by David Brenneman
"Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;" Isaiah 46:10.
"for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." Philippians 2:13.
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28.
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2.
More about Jesus would I know,
more of His grace to others show;
more of His saving fullness see,
more of His love who died for me.
Refrain:
More, more about Jesus;
more, more about Jesus;
more of His saving fullness see,
more of His love who died for me.
2 More about Jesus let me learn,
more of His holy will discern.
Spirit of God, my Teacher be,
showing the things of Christ to me.
Refrain:
More, more about Jesus;
more, more about Jesus;
more of His saving fullness see,
more of His love who died for me.
3 More about Jesus in His Word,
holding communion with my Lord,
hearing His voice in ev'ry line,
making each faithful saying mine.
Refrain:
More, more about Jesus;
more, more about Jesus;
more of His saving fullness see,
more of His love who died for me.
4 More about Jesus on His throne,
riches in glory all His own;
more of His kingdom's sure increase;
more of His coming, Prince of Peace.
Refrain:
More, more about Jesus;
more, more about Jesus;
more of His saving fullness see,
more of His love who died for me.
"More About Jesus" E. E. Hewitt (1887)
When you share your passion and energy with the world, does it show your heart is with Jesus? Would people know by what comes out of your mouth what's truly in your heart is Jesus?
"For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart." Luke 6:43-45.
What's coming from your heart?
I have done it, you've done it. Speaking careless words about others. Some, in fits of anger, others in disdain, looking down on others. Some, thinking it's not anything serious that they're just passionate about whatever it is that caused such an outburst.
"But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37.
In Jesus's eyes there's no distinction or difference.
What comes from our hearts goes out to ourselves and those in our world.
Yes, it absolutely includes what we take photos of and distribute through the internet and various services. Yes, it includes Facebook, Instagram, X, and everything else. Words we type are often woefully worse than what we speak because in the online world it's instantly duplicated millions of times to the observing world.
What are you doing, what am I doing, to guard our hearts? What are we doing to present Jesus to those in our world? What are we doing that's ruining our reputation before men and women because of our utter lack of restraint with our avenues of expression?
We are commanded to stand firm in the Lord. Well are we if we aren't removing things from our lives that are causing such things to be allowed to reach our fingertips or our lips?
"But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh. Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom." James 3:8-13.
We really show who's in control of our lives by what comes from our mouth, from what we express at our fingertips. We read from Jesus Himself that we are GOING to give an account of our lives before Him. Not if He chooses to do that with us, but rather that it's a certainty.
We won't have a defense attorney to explain our words and actions in legalistic terms.
Just us before the God of Truth.
Pray for yourself and me as well that we do more to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. That we truly consider what we're expressing, however it comes to the world, before we release it.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
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