Top to bottom…….what’s within me?

There is a song from one of my many favorite ‘older’ groups-Toto.  It's called ‘Bottom of your soul’.  The last part of the chorus says, “Always remember the voice in your head,  Speaks to you when you're alone,   And it comforts you,  From the top of your heart to the bottom of your soul."  When I listen to this I usually pause and reflect on what is presently flowing within me-from the top of my heart to the bottom(deep within) my soul. What influences(worldly/Satan or heavenly/God) am I tailoring to.  Am I filled with self motives or compassion/ love towards others-filled with Jesus?   Colossians 3:12 says, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."  Also, 1 Corinthians 13:2-8 says, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.   As I have aged,  I listen more intimately to terminology in songs, wondering what inspired the artist –what this meant to them.  Thus, not only am I somewhat more selective in what I listen to, I find it uplifting when a song or a part of one causes me to challenge my spiritual walk.  This song has me asking myself, ‘is worldliness or the comfort of the precious gift of the Holy Spirit resonating from my heart to deep inside my soul’? Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

'Den of Thieves'

Have you ever attempted to hide something from someone?  I’m certain we all have and perhaps been successful.  One that cannot be fooled is our Almighty God.  Oh, we try to hide our sin or mask over them, even misleading those around us…..but not God.    It is there-what I will refer to as our ‘den of thieves’, that an attempt to disguise our hearts/lives will result in failure and disappointment from God.  Jeremiah 7:9-11 reminds us of this clearly and verse 11 hits at the heart-“Has this house which bears my Name,  become a den of thieves to you?  But I have been watching!” declares the Lord.  As thieves will hide from their actions to try to avoid authorities/to ‘feel safe’, if we are not careful, we too can try the same with our sin just as the people of Judah falsely trusted that the Temple could protect them in spite of their sin.  God knows our every move/thought-He is watching! We cannot hide sin from God.  There is no shelter or refuge except through the blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Blessings in your pursuit…….TO