A Heart

Everyone has one, but what, pray tell, is yours made of? 

I bought Goggles Livingstone for my son. My son is a self-described geek. He loves reading and writing, the very things that I prayed he would love; more importantly, he loves the Word of God, and preaching. We have had many a discussion about staying true to The Bible, and when he teaches via recorded messages, he does not add, nor does he take away, from what is in scripture. I used to call him a puritan, because of his desire to remain true to all that God gave us in the Good Book. He has learned through painful trial and error, that to deviate in any way, shape, or form, from what is plainly written, can be like driving one-hundred-forty in the wrong direction, into oncoming traffic, down a highway with a one hundred kilometre an hour limit: a crash is inevitable. Goggles Livingstone is a playful grinning planter of pleasure for my son and I, because the little character, named for his glasses, and the type of plant embedded in his head, remind us of him, my son Matthew. He is a brainiac that has spiritual eyes to see. We are living stones, dear reader, and we are the makeup of God's temple on earth, representing Christ Jesus. 

1 Peter 2:4-9

To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made of the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. 

Goggles Livingstone needs sunlight and a periodic soaking of his soil. Because the little fella has eyes, I turn him toward the light in the morning to face the sun. It is a little laughable, a little silly, a little ridiculous to talk of him this way, and yet, we have attributed personality to this living-stone plant, with the glasses and face. The jutting green rock like structures protruding from the hollowed out planter are set in soil, and I weekly saturate said soil to ensure life continues. We are washed and rinsed, dear one, with rain, with tears, with conviction in our conscience, and when we remember to turn toward the Son, the Saviour, our only true source of pure light and love, we feel the brightening of our spirit. 

What, pray tell, is your heart made of? Is it a stone of stumbling, confounding you and keeping you from believing in the One, sent to save you from your sins? Or, dear reader, are you a lively stone, peculiar and precious, building up a spiritual house, as a part of a holy priesthood, a living sacrifice, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ, known as the corner stone. 

Believing in Jesus as Saviour is reserved for those that do not mitigate or mask their faults, flaws, foibles, faux pas: it is for the humble of heart that love Christ to the point of hating their own sinful nature. Those that love him ever-so, are repugnant to those that have hearts of stone; the latter do not want him to reign and rule in their personal or professional lives: they are antagonistic toward God, his Son, and his people. This explains much, does it not? It is thusly simplified, isn't that right, dear reader?

You don't have to agree with me, when I ask you if I am right. We don't have to understand the world the same way, especially if I speak of scripture and you have yet to read it. I am a nothing, a nobody, and as the Casting Crowns state in their lyrics, I am trying to tell everybody, about Jesus. He can be located in history immemorial and future without end, and read about in The Bible. Don't look to me or any other human to help you fix your eyes on God. Go to him directly, let your soiled soul soak in his wisdom, cleansing your heart of all unrighteousness, so that the Son can brighten your spirit to a radiant glow, as evidence that you have spent time in his glorious presence. 

May the God of wonders be with you today, and always, world without end. 

Psalm 40:5

Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. 

Post Script

If you are interested in Biblical preaching and teaching, look for: 

MatthewByers-Preaching brighteon.com