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A Heart Condition
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We looked into Mark chapter 7 and saw some interesting additions that the Pharisees had put on top of God's commands. We saw Jesus call them out saying,
"These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me." vs. 6
After some more indictments against the Pharisees, Jesus turns His attention to the broader group:
Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. "All of you listen," he said, "and try to understand. It's not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart."
Then Jesus went into a house to get away from the crowd, and his disciples asked him what he meant by the parable he had just used.
"Don't you understand either?"he asked. "Can't you see that the food you put into your body cannot defile you? Food doesn't go into your heart, but only passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer."
And then he added, "It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.
In this teaching, Jesus makes it clear to the disciples that it's not an external problem that they have...it's a heart condition. He leaves them with this clear truth that their problem is really internal. He's also clear in how he handles the Pharisees, that religion won't solve the heart condition either.
In the Gospel, Mark leaves this truth about our "heart condition" hanging out there as a truth for what will come later in the book.
Fortunately since we know the end of the story, we know that our heart condition is why Jesus came to earth, lived a perfect life, died on the cross and rose again. He is the only one that can change us from the inside out!
Listen online to Mikel's message
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Less than 2 weeks until Camp!
Please be praying for the nearly 200 people who will be part of camp this year. Pray that they would be deeply impacted by the theme Facing Your Giants and the time in the Scriptures, in Worship, in Fellowship and in Fun! For info contact: Camp Director Cindi Stone
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Summer Day Camps for Kids
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Help For Sunday Coffee House
Each week, we need help for our coffee time: 1) Bring some Baked Goods: We will need baked goods (homemade or store-bought) every Sunday. There will be a clipboard on the patio for sign-ups. 2) Be a part of the Team: We need folks who will set up, serve, clean up, or just hang out to encourage the Body! For info contact: Coordinator Karen Salas
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Rossmoor Roommate Wanted
Haley and Amy are looking for a 20-30 year old Christian roommate to live with them in a beautiful Rossmoor home! Large rooms, pool & jacuzzi, washer & dryer, lots of driveway and street parking, near to the 605 & 405 at a great price. Contact Haley Helfer via email
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Matt Higby in Atlanta for Missionary Training
Our own Matt Higby has been in Atlanta with Encompass World Partners for several weeks already doing his last cross-cultural missionary training before he can leave for Japan. Please be praying for Matt as he flies home on Friday! He will need to raise some more financial support when he returns, so you can begin praying about how the Lord would lead you to join his support team! Email Matt
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From Greg & Denyse Gripentrog
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Precious Lamb Preschool Prayer Update
We are grateful for your continual support through your prayers for Precious Lamb. Please join us as we pray for the following things.
1. Praise God for another fiscal year ending in the black! God has faithfully provided for us and we are trusting He will continue to do so in this following year. Pray as we start a new fiscal year with a new budget, that we would be wise stewards and that He would provide above what we need/ask to continue to provide each child the high quality education and the loving care they need....
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Patty Morris Update from France
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Practical Ways to Fight Trafficking
You may have heard the staggering numbers of women and men trapped in modern day slavery around the world (20-30 million)! As someone concerned with Kingdom issues, your love for people and heart for justice probably stirs up a righteous indignation when confronted with such a horrible topic as human trafficking.
But what can you do in response?....
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