What Comes Out Reveals Whats Within

The girls are now day eleven into their science experiment. Remember they are speaking positive words to cooked rice in one jar and then speaking negative words to cooked rice in another jar. And you know what....this little experiment has got me thinking. Anybody who really knows me knows that I am a deep thinker. Sometimes maybe even too deep. So last night I got to thinking about a book I recently read called War of Words by Paul David Tripp. This book is one of the best books I could recommend besides the Bible itself. I was thinking about a passage in the Bible that Mr. Tripp states as his source of reference. 

Matthew 12:33-37                                                                                        (New American Standard Bible)                        

Words Reveal Character                                                               

33"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; forthe tree is known by its fruit. 34"You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. 35"The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. 36"But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. 37"For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

Jesus spoke these words. He was talking to people who thought their status and affluence would determine their holiness. The Pharisees looked the part, as do many of us. Wait let me make it personal, as do I. But Jesus had another standard to measure my sincerity. He measures me by my words and my actions! 

Day 11 Still White

Day 11 Turning Black

Look at these jars, once opened the only thing that will come out is what is inside. For the jar that has been spoken to kindly, good white rice will come out. And for the jar that was been spoken to negatively, mold, bacteria and a stench will flow. There are no other options. Those are the only things that can come from them because that is what is contained in them. To me, these little jars represent the heart of man. My heart, your heart, every single created being. Now I don't want to get caught up on the external factors that cause negative and positive results within. Because we are dull sheep and we can easily be lead astray of the importance of the lesson. Yes, it is true! Many people are what life has made them to be...divorce, abuse, poverty are just a few of the factors that bring about rot. All of which are apart of what has shaped me.But even if that is true there is a greater Truth at work. You have the ability to determine how any external factor is going to influence your heart. Will you let the hurt from unkind words rot away at you? Or the hypocrisy of the foolish eat away at your heart? Will you allow your inability to forgive that very one who hurt you build bitterness within you? Or will you trust in the Savior? Trust in the above scripture? Face the fact that you cannot hide. Your words will always find you out and you will be measured you by them.

You see I'm passionate about this topic because it hits straight at my heart. It makes me face my sin! No matter what caused it. My sin of unforgiveness, reconciliation, extending mercy and grace. All of which the Lord commands me to do regardless of the situation.You can always tell what is in my heart by my face, my words and my actions. No matter how much I try to "fake" it I just can't. Why? Because Jesus Christ is so much more on to me then I know! But I need Jesus more and more. I need him to change my words! I need him to change my thoughts and I ultimately need him to change my heart. So that I may be the good man who brings out the good stored up in him. How about you?

Phileo, 

Patsy

For more in-depth study read Matthew Henry's Commentary by clicking here

The Tax Collectors Friend and...

April 13, 2010

Thank God for the Great Encouragement Christ Gave to Poor Sinners to Come to Him

I bless You that Jesus Christ did not come to call the righteous, but sinners (such as myself) to repentance, Matthew 9:13(NASB) and had authority on earth to forgive sins; Matthew 9:6(NASB) that He came to save His people from their sins, Matthew 1:21(NASB) and is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; John 1:29(NASB) and that He is (to His honor, not to His reproach) a friend to tax collectors and sinners. Matthew 11:19(NASB)
I thank You for the gracious invitation He gave to those who are weary and heavy-laden to come to Him for rest: Matthew 11:28(NASB) And for the assurance He has given, that whoever comes to Him, He will certainly not cast out. John 6:37(NASB)
That He made a gracious offer, that if anyone is thirsty they might come to Him and drink. John 7:37(NASB)

I bless You that Jesus Christ did not come to call the righteous, but sinners (such as myself) to repentance, Matthew 9:13(NASB); and that He is (to His honor, not to His reproach) a friend to tax collectors and sinners. Matthew 11:19(NASB)
Such great encouragement to know that Jesus is a friend to not only the tax collector but also to the mother that loses patience with her children and screams. He is near to the wife that finds it difficult to have a kind relationship with her husband. He is a friend to sinners that can't seem to trust. What grace, what peace to know that Jesus didn't come looking for perfect people, but came specifically looking for lost, wretched and despairing people. What comfort to know that I qualify!
In a world where everything is based on externals, it is good to know that the Lord of all doesn't care one cent how proper, pleasant or perfect I may appear. But rather He desires that I come to him fully knowing exactly what I am. And friend if there is one thing I know it is that.
God is good. He's ways are so much higher and better than our ways, who can understand them?
He remembers our sin no more and forgets all our iniquities.
His love is from everlasting to everlasting and He is a friend to sinners!
Today do you need to be reminded of these simple truths?
Well I do! They are refreshing and convicting. They bring me back to that special place when I first believed... at his feet in repentance.
Blessings friends,
Patsy
Taken from Matthew Henry's Prayer Method
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The Truth of My Thoughts

This morning's Matthew Henry's Prayer Method Devotional stretched me. Simply put, my thoughts are ugly; And my intentions can be quite sinful. I am humbled again. To many times I feel like I have a right! A right to make my point, a right to be heard and a right to demand my way. But when I really stop and compare the way I am thinking, what I am demanding and what I am desiring against the Word of God and the example of Christ, what I often find is all my wants and thoughts are me centered and selfish. 

