A COUPLE FROM Bakersfield, California had just purchased a new boat, but were experiencing some serious problems…

No matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t get their 22-foot boat going. It was very sluggish no matter which way they turned, no matter how much power was applied. After about an hour of trying to make it go, they made their way over to a nearby marina, hoping someone there could tell them what was wrong.

A thorough check on the topside of the boat revealed that everything was in perfect working condition. The engine ran fine, the out drive went up and down, and the propeller was the correct size and pitch. Then, one of the marina guys jumped in the water to check underneath.

He came up choking on water because he was laughing so hard.

Under the boat…still strapped securely in place…was the trailer…

THOUGHT: When God looks “under” your life, what does He see? Are you strapped to some sin that is slowly pulling you under?

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

Mike Benson

Here are some signs of the times that probably communicated something that wasn’t intended:

Spotted in a Safari Park: “Elephants please stay in your car.”

Notice in a field: “The farmer allows walkers to cross the field for free, but the bull charges.”

Message on a leaflet: “If you cannot read, this leaflet will tell you how to get lessons.”

Outside a second hand shop: “We exchange anything — bicycles, washing machines, etc. Why not bring your wife?”

Outside a disco: “Smarts is the most exclusive disco in town. Everyone welcome!”

Some mixed messages are unintended and humorous. Others are involuntary and a little more unfortunate.

What message do we send to our children when we speak of the love of God, for instance, and “smoke” our brethren with unkind words and gossip? What kind of message do we send visitors to worship when we act as if our time in God’s presence is a matter of little consequence, an event which we are frequently late for, and which we ignore while we chat with our friends?

What message do we send to the Lord when we seek his help in a crisis, but forget our covenant responsibilities to him in the good times? All of these actions send out a mixed message.

“This people honors me with their lips,’ the Lord once declared, “but their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:8, ESV).

The reason for the mixed message in this case is the gap between expression and intention, words and actions. Bloopers on signs and notices are humorous, but in our Christian walk when our sentiments and lifestyles do not match, it is time for serious self- examination.

What makes this matter so urgent is the fact that we cannot help sending out a message, of one kind or another. Even failing to act sends a message of sorts.

The only solution to a mixed message is a pure heart.
Those who are “pure in heart” (Matthew 5:8), whose motives and desires match their words, will send out a consistent message. And they shall “see God.”

–by Stan Mitchell @ www.forthright.net