THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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I remember once when Dad told me to carry out the garbage. I was busy with my homework, and assured him I'd take it out later. Knowing his son, he said, "Take it out NOW!"
So I got up mumbling, got the garbage, slammed the door on the way out (instead of just closing it).
When I came back in, Dad was waiting with a belt! I said, "I DID what you told me to do."
He said, "But your outside actions only showed inside rebellion."
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Matt 15:7-8
7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
(KJV)
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How often we go to church because it's "the right thing to do," but our hearts are not in it. We attend, but we don't become involved.
God sees our HEARTS. It is in the mind that man reasons. It is in the body that man shows his actions. But it is in the heart that real decisions are made. God sees our HEART!
Paul wrote to the Colossians about this very thing.
"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;" (Colossians 3:23)
In Genesis 4 Cain gave a sacrifice that pleased himself, but Able gave a sacrifice that pleased God.
In Acts 4:36, Barnabas gave out of a heart that desired to serve God.
In Acts 5, Ananias & Sapphira gave out of a heart that desired self-praise.
When we pray, read our Bibles, or attend church - are we doing so from the HEART?
Love ya,
Bruce
mcge3582@bellsouth.net
http://www.linktojesus.org/
Serving God on the outside and not on the inside is like putting paint on rotten wood.