WATCHWORD:
The Great Commission: 5 Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7 And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.” 16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted! 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:3-7, 16-20
Meditation:
Change of Heart
How do you change a person’s heart? I can understand how someone could change another’s mind with facts and a persuasive argument. But how does one change a person’s heart?
Sometimes there is confusion between a mind-set and a heart-set. Both can be difficult to deal with. I suppose that both could cause a breach between friends, depending on the topic or the circumstance.
I believe that our mind-set is something over which we have control. You make up your mind to take a stand, or to do something, to say something, or to believe something. Your decision might be influenced by others, or by circumstance, or even by the weather. You could be firm and unmovable on your mind-set and it will continue to direct other decisions that you make. Or, you might be more flexible, open to new ideas, new facts. An exciting adventure that completely changes your schedule and your mind-set.
Your heart-set, on the other hand, is different. I’m not sure how to make the distinction, I just know that there is a real difference. Your heart-set is influenced by factors that might have been placed on your heart at a very early age. For example, in my years of growing up I learned from my parents that the word “hate” was evil and as a child there was a penalty for using it. To this day, I have an almost visceral reaction when people use the word “hate”, even as slang.
I wonder how heart-set is related to faith and belief. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are committing ourselves to an adjustment in our heart-set, a change in our lives, a repentance, turning from evil ways. We are a new person, and the strength of our heart-set is directly related to the depth of our relationship with our Lord.
Peter said, I would die rather than deny you, Lord. When he said that he believed that. Yet, he did. His boast was his mind-set, sadly, his actions revealed his heart-set. It took that encounter on the beach with Jesus to change his heart-set.
I often think of Rachel Scott when I consider the strength of my faith. I’m not sure it holds a candle to the faith of that 15-year-old girl. You may recall that terrible experience at Columbine High School in Colorado when Rachel Scott, a gun to her head, was confronted with a choice of denying her Lord, or dying. She chose to follow her heart-set.
It occurs to me that is exactly what our Lord had in mind when he instructed us with the Great Commission, to go and make disciples throughout the world. To share our faith with others, to tell of our faith journeys, to live our lives as imitations of Christ. He spoke of our planting seeds, and those that fell on good soil, brought about a change in heart-set. That is no small task, my friends. But guess what? He’s right there with us, He’s in charge, He loves us. He is with us always, even to the end of the age Amen.
Bulletin Board:
Smile – Two guys stole a calendar. They both got six months!
Two Morning Prayers:
Dear Lord, help me remember what a difference it makes when I make time with You a priority in my morning. Awaken me in body and spirit each day with a desire to meet with You and to hear You speak words of affirmation, assurance, and wisdom over my heart as I prepare to go into my day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Almighty God, by the power of your Holy Spirit open our eyes, ears, hearts, and very lives to Your presence so that today we may worship and serve You in faithfulness, be blessings and healing reminders of Your love to all whose lives we touch. We offer our prayers in the name of Christ. Amen.
