Spiritual Heart Trouble

“My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises! Awake, my glory; awake my harp and lyre, I will awaken the dawn.” Psalm 57:7-8

I spent some time yesterday with a staff member who is much younger than me and he shared that for several weeks he has been struggling with constant chest pain. When you are 53 and your Dad had his first heart attack at age 50 – heart trouble is a huge concern.

Many people are concerned about their “physical” heart – but what about our “spiritual” heart? I read these powerful thoughts this morning in the daily devotional “Daily with the King” published by Moody Press:

“The stress of modern living is increasing the risk of heart trouble, but heart trouble has always been a risk for a disciple of Jesus Christ.
My heart is my citadel and I must keep it strong if I hope to triumph.

I must not ‘err in my heart’ (Psalm 95:10). It is bad enough to err in my ways or in my mind, but if I err in my heart I will begin to sow seeds of ultimate defeat. To err in the heart is to be unpersuaded, unconvinced from God’s Word (Hebrews 3:8-10). It means that God speaks in vain and His words carry no weight; He might as well have remained silent. If I ignore God’s message, before long I will become a firm unbeliever, which in turn will lead to hardness of heart (Hebrews 4:7).

Peter erred in his WAYS; once repentant, he found restoration with his Lord. But Judas erred in his heart; he ignored the teachings of Jesus and developed a resistance to the forgiveness Jesus offered.

I cannot presume that because I am saved I am in no danger of developing heart trouble. The many New Testament warnings were not uttered for the empty air but to make me a disciple with a CLEAN HEART, to keep me from regarding God’s words as trivia, and to make me realize every message from God is of the highest worth.

The most restless, discontented people are not the poor or overworked; they are the hard of heart. To be strong in heart I must let God convince me, and keep convincing me as long as life flows on …
Whenever we ascribe goodness to God’s Word, it is a sign that God has convinced us and therefore our hearts are tender and pliant in His hands.”

How about you? How is your heart today, brother? If you had an EKG of your spiritual heart, what would the Great Physician discover? Something good to think about today.

Great Quote: Who a man is is not important; What he knows does not matter but what he is to the inscrutable God is what matters. If we displease God, does it matter whom we please? If please Him, does it matter whom we displease? Leonard Ravenhill

Have you registered your son or Dad for our Father Son Night this Thursday? Call today for information: 732-250-1187.

BLESS OTHERS – IT’S WORTH IT

“The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are blessed.” Proverbs 11:24-25

I am a sucker for good kid’s movies. I guess having a ten-year-old helps. Most of you have probably seen FINDING NEMO. There is a scene where Nemo runs into a group of seagulls that are looking for a meal and you will remember that the flock of seagulls break out into crying out, “MINE! MINE! MINE!”

These two verses jumped out at me today from Proverbs and reminded me of something that has happened in our lives over the years. My mother-in-law used to tell us, “You can’t out give God.” And you know what, over the years that truth has been proven over and over again in our lives.

Several years ago a friend of the ministry gave each of our staff a $50 bonus. One of my staff members was away the day the bonuses were given out and came into see me on Friday to find out how they could get their envelope. Our CFO was off for the day so I told them that they would have to wait until the Monday. He left my office and I sensed in my heart that he was really in need. It was like the Lord said, “Bill, give him your $50.”

I called him back into my office and gave him the $50 from my envelope. As he was leaving my office, he told me that he would pay me back on Monday when he got his envelope from our CFO. I thanked him and sent him on his way. While sitting in my office the Holy Spirit spoke clearly to my heart and said, “He needs the $50 more than you do – don’t make him pay it back.” I called him on the phone and said, “Don’t worry about the $50. I know you have some needs. Merry Christmas.” And indeed the extra $100 was a big help to them at this time in their lives.

Within the next 48 hours, God blessed me in a very unusual way. A Christmas card came from a friend who wanted to encourage me and tucked in the card was a piece of paper wrapped around a check for $50. Within 24 hours the Holy Spirit prompted me to once again give away the $50 to another person in need, and within a few days, the Lord replaced the $50.

It has become a fun thing for Jan and me. I wish I could tell you how God has multiplied that $50 over the past several years. I keep saying I should write it all down as it would make an interesting story. When we are willing to bless others, not to get a pat on the back from others, but out of the sincerity of our hearts, God blesses us in ways that are far and above what we can think.

