Matters of the Heart (*corrected)

Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV) - Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
Jeremiah 17:9 (NKJV) - The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

The heart is the center of our being. It has multiple functions and does a great deal of work to keep blood running through our veins. The human heart is the organ that basically controls the circulatory system – pumping about five quarts of blood throughout the body every minute! (www.partnersforyourhealth.com) The heart is responsible for making sure the entire body gets what it needs to survive. Without the heart, the human body would fail. The same goes for our spiritual well-being. Our hearts, if left unchecked, can cause many different issues that can affect our bodies. Our actions tend to reflect ways that are contrary to how the Word of God describes us as our Heavenly Father’s children.

When we are hurting, it’s highly unlikely that we will respond right to everything that the Lord allows in our lives. Our hearts are the windows to our souls. Whatever our hearts are feeling will 9 times out of 10 be fleshed out in our actions and emotions. That’s why it is so important to check our hearts, daily and sometimes even minute but minute. It takes the Holy Spirit Himself to heal us of our illnesses – physical, mental, psychological, emotional, and the like. His healing in and of itself is evidence that our human bodies are frail and that apart from Him, we can do nothing!

Our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). We don’t even realize just how ‘jacked up’ we are until the Lord uses something or someone to expose us. But isn’t it comforting to know that He knows us so well? That He cares for us like no other?? He cares A LOT about the condition of our heart – towards Him, other people and ourselves! You see, God knows everything about each of us – EVERYTHING! He leaves no stone unturned – yup, the one you’ve been trying to hide under for years?? That one too! His goal and purpose for sending His appointed tests and trials is always, always, ALWAYS to make us more like His Son, the One He sent to die in our place for all our sins – past, present and future. God wants His children to act like and look like His children!

Maturing spiritually in a way that pleases Christ and mimics Him and His ways shows others (and ourselves) that we can be yielded vessels, available and willing to be used by Him.  It leaves little to no room for us and our agendas or attitudes – half of which don’t glorify God anyway … I mean, let’s just be honest. Showing other people God’s love can be difficult at times. Loving ourselves can be a challenge too. We have to see ourselves and others through God’s eyes so we can see what He sees.

Some things that I am continuing to learn is that #1: there really IS power in the tongue! And #2: your thinking matters – you are what you think! Speak positive, receive positive. Speak negative? Well, you know. The more positivity you surround yourself with, the better life you can experience. It’s all about perspective! “Positive thinking aids the heart to be strong and stay hopeful in the face of seemingly insurmountable circumstances … positive thinking can act as a medicine to cure the heart of its ills and restores it to a state of constant joy.” (Dr. John Gaines, Start Every Day With A Great Thought devotional)

So be encouraged – He can and shall strengthen your heart (Psalm 27:14). He is able to change your heart towards anything, if you let Him. Be pliable, like clay in the Master’s hands. Allow Him to mold you and make you into what He’s called you to be – His masterpiece! His plan for your life can’t be altered! No matter how ‘jacked up’ you may feel, remember that God our Heavenly Father loves you – He always has, He always will! He is for you, not against you! Allow His Spirit to connect to your spirit and His heart to your heart!

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your unconditional Love for us! Thank You that You never give up on us! Thank You for loving us even on our worse days! Thank You for showing us what real love is and how to show it Your way! Thank You that whenever You deem it necessary, You prick our hearts to remind us that we belong to You and that Your love covers a multitude of sins. Help us to turn our hearts and tune our hearts toward You! Never let us forget that if we hide Your Word in our hearts, we might not sin against You! Show us Your Glory as only You can! Make our hearts yearn to draw closer to You as You continue to orchestrate every detail of our lives. Bind our wandering hearts to Thee! In Jesus’ Name we always pray … AMEN!

(by Casey Turner)