Heart Check Up

We all need an occasional check up. Here is a heart check up that might reveal some spiritual deficiency's. 1. Emotions, have you cried lately? Or have you really laughed? A healthy heart is fully aware of deep emotions, and can name them. 2. Moments, are you present or preoccupied? Ask your spouse, children, or friends if you're "All there" when you're with them. They can say whether your "Skimming key relationships. 3. People, do you resent phone calls and people seeking you out? Or do you see them as opportunities for ministry? If you're running for cover, trying to dodge people you're overextended. 4. Whispers, how long has it been since you heard the still, small voice of God? One of the first signs of a hardening heart is a deafened ear to the quiet promptings of God. As long as we are doing a check up, here are four categories of pride. 1. When I begin to assume responsibilities that belong to God. A. My protection. Psalm 18:2 B. To be critical or judgmental of others. God is the Judge. Romans 2:1-3. C. To take control of my life and situations. I Timothy 6:15; Proverbs 3:5-6. 2. Looking to someone or something to give me only what God can give. A. Worth, value, significance, acceptance. B. Because of the death of Jesus Christ, I have all these in Christ. Ephesians 1:3-6. 3. Holding on to things that rightly belong to God. A. My life, physical body, time, plans, secret desires. Romans 12:12; Galatians 2:20; colossians 3:2. B. Possessions, they belong to the Lord. If you think you own something, you don't own it, it owns you. 4. Neglecting or rejecting what God has clearly told me to do. James 4:6-10. Remember, to be prideful and half hearted is to get the worst of both worlds. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.