Remember the name Corrie ten Boom? Corrie and her sister were together in a concentration camp. They had a bottle of liquid vitamins that help sustain them through their horrible experience. After several days of using the liquid vitamins, several other women in that camp started asking for help. Corrie and her sister could have been stingy and just kept it for themselves. They weren’t stingy – they blessed others by sharing. And as Corrie shared her story – that bottle of vitamins miraculously lasted until they were released.

How about you today? Is your life characterized by blessing others or are you stingy? Do you give just to give or do you give because you want to impress others by your giving? Something to think about today! Look around you – is there a way you can bless someone who comes across your path today. Don ‘t be stingy.

PS – I’d love to hear your stories too!

Great quote: Too many of us have a Christian vocabulary rather than a Christian experience. We think we are doing our duty when we’re only talking about it. Charles F. Banning

SEEK AND YOU WILL FIND

” …seek, and you will find.” Luke 11:9

God loves it when we seek Him and come to Him in prayer expecting Him to answer our prayers in HIS way. So often we pray once then give up.
Chambers says: “Seek if you have not found. ‘You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss…’ (James 4:3) If you ask for things from life instead of from God, ‘you ask amiss’; that is, you ask our of YOUR desire for self-fulfillment. THE MORE YOU FULFILL YOURSELF THE LESS YOU WILL SEEK GOD.

Get to work. Narrow your focus and interests to this one thing. Have you ever sought God with your WHOLE heart, or have you simply given Him a feeble cry after some emotionally painful experience? “… seek (focus) and you will find …’

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters …” (Isaiah 55:1) Are you thirsty, or complacent and indifferent – so satisfied with YOUR OWN experience that you want NOTHING more than God? Experience is a doorway, not a final goal. Beware of building your faith on EXPERIENCE, or your life will not ring true and will only sound the note of a critical spirit. Remember that you can never give another person what YOU have found, but you can cause him to have a DESIRE for it.

” … knock, and it will be opened to you” (Luke 11:9) “Draw near to God …” (James 4:8) Knock – the door is closed and your heart races as it knocks. “Cleanse YOUR hands …” (James 4:8) Knock a bit louder – you begin to find that you are dirty. “…purify YOUR hearts” (James 4:8) It is becoming even more personal – you are desperate and serious now – you will do ANYTHING. “Lament …” (James 4:9) Have you ever lamented, expressing sorrow before God for the condition of your inner life? There is NO thread of self-pity left, only the heart-rendering difficulty and amazement which comes from seeing what kind of person you really are.

“Humble yourselves …” (James 4:10). It is a humbling experience to knock at GOD’S door – you have to knock with the crucified thief. ” …
to him who knocks it will be opened.” Luke 11:10″ (My Utmost from His Highest

Are you willing today to do whatever it takes to seek and lay hold of Him? Are you willing to draw near to God? Go through the cleansing process? Purify your wicked heart? Lament? And deal with your pride so that you can humble yourself before Him? Think about it on this Lord’s day.

Great quote: It is not what WE do for God, but what HE does through us.
Judy Sexton

READ THE GOOD BOOK

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

I am amazed (not really) at how hungry people are for the truth of God’s Word. I really don’t get it – but it seems that more and more people are buying into the lie that God’s Word is not relevant today to reach our culture. Preaching has been replaced by story-telling because God’s Word somehow stopped doing its job. The Holy Spirit has become ineffective in
doing His role of “teaching” and illuminating Scripture.

Our churches have become filled with people who are biblically illiterate and I believe this is one of the reasons why we see addiction so rampant in the church. David said, “Your WORD is a lamp unto my feet that I might not sin against You.”

Now hear me out – I am not saying that illustrations are not useful in helping communicate the truth. But I believe we are on thin ice when our messages are filled with more stories that the truth of God’s WORD!

We recently met a dear lady whose husband pastor a very liberal church. She grew up in a very sound church where God’s Word has faithful proclaimed and taught. For 30 years, she sat under her husband’s ministry.

She has been a widow for a number of years and started coming to Keswick where she trusted Christ over 65 years ago. I wish you could hear her story first hand. She cries through every message. She recently said, “My husband was a good ‘speaker’ and told great stories, but Bill, he never taught the truth of God’s Word.’ She is soaking up truth like a
sponge and growing leaps and bounds at age 80.

