Heart Nagging

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:
1 John 3 (click the link)


KEY VERSES:
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God. (1 John 3:18-21, NIV)


REFLECTIONS:
Have you ever stepped into sin—eyes wide open—knowing it was wrong, ugly, hurtful, selfish and sinful?  I have…  All the excuses I made to justify my decision didn’t hold up when I got alone, away from the busyness and distractions around me.  My conscience and heart condemned me.  

I think John is calling us out, challenging us to walk the journey of love, with action—not words. He challenges us to avoid the habit of sin—the kind of sin I described in the first paragraph.  Yes, we’ll sin along the way—thank God that the price of our sin has been paid for!  But, are we choosing a habit of sin? Sin with eyes wide open.

Another question to ponder… Have you ever sinned and asked for God’s forgiveness but your own heart won’t let you off the hook?  Worry and regret robs the joy of life!    I love how John talks about this: 

My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love.  This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality.  It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it.  For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves. (verses 18-21, The Message)

 

POINT OF PONDER, ACTION, & PRAYER:
Father, help me to listen to my heart, to my conscience, to the Holy Spirit inside of me.  Show me the difference between the Spirit’s prompting that guides me in decisions and asking for forgiveness; and that nagging condemning self-criticism that is not of the Spirit.


WHO AM I?
Hi!  I am Cinda.  This picture has nothing to do with this lesson, I’m just using this excuse to tell you about one of the greatest gifts God gave me—to be born into the world with a twin.  Linda and I are “swimming” in the wheel barrow—so fun until big brother “tumps” us over.  FYI: I am the beautiful one.