"The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles." Acts 14:4
"My wife is a very organized person. In her world, everything has a place and that's where it should be. I, on the other hand, tend to be a little more flexible. I think its okay if a cereal bowl stops in the sink for a visit before making its way to the dishwasher; or if dirty clothes arrive in the vicinity of the hamper, not always inside. My wife is much more precise. For example, I pay the bills but she organizes each receipt into its own folder. I think that's ridiculous— after all, what need are we ever going to have for a utility bill from ten years ago? I would throw it away.
As you read this little household dissertation, either you will find yourself siding with me, perhaps thinking, 'Some people are just too uptight about stuff. They need to loosen up.' Or others, who like my wife can become irritated with us, might say, 'I can't believe you can live that way. How can you ever find something if you don't put it where it belongs?'
In our passage today people were also divided, but on a much more important issue: Jesus. Over the years, just as He said would happen, Jesus has divided husband and wife, parent and child, brother and sister, towns, and even countries. Try as you might you can't be neutral on Jesus. You are either for Him or against Him. Jesus is the Word, and as Paul instructs in Hebrews 4:12, "the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." In other words, it also divides us against ourselves: against our sin and against our thoughts and attitudes.
Questions to Ponder:
What thought or attitude of yours is the Lord penetrating, dividing, and judging today? Is it time to change? Identify an area in your life where God's Word is speaking to you. Write it down. Write down a plan for change. Tell someone of your desire to change. Monitor your progress over the next couple of weeks.
Thoughts for Today from The New Testament League www.ntl.org
Today’s 13th truth: If you are “born again”, you are kept in safety wherever you go. (Ps. 91:11)
You may contact me at: jowildflowers@gmail.com http://www.jean-oathout.blogspot.com
Jean's # 1 book: http://www.amazon.com/So-You-Plan-Marry-Man/dp/0984765530/
(If you've read it, and have been helped, please make a comment on my Amazon page. Thanks. It may help someone else be willing to purchase it.)
Tomorrow's post: HOVERING OVER AND BRINGING FORTH: Prayer Note # 50
No comments:
Post a Comment