What Is in Your Heart?

Sunday was our Friends Day. We all tried to bring a friend to the service. It was a big success and we want to thank all who came. We pray they were blessed and will come again.

We served lunch after the service and our ladies, as usual, gave us a feast that was beyond just a meal. It was followed with much fellowship and games for the children. We also had songs from our children. They love to sing about the devil being a sly old fox and ending up in a box. There were lots of smiles among the congregation. It seems the laughter of a child is infectious. We are always blessed by their songs.

Sister Naomi introduced and welcomed our visitors who received a small token of our love and appreciation.

It was also Grandparents Day and the Grandparents were honored.

It was a busy day full of good old-fashioned fun. Then we had a birthday song for Brother Jim Walters who was blessed in prayer by Pastor Bob Cartwright. There were other songs about the love and concern of our Lord. The singers were Sister Joyce Walters and Brother Carl Wayne Cartwright.

At this point the service was turned over to Pastor Bob. His first remark was that a man who has friends must show himself friendly. How true, we must at all times show ourselves true friends with a goal of making the life of our friends better because of what we can do for them. Are you willing to go out of your way for one you call friend?

The title of our message was "What Is in Your Heart." It was a challenge to examine your life and find out what you are showing those around you. Proverbs chapter 17 verse 17, tells us that a friend loves at all times. It is so easy to love when things are going our way, but oh just let someone cross us and the scene changes quickly. Don't be deceived -- God sees that spirit of anger and he is not pleased.

Again in Proverbs 4:23 we are warned to keep our heart with all diligence: for out of our heart come the issues of life. The heart is the physical part of our body that keeps us alive so we guard it with all our might. Let us protect our spiritual heart with that same spirit, because we know that the enemy is always there to overtake us. If it were possible he would destroy our very soul. We must at all times be ready to meet our Lord and give account of our lives.

An example of the different ways people live is the 24th chapter of Matthew, where we find the 10 virgins -- five were foolish and five were wise. The wise had oil for their lamps and were waiting for the bridegroom. They were prepared. The five foolish thought they were ready, but they had little oil and were found asking for oil from the wise. It was too late and they were left in darkness with no light. The oil is a form of what is in the heart of a Christian. Have you got oil for your lamp?

We need to remember that once the door is shut you will hear, Depart from me I never knew you. That is not the words we want to hear from our Lord.

In Matthew Chapter 12:34-35 we are back to the things of the heart. We are told that good things cannot come from an evil mouth and that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Then we are again told that out of a good heart comes only good.

I think of that little song our children sing, Be careful little mouth what you say. We need to speak words that will glorify God and show love.

Pastor told us of a sign he had read, it said: "So live your life, that a preacher won't have to lie at your funeral." Think about it and look into your heart, is it right with the word of God?

In closing we encourage you to find a place of worship where you can be with brothers and sisters that have your well-being at heart and pray for you daily. We have such a place and invite you to be a part of our church family. We pray special blessings for you. We at the Cove Mission of Hope in Lanagan are in prayer daily.