Good morning!
I am currently walking through a health struggle - spine related damage leading to serious pain that is hard to treat. As I find myself praying about this, I am finding peace in Jesus Christ, who is directing my thoughts to deepening my relationship with Him.
Part of this process is assessing my heart. Being in pain, not being able to do much else, actually provides lots of time, time that God is using to direct me in reflections on my faith.
When I think about my faith, those thoughts then often turn to assessing the state of my heart. The Bible has tons to say about our hearts – good and bad.
Do you ever stop and ask yourself what is happening in your heart?
Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
2 Corinthians 9:6-9
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:
“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever.”
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
I would consider these two verses, when read, really being a challenge for me to consider where my heart is at. What is the state of my faith? What is the state of my relationship with God and my Savior? Do I surrender and allow the Holy Spirit to move in my heart? What is the state of my heart when it comes to others? To those I disagree with or to those who might even desire harm to me for what I believe?
I know everyone points to the news of late – the unrest, the division, the wild fires, the mass shootings, and assassination. I think that this redirection of our thoughts over these tragedies can be a good thing.
In these events, not that God caused them, He does give us an opportunity to respond. As His creation, we respond from the heart.
How and where is your heart at today?
It is critical that we understand where our heart is at, that we look in the mirror and assess out heart posture. Before we do anything else, we need to do this self assessment, seeing how we align with God's will.
If we are misaligned, before we take any action or respond to circumstances in the world, we need to turn to God, His Word and realign ourselves and our hearts to properly respond so that the Light of Jesus Christ is fruit of our response.
Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us as we go into this weekend is that we open our hearts fully to God’s Word, to His call for full surrender to You, Jesus Christ of our lives and that we cheerfully say yes to Him, letting the Holy Spirit guide our thoughts, words and actions. Amen!
Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Patrick
I am currently walking through a health struggle - spine related damage leading to serious pain that is hard to treat. As I find myself praying about this, I am finding peace in Jesus Christ, who is directing my thoughts to deepening my relationship with Him.
Part of this process is assessing my heart. Being in pain, not being able to do much else, actually provides lots of time, time that God is using to direct me in reflections on my faith.
When I think about my faith, those thoughts then often turn to assessing the state of my heart. The Bible has tons to say about our hearts – good and bad.
Do you ever stop and ask yourself what is happening in your heart?
Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
2 Corinthians 9:6-9
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:
“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever.”
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
I would consider these two verses, when read, really being a challenge for me to consider where my heart is at. What is the state of my faith? What is the state of my relationship with God and my Savior? Do I surrender and allow the Holy Spirit to move in my heart? What is the state of my heart when it comes to others? To those I disagree with or to those who might even desire harm to me for what I believe?
I know everyone points to the news of late – the unrest, the division, the wild fires, the mass shootings, and assassination. I think that this redirection of our thoughts over these tragedies can be a good thing.
In these events, not that God caused them, He does give us an opportunity to respond. As His creation, we respond from the heart.
How and where is your heart at today?
It is critical that we understand where our heart is at, that we look in the mirror and assess out heart posture. Before we do anything else, we need to do this self assessment, seeing how we align with God's will.
If we are misaligned, before we take any action or respond to circumstances in the world, we need to turn to God, His Word and realign ourselves and our hearts to properly respond so that the Light of Jesus Christ is fruit of our response.
Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us as we go into this weekend is that we open our hearts fully to God’s Word, to His call for full surrender to You, Jesus Christ of our lives and that we cheerfully say yes to Him, letting the Holy Spirit guide our thoughts, words and actions. Amen!
Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Patrick
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