PrillyCharmin: 10/01/24

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

A WORD FOR THE DAY 10/2/2024

Gossip

But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said,
“Why do you think evil in your hearts?
Matthew 9:4

I knew someone who was a gossip. She huddled over the phone for hours every day, talking with her friends. If I happened to walk into the same room, she would drop her voice to a whisper so I couldn't hear the conversation.

One of the favorite methods of a skilled gossip is to assign motive. What does it mean to assign motive? This can be explained with one simple example: "they did this because..." Whenever I hear that phrase, huge red flags start waving.

We see it a lot during an election year. "He did this because..." and, "She did this because..." I think it's safe to say that whatever vicious statement follows that phrase: is not the truth! God says that He is the only one who knows what truly goes on in the heart of a person. Only God knows the motives of the heart:

For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7

There's a really big problem with gossips: once they make something up, they actually believe it. And they continue to spread it. Eventually they live in their own dark fantasy world, not knowing what is truth and what isn't.

And may You repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart— for You alone know the hearts of all men— so that they may fear You all the days they live. 1 Kings 8:39

Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander. Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished. Proverbs 17:4-5

A Word For The Day 01/01/20245

Near to the Heart of God

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8

In 1903, there was an outbreak of diphtheria in the U.S. that claimed many lives. Cleland McAfee was chaplain and choir director at Park College in Parkville, Missouri. As the epidemic swept the area, two of his nieces died from the dreaded disease and the others in the household were quarantined.

In his grief, Cleland wrote the hymn Near To The Heart Of God, and brought the college choir to sing it outside the quarantined house.

If you are passing through a dark valley right now, let the words of this hymn bring the quiet assurance we need.

Near to the Heart of God

1. There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.

Refrain:
O Jesus, blest redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.

2. There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God.

3. There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God.