Oh Lord, Help me today to be like you. To consider others higher than myself. Even as your example was so that you laid your very life down for those who hated you. Grant me grace and help me to live out your example.

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Blessings, 

Patsy

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Lament and Confess your Vain Thoughts and Carnal Affections

4.3

The vanity of my thoughts, their neglect of those things which they ought to be conversant with and dwelling upon those things that are unworthy of them and tend to corrupt my mind.

Every intent of the thoughts of my heart is evil, only evil, and that continually, Genesis 6:5(NASB) and it has been so from my youth. Genesis 8:21(NASB)
O how long have those wicked thoughts lodged within me! Jeremiah 4:14(NASB) Like the devising of folly, those thoughts are sin. Proverbs 24:9(NASB) From within, out of the heart, come evil thoughts; Matthew 15:19(NASB) which work out evil on the bed, Micah 2:1(NASB) and carry the heart with the fool’s eyes to the ends of the earth. Proverbs 17:24(NASB)
But God is not in all my thoughts; Psalm 10:4(KJV) it is well if He is any of them. I have neglected the Rock who begot me, and have forgotten the God who gave me birth: Deuteronomy 32:18(NASB) I have forgotten Him days without number, Jeremiah 2:32(NASB) and my heart has walked after emptiness and become empty. Jeremiah 2:5(NASB) My inner thought having been that my house was forever: Psalm 49:11(NASB) this, my way, is the way of those who are foolish. Psalm 49:13(NASB)

4.4

The carnality of my affections, their being placed on wrong objects and carried beyond due bounds.

I have set my mind on things beneath, which should have been set on things above, where my treasure is, Matthew 6:21(NASB) where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God; Colossians 3:1-2(NASB) these are the things which I should seek.
I have followed after vain idols and forsaken my faithfulness; Jonah 2:8(NASB) have forsaken the fountain of living waters, for cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water. Jeremiah 2:13(NASB)
I have panted after the very dust of the earth, Amos 2:7(NASB) and have been full of care regarding what I shall eat and what I shall drink and what I shall wear for clothing, the things which the Gentiles eagerly seek. Matthew 6:31-33(NASB)
I have lifted up my soul to falsehood, Psalm 24:4(NASB) and set my eyes on the things which are not; have looked at the things which are seen, which are temporal, but the things which are eternal have been forgotten and postponed. 2 Corinthians 4:18(NASB)

God is Not Like a Man

The reading from Matthew Henry's devotional this morning needs to be shared!

"Although I know and understand who God is at the very same time I really don't know or understand who God is!" - Patsy 

The following are a few of the scriptures in the devotion this morning

 titled "Reverently Adore God."

I thought it rather comforting and brought me great peace to know that I will never really know Him this side of eternity. 

Yet I must own His nature to be incomprehensible.

I cannot discover the depths of God; I cannot discover the limits of the Almighty. Job 11:7(NASB)

Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable. Psalm 145:3(NASB)

Who can speak of the mighty deeds of the LORD? Or can show forth all His praise? Psalm 106:2(NASB)

The answer to Psalm 106:2 is found is Psalm 106:3... Blessed are those who keep justice and he who does righteousness at all times!  You can think on that "at all times" part on your own.

Then the following scriptures speaks about who God is definitely NOT! 

He is NOT like a man.

And that He is infinitely above us and all other beings

You are God and not man; You do not have eyes of flesh, nor do You see as a man sees. Your days are not as the days of a mortal, nor your years as man’s years. Job 10:4-5(NASB)

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are Your thoughts higher than my thoughts, and Your ways than my ways. Isaiah 55:9(NASB)

All the nations before You are like a drop from the bucket, or a speck of dust on the scales; and You lift up the islands like fine dust; Isaiah 40:15(NASB) they are as nothing, and are regarded by You as less than nothing and meaningless. Isaiah 40:17(NASB)

I love that! God is not like us. That brings me great, great hope because He is my source.

So then who is God! This wonderful one who died on a cross for me!

He is incomparable!

Who is like you holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders? Exodus 15:11(NASB)

Who in the skies is comparable to the LORD? Who among the sons of the mighty is like the LORD? Psalm 89:6(NASB) O LORD God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You. Psalm 89:8(NASB)

There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like Yours. Psalm 86:8(NASB) For You are great and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God. Psalm 86:10(NASB)

No creature has an arm like God, or can thunder with a voice like His. Job 40:9(NASB)

The Bible says we will find Him when we seek Him with our whole heart (Jeremiah.)

So I challenge you and I challenge myself to seek after Him, seek after His ways and His truth.

I love you ladies. 

Many, many blessings to you today. 

Patsy Gutierrez

http://insightsfromtheheart.blogspot.com/