Monday, April 7, 2014

It Starts With The Heart

My Utmost For His Highest
 
‘When you grow and develop the right condition inwardly, the words Jesus spoke become so clear that you are amazed you did not grasp them before. In fact, you were not able to understand them before because you had not yet developed the proper spiritual condition to deal with them. […] Do we really know anything about the indwelling of the risen life of Jesus? The evidence that we do is that His Word is becoming understandable to us. God cannot reveal anything to us if we don’t have His Spirit. And our own unyielding and headstrong opinions will effectively prevent God from revealing anything to us.[…] How long will it be before His resurrection life is formed and evident in you and in me?’ CHAMBERS
 
Matthew 23:25-26 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.”
 
The Pharisees had a problem.  They were known for being religious, but it was external.  Jesus told them that it is what is on in inside that counts.  It starts with the heart.  Ever heard the term “keeping up appearances”?  Someone is struggling in life, but they are trying hard to keep up the appearance that they are not.  The Christian life is impossible to live by self-effort.  You might fool people, but God knows the heart.  When we draw close to God .. surrender our lives to Him .. stop worrying about the outside of the cup and focus on the inside .. then something wonderful happens … God cleans the outside up is well.  I have made it a habit to listen closely to what people say because I know that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.  Let this song be your prayer today.
 
“Lord You have my heart, and I will search for Yours.  Let me be to you a sacrifice. And I will praise you Lord.  And I will sing of Love come down. And as I seek Your face, I’ll see your glory here.”
 
Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You

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