 says, "All things have been committed to Me by My Father.  No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and to those whom the Son chooses to reveal Him."  NIV

We are told that if we know the Son we know the Father.  The Son chooses to reveal Himself to certain ones.  He's looking for the humble heart.  He's looking for those searching for Him with an open heart.  In His searching and choosing, will we be among them?  He wants it if we do.

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Simple Enough for a Child to See

We know as much as the Lord desires for us to know for this time in our lives.  The Word of God has been given to us to reveal truth to us, but what is not known is hidden for a reason.

Matthew 11:25-26 says, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.  Yes, Father, for this was Your good pleasure."  NIV

Sometimes it's the children who teach the adults those things that seem to hard to understand. The faith and trust of a child is so full and complete.  It's time and adults that warp that for them. It was God's pleasure to reveal things to the children instead of those that felt they were wiser and knew more.  Let's not complicate what the Lord wants us to understand about living life in a way that honors and pleases Him.

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It Makes A Difference

Did sharing a portion of our lunch mean anything to that little Mexican girl and boy?  What did taking that homeless person out for coffee mean?  Does the money we give toward missions make a difference?

Matthew 10:42 says, "If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, I tell  you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."  NIV  So often we don't see the results of our small acts of kindness.  We wonder if it truly makes any difference at all. We are a society of results and many times in these cases we have no clue what impact we are making in the lives of others.

According to Jesus, as His disciples even a cold cup of water to a little one has a reward.  No, we may not see it here, but it's coming.  Everything we do impacts the lives around us, who we serving, Jesus or ourselves?

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Surrender...a Freeing Word

We can't give a portion.  We can't withhold anything.  We must surrender all.  Oh how difficult it is to even think that word let alone to obey.

Matthew 10:38-40 tell us, "Anyone who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.  Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives the One who sent Me."  NIV

It's all about Him. From beginning to end, it's what He says that stands true in our hearts and lives.  We may think that surrender will put chains upon us, but that isn't true when it comes to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We can never truly know freedom if we don't surrender. Let's do that today and everyday!

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What am I Doing?

How do we feel about our relationship with the Lord?  Is it something we're thankful and glad we have?  Are we willing to share it with others or do we guard that part of our life as something private and just between us and the Lord?

Matthew 10:32-33 says, "Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.  But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven."  KJV

Everything about our lives should point back to the Lord.  Others should recognize something about us that is different then the world around us.  If we're hiding our faith under a bushel, not wanting to share it, we need to ask why?  

Sometimes we're ashamed because when we share our faith with another and emphasized their need, they called us "judgmental".  Often times when repentance and salvation takes place, we immediately realize the changes we need to make in our thoughts, words, and actions.  Those that don't understand that feel threatened in some way and pull away.

No matter what, may we ask ourselves, how do we truly feel about Jesus?  Do we want others to know Him too or do we hide in fear of what others will think of us for following Him?

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What Does He Say?

In a world when so much emphasis of importance is displaced, many of us don't realize our true significance.  We can believe that we need to look a certain way or own things that give us value.

Yet the Lord tells us something different then the world does.  "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.  And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  So don't be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows." (Matthew 10:29-31, NIV)

We're the only ones of God's creation that are made in the image of God.  It's for us that salvation was made through the sacrificial death of God's only Son.  Our fears are eased if we can grasp the thought of how valuable we truly are to the Lord.  

It's His opinion regarding us that matters most.  It's Him we need to strive to honor and please. Our relationship with Him is for eternity, and He remains beside us.  He's the only One that not only knows where we've been, but was there with us.  Let's allow His opinion to matter most to us.

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Go to the Open

What are we do?  Where are we to go?  How long do we stay?  

Matthew 10:13-14 is Jesus' instructions to His disciples on ministry opportunities.  He says, "If the home is deserving, let your peace resst on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.  If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town." NIV

We are called to go, but we aren't called to stay where we aren't welcome.  We are to do what those we reach out to are willing to receive.  Our responsibility ends when they close the door to us.  So often we can try pushing down doors that are bolted closed.  

The Lord wants us to move on with His truth to those willing to receive it.  We accomplish nothing when we are trying to shove the gospel down those unwilling to receive it, except for causing their hearts to become harder.  Henry Blackaby says in his Bible study, "Look for where God is working and go there."  Let's do just that today.