In his new book, TAKING BACK THE GOOD BOOK, Dr. Woodrow Kroll gives ten reasons to read your Bible.

Reason 10: Reading the Bible gives you confidence.

Reason 9: Reading the Bible insulates you against Satan’s attacks.

Reason 8: Reading your Bible helps you to think Christianly.

Reason 7: Reading your Bible helps you define morality.

Reason 6: Reading your Bible enables you to discover hope.

Reason 5: Reading your Bible identifies the “Center” in your life.

Reason 4: Reading your Bible helps you discover who you are.

Reason 3: Reading your Bible guide you to intimacy with God.

Reason 2: Reading your Bible helps make you special.

Reason 1: Reading your Bible helps you change your world.

When was the last time you cracked open THE BOOK? Reading Freedom Fighters is an encouragement to me, brothers, but don’t let IT replace THE GOOD BOOK. That’s what will TRANSFORM your life.

Great Quote: “It’s not a matter of memorizing information, it’s a matter of knowing God. As we know Him and are intimate with Him, then the information we have ABOUT Him is going to be an indicator of what are level is with Him.” Barry Schafer

Discouragement

“In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God for my help; He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry for help before Him came into His ears.” Psalm 18:6

Everyone one of us faces it from time to time. Discouragement can be crippling if we don’t see it from God’s perspective. Here’s what I read this morning that helped put discouragement in a proper perspective:

“I must be ever alert to the feeling of discouragement, which is sin. Discouragement says, ‘I refuse to accept God’s plan for my life.’ Discouragement always comes when our expectations are confused. Discouragement is the result of not letting God alone. It is a tragedy that I accept Jesus as my ‘Lord’ and then grow discouraged because He frustrates my expectations. If Jesus is my Lord, then Romans 8:28 must always be my textbook. It is impossible to have one without the other.

I must reckon with the CAUSES of discouragement and see them in their proper perspective. Am I criticized by others? Let me rejoice! Do I not realize that God uses diamonds to sharpen diamonds?

Am I suffering lack of success? Don’t I realize that success is the result of God’s careful timing, not mine? And don’t I realize that if I am faithful where God puts me, success is inevitable?

Am I discouraged because the way is hard and painful? If so, I must realize that God is preparing plowed ground to yield fruit a hundredfold. God will never give me a hard way without a ‘nevertheless afterward” (Hebrews 12:11) When I am in difficulty I must pray, ‘Lord, give me patience to wait for Your ‘afterward.'”

Am I harassed by Satan, and are his whisperings getting to me? I must remember his history: everyone who ever listened to him suffered horrible defeat.

I will honor God by my trust; I will please Him, affirming: ‘All things work together for good’ (Romans 8:28). I believe that God will ‘go before me [there goes that verse again!] (Deut. 31:8) and will level the mountains … and give me the treasures of darkness.’ (Isaiah 45:2-3) (From Daily With the King-Moody Press)

Are you facing a time of discouragement? I pray that these thoughts today will bring you encouragement and help change your perspective. I want you to know today that Jesus loves you and so do I!

Great quote: Prayer is simple, prayer is supernatural, and to anyone not related to our Lord Jesus Christ, prayer is apt to look stupid.

Oswald Chambers

THINGS TO BUILD YOUR LIFE ON

Here is one of those texts that preach for itself from 2 Peter 1:3-10 (The Message)

3 Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! 4 We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you – your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.5 So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, 6 alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, 7 warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. 8 With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. 9 Without these qualities you can’t see what’s right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books. 10 So, friends, confirm God’s invitation to you, his choice of you. Don’t put it off; do it now. Do this, and you’ll have your life on a firm footing, 11 the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Being a “list” keeper, I loved the building blocks that Peter suggests we build on to our faith:

1. Good character.
2. Spiritual understanding.
3. Alert discipline.
4. Passionate patience.
5. Reverent wonder.
6. Warm friendliness.
7. Generous love.

In fact, note that there are seven building blocks. I’ve added them to my daily prayer list to ask God to make them a part of the fabric of my life.

Thanks for praying for me yesterday. The meeting went very well and we certainly felt the presence of the Lord in the room. The bottom line is that we believe that God has been faithful to go before us. The difficult part for my personality is to WAIT. But everything God is giving me in my quiet time is exactly that: STAND AND WAIT! I loved the words from the devotional this morning that I believe came from His lips to my ears through the writer of the daily devotional, DAILY WITH THE KING …

“To stand uncertainly at a crossroads does not mean that God has abandoned me. In those times He watches me with an extremely watchful eye, and He waits until patience and trust are perfected in me. Then He gives the signal to move. Until I receive that signal clearly, I must stand where I am at all costs. If God brings me to a crossroads, it is HIS business to get me BEYOND it. I can rejoice in a God who is never mistaken, never late, and never nonplused. Only He can “declare … the things that are coming and the events that are going to take place.”
(Isaiah 44:7) Therefore, He has told me, “Do not tremble and do not be afraid” (Isaiah 44:8) This God is our God forever!”

Way too cool. But just another step in the process of His leading and guiding in our lives. And He wants to do the same for you.

Great quote: He knows when we go into the storm, He watches over us in the storm, and He can bring us out of the storm when His purposes have been fulfilled.Warren W. Wiersbe

HE GOES BEFORE ME

“And the Lord … He it is that doth go before me; He will be with me, neither forsake me; fear not, neither be dismayed.” Deut. 31:8

Today I have a pivotal meeting that could very well chart the course for our future residential women’s ministry. Last week I journaled with you about this, and shared that while it was exciting, it was a stretching time for me. Well today will be one of those stretching times for me as I will be doing something I have never done before. Really stretching!
Big time stretching.

But praise God, He already KNOWS all the details. My son Zach raises chickens and ducks. At 3:00 AM this morning, Jan woke me up because those chickens were making a racket. We got out of bed and went down to check it out. They were fine! We climbed back into bed and Jan was out like a light but I laid there wide awake and was beginning to get anxious about the events of today.

I decided to just use that time to talk to the Lord about my concerns and ask for His direction. Remember the verse I shared last week, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21.
Well I claimed that verse for today and prayed that God would give me a sign – a clear direction from His lips to my ears so that it would be totally clear which way to walk in this situation. By faith, I thanked Him and asked that He would confirm this in my quiet time this morning.

I almost started laughing when I read today’s reading from STREAMS IN THE DESERT:

“Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.” Isaiah 7:11

“Make your petition deep, O heart of mine. Your God can do MUCH MORE than you can ask; Launch out on the Divine, draw from HIS love-filled store. Trust Him in everything; Begin today, and find the joy that comes when JESUS has HIS way. We must continue to PRAY and ‘WAIT FOR THE LORD.” (Isaiah 8:17) until we hear the sound of His mighty rain. There is no reason why we should not ask for great things. Without a doubt, we will receive them if we ask in faith, having the COURAGE to wait with patient perseverance for Him and meanwhile doing those things that are within our power to do.

It is not within our power to create the wind or to change its direction, but we can raise our sails to catch it when it comes. We do not create electricity, yet we can tap into it with a wire that will conduct it, allowing it to work. We do not control God’s Spirit, but we can place ourselves before the Lord out of obedience to what He has called us to do, and we will come under the influence and power of His mighty breath.

Can’t the same great wonders be done today that were done many years ago? Where is the God of Elijah? He is waiting for today’s Elijah to call on Him. The greatest Old or New Testament saints who ever lived were on a level that is quite within our reach. The same spiritual force that was available to them, and the energy that enabled them to become spiritual heroes, are also available to us.

If we exhibit the same faith, hope, and love they exhibited, we will achieve miracles as great as theirs. A simple prayer from our mouths will be powerful enough to call down from heaven God’s gracious dew or the melting fire of His Spirit, just as the words from Elijah’s mouth called down literal rain and fire. All that is required is to speak the words with the same complete assurance of faith which he spoke!”

Wow! The Lord spoke to my heart this morning. I can’t wait to share with you how this all unfolds. If you think of me today, pray for this meeting at 11:00 AM! Thanks, Lord, for speaking to my heart today.

