January 23, 2023
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23) NKJV.
God has a plan and a purpose for our lives. He has a vision that only we can fulfill. As children with a purpose, we need to guard and keep our hearts with all diligence (v. 23) tells us. Jeremiah 17:9 (NKJV) has this to say about the unredeemed heart, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?
We cannot control our hearts in our strength. It is in the heart that both good and evil originate. This is why we need to be constantly filled with God’s Spirit. Paul said it this way in (Romans 7:18-19), “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.” What a terrible conundrum (problem) to have. Can we relate?
Paul knew his only chance was to walk in the Spirit. It was in the Spirit that he could overcome the desires and evils of the flesh. We are no different. We have to walk in the Spirit of God every day of our lives as well. Matthew 12:35 says, “The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.”
Friends, though it may not seem so, the world is looking for good people who will be credible witnesses for Jesus Christ, people of purpose who do live out what they believe. May we not allow our enemy (Satan) to short-change us from that destiny. Our hearts are at the center of all we think, say, and do – it is precious because out of them’ spring the issues of life. That said, may we take care of our hearts to serve God and us well. Would you join me in praying today?
Dear Heavenly Father, I bring my heart before You today. May You shine the Light of Your Spirit into my heart. Father, may my heart be a source of all that is good and pure. May You place Your Spirit as a guard around my heart. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
## Encouraging Words: Give God your weakness, and He will give you His strength.
God Bless you, Friends, and have a Blessed Day <><
Thoughts by Randall Stapleton is a Daily Devotion brought to you by The Bridge - Learn more at https://wearethebridge.org
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