Hi friends! We are in the midst of an exciting Monday as we celebrate (mourn?) the return of the school year here in Texas! The Fellowship Devotional for the week seemed most appropriate today:
|
14th Sunday after Pentecost |
|
September 2, 2012 |
|
“The things that come out are what defile...” |
|
(Mark 7:15) |
In this story those in power criticize Jesus for his disciples’ behavior. They eat with defiled hands, they say. Jesus’ followers do not follow the cleanliness laws of the elders, they charge. What say you, Jesus?
Jesus’ response is a good reminder for us today. “There is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile a person, but the things that come out are what defile.”
Today our bitterness, our suspicions, our divisions, our ambitions, even our labels for each other defile. Anything that separates us from the mind and heart of God corrupts our spirits and moves us away from being fruitful disciples who act like Jesus in the world.
What other things that come from within defile us? How might God be inviting you to look at the state of your own inner life, and turn toward the mind and heart of God?
God, help me turn to you. May nothing that defiles come from within me today. Amen.
Nancy Blakely
Certificate in Spiritual Formation
Meridian United Methodist Church
Meridian, ID
May we all turn toward the mind and heart of God during this season of new beginnings!