Heart Check

[cmc]

You are reading the daily devotion from NotReligion.

November 14, 2008
Key Passage: Acts 8:14-25

Topic: Sin/Temptation; Pride/Humility

"Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you" (Acts 8:22, ESV).

So we're all pretty good people--aren't we? If you took a poll today, it would probably show that most of us think we're fairly good--deep down inside.

But that's not really the condition of our hearts.

Now, if we're talking about someone who knows God personally, we know his or her sins have been forgiven, but that doesn't mean this person never does anything wrong. Our hearts are still desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9).

With status to gain and people to impress, we can all too easily fall into the trap of selfishness and pride. And it wasn't any different in the Bible. As a magician, Simon was accustomed to accolade and attention, so it's no wonder he was enthralled with the amazing work of the Holy Spirit and the apostles. And he wanted it for himself.

Peter finally called Simon out on it and challenged him to check the intentions of his heart--a bold but necessary move on Peter's part. And like it or not, we all need people like that to keep us on the right track. It's better to be corrected than to fall deeper into sin and its consequences.

Maybe you need to do a heart check today--pull it out, put it on the table and under the microscope. Watch out for selfish intentions or desires for self-promotion--they're common and very attractive.

We have to be on guard so our hearts don't get us running in the wrong direction--just choose God over self and you'll be headed the right way.





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[BUTTERFLY-7]

cmc I Guess we are in the same Spirit Just a while ago
I was Reading the Bible and I was Reading the Books of Proverbs
and I was asking the Lord,, Lord if on Sunday Church they give me a part
what would you like me to bring to your children and God put in my Heart
to read Proverbs,16 and on

Proverbs,16

1)To man belong the plans of the heart,
but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue.

2)All a man's way seem innocent to him,
but motives are weighed by the Lord.

3)Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and your plans will succeed.

4)The Lord works out everything for his own ends-
even the wicked for a day of disaster.

5)The Lord detests all the proud of heart.
Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

6)Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil.

7)When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord,
he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.

8)Better a little with righteousness
than much again with injustice.

9)In his heart a man plans his course,
but the Lord determines his steps.

10)The lips of a King speak as an oracle,
and his mouth should not betray justice.

11)Honest scales and balances are from the Lord;
all the weights in the bag are of his making.

12)Kings detest wrongdoing,
for a throne is established through righteousness.

13)Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
they value a man who speaks the truth.

14)A King's wrath is a messenger of death,
but a wise man will appease it.

15)When a King's face brightens, it means life;
his favor is like a rain cloud in sprign.

16)How much better to get wisdom than gold,
to choose understanding rather than silver!

17)The highway of the upright avoids evil;
he who guards his way guards his life.

18)Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall.

19)Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed
than to share plunder with the proud.

20)Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,
and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.

21)The wise in heart are called discerning,
and pleasant words promote instruction.

22)Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it,
but folly brings punishment to fools.

23)A wise man's heart guides his mouth,
and his lips promote instruction.

24)Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

25)There is a way that seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.

26)The laborer's appetite works for him;
his hunger drives him on.

27)A scoundrel plots evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.

28)A perverse man stirs up dissension,
and a gossip separates close friends.

29)A violent man entices his neighbor
and leads him down a path that is not good.

30)He who winks with his eye is plotting perversity;
he who pursues his lips is bent on evil.

31)Gray hair is a crown of splendor;
it is attained by a righteous life.

32)Better a patient man than a warrior,
a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.

33)The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord.