Heartwork for Monday, November 16

Your daily guide, posted Sunday-Thursday by 6am, to know, believe, and live Reconciled!




Learn It - Matthew 5:19-24

19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.


Love It - Sons & Daughters of God, p. 90

     "We can never attain perfection of character if we do not hear the voice of God and obey His counsel. This instruction does not apply simply to those who have had no trials to meet which would create dislike to their brethren, but it applies to those who have been injured, who have suffered from financial wrong, from reproach and criticism, from misapprehension and misjudgment. These must not allow hatred to enter the heart, or permit unkind feelings to arise when they look upon those who have injured them....
     Like Christ we shall forgive our enemies, and watch for opportunities to show those who have harmed us that we love their souls, and if we could, would do them good.... If those who have injured us, still continue in their course of wrong-doing ... we must make efforts to be reconciled to our brethren, following the Bible plan, as Christ Himself has directed. If our brethren refuse to be reconciled, then do not talk about them, nor injure their influence, but leave them in the hands of a just God, who judgeth all men righteously.... The youth may profess to have great love for the cause of God; but while they are unreconciled to their companions, they are unreconciled to God. It is these ... selfish feelings that are cherished, that keep the blessing of God out of our hearts and homes. Let the love of Christ flow into the heart and transform the character, or we shall not be children of God."

Live It

     Nothing feeds a feud like selfish feelings.  It's like gas to a fire.  Even when you know what is right, the selfish thoughts snuff out all goodness and bring you right back to the point of "what about me?"  Well, by now realize it's not about us - it's about Jesus, who reconciled US unto Himself.  What He did is what makes what we ought to do possible, and necessary.  An antidote to selfish thoughts are acts of love from a sharing heart.  So let's share some time with someone else today.  They don't have to necessarily be an "enemy"; it could be a game with your child, lunch with a coworker, or a walk with your significant other.  Just spend time with someone else and put the focus on them.  So you won't need your cell phone or ipad :)  It's this intentional "others-focus" that strengthens us to sacrifice ourselves for the very sake of others!

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