Monday, April 28, 2008 by Randy

TITLE:
Heart Condition

SCRIPTURE:
Jesus said...But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ Matthew 15:18 (NIV)


OBSERVATION:
The religious leaders of Christ’s day were so concerned about the food and formality of the law, they had forgotten the most important thing—the condition of heart! They were more concerned about “looking good” than truly “being good.” In 1 Samuel 16:7 it says “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." Jesus reiterated this when he taught that what goes into our mouths (the outside) isn’twhat makes us unclean, but what is in our hearts (the inside). God always changes lives from the inside out.

APPLICATION:
What is my heart condition? Where is my focus? As I get older, it is easy for me to become more conscious of what is happening on the “outside” of my life. I have to laugh at the 5 B’s of old age—“Baldness, bifocals, bulges, bunions and bridges!!” Yikes! I’m there! Someone said that we all come to the point in life where we look in the mirror and say “Mirror, mirror on the wall, you’ve got to be kidding!” 

Seriously, God is constantly reminding me that what really counts in life is what He is doing internally and eternally! It is not about rules and rituals. It is about the heart! Nothing really compares with our walk with God and being willing to let him clean our lives from the inside out.

PRAYER
Father, help me to focus on what really matters– my heart condition! Cleanse of my sin. Please fill me with your Spirit. Use me for your honor and glory! AMEN!