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This morning I was so enjoying the words of Jesus in the book of John.  
Words of the Spirit realm from the context of the physical realm.  
Jesus receiving from His Father while He worked out living  
here amongst us.   

A recurring theme He speaks of  
is 'it's not about me, it's all about the one who sent me....'  

In John 5:31-47 He speaks of how the religious leaders  
Looked at scripture through the lens of 'self glorification'
and missed the ONE
the scripture was written to prepare them to recognize.
They had shifted from
God focus
to Self focus
using the framework of God's law
to quantify how good they were
or bad others were.

Jeremiah says that;
17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?
10 I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings....." NKJV

The KJV puts vs 10 as "....I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings...."

'try the reins'....
Hmmm..... what in interesting way to talk about what directs my focus...
the term refers to the twin organs (kidneys) located in the lower back, the function of which is to filter impurities from the blood. When used figuratively, the term refers to the innermost aspects of personality.

the 'reins'.
the 'steering mechanism' of a horse
the 'filter' of me or God.....

Hmm....

O Lord,
You came to set me free from the sin of Self.
but my heart loves to 'circle back'.
Self protection
Self edification
Self glorification.....
Even when I feel lack of self worth and value....
it's still about self....

Your Spirit living in me
is gently prying my fingers off that
and opening my hands to
worship You.
desire You
bless You
Trust You

Thank You for shifting my focus ...again.
...Today.
:)

PJ