Evil Hearts

Mark 7:21-23 KJV

21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

We recently experienced the worst mass murder in the US (besides abortion, but that is for another day). The atrocity that that man did is great. Many people are talking about how evil he was. Some are talking about gun control because it must be because he had access to guns.

However, scripture explains that the evil didn't come from an outside thing such as a gun, but from within the man.

"For from within, out of the heart . . . "

Evil is in the heart and then manifests itself outwardly. Let's look at those outward manifestations: evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, coveting, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.

Do you see that listed right alongside murders, adulteries, and blasphemy is evil thoughts, coveting, foolishness, lying (deceit), and pride? All of those are considered evil in the sight of God.

I am praying for the people of Las Vegas, but I am also taking the time to examine my own heart. Do I have evil in my heart? I suggest we all consider that we may be just as evil in the sight of God. Repent if you find foolishness, covetousness, deceit, etc. in your heart and pray for others as well.

Wedding Cup

Here is the sermon for 10-1-17. Somehow the recording got paused so part of the scripture passage is not here, but it is 1 Corinthians 11:19-34.

Throw Back Thursday

I've been complaining (yes, I have actually complained) about being too busy. I know it is wrong for me to complain, but I have been overwhelmed with all that needs to get done-school, canning, finishing the garden, sewing, cleaning, decluttering, etc.

Today, this reminder popped up in my news feed as well as the fact that I read an article this morning in one of my favorite magazines (Keeper at Home) on this very topic. I figured if it was something I needed to be reminded of, someone else may as well.

Busy

Salvation

My children are required to do a page of writing everyday. They get to choose what they write on, but they do have to write every day. I then check the paper for grammar and spelling errors. They fix it and turn it back in. 

One day last week, Dara chose to write on her thoughts about salvation and I wanted to share it.

The word "salvation" primarily means deliverance. But here I am using it in reference to spiritual deliverance.

Now you may wonder what does it mean to be spiritually delivered. And delivered from what?

Let me explain to you how it is the greatest salvation ever, and what it means.

First, to be delivered from something, you would have to be in bondage to that very thing to begin with. And since this is spiritual deliverance, that means it is our souls that are in bondage.

In the beginning, humans were made free and faultless and put in a perfect world with only one rule. This rule was put in place for our safety. The first human beings were deceived and believed that if they broke that rule they would gain more freedom. But in doing so, they actually put themselves and all their descendants after them in bondage. They chose to obey the voice of lies instead of the voice of truth and the consequence was bondage to sin instead of the freedom of righteousness. The price needed to gain freedom back was the blood of a righteous man. But how can mankind come up with righteous blood while in bondage to sin? That is where salvation comes in. But let's go back . . .

Our creator is God. He is the one who made us righteous and gave us freedom. And He is the one who made the rule we disobeyed that brought us into bondage.

Now, you would think that because he lost us to a bondage we chose he would give u on us. But . . .He didn't. Being holy, he had what was needed to free us. And even though it cost Him, he sent it. He sent his perfect, only Son to die a horrible sinner's death so that all of humankind would be free.

Isn't that amazing!

But there is a dad part-not everyone wants to be saved. Many people are still deceived that they have more freedom in sin than they do in righteousness. They think that if they choose the righteousness, they are slaves to God. But He is the one who sets us free and keeps us safe. And they think that if they choose sin, they are free. But that sin consumes them and controls their life. How is that freedom?

Reconciliation

9-24-17 Sermon

What a Man Is

He Will Help

Throw Back Thursday

The following post came up in my memories on Facebook this past week. Wow! It is perfect timing as I need to trust more than I need clarity.

Clarity vs. Trust

He Cares for Us!

Psalms 144:1-15 KJV

1 <> Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: 2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me. 3 LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him! 4 Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away. 5 Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke. 6 Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them. 7 Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children; 8 Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood. 9 I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee. 10 It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword. 11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: 12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: 13 That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets: 14 That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets. 15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.

God is worthy to be praised!

He is our strength. He is our deliverer. WE can trust in Him and rely on Him.

Even though He is far above us, He still cares for us!

To the human understanding, we are so lowly that the great Almighty King of kings shouldn't even take notice of us . . .yet He does!

Not only does He take notice of us, but He cares for us!

He provides for our needs. He protects us. It is because of His great love for us that we can be fruitful and multiply. It is because He cares for us that we can experience true happiness and eternal life.

Headship

9-17-17 Sermon