The Plumbline

Above all else, watch over your heart; diligently guard it because from a sincere and pure heart come the good and noble things of life. Do away with any talk that twists and distorts the truth; have nothing to do with any verbal trickery. Keep your head up, your eyes straight ahead, and your focus fixed on what is in front of you. Take care you don’t stray from the straight path, the way of truth, and you will safely reach the end of your road. Do not veer off course to the right or the left; step away from evil, and leave it behind. (Proverbs 4:23-27 VOICE) Above all else - these instructions aren't to be taken lightly - we are to pay close attention to them, guarding our hearts so that they stay on course. The pure, good, and noble things of life don't come naturally when one is born with a sin nature - there must be an exchange of nature in order for these things to become the 'norm'. Let's take a closer look at the instructions we are given in this passage: - W...

If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small. (Proverbs 24:10 NLT) When you are 'under pressure', what strength do you draw from to refrain from giving into that pressure? We might feel pressure from all life throws our way, but have you ever felt 'spiritual pressure'? It is that type of 'pressure' God is exerting to get us to actually be more pliable in his hands. An artisan who works with clay will tell you it takes a bit of pressure to remove the unwanted air bubbles and clumps from the clay in their hands. Those things actually make the clay object they are creating 'imperfect' so they must be removed in order for the object to have its best form, fulfilling its intended purpose.  Perhaps you are feeling a bit of 'spiritual pressure' right now. God is dealing with a few unwanted 'bubbles and clumps' in the 'clay of your life'. He is not doing it to hurt you - he is doing it so you can take on your 'best form...