A Heart for God

July 28, 2023

God has always been supremely interested in the heart of man. He is always looking inside of us to see if we have a genuine love in our hearts for Him. The scriptures are quite clear that God has never been interested in religion without heart. In fact, going through religious motions when our hearts are disengaged is a great offense to Him. Jesus said to the Pharisees of His day, “You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: ‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. ‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’” (Matthew 15:7–9 NAS95) The Pharisees were simply going through the religious motions. They were doing things by rote and thought that this pleased God. Their religion was an external one—it may have had the correct form, but in God’s eyes—because He didn’t have their hearts—it was all in vain. It meant nothing to God.

Why is God so interested in our heart? It is because everything about our lives flows from our hearts. When the heart is set on God and His ways, wonderful, God-honoring things flow out of our lives. But when our hearts are far away from God, our lives become defiled. As Jesus said in the same passage as above, “But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile the man…” (Matthew 15:18-20 NAS95). And how do you think God will feel when our actions are continually in direct opposition to Him, yet we come before Him with empty praises and simply go through the motions? Will God accept worship such as this?

Does God have your heart? Do the words that you sing and the prayers that you pray genuinely reflect the life you are striving to live? If not, what should you do? Be honest with Him. Admit your sin to Him. Ask for His help. Cry out for His mercy and grace. Genuine, heartfelt responses such as these will always find favor with God. He desires truth in our innermost being, and a broken and contrite heart He will not despise. May God help us all to offer a genuine, heartfelt worship to Him today.

—Scott Colvin

Leave a Comment » | a heart for God, God, heart, Matthew 15:18-20, Matthew 15:7-9 | Permalink
Posted by Russell Holden

Preparing Our Children for War

July 14, 2023

When should you allow children to be exposed to evil in this world? I have had several conversations over the years with parents about this question. We all know that it is not a question of if they will be exposed to evil, but how much exposure should parents allow, and at what age? How old should your children be before you let them have a smart phone? Allow them to be on social media? Watch the news?

Good Christian parents will have differences of opinion on this topic, and perhaps there is no one-size-fits-all answer. One thing is certain, there is a spiritual battle going on for the souls of our children. We must prepare them. We must be on a wartime footing, spiritually speaking, and must be training our children to survive the battle. As we read in Ephesians chapter 6, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:11-12 NAS95) This warfare imagery is very instructive. Think of it this way: If a war was raging in this country, would you hand your little one a gun and a helmet, wish them luck, and send them off into battle? No! They are too young and inexperienced. They would most certainly lose their life. But what about spiritual warfare, where the stakes are much higher? Are you preparing your children to fight the battle?

It seems to me that we prepare our children in stages over time. When they are young and innocent, we must protect them and carefully shield their minds and hearts. They are not ready to fight and would be swallowed up in a minute. As they grow older, we must step up the preparation and training. We must show them how to put on the armor of God while still carefully protecting them from danger. One day, when the war shows up at our front door, we must face the battle with our children. They are still very vulnerable and inexperienced. They are like a private just out of basic training, but you are like a battle-hardened sergeant. You will keep them close to your side, pointing out the dangers, showing where the enemy lies in wait, and watching their flank.

It is critical that we all realize this battle is real and ongoing. When parents don’t realize this fact, they can throw their kids right into the war without any defenses. There are grave spiritual dangers on the internet, social media, television, and all around us. May God help us and give us the wisdom to prepare our kids for battle.

—Scott Colvin

Leave a Comment » | Christian, Christian parenting, Ephesians 6:11-12, parenting, preparing children, protecting children, spiritual warefare | Permalink
Posted by Russell Holden

The Importance of Women in the Church

July 7, 2023

It is sometimes said by those who are not very familiar with the scriptures that the apostle Paul imposed an unhealthy view of women on the church. The facts of the matter, though, are very different. Paul and the other New Testament writers, following the teaching and example of our Lord, placed a high value on women. In fact, the scriptures elevate women far beyond the typical status they had in ancient societies and specifically emphasize their great worth and equality with men in the eyes of God.

One passage in which you can see Paul’s high view of women quite clearly is Romans chapter 16. In this chapter, Paul spends some time greeting his fellow workers in the gospel. It is interesting to note his deep gratitude for his sisters in Christ. For example, he commends Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea, because “she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.” (Romans 16:2b NAS95) He also commends Prisca (Priscilla) as a fellow worker in Christ Jesus because she, along with her husband, “risked their own necks” for Paul’s sake (verse 4). Paul specifically mentions four women, Mary (verse 6), Tryphaena, Tryphosa, and Persis (verse 12), because of their hard work for the Lord. In addition, it is clear that Paul thinks highly of Rufus’ mother (verse 13), Julia, and Nereus’ sister (verse 15). These women were all important to the work of the church. They were dedicated servants of God.

While it is true that men and women have different roles in the church and in the family, we must always remember that women are, and always have been, equally important to God. As I think of Paul’s high regard for these women, I am reminded of my own high regard and thankfulness for the women of this congregation. The Lord is at work in many ways through you ladies. Your gifts and abilities are critical to the healthy functioning of the church. May God richly bless our sisters in Christ, and all of us, as we strive to do the work of the Lord.

— Scott Colvin

Leave a Comment » | importance of women in the church, Romans 16 | Permalink
Posted by Russell Holden