A Heart for God
In the December issue of “Biblical Insights,” Josh Kleinlein (from Kirkwood, Mo.) wrote an interesting article on hearts beating for God. Here are some quotes from the article.
“Jeremiah writes of an appalling horror saying, ‘The prophets prophesy falsely, the priests rule on their own authority; and my people love it so!’ (Jer. 5:31). We desire godliness, so long as it does not restrict us. Surrounded by gross immorality, ‘religious people’ today actually stand up and join in.
The average Bible student studies only one hour a week...However, the average fantasy football participant spends nearly 3 hours a week researching players...And that doesn’t include the amount of time they spend watching the big games or taunting one another...Though you can’t get children of God to go hear a gospel sermon, thousands will tailgate in zero degree weather outside arenas without tickets to the game.
No longer are we waiting for the ‘grievous times when men shall be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God’ (2 Tim. 3:1-4). Our spending, viewing, and conconduct show where our hearts abide.
The rich fool had the same excuse we have today: let me get everything in order, then I’ll be faithful (Luke 12:16-21). The rich man forgot the end of Jeremiah’s exhortation, ‘But what will you do at the end of it?’ (Jer. 5:1). He died with only good intentions, never giving thanks to God. While the world would call the rich man successful, powerful and blessed, God called him—’fool.’ Do not live after passing pleasure, but rather, ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God.’”
There is nothing wrong with participating in, or watching, recreational events, but they should be kept in perspective. The physical body and every material possession that we accumulate will be left behind at death. “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Tim. 6:7). A poet put it this way: “Only one life, will soon be past. Only what is done for Christ will last.”
Christ said we should lay up treasures in heaven “where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Mt. 6:20,20). Where will we lay up treasure in the new year?
“Jeremiah writes of an appalling horror saying, ‘The prophets prophesy falsely, the priests rule on their own authority; and my people love it so!’ (Jer. 5:31). We desire godliness, so long as it does not restrict us. Surrounded by gross immorality, ‘religious people’ today actually stand up and join in.
The average Bible student studies only one hour a week...However, the average fantasy football participant spends nearly 3 hours a week researching players...And that doesn’t include the amount of time they spend watching the big games or taunting one another...Though you can’t get children of God to go hear a gospel sermon, thousands will tailgate in zero degree weather outside arenas without tickets to the game.
No longer are we waiting for the ‘grievous times when men shall be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God’ (2 Tim. 3:1-4). Our spending, viewing, and conconduct show where our hearts abide.
The rich fool had the same excuse we have today: let me get everything in order, then I’ll be faithful (Luke 12:16-21). The rich man forgot the end of Jeremiah’s exhortation, ‘But what will you do at the end of it?’ (Jer. 5:1). He died with only good intentions, never giving thanks to God. While the world would call the rich man successful, powerful and blessed, God called him—’fool.’ Do not live after passing pleasure, but rather, ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God.’”
There is nothing wrong with participating in, or watching, recreational events, but they should be kept in perspective. The physical body and every material possession that we accumulate will be left behind at death. “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Tim. 6:7). A poet put it this way: “Only one life, will soon be past. Only what is done for Christ will last.”
Christ said we should lay up treasures in heaven “where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Mt. 6:20,20). Where will we lay up treasure in the new year?