How is your heart today? (long)

[greeniss]

Below is a message that is important for us born again Christians to keep in mind. Especially those of us focusing on our weight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

James 1:22-25

Once we are saved, we are cleansed and sanctified through Jesus’ blood. Although we are clean, we often sin and get “dirty.” Because of this, there is a need for daily sanctification, maintaining purity in the face of temptation that we face each day.

Ladies, have you ever gotten up in the morning and were in such a hurry that you forgot to do your hair or put your make up on? How embarrassing! How many of us have ever gone to the mirror willingly and saw that our hair was messed up and just went on with the day and did nothing about it? We wouldn’t dare! It is the same thing in our Christian life.

The end of verse 22 and verse 23 say, “…he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.” Friend, if we knew that there was something wrong with our appearance, we would change it! So then why don’t we change our hearts when there is something wrong? Is it not as important because “no one can see it”?

Christian, God can see your heart! That is more important than any person seeing your outward appearance! Every day, we need to come to God’s Word and use it as our mirror. We need to take what we read and compare our lives with the truths of the Bible. His Word will show us what is wrong and what we need to change.

Once we see what is wrong, we need to change it! It is not enough to just know what is wrong, but we must get rid of the “dirt” in our lives. As Proverbs 4:23 puts it, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” The heart is the most important part of the body! If the heart goes astray, then the rest of our lives will follow it!

A young girl was out with some friends late one night when someone suggested they go to a questionable place. She told them that she’d better not go there. One of her friends then said, “Are you afraid your father might hurt you if you go?” She replied, “No, I’m not afraid my father will hurt me. I’m afraid I might hurt my father.”

Is there something in your life that is hurting your Father today? Do you have sin you are holding on to that has control of your heart? Why not take a look into the mirror of God’s Word and let Him change you? Take time today to get alone with God and His Word and let Him show you what needs to be cleaned out. Then, clean it out! Take action and do it. Come back into sweet fellowship with Him today.

Paul Chappel

[Barbara Ray]

Originally Posted by greeniss

Below is a message that is important for us born again Christians to keep in mind. Especially those of us focusing on our weight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

James 1:22-25

Once we are saved, we are cleansed and sanctified through Jesus’ blood. Although we are clean, we often sin and get “dirty.” Because of this, there is a need for daily sanctification, maintaining purity in the face of temptation that we face each day.

Ladies, have you ever gotten up in the morning and were in such a hurry that you forgot to do your hair or put your make up on? How embarrassing! How many of us have ever gone to the mirror willingly and saw that our hair was messed up and just went on with the day and did nothing about it? We wouldn’t dare! It is the same thing in our Christian life.

The end of verse 22 and verse 23 say, “…he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.” Friend, if we knew that there was something wrong with our appearance, we would change it! So then why don’t we change our hearts when there is something wrong? Is it not as important because “no one can see it”?

Christian, God can see your heart! That is more important than any person seeing your outward appearance! Every day, we need to come to God’s Word and use it as our mirror. We need to take what we read and compare our lives with the truths of the Bible. His Word will show us what is wrong and what we need to change.

Once we see what is wrong, we need to change it! It is not enough to just know what is wrong, but we must get rid of the “dirt” in our lives. As Proverbs 4:23 puts it, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” The heart is the most important part of the body! If the heart goes astray, then the rest of our lives will follow it!

A young girl was out with some friends late one night when someone suggested they go to a questionable place. She told them that she’d better not go there. One of her friends then said, “Are you afraid your father might hurt you if you go?” She replied, “No, I’m not afraid my father will hurt me. I’m afraid I might hurt my father.”

Is there something in your life that is hurting your Father today? Do you have sin you are holding on to that has control of your heart? Why not take a look into the mirror of God’s Word and let Him change you? Take time today to get alone with God and His Word and let Him show you what needs to be cleaned out. Then, clean it out! Take action and do it. Come back into sweet fellowship with Him today.

Paul Chappel

Thank you for that message - it truly "hits" home for me - and I'm sure a good number of people. For me it's an issue with a family member that really needs to resolved. I need to truly forgive and let the resentment go.

I'm reminded of the resentment I held toward - would you believe - President Regan. In 1981 he fired my husband for having gone on strike (he was an air traffic controller). I hated Regan - and let anyone I know just how badly HE effected my life. Well, he went on with his (which is generally the case) - then died. I turned in the funeral coverage - not because I had any feelings for the man - but I love all the ceremonial aspects of a state funeral (I was in the Marine Corp) anyway - I heard one person after another tell about what a devoted Christian he was - and when he was shot - BEFORE he ever prayed for himself he asked God to forgive the person who shot him. His reasoning was that God would NOT honor his prayer IF he was harboring resentment toward another. WOW - right there in front of my TV I went to the Lord in prayer and asked for His forgiveness. Then I stood up and saluted my former "Commander in Chief" - I know that sounds a little "dorky" - but in my own home IT was the thing to do.

Through the years I've had resentment for one person or another - and through the urgings of the Holy Sprit I can honestly say I've been able to get past them. But, now there is this ONE issue.

Thanks to your post I am more aware of what I need to do.

Thank you once again.

[greeniss]

Hi Barbara Ray

Thank you for sharing your story. I just got through praying the Holy Spirit would give you guidance in your situation. I’m glad that you liked the post. It was written by Dr. Paul Chappell who pastors a church in Lancaster, CA. You can PM me for the website if you’re interested in subscribing to his daily emails. I find them helpful in addition to my personal Bible reading.

Take care

[Barbara Ray]

Originally Posted by greeniss

Hi Barbara Ray

Thank you for sharing your story. I just got through praying the Holy Spirit would give you guidance in your situation. I’m glad that you liked the post. It was written by Dr. Paul Chappell who pastors a church in Lancaster, CA.

Take care

Thanks for the info about Dr. Paul Chappell - unfortunately I'm having problems with this site and what I'm allowed to do. But, I am interested and will do a search for his website. And THANK YOU so much for the prayer.

[Luvmykidz]

What a great post! It reminds me of one of my favorite passages. I like the whole thing, but i just will highlight here....

Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.........
and verses 16-17 But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
vs.19-21 are like a partial checklist of the 'dont's', and vs.22-23 are very helpful to me in taking inventory of what I am missing in my heart...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
And vs. 24-25 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

For me, this passage is really helpful in checking my heart before God. It encourages me to test my motivations....and to let go of the things that are causing me to push away God's plan in favor of my own. When I hold tightly to Jesus' hand, I can experience His incredible power to overcome my own self-centered desires. True FREEDOM!
I'm glad I peeked in here tonight.

[greeniss]

Originally Posted by Luvmykidz

I'm glad I peeked in here tonight.

Me too!

[greeniss]

Originally Posted by Barbara Ray

Thanks for the info about Dr. Paul Chappell - unfortunately I'm having problems with this site and what I'm allowed to do. But, I am interested and will do a search for his website. And THANK YOU so much for the prayer.

That explains it. I first tried to PM you the info, and I got a message back saying that either you didn't allow PM's or that you weren't authorized