The Teachable Heart

The veil was so thick and heavy, horses couldn’t tear it apart and it took 300 men to carry it.

Peace is good – and we should certainly strive to achieve and maintain it. But may that peace not come at the expense of standing for what is right.

Scripture makes this distinction for two reasons. First, those who are not mature in their faith may fail to be gentle in their restorative efforts. And second, the immature may fall right into the pit from which they’re trying to pull their brother.

“Restore” carries the idea of things “fitting together exactly.” It described the setting of a bone or the mending of fishing nets.

It might be the most disobeyed command in all of Scripture. Curious?

At the heart of both tests was whether or not the people involved (first the Israelites, and then Christ) would be humble and obedient before the Father.

God picks up each piece of clay with a slightly different vision in mind.

During your church’s time of worship through song, are you celebrating God, or criticizing the band?  Remember, the point of our worship is to make much of Him, not to be entertained.

Based on Luke 1:51.  To “size ourselves up” without factoring in who, and what, we are in relationship to God is to arrive at a made-up, puffed-up assessment.

Doing is good; but listening THEN doing is better.

To ignore His path is to create for ourselves a lot of pain.

What role does fear play in your life?  And how can trusting in our saving Lord help prevent it?  Take a listen and find out!

The difference matters - a LOT!  The key to understanding Paul’s warning is a proper interpretation of what is meant by those who “do” such things.

If others are to become one with us in Christian conviction, we must first become one with them in Christian compassion.

When God instructs, let’s not allow bad circumstances, lack of faith, or pride cause us to do, when God says just believe!

Our freedom in Christ is “base camp” from which all of our subsequent activities start.  How are you using your freedom?

What's your true identify?  Is it found in what you do?  Who (or what) are we when we retire, or lose our job? What happens to our identity if an accident leaves us unable to work? If dementia leaves us unable to think or remember well – who are we then?

Is Christ more like a tame lapdog or a powerful lion in your life?

It’s good to be made much of – but for what purpose? Do those pursuing us want to make us more like them, or more like Christ?

Are you facing hard times today? If so, hear the Lord’s message, “Do not be afraid, only believe. All will be well one day.”

Our best efforts (even over a short amount of time) cannot fulfill the holy requirements of God. That is why we ALL need a Savior!

As followers of Christ shouldn’t we be asking how far we can go to please our Lord in all things, instead of how far we can sink into the world’s culture before it’s too late?

Do you tend to get ahead of God?  Make your plans and then ask Him to bless them?  Do you tend to get behind God?  Being slow to obey what He's asked of you?  If so, take a listen; this message may be for you!

While the majority focused on the problems in Canaan, two focused on the Promiser of Canaan.

God is ALWAYS up to something. His invitations to join Him continue to go out. We can’t possible do it all, but we ought-ta want-ta do something!