Train and Keep Your Heart
When we purchase a new appliance or electronic device, we get a user's manual to teach us how to operate it. Since we are not the ones who created the item, we have to read the manual to learn how to use it most effectively. Sometimes, we can, by trial and error, learn enough of the basics to use the purchased item. However, we often don't attain enough knowledge to use it to it's fullest capabilities.
2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." As those who come into a relationship with God through Jesus, we become new creatures who are only partially experienced. This verse lets us know that every aspect of our life is affected when we enter into that relationship. Thus, we need training in how to live as God created and intended us to live. The good news is that God has given us an instruction manual. It is the Bible, His Word. The Word of God teaches us how to live our lives most effectively.
John 16:13a, "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth..."
John 14:26 tells us that the Holy Spirit will "teach you all things." The Father gave us His Spirit to reveal to us what we don't understand. Romans 15:4, "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." We see in this verse that the Scriptures were written for our learning.
I find that the people of God, over the last half century or so, have become quite ignorant of God's Word. We need to understand, without that knowledge, there can be no real success.
Genesis 1:26a, " Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness" Since our Creator made us in His image, the only way we can know and understand how we can live effectively and efficiently is to read His Word (manual). We are to be like Him! The Word of God reveals to us, His personality, character and nature; all things which are to be reflected in and through our lives. In order for us to live our life as it was meant to be (by our Creator's design), we must be transformed into His image. 2 Corinthians 3:18, "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."
As a new creation, it is necessary to have our minds renewed from what we have been, (the old things that have passed away) to what He wants us to be. Just as an appliance or device will work best when assembled and used as the designer intended - the same is true for us! Colossians 1 :16, " For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth...All things were created through Him and for Him."
God's Word is the way of life! However, since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, he has tried to live his life on his own terms. As we look at the turmoil in the world today, we can see how that has turned out.
In God's manual, the Bible, we read 2 Timothy 3:16, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" See, the Scripture is profitable for doctrine, reproof (conviction), correction (restoration to an upright or a right state) and instruction in righteousness. Notice that reproof and correction are mentioned and necessary.
We are called children of God or sons of God in the scripture. Just as we are directed in the Word to discipline our children, so also, God, out of His love for us, disciplines us.
Hebrews 12:5-11, "And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
Hebrews 4:12 and13, "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. These verses show us that God's Word is quite capable of disciplining us and is His preferred method.
Proverbs 4:20-23, "My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. 23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life." These verses encourage us to make God's Word a top priority in our life. The Word of God is life (sustenance, refreshment, prosperity, welfare) and health (healing, remedy, cure, refreshing).
Luke 6:45, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."
Matthew 12:34,35, "Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 "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."
After reading the last two scripture references, we see that what we have taken in, as the treasure of our hearts, is what will be manifested or come out. In the book, Terror at Tenerife, by Norman Williams, he stated that immediately following a crash involving two airliners, the Word of God came out of his mouth. He was able to jump straight up ten feet to escape through the top of the plane. However, he witnessed passengers sitting in their seats, paralyzed by fear, when balls of fire were coming down the aisle of the plane. Then he added that he was shocked by what he heard coming out of their mouths - television commercials. That is what had become the treasure of and filled their hearts.
1 John 2:15-17, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."
Friends, we have a choice to make: Will we walk in the way of the world, or the way of God? Verse 17 says the world is passing away, but he who does the will of God abides forever. Understand this, when God created us in His image, we were created as eternal beings, because He is eternal! How important is it that we have the Word of God established solidly in our hearts?
Psalm 119:11, "With my whole heart I have sought You; oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You." We hide (treasure, store up) His Word in our hearts so we will not sin against Him. Our inclination will not be toward sin. This is vital because sin separates us from Him.
Psalm 37:30 and 31, " The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of justice. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide." When God's law is in our hearts, the ways of our lives will be steadfast and none of our steps will slide ( slip, waver, or totter).
Finally, when God's Word is established solidly in our hearts, we will know the truth. John 8:31 and 32, " Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." According to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance truth means - "what is true in any matter under consideration; in reality; in fact; and certainly"
In these and in upcoming days, the only way we can walk in God's ways , so that we may prosper, succeed, and be blessed, is to be grounded, sold out, and totally committed to God's Word.
I pray that the Lord would draw you to His Word daily.
3 John 2-4, " Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."