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A Call Out Of Complacency

"Open the eyes of my heart."

Emily Wood

May 29, 2018

Liberty University

127

Public Domain Pictures

Protecting the heart is paramount. Proverbs 4:23 teaches us to guard our hearts above all else for the heart is the “wellspring of life.”

From the heart flows what is stored inside, for a tree is known by its fruit.

The root of sin stems from the heart. Jeremiah said that “the heart is deceitful and desperately sick.” (17:9)

The world’s problems do not stem from our decisions or our division, but from our hearts. The Church’s problems do not stem from our laws or our leaders, but from our hearts.

To see change in the world, we must start from within ourselves. To see revival in the Church, we must begin on a personal level. Awakening begins from within.

What is the cure to soften our hearts of stone? Jesus.

God made a promise in Ezekiel to, “remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh…” (11:19)

The Bible is alive and powerful, but until the Truth resonates on a personal level, it is mere words on a page. Though its words may sink into our minds, we are unchanged people until they seep into our hearts.

To know Him is to undergo true heart change by the Holy Spirit. Without the working of the Holy Spirit, a change of heart is impossible.Being a Christian is an ever-present process of molding our hearts to become more like His.

If we stifle Him from our hearts, we become people without purpose or passion. A loveless life is not a reflection of Jesus.

The center of Jesus’ message was allowing the Law to transform into love. Jesus said that the commands to love God and to love our neighbor sums up the entire Law and Prophets. These love-based actions begin from within the heart. In order to love as Jesus loved and to live as Jesus lived, He must first take residence within our hearts.

Michael W. Smith penned these words:

“Open the eyes of my heart, Lord.

Open the eyes of my heart.

I want to see You.”

May these words be our heart's desire as we pursue Him.

May we never be complacent or comfortable. May we never be stagnant or unmoving. But may we ever be in the pursuit of Him.

*****

Open the eyes of my heart to Your Word. Your Will. Your People. Your World. But most of all, open the eyes of my heart that I may see You and know You more.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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A Call Out Of Complacency

"Open the eyes of my heart."

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The holiday season can be the best and most stressful time of the year, especially when more people are involved.

1. The Family Traditions

2. Enough food for an actual army

3. Never enough space

4. Always Loud & Never Boring

5. Parties. Parties. Parties.

6. Scheduling

7. Travelling

8. The family members you see once a year

9. DRAMA

10. The questions about life

AKA, Christmas overload.

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

1. Watch an R-rated Scary Movie in a Movie Theater

2. Buy a Lottery Ticket

3. Vote in an Election

4. Participate in a Run (or a Walk, Realistically) for Charity

5. Go on a Road Trip

6. Start a Savings Account

7. Get a Credit Card

8. Sign up for Spotify Premium

9. Go to a Club

10. Start a Meditation Routine

11. Go to a Yoga Class

12. Treat Myself to a Dinner for One

13. Volunteer for a Charity

14. Participate in a Research Study

15. Bake Something (That Ends Up Being Edible)

16. Go Skydiving

17. Be Called for Jury Duty

18. Figure Out What I Want to Do With my Life

The holiday classics that shaped my life

1."But what would happen if we all tried to be like Santa and learned to give as only he can give: of ourselves, our talents, our love and our hearts? Maybe we could all learn Santa's beautiful lesson and maybe there would finally be peace on Earth and good will toward men."

"Sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see."

"If you won't use your heart, who cares if it gets broken? If you just keep it to yourself, maybe it'll be like my rollerblades. When you do decide to try it, it won't be any good. You should take a chance. Got nothing to lose."

"Remember, no man is a failure who has friends."

"Life is made up of meetings and partings. That is the way of it."

"If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find a that love actually is all around."

"Sometimes things look good on paper, but lose their luster when you see how it affects real folks. I guess a healthy bottom line doesn't mean much if to get it, you have to hurt the ones you depend on."

"'Maybe Christmas,' he thought, 'doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.'"

"Faith is believing when common sense tells you not to."

"There's room for everyone on the nice list."

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

1. Why are towels considered dirty when you get out of the shower clean?

2. Who closes the bus door once the bus driver gets off?

3. Why is there a "d" in "fridge" but not in "refrigerator"?

4. If you drop soap on the floor is the floor clean or the soap dirty?

5. Is the "S" or the "C" silent in the word "scent"?

6. Does expecting the unexpected make the unexpected the expected?

7. Would Lightning McQueen buy car insurance or life insurance?

8. Who put the alphabet in alphabetical order?

9. What color are mirrors?

10. If 2 mind readers read each other's minds whose mind are they really reading?

11. Is there a synonym for "synonym"?

12. If your shirt isn't tucked into your pants, are your pants tucked into your shirt?

13. Why is it called "quick sand" if you sink slowly in it?

14. If I try to fail, but succeed, which one did I do?

15. If Cinderella's shoe fit perfectly, why did it fall off?

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