TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT

Guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are!

Good morning sir!

Welcome to day 9!  I’m excited that you have disciplined yourself to keep going in this!  Good job!  My prayer for you is this:  “Lord, I thank You for the man who is reading this.  And Lord, as he has been drawing closer to You, I know You have been drawing closer to him! (James 4:8) Thank You, Lord!  May he sense Your closeness and may this be his tipping point to ‘seek first the Kingdom of God and Your righteousness’ (Matthew 6:33) for the rest of his life!  Amen!”

Pastor Paul referred to this over and over during the weekend.  “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” The passion translation is this:  “So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life.”  Proverbs 4:23

Since this is true, isn’t it interesting how lackadaisical we are in this?  We guard what we value.  But why don’t we value our heart enough to protect it more diligently?

Our heart is the entrance and exit for His life flow!  If our heart is not right, life in the Spirit will be hindered and the ‘rivers of living water from our heart’ (John 7:38) just cannot flow because of obstructions.

Jesus told us that the seed that produces 30, 60, 100 fold is the “one who hears the Word in an honest and good heart, and holds it fast, with perseverance.  That one will bear fruit!”  Luke 8:15

“Lord, I ask for a miracle.  I want to have ‘an honest and good heart!’  Help me to ‘take up my cross and follow You’ no matter the cost!  Amen!”