E-votional –  God in, Good Out
February 13, 2001
Verse:
Then he called the crowd to Him and said to them, 'Listen and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.' " 

-- Matthew  15:1-20
http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?Matthew+15:10-11
 
Thought:
All along, I have said that homemade chocolate chip cookies were good for me, and even Jesus says this is so.  The gift of good chocolate chip cookies remind me of home, when I was younger, and bring a smile to my face.  The cookie goes in, a smile comes out.
Hear the Good News, Jesus' message was not about chocolate chip cookies, but about the very nature of the Holy Spirit.  We can teach, tell, listen and hear, but it is what we do, what we do that shares the message of who we are and what we are about.  Jesus laid down The Law with the Pharisees.  Maybe, hopefully, after the sting wore off, they responded in a different way.
 
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the little reminders of what it is that I need to remember and what need to do.  I can say one thing all day long, but if I forget what it is really about, I am missing the whole point.  Let all that comes out of my mouth and my life be pleasing to You.  Thank You for all You have done in my life, and all You will continue to do, through Christ our Lord I pray.  Amen.