Matthew 12:35 A good person produces good words from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. (NLT)
The condition of a heart is vital. If it malfunctions or stops beating, the person is in serious danger. Death is a real possibility. People with known heart ailments normally get regular checkups and take medicine. Exercise strengthens the heart. Our heart’s state determines in large part our body’s status, and Jesus says words reflect the heart’s health. Strong physical hearts are not all that’s important. I can have a bad heart and be in good condition or a good heart and be in poor shape. Words determine which. Just as untreated heartworm disease kills dogs, cats and other species of mammals, so heart words of gossip, discouragement, cursing, rudeness and putdowns portray damaged hearts and kill our testimony. Much better is Paul’s advice: Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. (Colossians 4:6 NLT)
Reflect your heart to someone today.
Matthew 12:31 So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. (NLT)
I’ve heard it defined differently-the unpardonable sin, that is. And I suppose I’ve occasionally wondered if I’ve committed it. Or if I’ve sinned so much God will put a limit on his forgiveness-“One more time and that’s it.” Actually, I haven’t done the first and God never does the second. Attributing what Jesus did to Satan was only possible while Jesus was alive. The only unpardonable sin is refusing belief in Jesus and accepting his forgiveness. God’s forgiveness cancels past, present and future sins, and we never have to worry over them anymore. When standing before his throne, he will never say, “Oops, I forgot one. No heaven for you.” Jesus paid for every sin on Calvary’s cross. Accepting his substitutionary sacrifice applies the payment to every sin I have and will commit. Living with the knowledge of full forgiveness is exciting, liberating, assuring, and comforting. No longer will anything separate us from God’s love.
God never says “One more and no more.”
Matthew 12:7 I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices. (NLT)
At 1:30 a. m. I was awakened by my heart racing. After an expensive trip to the emergency room followed by a visit to the cardiologist, I was diagnosed with tachycardia, given medicine and taught several techniques to reestablish the rhythm when and if it happened again. While aggravating, the condition doesn’t affect my lifestyle and is not seriously dangerous. But the spiritual condition of my heart is more important, and this is what Jesus references. Those he talked with were very efficient at obeying the letter of the law but missed the spirit. They abstained from work on the Sabbath but wouldn’t help a robbed half dead man lying beside the road because he was a different race and they were in a hurry. Obeying rules is important, but occasionally they interfere with our higher calling.
If a drowning person was doing so in a pond posted “No Swimming,” would you dive in and save them?
Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light. (NLT)
I was proud of my new hiking boots but made a foolish mistake. I wore them backpacking without breaking them in. The second day out, a quarter sized blister appeared on the side of my heel infringing upon my ability to enjoy the remainder of the journey. Carrying a 45 pound pack only intensified the pain. I spent the next three days nursing my wound to prevent infection. Jesus promises light burdens. One translation says, My yoke fits perfectly, but I’ve carried a few that didn’t seem to fit and they certainly weren’t light. Trouble arises when we try to carry the yoke instead of letting Jesus man it. He will never give a burden lacking purpose or one so heavy we can’t bear with his assistance. Our burdens aren’t designed to be carried alone.
When God fits you with a burden, ask
- What are you teaching me?
- How should I respond? or
- What in my life needs eliminating or rearranging?
Matthew 11:8 Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces. (NLT)
At twelve, I dreamed of teaching Religion in college or seminary. After taking a few detours, I made it to college but never as a teacher. Plans of becoming a professor were changed by economic events and a several hundred mile move. I’ve experienced some of my great expectations while others have flattened like pierced balloons. John the Baptist wasn’t what many expected, but then neither was Jesus the royal Messiah John expected. And John certainly wasn’t dressed like the forerunner of a monarch. When things don’t pan out as I imagine, I can sulk or seek God’s counsel. I may not completely understand the latter but it’s always forward moving and results in enlightenment. It’s also possible my expectations aren’t God’s. When they aren’t, I’ll travel in the wrong direction and get disappointing results. How much better to get it right from the start.
Aligning our plans with God’s brings happiness and peaceful existence.
Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. (NLT)
Rest. A necessity few get enough of. I recently heard a fitting quote: “We need to come apart before we come apart.” Jesus rested, and he was the divine Son of God. He got tired from walking, talking and being hounded by crowds who were only interested in what he could do for them. So he stopped to rest, tend to physical needs, and spend alone time with his Father. If Jesus needed rest, I suppose I do too. Rest is not total cessation of labor but a different outlook. Jesus said the Sabbath was made for man. Our bodies need at least one day a week to wind down and catch up. Resting also allows time for reprioritizing. When exhausted or stretched thin, work becomes meaningless. We go through the motions, doing more but accomplishing less because we’re brain dead. Periods of rest-along with reflection on life’s meaning, enables us to view our existence through different lenses. We are here to serve God joyfully through every activity.
God can transform meaningless actions into purposeful pursuits.
Matthew 11:17 We played wedding songs, and you didn’t dance, so we played funeral songs, and you didn’t mourn. (NLT)
“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”-a rock song released by The Rolling Stones in 1965, stirred up a world of controversy but was a hit nevertheless. To the older generation, the sexual overtones and downgrading of America’s commercialism was unacceptable, but the title is accurately descriptive of then and now. In Jesus’ time people complained about his predecessor John the Baptist-he was too strict. Jesus was too liberal. Neither satisfied. Current lifestyles reveal little progress. I’m tired of this car. I need a larger house. My spouse doesn’t satisfy me. This job isn’t fulfilling. The lists are endless. It’s taken me more than fifty years to come close to understanding satisfaction isn’t connected to possessions but a relationship and attitude. God knows what’s best for me and promises to provide it. My responsibility is contentment with what he gives along with sensible and effective use of it. When I succeed, I transform the rock song into the old gospel hymn: “I Am Satisfied With Jesus.”
