Unequally Yoked

2 Corinthians 6:14-18

14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will dwell in them

And walk among them.

I will be their God,

And they shall be My people.”

17 Therefore

“Come out from among them

And be separate, says the Lord.

Do not touch what is unclean,

And I will receive you.”

18 “I will be a Father to you,

And you shall be My sons and daughters,

Says the LORD Almighty.”

1 Corinthians 15:33

33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

Paul's warning against being unequally yoked with unbelievers is a call to spiritual discernment. This doesn't mean isolating ourselves from the world, but rather being cautious about our close associations and partnerships. The principle extends beyond just marriage to our business dealings, close friendships, and life choices.

Consider your closest relationships and regular activities. Do they draw you closer to God or pull you away? Are there areas in your life where you've compromised your values or faith for the sake of fitting in or for personal gain? Remember, as believers, we are called to be in the world but not of it.

Take time to evaluate your relationships and commitments. Ask God for wisdom in maintaining a balance between engaging with the world and preserving your spiritual integrity. Seek out relationships and activities that encourage your faith and help you grow spiritually.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, grant me discernment in my relationships and choices. Help me to be a light in the world without being tainted by its darkness. Strengthen me to make wise decisions that honor You. Amen.

Guarding Your Heart

Proverbs 4:23-27

23 Keep your heart with all diligence,

For out of it spring the issues of life.

24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth,

And put perverse lips far from you.

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,

And your eyelids look right before you.

26 Ponder the path of your feet,

And let all your ways be established.

27 Do not turn to the right or the left;

Remove your foot from evil.

Matthew 12:33-37

33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. 34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Today, we focus on the importance of guarding our hearts and the power of our words. In 2 Corinthians 6:11, Paul speaks to the Corinthians from an enlarged heart. This reminds us that our words and actions flow from the condition of our hearts. Just as Jesus taught that a good tree bears good fruit, our lives produce what's within us.

Reflect on the state of your heart today. Are there areas where you've allowed negativity, bitterness, or worldly influences to take root? Ask God to cleanse your heart and fill it with His love and truth. Consider how your words reflect your inner state. Commit to speaking words that build up and encourage others, allowing God's love to flow through you.

Prayer:

Lord, search my heart and reveal any areas that need Your cleansing touch. Help me guard my heart diligently and speak words that reflect Your love and grace. Amen.

One Big Happy Baby

Luke 10:21

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

Have you seen the some of the videos on the Internet of these beautiful babies laughing? Why is it that we could be in the middle of the worst day ever but see this and smile or even laugh aloud with them? It must be something about the innocence or purity of their laugh. The smile of a baby can drive out the darkest of depression. It's just amazing.

This morning I am rejoicing along with Jesus. The scripture tells us that Jesus rejoiced in the spirit. I wish I could have been there to see my Savior smile and rejoice. To hear Him laugh from the belly. You know what I'm talking about? Someone who rejoices does it with every ounce of energy. I would have loved to see Jesus rejoicing.

But something greater than that causes me to rejoice this morning. It's the reason that Jesus rejoiced. He said that His Father didn't reveal Himself to the wise and prudent, but unto babes. It wasn't that God didn't reveal Himself to those who were learned and educated, it was that they couldn't see Him because of their self-righteous wisdom. But the babes, they saw Him. We saw Him! We see Him!

Most babies at Christmas will play with the wrapping paper and boxes more that the toy. You see those wise and prudent men looked for someone wrapped in gold and who would be carrying a sceptre. But I rejoice today because my Savior was wrapped in a sinful, shameful robe carrying a cross! They looked for someone to tell them a way out, but Jesus showed me the way up! I feel like One Big Happy Baby!