Back to the source ...

I had an opportunity to preach just one week ago. The text I was given was from James chapter 3, with the subject being, Taming the Tongue. It is interesting for me as I look back again, because what I drew from this passage was the fact that the tongue is not the real issue, it is the source from which we speak - the heart. And here I am today, reading my Bible and reminded of this all over again, have a look at Mark chapter 7 commencing at verse one and concluding at verse 23.

Here are the concluding verses again ...

Mark 7:20-23 (New Living Translation)

20 And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. 21 For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”

I pick up on this afresh, because I know it is true for my own life, right now. I have been on one of those wandering journeys of tiredness and somewhat a loss of focus, doing my job, but I cannot be satisfied feeling I have been who I was created to BE. Fortunately, I return to the source which reminds me what I need, to get back on track.

I am interested in the list that Jesus outlines of stuff that flows from the defiled heart. And it saddens me, because when I look back in my own life, I can see how frightfully true these become of my life when I am off track, when my heart is out of alignment with my Creator.

Today I recommence my journey in the freshness of The Word (the Scriptures) and I seek to tap into the heart of God, as my source, so that my heart and all that flows from it (from me), might be pure and honest, wholesome and good. I want to honour the One who is the source of life for my life.

Father, forgive me for having wandered from You, the source of my BEing. Help me to remain in You as the Branch does within the Vine, drawing life for my life. Help me to remain connected, and thus true and pure to Your values and character, in Jesus name.

Only one thing worth being concerned about ...

Well here is an attempt to get back on track for me. I have caught up on quite a few passages of Scripture I had let slide and today I am up to date again. Although, I must say, one of the dangers with such a discipline is to not get stuck in a trap of reading for the sake of being able to tick off the reading plan and say "yep another one done."

Well what a passage to read and be challenged about. In fact two passages I want to share, have a look with me:

Luke 10:38-42 (New Living Translation)

Jesus Visits Martha and Mary

38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 11:37-42 (New Living Translation)
Jesus Criticizes the Religious Leaders

37 As Jesus was speaking, one of the Pharisees invited him home for a meal. So he went in and took his place at the table. 38 His host was amazed to see that he sat down to eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony required by Jewish custom. 39 Then the Lord said to him, “You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and wickedness! 40 Fools! Didn’t God make the inside as well as the outside? 41 So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over.

42 “What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.

Let me be clear. Firstly, this is not having a go at people who are very practical and service oriented in their gifting. But it does echo a huge warning - be careful you do not neglect that which really is most important - whereby you need to find yourself in the presence of Jesus and listening to Him. Absorbing what He has to teach you. Soaking up His presence. It is important, vital that we spend time at the feet of Jesus and learn from Him. How easy it is to get caught up in work, doing. You have heard me before I would reckon, number 1 importance is BEing who God created you to be.

The second passage follows on from this. Be on guard that you don't merely follow practices, disciplines of the Christian faith and loose the essence of it. Yes! Emphatically YES! You should tithe. But, don't neglect the other elements that are also important. Don't attempt to excuse yourself as though one practice exempts you from another. We are required, actually compelled to be a people of justice and this focused particularly upon the most disadvantaged and marginalised within our community. Alongside this, let all you are and all you do be a response from your love for God.

Father, thank you for revealing these timely lessons to me today. Help me to live by the lessons taught me and faithfully follow Your disciplines expected of me.