Satisfaction is a state of mind. Accept, appreciate and use what God gives-little or much.
copyright Martin William Wiles, 2012
Matthew 10:42 And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded. (NLT)
Though unselfish acts often dwarfed by their opposites, I’ve experienced quite a few nevertheless. The thousand dollar check enabling my survival until the first semester of college started. A hundred dollar bill tucked in a Christmas card helping pay a past due bill. Someone’s donated tax refund check buying me a needed set of tires. Even the twenty dollar bill when we needed milk and juice. All unselfish acts of kindness-some large, some small, but all performed with a loving heart. The least of Jesus’ followers were small children. Children can’t and sometimes won’t return a favor, but God notices and rewards the tiniest deed of compassion we unselfishly execute in his name. Obeying God’s promptings ensures the acts are just those needed at the correct time and for the right person. Cold water doesn’t tempt the person who isn’t thirsty, but it’s a welcome site for a parched throat.
We never go wrong when doing right.
Matthew 10:39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. (NLT)
Of my two children, one was clingy and the other wasn’t. As a small child, all my daughter required was a clean diaper, full stomach and a room filled with stuffed animals to play in. When provided, she was satisfied until one of the first two needed attention. Since going to college and working consumed most of my time, her unclingy nature was helpful. My son, on the other hand, required undivided attention. Playing with toys required him and someone else present. Jesus warns about clinging to the wrong life-attitudes or actions that steal one’s focus from spiritual disciplines enabling spiritual growth. He must have known my tendency to hang on to the tangible by craving power, lusting after popularity, and yearning for material play toys. Making these priorities forfeits life. I might not die immediately, but when I do I won’t carry these temporary accolades and accomplishments with me. To find life, I must give it up, but I don’t have to die. I simply cling to heavenly treasures instead of earthly ones.
Successful lives are built by clinging to God’s intention that we put his agenda first and love him supremely.
copyright by Martin W. Wiles, 2012
Matthew 10:29 But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. (NLT)
With over six billion people in the world, feeling significant is challenging. Who really cares where I work or attend church? Or about my family-where they live and their genealogical roots? Does it matter to anyone whether I meet my monthly obligations, need assistance, or even have a place to sleep? Would anyone notice if I lost everything, lived on the street and was unsure where my next meal would come from? Or if a parent could no longer care for themselves, a spouse was unfaithful or a child died tragically in an accident? Comparatively, sparrows are worth little and there are plenty to go around, yet Jesus maintains God knows when one falls to the ground and dies. And he does-literally. But the meaning is deeper. God cares for us personally and about every detail in our life. He wants to be involved and will be at our invitation. So who cares? Even if it’s no one else, it’s always God.
God is never more than a prayer away.
Matthew 10:28 Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (NLT)
September 11, 2001-a date which lives in infamy for Americans. Roosevelt said the same of December 7, 1941, when Japan attacked America’s fleet in Pearl Harbor. On 9-11, 19 terrorist hijackers took control of four commercial airliners, crashing two of them into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. Thousands died, and fear reigned. Americans no longer felt safe on our own soil. Fear of terrorists is only one fear we face. There’s fear of financial meltdown, marital breakup, youthful rebellion, loss of employment, old age, being placed in a nursing home, acts of violence, and death. But our greatest fear should be of God-the one who has power over our eternal souls. And even this is unreasonable for believers: For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (II Timothy 1:7 NLT) When my soul is secure in a relationship with the Almighty, I have nothing to fear.
God is the great fear healer.
Matthew 10:24 Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. (NLT)
Cloth Doffer. It’s what I was and did. Watched cloth run and roll. When the roll completed, I stopped it, cut it, rolled it away and started another. And for ten long sleepy hours. It wasn’t my responsibility to weave-though I passed through that department on the way to mine. I was trained to doff and doff is what I did. Doing anything else would have created a disaster for someone to straighten out. Students are not greater than teachers or servants than masters. And I’m not greater than God. That was Jesus’ point. Life is simpler when I know my position, stay in my position and fulfill the obligations of my position. Trouble is I occasionally attempt to take God’s by acting as if he doesn’t exist. I chart my financial course, map out my relationship route, and graph my employment road-all without consulting my Captain. God controls and knows everything. That’s his position. Mine is consulting and submitting.
Peace and success come from letting God direct your life course.
copyright by Martin Wiles, 2012
Matthew 10:16 Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. (NLT)
“Don’t go near the road.” “Don’t touch the hot stove.” “Never talk to strangers.” My parents warned me about these things, and I passed the warning along to my children. I warned because I loved them and coveted their safety. Some of the warnings instructed so they would make wise decisions and avoid harmful ones: “Be careful about borrowing money. You must pay it back,” and “Make sure your income is greater than your outgo.” Jesus endows us with gifts, then sends us out to use them but also warns about what’s ahead. Many won’t care to hear our message. Some will harm us. Others will try to undermine our efforts. As harmless doves, we must respond in love. As shrewd snakes, we must use wisdom and the most effective methods. We cannot keep God’s love to ourselves. Regardless of the circumstances we face while sharing it, God is always nearby, protecting and guiding.
Love with action and without fear.
Matthew 12:35 A good person produces good words from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. (NLT)
