Guard Your Heart

 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. ~Proverbs 4:23

Lord, help me is thought the roars through my mind as I write today.  Help me to say the words that You want me to say.  Help me to convey a message that speaks to the hearts of others.  Help me to be true and steadfast. Help me to give You the glory as I seek to be a partner in building Your Kingdom.

In order to do these things I must be plugged in to God, His Spirit and I must guard with all sacredly (if that's a word) what He has poured into my heart.  I must guard the "seat" of my emotions and thoughts. For from my heart flows my actions and decisions. I must monitor what I allow to influence my thoughts from the shows I watch, to what I listen to on the radio and especially my conversations and those around me.

 This is why I need the belt of truth and  breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:10-14).  I have to gird myself with His word (the truth)  and put on the righteousness that Christ has imparted to me so that I can cast down those thoughts that would try to rival God and His will( 2 Corinthians 10:5). I must sit still with God and guard the treasure that He has entrusted to me.  

Everyday is a gift, but I do battle with my heart and mind.  The Lord instructs me when to speak and how to react to the children I teach.  He tells me when to intervene and when to let go and let God.  It is He who fills me when I am empty so that I reach and teach. It is he who keeps me shielded from the things of this world,  It is He who keeps me.  It is He who helps me and hears my cry before it is ushered on my lips(Isaiah 65:24).

Lord, thank You for the gospel and Your Holy Spirit.  Help me to guard what You pour into me so that I can walk this Christian journey.  So that I can take up my cross daily and follow You.  Help me to put on Your amor daily.  Help me to love.  Forgive me of my sins and transgressions.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen

Self-examination

 John 3:16 states: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

This week is considered Holy Week.  A week where the crowds were saying Hosanna one minute and crucify Him the next. It’s the week where we remember where Christ gave His life freely for us because He loved us.

He loved us even though He knew we would betray Him, deny Him and wonder off.  He laid down His life so that these things would not be end of our stone cause of His amazing grace.  His sacrifice washes us clean and gives us new chapters.  His death made it possible.

Jesus’ story does not end on the Cross or in grave because on the third day He got up.  He defeated death bringing us life, hope, and peace.This week celebrates the triumphant work of Jesus.  His death and resurrection.

Transparently, I find myself asking how holy am I?  Am I living out the life the Christ gave His life for? Am I conquering sin?  Am I saying Hosanna with my mouth, but crucifying Him in my heart?  Being a disciple is serious business, so am I taking up my cross daily?  Am I dying to self?  Holy Week is about self- examination for me as I take in again the enormity of what Christ did for me, what He does for me! Jesus loved and so must I.

Father, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus.  Thank You for loving us that much.  Thank You for dying for me Jesus.  Thank You for getting back up.  May I live a life that reflects Your love.  May I lay down my will for Yours daily.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Are you ready?

 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.~ Ephesians 6:15

Ephesians 6:10-12 tells us that we are in a battle and we must be battle ready by putting on the armor of God.  We battle not against flesh and blood, "but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms"(Ephesians 6:12).  One peace of that armor is the shoes that come from the gospel of peace.

Something stood out to me today as I read about this peace or armor.  It says that our feet are "fitted with the readiness".  This tells me that we are ready for the battle.  Our position and stance is steady.  I see a boxer in the ring and their stance is ready to go.  We are ready to go into battle or deal with the attacks of the enemy because we have the gospel of peace.  We have the truth.

Jesus came to this earth, walked among us.  He dies for our sins, He himself did no wrong.  He rose again defeating death because He loves us.  He did this to reconcile us, to bring us into right standing with the Father.  The cost He paid for me was the gift of eternal life with Him and the Father.  So when I move, I move in peace.  I move in the assurance of God.  I am ready.

I am ready because of what Jesus did on the Cross.  The plan the Father had for my and your salvation from the beginning.  Giving His life for us.  So the enemy is already defeated and I can walk in that.  I can step to the side when the enemies arrows come. I can stand firm when the blows come.  I will not be moved because I have the right shoes on.  I can respond with a with peace and gentleness because of Jesus.  I am ready.

Lord, I thank You for Your armor and I thank You for Your truth.  Thank you for having me be ready to face the enemy because of what You did on Calvary.  I love You Lord.  In  Jesus name. Amen

A Certain God

 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ~Hebrews 13:8

A reminder about the truth of God was shared with me yesterday.  God is constant.  He doesn't shift and change like the shadows.  The same God who walked with me in times past is the same God who walks with me in my present, and will be there in my future. He is a certain God.

 He is the God of the universe yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  He is same God who gave His life for me on Calvary so that I can be whole and forgiven.  The same God that forgives me today.  He is the same God who intercedes for me and prays for me.

So as the world around me changes, I can remain confidant in God.  My circumstances will come and go.  Leaders will come and go.  Wars and rumors of wars will be present, but my God remains the same.  His love is unchanging.  His sovereignty is unmoving.  He is Lord.  He is constant and His consistent nature is my comfort.

Lord thank You for being true and real.  Thank You for being consistent in Your goodness and faithfulness.  Thank You for being God.  In Jesus name I do pray.  Amen.