heart

God’s Purpose Revealed ~ Part One

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2 Timothy 1:9 says that God’s plan for salvation was determined before time began. Verse 10 says, “But has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

The One Who spoke ‘Let there be light’ is Light. John 1:3-4 says, “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”

Verse 9 says, “That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.” 2 Corinthians 4:6 says, “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” The mystery remained in God’s heart until it was time for Jesus to be revealed.

God’s Mercy ~ Part One

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I was memorizing Psalm 145:9. It says, “The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.” I started to think about mercy. Psalm 103:10 says that mercy is not getting what we deserve.

Since God is merciful, that is a character quality He desires us to emulate. Colossians 3:12 says, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.”

The Holy Spirit brought these two words to mind ~ recalcitrant child. I had to look it up to know what it meant and how to spell it. Recalcitrant means: obstinately uncooperative attitude towards authority or discipline.

Even in our attitude we are to represent Jesus. Our thoughts come from our heart. They precede all actions, which also display our attitude through our demeanor. The Lord knows when our heart is recalcitrant, and yet He is merciful because that is His nature.

God Watches Our Hearts~Part Two

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Harboring an offense in our hearts makes us a stumbling block for others. How? I think Ecclesiastes 10:1 is a perfect answer. It says, “Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, and cause it to give off a foul odor; so does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor.”

We hurt and offend others when we attack them through our reactionary flesh. We say things that ought not to be said. We act in a way that does not exemplify the Lord. If you want to know what is hidden in your heart ~ ask the Lord to reveal it. He loves that prayer and is faithful to fulfill it.

Caution. The hidden offense will emerge in a very unexpected time. Proverbs 4:23. We won’t even know it happened until it displays itself. It is that quick. Not premeditated, but triggered in a moment because of something that was said, we were slighted, or our goal was blocked.