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Go and Tell

Who needs to hear?  Where do we take the salvation message?  What will happen when we do?

Matthew 10:6-8 says, "Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.  As you do, preach this message: "The kingdom of heaven is near."  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.  Freely you have received, freely give."NIV

All around us are those that are spiritually sick.  They have no hope beyond this life.  They're dead in their trespasses and sins, and without Christ they'll remain dead.  When we share Jesus, we help to heal the sin sick, those with diseases, and those dead in sin.  Do we know Jesus?If so, we need to tell others.

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Let's Get Real

Matthew 9:37-38 says, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field." NIV

All around us, sometimes within our own families, are those that are without the saving knowledge of Jesus.  Many of these folks are even sitting within the walls of our sanctuary.  Yet, many of us believers do what we're most comfortable with.  We occupy the pew for a service, and then go along our way the rest of the week doing our own thing.  Volunteer to do something for others?  What?  

How sad for many congregations that they have to beg and plead for someone to work in the nursery or children's worship.  What do you mean stay for a fellowship and help clean up afterward?  The saddest is those that retire from serving in the church because they retired from their jobs.  We need to ask, am I a worker or am I one of the reasons the "workers are few"?

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It Just Takes a Little

How would we respond when asked about what we really believe?  Whether we realize it or not, the Lord is posing the question to us daily.

Matthew 9:28-30 says, "When He had gone indoors, the blind men came to Him and He asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?"   "Yes, Lord," they replied.  Then He touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"; and their sight was restored. NIV

What do we believe the Lord can do for us?  What do we seek?  Do we really think He can do it? Are we holding back from allowing the Lord to work mightily in our lives because we won't walk in faith in what He is able to do for us?  Faith does play a part in what the Lord will do for us. Even if it's a little, let's choose to walk in it today.

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Follow Today

Do we come when He calls?  How do we respond when the Lord calls out to us?

Matthew 9:9 says, "As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth, "Follow me," He told him, and Matthew got up and followed him."  NIV

There's no explanation.  Matthew knew how was calling out to him, and he responded.  Are we responding when the Lord calls out to us?  May we got up where we are and follow.

Who is This Man?

The scene has been set.  A man unable to walk is brought to Jesus for healing.  Among the observers are those not open to the truth but wanting to trap Jesus.  What are we doing when we hear the Word preached or observe those around us?

Matthew 9:4-7 says, "Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?  Which is easier; to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'?  But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...."Then He said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home."  And the man got up and went home." NIV

Jesus lets them know that not only does He know their thoughts, but He knows that they are evil. In order to prove his authority to forgive, He physically heals the man as well.  When we observe the unusual, what is our attitude?

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Give it to Jesus

Matthew 8:26  says, "And He (Jesus) saith unto them, "Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?" Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm."  KJV

Certainly our Savior would prefer that despite what is happening around us that we'd trust Him fully.  He doesn't want us to be overcome with fear.  He wants to overcome our fears with faith.

However, we are told that Jesus rebuked the winds and the sea, not the fearful disciples.  He points out that He sees their fear and the lack of faith, but then He dispels what is causing them to feel fearful. He doesn't say to "Buck up and take it."  He sees what is causing the anxiety and removes the obstacle from their lives.

The Lord wants us to carry all our fears to Him.  With what little faith we have, He wants us to cry out to Him.  He wants us to know that He has the power to remove all fears from our hearts and lives. Despite what is happening around us, let's trust Him today.

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Believe and Come

We all have times in our lives when we wonder what the Lord's desire and will for our lives are. We know He is able to do anything, but we are unsure of what He wants to do.

In Matthew 8:2-3 we see a man in that same state, "A man with leprosy came and knelt before Him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."  Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man.  "I am willing."  He said, "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy. NIV

Like the man with leprosy, we need to come.  We need to seek the Lord and His power to heal us whether it's spiritual, physically, or emotionally.  For some healing comes immediate, but for others, it doesn't.  No matter the timing, we need to acknowledge and come to the true Healer in life.  We proclaim our belief when we come.

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We Choose the End

Matthew 7:26-27 reminds us of a choice we have to make when hearing God's truthful Words given to us, "But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."  NIV

We don't have to obey.  We can choose to do whatever we like when God's Word is spoken to us. It won't keep the storms of life that come away. However, we are foolish to think that life will be better when it's done our way instead of God's.  A life lived void of the submission to the Lord is a life headed for disaster.  In time, everything catches up with us, and we're left with a mess to clean up.

