In a world that can often values surface image more than spiritual heart health, attention to matters of the heart must be something we daily pursue and steward.
Jesus is teaching in the city of Capernaum. He is surrounded by a vast multitude of people. Most of them are there to hear what He has to say because they are fascinated by His message and by His miracles. These people are there to hear the Lord. Others are there to find fault with Jesus and His words and works. The religious leaders have come to hear Jesus and as they listen to what He has to say, they accuse Him of being in league with Satan. These people are there to hinder the Lord.
“Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down: (Proverbs 26:20). The Bible tells us to make every effort to avoid gossipers (Proverbs 20:19).
As a review, Webster defines gossip as ”easy, fluent, trivial talk, talk about people behind their backs.” It is repeating information about another person’s private affairs. If you have to look around to make sure that no one can hear what you are saying, you are probably gossiping. If you would not say something in front of the person you are talking about, then you’re probably gossiping.
Unfortunately, the devaluation of membership has crept into the church as well. People just don’t see the benefit of formal membership. This is not just a problem with people not liking the idea. Our leaders have often done a poor job teaching the value of church membership. We love God and one another with true affection and good works. And we hold one another accountable as we seek to glorify God together; being united to one another in love.
For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11
“...Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7
I was just in the second grade when Jesse Jackson came to my elementary school and told us in a speech, “I am somebody”! I will never get that day! In teaching us how to live, Jesus used sparrows to illustrate the same point, WE ARE SOMEBODY! A worthless sparrow. “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God...Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (vv. 6-7 NKJV).
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (NKJV)
On May 3, 1943, air raid sirens sounded all over London. People raced with urgency for cover toward the Bethnal Green Underground station, where more than 500 people had already taken refuge. In the next ten minutes, 1500 more would join them. A woman carrying a baby lost her footing on one of the 19 steps leading down from the street. Like dominoes, people started falling on top of one another. It was an ugly scene. In the end, 173 people died. Bombs didn't kill them, fear did! Today there's a stampede of fear all around us. All you must do is turn on the tv and watch the news, CNN, MSNBC or FOX News and you will know what I am talking about. If you're not careful, you'll get caught up in it and lose your footing and start falling down the stairs of fear.
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THE HEART OF THE PASTOR!
“They...limited the Holy One of Israel.” Psalms 78:41
Researchers conducted an experiment in which frogs were placed in separate glass jars covered with breathable lids to prevent them from escaping. At first the frogs kept jumping, trying to escape, but each time they hit their heads on the lid. After thirty days of doing this, something amazing happened. When the lids were removed from the jars, the frogs never jumped out even though they could easily have done so. Why? Because they had formed a belief system that the top of the jar was as high as they could go. You see church, their limited belief system kept them trapped in the jar!
