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Where Is Your Root's Pursuit?

Jesus said: "What goes into someone's mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them." Matthew 15:11

Last week was the midterm elections and as I've seen during my entire voting life, it was ugly.  This post isn't about what side of the political spectrum you sit in, rather this is about how in today's environment I am seeing that people are desensitized to what they are actually saying.  Do you remember an older person ever saying to you or someone "Do you talk to your momma like that?"  Both sides say things that they shouldn't.  Both sides have taken our country's politics to a new low.  Apart from that though, this type of behavior stretches beyond the political spectrum.  It fills our talks at parties, it fills our schools, and yes it is even filling up our churches.  

In Matthew, Jesus is talking about that which defiles the body.  Pharisees asked Jesus why His disciples break the tradition of the elders and don't wash their hands before they eat.  Jesus later said that it didn't matter the food that went into the body because it would go into the stomach and come out, however, what matters is what came out of the mouth because that comes from the heart!  It is the words that we say that defile ourselves.  In this world of social media that offers a platform for your words to be carried to more people than ever before in history, our focus should be on our hearts.  

How do we focus on our hearts the right way?  The answer is in the Gospels:  "Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." -Matthew 6:19-21.  

Our hearts should be focused on our Savior.  Our hearts should be focused on pleasing our Heavenly Father.  Our hearts, just like the root, need proper nutrition to provide the branches to bear great fruit.  Like a root, if you (which I would argue most of us are) are in an area in which the soil feels less fertile, you must seek out the fertile soil of God.  Where your root is in pursuit is a critical indicator of your relationship with Jesus.  Our society today is one that wants to be comfortable in unfertile soil.  Our society is more connected and our voices are heard more than ever before, yet I'm willing to say that with all the connectivity, our society is further away from one another than we have ever been and further away from the fertile soil found in Christ.  

What will you do this week that will help cleanse your heart?  It starts with prayer, the ultimate direct message.  Sliding into Jesus's DM is the best way to cleanse your heart and fill yourself up with the Holy Spirit.  Next, fill yourself with the nutrients of the Word of God.  Feed your heart with the Holy Spirit and you will find that your words and actions will be different from many we see in today's society.  

My prayer this week is that you prioritize Jesus in your time, your actions, and your words.  That you make a conscious effort to be different, and that you ask God for help.

Have a great week!

Song of the week: Getting Into You

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