keep your heart

Grace and peace on this Terrific Thursday Dear Hearts. ❤

This morning I’m sifting through my Bible looking for references to my heart. Why? Because a beautiful Christian woman I admire says, “Your heart–in your Bible–speaks of your mind, your will and your emotions!”

I’ve known for some time that I am a spirit, I have a soul and I live in a body. And, all of that time it’s been said, “your soul is your mind, your will and your emotions.” Now I’m re-thinking much of what has been said to incorporate my spiritual heart and what the Word of God has to say about it.

     All of us see ourselves a certain way.  Our life experiences, our failures and successes, our education, our bank account, our physical appearance, our background and the culture in which we were raised have created an image on the inside of us.  That image whether it is good or bad, true or false, is the dominant power that shapes our destiny.  The image we carry inside can even block the blessings and purposes of God in our lives.
     An image of unworthiness, guilt and self-hatred will be projected into our relationships and circumstances.  Those around us will respond to what we are projecting through our words, actions, body language and attitude.  Fear is another powerful image that can contaminate all of God’s desired blessings in your life.
     For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. (Ps. 23:7)
     An image of sickness or lack will also shape our futures.  The heart is a powerful generator of the future!
   A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things. And an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. (Mt. 12:35)
     We could expand this verse to speak of that which comes out of the heart of the joyful, the loving and the generous, versus that which comes from the heart of the bitter, the unforgiving and the stingy.  
     The only difference between the life of abundance and the life of lack is the image that we have on the inside.  How do you see yourself?
     Are you a new creation, created in righteousness, adopted into the family of God, more than a conqueror, seated with Him, endued with power, worthy of every promise and filled with His love?  Or, are you a poor sinner, focused on past failures, always concerned about not having enough, bitter at those who are blessed, filled with guilt or remorse and always expecting the worst?  What is your image of you?
     As you think in your heart, you are determining your future.  A negative future will come from a negative heart.  An abundant future will come from a heart that has believed God’s Word.  
    Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. (Prov. 4:23)
borrowed from Barry Bennett

So…today I encourage you to grab a concordance, look up the word “heart” and keeping your mind, your will and your emotions in mind, make some notes. For example–check out Jesus’ words here:

“You have minds like a snake pit! How do you suppose what you say is worth anything when you are so foul-minded? It’s your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words. A good person produces good deeds and words season after season. An evil person is a blight on the orchard. Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation.”

Matthew 12:35-37 The Message (MSG)

I’ve got some work to do on what I think and what I say. How about you?