"Listen now, all of you— take this to heart." ~~Jesus

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300"] English: Sacred heart of Jesus Español: Sagrado corazon de Jesus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)[/caption]

Jesus challenges us to understand that it is not what we eat that is the problem. The problem is our heart. The problem is what we think, do and say. That is the real pollution in our life. Jesus is clear that it's what comes out of a person that pollutes: obscenities, lusts, thefts, murders, adulteries, greed, depravity, deceptive dealings, carousing, mean looks, slander, arrogance, foolishness—all these are vomit from the heart in GOD's world (Kingdom).

We need to know this about our self so that we can take advantage of Jesus redeeming us from the price we have to pay for what is in our heart. Jesus gives a new heart. Now that is good news.

"Listen now, all of you— take this to heart. It's not what you swallow that pollutes your life; it's what you vomit—that's the real pollution." ~~Jesus (Mark 7:15 The Message)

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"It's what comes out of a person that pollutes ... all these are vomit from the heart. There is the source of your pollution." ​~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to be concerned about the right things. It is all about the heart. Is what is coming out of us from a "pure of heart"? Or are spewing forth "vomit from the heart"?

We worry about how we look. We struggle to create a perception of a good life when at our core we have a problem. GOD sees the heart. GOD knows our heart. We can't fool Him.

We must change our mind about what is important. We must focus on getting right with GOD.

"It's what comes out of a person that pollutes: obscenities, lusts, thefts, murders, adulteries, greed, depravity, deceptive dealings, carousing, mean looks, slander, arrogance, foolishness—all these are vomit from the heart. There is the source of your pollution." ~~Jesus (Mark 7:21-23 The Message)

Do I have true freedom?

Not only has He healed my heart, He has set it free. That freedom leads me to run in the path of His desire for my life. His freedom leads to my commitment to do what He wants for me.

Freedom leading to willing obedienceis His way. And I run in it!! Willingly. Gladly.

 I run in the path of your commands,
for you have set my heart free. Psalm 119:32

"These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn't in it." ~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to have our heart in the right place with God and everyone else. It is all about our relationships. It isn't the "big show" we make of saying things. Do we do the right God-things? Is our heart in it even if no one knows about what we do?

May my heart be in it every day!!

"These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn't in it." ~Jesus (Mark 7:6)

 

"The same people who want 60 minute worship services rent 2 hour movies & watch 3 hour ballgames. It's about our heart's focus!" ~ J. Bull

Life Starts with my Heart

My life starts with my heart. That is the center of everything. Nothing else matters so I need to be vigilant over it. I should guard it like I guard nothing else. Since everything flows from my heart, I need to be careful not speak out of both sides of my mouth. I should completely avoid careless banter that can hurt others and me. Little white lies hurt my integrity and I need to avoid them at all cost. Gossip hurts others and so it damages my heart.

So ... I should keep my eyes straight ahead and completely ignore distractions which take me away from you, my Father. If I watch my step and focus on what you want, the road will be smooth. It will straighten out in front of me. If I focus on my relationship with you, looking only at you, I will leave evil in the dust.

Take Heart

Many days, there is a whole lot of worrying going on. Fear can cripple. How many times does God come to us and say, "Fear not"? That is one of His great themes. Trust in Him. He is in control. He didn't bring us this far to leave us now.

Here is the good news. Jesus has overcome everything. He is seated at the right hand of the Father. All is well. It is finished.

 

“But take heart! I have overcome the world."

----- Jesus,John 16:33

 

"Do not be anxious about anything." ~~Apostle Paul

My part is to rejoice. God is so very good and He is always in this amazing mood. Jesus has a mission to bring Good News to me. Am I hearing bad news? It is a lie then. That is from my enemy Satan. So, I will rejoice at the good God is doing now.
 
I need to talk with my Father, ask Him for what I need, and be thankful in my conversations with Him. He knows what I need and will do more than I can imagine.
 
I don't understand it, but as a result, His peace is mine. I can rest and relax. His peace is at attention in my heart. He is protecting me and the enemy can't reach my heart.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-9

 

 

A man after His heart

What is the BIG THING my heavenly Father is looking for? He is desperately seeking a man after his own heart. How will I know what is in His heart? Have a relationship with Him. Know what makes Him tick. Seek to please Him at all costs.

May I be a man after God's own heart!! May I do what He asks me to do.

"The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people ..." 1 Samuel 13:13-14

Alignment

It is God's goal for me to align my heart with my words in a way that is acceptable to God. I am to love Him and others with all my heart. Do my words reflect that? Does God's love in my heart cause me to think amazing things and then act in a way that reflects His love?

Beyond what I have to say, is what I am thinking and meditating on acceptable to God?

May I align God's love in my heart with what I say.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Like the "energizer bunny" but only real

Some days things don't look good. All I have to do is listen to the news to know that. Bad news at every turn. That is the way of the world.

God has a goal that has nothing to do with that. We don't lose heart when we are listening to Him. It doesn't matter what is going on around us. Trouble brings His mighty and awesome outcomes. We see a reality, in Him, that others don't know exists. We have our gaze fixed on Him. Today's trouble is no comparison to His love which goes on like Him, forever. There is no end to it. Like the "energizer bunny" but only real.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 TNIV Bible

Not forced on us

Some things just aren't forced on us. We can have it or we can not. Peace comes from knowing His love and doing what He wants. We have to let that kind of peace happen. Jesus has peace to offer us like we have never known. His peace can rule over any other emotions that we have.

The phone is ringing. A text has arrived. The email arrives "You have peace from Jesus" we hear. A tweet shows up on Twitter. It is Jesus calling us to peace.

For this peace, I am very thankful.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

May I let His peace have precedence over any other emotion in my life.