God's Word is offered to all.  Storms in life will come to all.  What happens through those storms are our choice.  What result do we want in the end?

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True Wisdom

Do we want to be wise?  Do we want to do what the Lord desires?  Is seeking the Lord's will for our lives the most important thing on our agenda each day?

Matthew 7:24-25 reminds about where wisdom truly comes.  "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." NIV

It's a given.  Storms come in life.  However, the Lord says we will make it through anything ifwe obey Him. It's not enough to hear the Lord's Words. There is wisdom in submission to the Lord. How wise are we looking today?

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Two Paths

So often in life, we wish to take the easy road.  It seems to get us where we want to be with less pain and struggle along the way.  Would we ever purposely select the more difficult path up the mountain if we knew there was an easier way to get us there?

Matthew 7:13-14 tells us, "Enter the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."  NIV

Two gates.  Two choices. The easy road leads to destruction and the hard road leads to life. Sadly, we are told that few find the narrow way.  All to often the easy way is selected and the promise for that choice is destruction.  

Following Jesus and allowing Him to change our lives completely, isn't easy.  It means surrender and submission.  It means giving up our "rights" that we think we're entitled to and obeying the Lord fully in all things.

What path are we choosing today?  Remember, there are two choices and only one truly leads to life.

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Trust Him Anyway

What do we think about the Lord?  It's so easy to praise Him, thank Him, seek Him, and love Him when all seems right in the world and our lives.  However, what do we really think?  What happens when nothing is going right?

Matthew 7:11 says, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good gifts to them that ask Him?"  KJV

We're by no means the perfect parent and when we are right in our hearts and minds, there is no good thing that we wouldn't want to do for our children.  When we say "no" there is a good reason that maybe they can't or won't see, but we know we must withhold it.  If it's good, there isn't anything a perfect and holy Father wouldn't give to us.  If He says "no" we must trust that there is a valid reason for His answer.

What are we thinking when it seems He is withholding good?  Do we get angry or do we try to understand and trust?

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Check This Out

I wanted you to know about this publication I'm a part of called Serious.LifeMagazine.  They just published the February issue
today, and I am in their Featured Blog Directory. It's a very high
quality magazine... you'll really like it.  (In their blog directory, you will find me listed there.)

The magazine includes a lot of great content from bloggers you'll
appreciate, as well as great features, photos and other content.

 The magazine is owned and published by a family who have seven
kids, three adopted and one who has Leukemia (www.riggsfamilyblog.com). The magazine
gives away a bunch of ads to charities and
ministries.  Besides great articles on interesting people, there is
a lot about family, adoption, personal finance, spiritual life,
humor... all sorts of "life" topics.

Again, the subscription is free, and I know you'll enjoy the
magazine, so take a minute to check it out and sign up to get future
issues.  www.seriouslifemagazine.com

To Speak or Not?

No matter what, should we tell it like it is to all we meet?  So often people feel that truth is truth, just speak it.

However, Matthew 7:6 reminds us that there are time to be cautious in our lives with God's Word.  Jesus tells us  to "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you."  KJV

There are times we must withhold from speaking out.  The Spirit must be allowed to direct us when giving what is holy and precious would be not only trampled, but used to attack us.  So often there are those who will take God's word and twist it for their own perverse purpose. The Lord warns us to be on guard for this and to withhold.  

Father, fill us with Your wisdom, enabling us to know when to speak and when not to speak. Amen.

Plank or Speck?

Often times people will say, "Don't judge me."  Used out of context, it seems that is what the Scriptures teach.  However, with close evaluation, we're able to see that Jesus is concerned about those judging the words and actions of others regarding the very things that they are doing.

Slowly and carefully examine the words and Jesus' instructions in Matthew 7:1-5, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use it, it will be measured to you.  Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, "Let me take the speck out of your eye, " when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?  Pay close attention to the next set of words, because they are key to the understanding of judging here:  You hypocrite, FIRST take the plank out of your own eye, AND THEN you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."  NIV

With a plank in my eye, we're no use to our brother.  However, with no plank, we're to help remove the speck from our brother's eye.  If there is no plank present, we're told to help remove the speck.  Let's examine our eyes and see whether we are bearing a plank or speck and do accordingly...removing or allowing something to be removed.

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