The internet has opened more avenues for finding usable information than any invention in history. The other morning I was searching for a catchy phrase for a power point slide to use during the offering. In a snap I found one that is catchy, yet profoundly true. Here’s the gem:
“It is the heart that does the giving; the fingers only let go.” Nigerian Saying.
It’s okay to say this gem gets to the heart of the matter for that’s what Jesus said about the true issues of life. Notice His statements in these selected verses:
Matthew 12:35 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
Matthew 15:18 "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.”
Matthew 15:19 "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.”
Mark 7:21 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,”
Luke 6:45 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
Believe it or not, within these verses lies the root of the problems faced by individuals, churches, the nation and the world at large. Every problem facing our societies around the globe are tied to a misunderstanding of the problem. Statistics assure us that we have an addiction problem, a violence problem, as well as an STD problem. Lewd statements by one Presidential Candidate and enabling of lewd practices of the other ones’ husband dominate the news.
Many beat the drum for stricter laws, supposing that some modern form of Chastity Belts would restrict philandering, to do this is to put aside the truth from the Middle Ages when Chastity Belts simply increased the income of lock pickers. Immorality is not a physically driven act, but a deliberate heart decision to dally around. The actions that make up the bulk of news programs are in the same category in that the actions they report originate in the heart.
Think about it. When a persons’ inner core, the spiritually renewed heart, is under the control of the spirit, the actions of that person will be in harmony with the Spirit of God.
Notice again Matthew 12:35 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.”
Tightwads do not have sticky fingers, but a cold heart. Murderers do not have a murderous hand, but a murderous heart. And so on down the list. So, how’s the old ticker doing?
Copyright © 2016 Larry Lilly
IT troubleshooter Oral Deckard
Comments for possible publication appreciated. larrylilly@larrylilly.net
“It is the heart that does the giving; the fingers only let go.” Nigerian Saying.
It’s okay to say this gem gets to the heart of the matter for that’s what Jesus said about the true issues of life. Notice His statements in these selected verses:
Matthew 12:35 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
Matthew 15:18 "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.”
Matthew 15:19 "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.”
Mark 7:21 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,”
Luke 6:45 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
Believe it or not, within these verses lies the root of the problems faced by individuals, churches, the nation and the world at large. Every problem facing our societies around the globe are tied to a misunderstanding of the problem. Statistics assure us that we have an addiction problem, a violence problem, as well as an STD problem. Lewd statements by one Presidential Candidate and enabling of lewd practices of the other ones’ husband dominate the news.
Many beat the drum for stricter laws, supposing that some modern form of Chastity Belts would restrict philandering, to do this is to put aside the truth from the Middle Ages when Chastity Belts simply increased the income of lock pickers. Immorality is not a physically driven act, but a deliberate heart decision to dally around. The actions that make up the bulk of news programs are in the same category in that the actions they report originate in the heart.
Think about it. When a persons’ inner core, the spiritually renewed heart, is under the control of the spirit, the actions of that person will be in harmony with the Spirit of God.
Notice again Matthew 12:35 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.”
Tightwads do not have sticky fingers, but a cold heart. Murderers do not have a murderous hand, but a murderous heart. And so on down the list. So, how’s the old ticker doing?
Copyright © 2016 Larry Lilly
IT troubleshooter Oral Deckard
Comments for possible publication appreciated. larrylilly@larrylilly.net
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