The Heart

 Valentine's Day is coming soon. We see heart decorations all around. Isn't is funny though that heart starts with hear?

Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise and apply your heart to my knowledge. Proverbs 22:17

If I regard sin in my heart the Lord will not hear me. Psalms 66:18

Learning to Walk - It takes Brains!

Do you ever wonder why people who have had injuries have to "learn how to walk"? I did until it happened to me

 Walking is something we do without thinking. One foot in front of the other. Right?

But when the spinal cord is damaged the messages from the brain to the body are interrupted. It took intense physical therapy. It was draining physically but also mentally. Sounds crazy but I really had to think and process how to do the most basic things. And that's just in the natural, physical realm!

Spiritually speaking walking works the same way. It is why we must where the helmet of salvation. We have to guard our thoughts and spend time in spiritual therapy.  What are you thinking about? What are you planning? Focus! What are you looking at? You can't walk until you can stand.



*I Peter 1:13

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Hope and prayer

Hope is an often overlooked  partner with prayer. First let's take a look at faith because without faith there is no hope.


Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of hoped  the evidence of things unseen.

Faith is a firm belief and complete trust for or in something for which there is no proof.
Substance is that which has foundation, is firm, a thing or being which has actual existence.
Hope  means to expect with confidence.
Evidence means something that furnishes proof.
Belief is conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of some being or phenomenon especially when based on examination of  evidence.

Now let's look at how hope partners with prayer.

Mark 11:24“Therefore I say to you, whatever things:[ substance, something that exists; (i.e. healing, salvation, provision)] you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, [hope for, expect], and you will have them.;[proof of things not yet seen.]

Think of it a little like this. A blind man uses a walking stick. Why? He holds onto that thing, [something of substance] with the hope, that expectation that he will not trip or fall.  He can not see that he won't fall but he believes, has faith  with a hopeful, confident expectation that he won't. The proof is that the blind man doesn't fall!

This?

I Thessalonians 5:8  in everything give thanks for this is the will of God  in Christ Jesus for you.  (emphasis mine)

If you've followed Jesus very long you have probably heard this verse quoted many times. But as I read it the word, "this" is what stuck out to me. This? What's this? Well it is exactly what your "this" may be. What thing? Everything.

It seems impossible to be thankful when things are going horribly wrong. Even when things go just a little bit wrong being thankful  can be a struggle. The key is to be constantly in prayer. That seems hard too. But if we just realize that Jesus is always with us, we can constantly, and silently whisper a quick thank you, or where is that thing?, or please help me Lord! He longs for that kind of fellowship! Realize how much your Heavenly Father loves you! What makes your heart rejoice, makes His heart rejoice. What makes you sad, makes Him sad. When you get mad or frustrated He wants to help you!





I Thessalonians 5:14- 18 NKJV Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. - See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

All Things Through Christ

As followers of Christ it is foolish to think we can take credit for any gift, or talent, or deed. He is the one who gives us gifts and talents and abilities.

 II Corinthians 3:5- Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,




*God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

Divine....coupon?

 Coupons "pay" some of the cost for grocery items. Some might even offer buy one get one free. Certain conditions apply.

But Jesus paid it all! All of it! He took our sins and nailed them to an old rugged cross and purchased a home, and not just any home but a mansion in heaven! And the only condition is to call on His name  Confessing Him as your Lord and believing in your heart that He rose again! *




*Romans 10:9-10that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

*Romans 3:23-24 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

You've Got The Power!

II Timothy 3:5 (NLT)  They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!


 I think many of us have taken  the word "power" to mean great and mighty things. But there is more to it.
 
The writer of  Proverbs gives us some insight:

*Proverbs 16:32 Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.  Wow think about that for a moment! Patience and self-control better is than power to conquer a city!

We have the power to change a potentially volatile situation around by demonstrating gentleness and patience! Look at another nugget of wisdom from Proverbs 15:1 (NLT) A gentle anger deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

Patience and goodness are a hallmark of the fruit of the spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!,


So the first step to being powerful  is take the time to be refreshed through prayer and meditation of the Word.  It's alive and powerful!

* Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
* I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.



*Matthew5:41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
*Romans 12:21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.