by David Brenneman
"As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man." Proverbs 27:19.
"You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:34-37.
"But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.” Matthew 15:18-20.
"Examine me, O Lord, and try me; Test my mind and my heart." Psalms 26:2.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way." Psalms 139:23-24.
Many remember an old saying "you can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time" oftentimes this is attributed to Abraham Lincoln.
Are you trying to fool yourself? Are you intentionally deceiving yourself through denial of how your relationship with Jesus really is?
Jesus is intimately aware of all aspects of your heart and mind.
When you get up, when you lay down. When you presume to think you're all alone. When you mutter under your breath. When you outright lie to yourself. When any thoughts cross your mind.
It's all there before Him with whom we have to do.
"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." Hebrews 4:12-13.
Have you the realization yet that there's more to your life than you?
Or have you convinced yourself that you should only be concerned about how you will get what you want through whatever means you have at your disposal to accomplish your goals and objectives?
When we come to Christ for salvation we forfeit our wants and desires to live for Jesus who died in our place on that cross so long ago.
We live to honor His sacrifice for us.
We become His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them. Ephesians 2:10.
Two things begin as part of that. One is to begin healing us of the ravages of sin in our lives and to teach us all things that Jesus commanded us in becoming like Him. The second is our part in the plans of God to reach the other lost in the world.
Grow in Christ and be at His disposal for the work He has for you in His fields which are white for harvest. As Jesus spoke of, others before us were working in those fields and we join them in their labors.
"But what can I do? I'm a nobody!"
Interesting that you worded it that way. Guess what? So were the 13 Disciples. 13 because of the addition of Mathias to replace Judas. 12 ordinary men. Street people and semi-professionals at what they could do in this world.
"But I have no talents!" Really? You want to go there? Alright...go back and read the Gospel accounts. Look at what these ordinary men brought to the table. You're in good company.
All that's required of you is to say "Here am I, send me!". A willing heart starts the ball rolling.
Jesus already knows what all you have done, said or thought. Nothing has escaped His notice.
Keep pace with Jesus and He takes care of everything. That's His promise, that's what He said He would do.
Joseph knew nothing about organizing a nation let alone on how to organize a food distribution system before his brothers sold him into slavery. In everything it says he trusted his God. Regardless of false accusations and imprisonment. His life looked like him being punished for crimes he didn't commit. His reality was he was being trained by God for a greater purpose.
Jesus knows everything about you and loves you anyway.
Jesus has plans for each of us that's far greater than anything we could ever ask for or think possible.
I have lived with the effects of birth defects all my life. Some new ones presenting themselves as I get older. Jesus has still shown me that He has work for even me to be doing.
Jesus knows you and I intimately.
He wants to cultivate a heartfelt relationship with you and I. Deeper than any we will ever find in our lives with other people.
I aspire to be a writer. In 40 plus years I have yet to complete a work worth publishing in book form. In going on 6 years He has had me working as a writer of this blog. It's reached corners of the world that no paperback or hard cover book could ever get to. Really more than I could ever imagine or think possible.
My hope is to some day publish a book. My mission is to keep honing my skills writing as He sees fit each morning He meets with me.
You have an opportunity to grow in Christ today that's just waiting on you.
Drop the excuses and all the rest that you put in the way of the full life that Jesus wants for you.
If indeed Jesus is the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life...are you showing it by how you live? Are you settling for what's in your life or setting your life according to your obedience to God's Word?
He already knows all your faults and all your hang-ups. He still has a plan for you...it's just for you to say that you're done fighting and you're wanting what He wants for you in your life.
He always knows you inside and out. Follow, listen, obey.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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