Inside-out

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Read:

Mark 7:14-15


Reflect:

My children love the Mr. Men/Little Miss books. One of the characters is Mr Topsy Turvy who wears his hat upside down and does everything back to front. It’s really funny.

I think Jesus looked at His disciples on this occasion and thought they were like Mr. Topsy Turvy. They had the idea of purity and holiness the wrong way round. Jesus is very clear that it isn’t what goes into your body that makes you dirty. It’s what goes on in your heart.

This was, of course, not new teaching. Proverbs 4:23 says “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” And we, of course, have the power to control what goes on in our hearts. We can choose hate and fear, or peace and love. We can decide to be led by the Holy Spirit, or choose our own way. Whatever we choose, it starts in the heart and it will show in our actions.


Respond:

Lord Jesus, thank you that you know what goes on in my heart and that you still love me. Please fill me with your Spirit to guide my thoughts and what goes on in my heart that my actions will speak of your presence in me. Amen.


Remind:

”We must have the glory sink into us before it can be reflected from us. In deep inward beholding we must have Christ in our hearts that He may shine forth from our lives.”

~Alexander MacLaren~


Photo by Erik Eastman on Unsplash

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