Great quote: A chaplain was speaking to a soldier on a cot in a hospital. “You have lost an arm in the great cause,” he said. “No,” said the soldier with a smile. “I didn’t lose it – I gave it.” In that same way, Jesus did not lose His life. He gave it purposefully. Anonymous

THE NEVER-FORSAKING GOD

“He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.'” (Hebrews 13:5)

The Colony men have committed to memory a verse that hangs behind the pulpit at the Colony Chapel. It is the verse we use at the end of every service as our benediction: “And the Lord He it is that doth go before you; He will be with you, neither forsake you; fear not, neither be dismayed.” (Deut. 31:8)

I remember one of my first summers at camp. My parents didn’t drive so they were coming with someone else to pick me up. It was the very last week of camp and everyone including the camp counselors were gone. I was sitting on the road with my suitcase waiting for what seemed like hours.

As a ten-year old, it was a frightening experience being there all alone. In thinking back now, I am sure someone was still there, but at the time I felt all alone. I remember thinking, “Maybe they really did forget me!” or “What do I do if they don’t come pick me up?” The panic and fear were starting to become overwhelming, and then peace filled my heart as I remembered this verse that I had to memorize that year in order to get my free week at camp!”

Each of us face those times in our lives when we THINK or FEEL that God has left us. Chambers nailed it again this morning:

“What line of thinking do my thoughts take? Do I turn to what God says or to my own fears? Am I simply repeating what God says, or am I learning to truly hear Him, and then respond after I have heard what He says? “For He HIMSELF said, ‘I will NEVER leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may BOLDLY say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'”
(Hebrews 13:5-6)

“I will NEVER leave you …” – not for any reason; not my sin, selfishness, stubbornness, nor waywardness. Have I really let God say to me that He will never leave me? If I have not truly heard this assurance of God, then let me listen again.

“I will NEVER forsake you …” Sometimes it is not the difficulty of life but the DRUDGERY of it that makes me think God will forsake me. When there is no major difficulty to overcome, no vision from God, nothing wonderful or beautiful – just the everyday activities of life – do I hear God’s assurance in these?

We have the idea that God is going to do some exceptional thing – that He is preparing and equipping us for some extraordinary work in the future. But as we grow in His grace we find that God is glorifying Himself here and now, at this very moment. If we have God’s assurance behind us, the most amazing strength becomes ours, and we learn to sing, glorifying Him even in the ordinary days and ways of life.” (My Utmost for His Highest)

Good reminder as we begin this new week. Is there are area of your life where you feel that God has left you or forgotten you? Then remind yourself of this precious promise, my brother! Memorize it! Meditate on it! Remember Deut. 31:8

Great Quote: Salvation is the work of God for man; it is not the work of man for God. Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer

ARE YOU OBSESSED WITH SOMETHING?

“Who is man that fears the Lord?” Psalm 25:12

My son-in-law, Garrett, likes to get my wheels going with projects around the house. We have been trying to get grass to grow in a portion of our yard and have been unsuccessful for years. Garrett suggested that we just put wood chips there are make a wild garden.

I have found that gardening is a good outlet for me from the pressure and stress. So immediately my wheels started turning and I spent eight hours one Saturday making it happen. I built several raised beds and started mulching the area. The project started out as a “work in progress” but I realize that it has become an obsession. If not careful, it can turn into a monster.

Chambers whacked me between the eyeballs yesterday about areas of obsession:

“Are you obsessed by something? You will probably say, ‘No, by nothing,’ but all of us are obsessed by something – usually by ourselves, or, if we are Christians, by our own experience of the Christian life. But the psalmist says that we are to be obsessed by God. The abiding awareness of the Christian life is to be God Himself, not just thoughts about Him.

The total being of our life inside and out is to be absolutely obsessed by the presence of God. A child’s awareness is so absorbed in his mother that although he is not consciously thinking of her, when a problem arises, the abiding relationship is that with the mother. In that same way, we are to ‘live and move and have our being’ in God (Acts 17:28), looking at everything in relation to Him, because our abiding awareness of Him continually pushes itself to the forefront of our lives.

If we are obsessed by God, nothing else can get into our lives – not concerns, nor tribulation, nor worries. And now we understand why our Lord so emphasized the sin of worrying. How can we dare to be so absolutely unbelieving when God totally surrounds us? To be obsessed by God is to have an effective barricade against all the assaults of the enemy.” (My Utmost for His Highest – Oswald Chambers)

This morning we will gather together for worship. What will occupy your mind during the singing? The reading of the Word? The preaching of the Word? Rather than be obsessed with the “stuff” on our to-do list or whatever occupies our minds – may be obsessed with HIM – the reason we gather for worship. May that obsession with His presence occupy our thoughts every day of our lives. Enjoy worshipping HIM today.

