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 Mark |
Reflect: Meditate on the character of God and upon the qualities of God’s heart. Then give thanks for the fact that we have been created in the ‘image’ of God!
Read: Romans 8: 1-17 -link-
Response:
If you think you cannot learn life-lessons from cartoons, you’ve obviously never watched them! One of my favourites is Scooby Doo, which teaches us the important principle that whatever disguise the baddie adopts, their true colours are always revealed in the end! Case solved and the ‘Mystery Machine’ travels on!
Similarly, how often have you changed your mind about someone the more you have got to know them? Eventually, you begin to see through the outer image and discover the core motives and true desires of the heart.
Have you ever poured a glass of milk only to realise after the first sip, that what looked fresh and appealing was actually gross and four days past its use-by date and is now approaching a form of cheese? Appearances can be deceiving, whether we are talking food, clothing or people! The most important factor is the true condition of the raw material or the ingredients, or with regard to people, the inner nature of the heart. If we live according to selfish desires, then we will live selfishly (vs 5a,7,8). If we live according to the pleasure principle, then we will chase pleasure. But if we live according to the Spirit, then we will desire to please God (v 5b). This does not mean we will always succeed, but it does mean that the focus of our heart is facing the right direction, towards God and not infatuated with self-service.
Express to God the true desires of your heart. Be ruthlessly honest about motives that are self-centred rather than God-centred. |
