Guard Your Heart

Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. Proverbs 4:23 (The Message)

The kardia, Latin for “heart” is one of the most vital organs in the human body and plays an important part in sustaining life. It is the center of the circulatory system and it pumps blood throughout the body. When the heart stops, life stops.

Many times decisions are made according to our feelings. However, whatever is in the heart will be revealed in our actions. It will come out in attitude, belief, and motivation. The heart determines and influences how we live. It is in the heart that love, desire and emotions reside. In biblical terms, the heart is where rational thinking resides, but it does not exclude the emotional side of the heart. Old Testament scripture states that we should love the Lord our God with all of our heart, thus resulting in the heart playing an important part in our decision-making process.

This proverb cautions us to watch over our heart above everything else because the heart is where life resides. The heart is the fountain from which everything we do or say flows.

We should be aware that the desires of the heart can either help keep us on the right spiritual path or hinder our progress. Keeping our heart focused on God’s Word can help keep us moving in the right direction and enable us to make better decisions. Placing boundaries on the things that we desire will help us stay on the path that God has for us. We should seek to be watchful over our heart at all times and focus our desires on Godly things.

We should seek to have a heart that is willing to give and in so doing be a cheerful giver. Our hearts should be filled with zeal for the works of the Lord. Romans 12:11 states “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord ;”(King James Version). Our hearts should always be renewed and refreshed and amazed with the spirit of the Living God.

Excerpt from: ”Water for the Thirsty Soul” by B. F. Gilder (Copyright 2012)

Above Image Courtesy of:  www.freedigitalphotos.net

30 Days Of…Day 19 – “Blessing Blockers”

 

On Sunday, the guest minister’s topic was “Blessing Blockers.” The topic caught my attention immediately. It made me think, how many times have I blocked blessings that I could have had. How many times could things have gone better if only I had not blocked blessings because I was afraid to step out on faith, or because I refused to forgive. How many times have I built up a wall that kept me in, but also didn’t allow God or anyone else in. If we don’t want to lose our blessings we must let go of those things that block us from receiving God’s best.

Blessing Blockers

1. Fear (fear of the unknown)
2. Unbelief (not believing God’s Word)
3. Un-forgiveness (when we don’t forgive others don’t expect God to forgive us)
4. Bitterness
5. Anger
6. Coveting (to wrongfully want something belonging to another)
7. Deceit
8. Gossip

This only a short list of things that can block us from receiving God’s best. We must give  all our blessing blockers to God and let Him handle them. Don’t let them take over and cause us not to be victorious.

Ephesians 3:20 (Amplified)

“Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]—”