Stories of Change: From Head to Heart

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Stories of ChangeFrom Head to Heart

• Luke 1137-44

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While he was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to
dine with him so he went in and took his place
at the table. 38 The Pharisee was amazed to see
that he did not first wash before dinner. 39 Then
the Lord said to him, Now you Pharisees clean
the outside of the cup and of the dish, but
inside you are full of greed and wickedness.
40 You fools! Did not the one who made the
outside make the inside also? 41 So give for alms
those things that are within and see, everything
will be clean for you.
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42 But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint
and rue and herbs of all kinds, and neglect
justice and the love of God it is these you
ought to have practiced, without neglecting the
others. 43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love to
have the seat of honor in the synagogues and to
be greeted with respect in the marketplaces.
44 Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves,
and people walk over them without realizing it.
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JUSTICE THE LOVE OF GOD1 King 109 Because of
the Lords eternal love for Israel, he has made
you king to maintain justice and
righteousness.Psalms 355 The Lord loves
righteousness and justice the earth is full of
his unfailing love.Psalms 8914 Righteousness
and justice are the foundation of your throne
love and faithfulness go before you.
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JUSTICE THE LOVE OF GODPsalms 101 1 I will
sing of your love and justice to you, Lord, I
will sing praise.Isaiah 165 In love a throne
will be established in faithfulness a man will
sit on it one from the house of David one who
in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of
righteousness.Hosea 219 I will betroth you to
me forever I will betroth you in righteousness
and justice, in love and compassion.
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Story 1I knew things had fundamentally become
different when it was no longer Oh no! Ive been
sinning God must be angry with me and has been
angry with me this whole time! Instead it was
Ok, I want to draw closer. He loves me as I am.
I want Him to show me ways I can grow even more
and reflect Him.
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Story 2I will say that I'm not sure that I am
"on the other side" of this yet. My default is
far too comfortable and familiar and I go back to
it when things get scary or if I sense that
feeling might come into conflict with some of my
other "needs" (control, for example). I still
have to choose in.
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Story 3What does it look like from the other
side... freedom. An unbelievable sense of
belonging. Not a physical belonging, but in my
spirit. I always "knew" I belonged to God -- but
to have that deep-in-your soul, unwavering, full
sense of belonging....