GREAT QUOTE: Should we say, “perhaps you should try Jesus as your Savior” …almost with a consumer market oriented mentality”?. “There are lots of religious options and if you try this particular religious option you might like it.” … No… rather, Jesus is Lord and he will soon be invading with His armies. He is offering pardon in advance of His invasion and should you receive the pardon and ally yourself with Him now before He invades, when he comes you will be considered HIs ally and He will raise you to Kingship. The alternative is to be under the wrath of the king. It is not some kind of religious option. It an announcement that a new king is on the throne and he’ll be invading. The gospel is not an invitation to an array of a buffet style choices, it is a command. Will you heed the command? Jesus is Lord, repent and believe.
-William Wilder

RENEW THAT CONTRACT WITH YOUR EYES
“I have made a covenant with my eyes …” Job 31:1

We all receive those annoying notices from time to time – “you warranty has expired – it’s time to renew” – “your subscription is about to expire – it’s time to renew” – “don’t let your insurance lapse – you could lose your coverage.”

Well some of you have done what Job suggested – “I have made a covenant with my yes …” (Job 31:1) and it is that time of the year for you to renew the contract! As we move into the summer season, the temptations that you will face in this area will increase in ways that you can’t imagine.

I am very proud of Diane Hunt, our Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries for Women, who writes a daily email for women, VICTORY CALL. This week she has boldly addressed the issue of purity and modesty which every women needs to hear. (You can check out what she wrote athttp://www.americaskeswick.org/victorycall/.)

Several weeks ago one of my friends was addressing this subject with me. He told me that he had heard a teaching that said that the first “look” is free but after that it is lust and sin. I have been thinking about his comment for several days now. I think every breathing, red-blooded male enjoys looking at a beautiful woman – but when does the “look” cross the line from the look to “lust?”

Scripture teaches that the EYEGATE is the method that the enemy uses to distract us and lead us down the path to destruction. The same eyes that can enjoy beautiful roses in the garden are the eyes that can stare at a women’s breasts and even undress her – all with our eyes! Some women KNOW that how they look and WHAT they wear (or don’t wear) can get a man’s attention.

I observed this first-hand when I served as music director at a church in Philly. Our choir practiced in the choir loft of the church sanctuary. We had one young lady who was late for every rehearsal. She was a very attractive woman and dressed very provocatively. I could tell exactly when she walked into the back of the sanctuary without even looking. Every man in the choir was drawn to her and I could see their eyes following her down the aisle and watching her take her seat.

One look was all it took to bring King David down. Most books on this subject use the first part of Job 31:1. But we need to read the verses that follow to get the full picture (no pun intended!):

1 “I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman? 2 For what is the allotment of God from above, And the inheritance of the Almighty from on high? 3 Is it not destruction for the wicked, And disaster for the workers of iniquity? 4 Does He not see my ways, And count all my steps? 5 “If I have walked with falsehood, Or if my foot has hastened to deceit, 6 Let me be weighed on honest scales, That God may know my integrity. 7 If my step has turned from the way, Or my heart walked after my eyes, Or if any spot adheres to my hands, 8 Then let me sow, and another eat; Yes, let my harvest be rooted out.”

The text really preaches it pretty plainly:

1. Since I have made a covenant with my eyes is there a reason for me to “look” upon a woman other than my OWN wife? Our song as husbands and wives should be “I only have eyes for you!”

2. When we are tempted to allow our eyes to wander, we must be intentional and vigilant in remembering that “GOD knows, weighs and sees every one of my thoughts, deeds, words and actions.” He sees what YOU see. He knows what you are looking at.

3. That look has the power of moving us to the next step – Job says it is “your heart walking after your eyes.” That “free” look has the power to take you out.

You may say, “Bill, you are legalistic – you are overreacting?” I don’t think so, my brothers! The Word of God is pretty straightforward! And I am sure if you are honest, you know the truth! Don’t let that contract expire. Renew it today!

Great quote: We are half-hearted creatures like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased. (Clive Staples) C. S. Lewis