Heart

The Human Heart

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

Someone has said, “The heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart.”  You can; if you have eyes to see; look around and see that there is a heart problem in the human race.  I am not speaking of the blood pumping heart, but the heart of feeling, that fears, that grieves, that loves and hates.

The prophet Jeremiah said…

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV)

The answer to the prophets question is – Only God knows.

The verses in Proverbs for today…

“The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. The LORD hath made all things for Himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” Proverbs 16:1-9 (KJV)

Some words and thoughts to consider.

– “Preparations of the heart in man” and “The answer of the tongue” are both “from the LORD”. V. 2 – “Ways of man…” but “The LORD weigheth the spirits”.

All the plans of men (James 4:13-15) are only successful through the directions of the LORD. Good plans are from the LORD, and will be successful. Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34).

There are many times we think we are doing good and clean things; but our hearts may yet be doing an evil deed. God alone, and maybe, the individual knows the heart and motives.

– “Commit”, “Works”, “Thoughts”, “Shall be established”. Some words to think on in verse 3.

“Roll unto Jehovah thy works, And established are thy purposes,” YOUNG’S LITERAL TRANSLATION (See 1 Peter 5:7)

Verses 4-6 – “The LORD has made all things for Himself”, “The wicked”, “Proud in heart”, “Abomination to the LORD”; “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged”, and “By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.”

On a certain day in time all that have refused God’s Christ will glorify God in their judgment. Departing from evil because one sees it as offensive to the holiness and righteousness of GOD. It [Evil] is seen, by one who fears the LORD; as being a sour and bitter thing.

Verse 7 – See Revelation 3:9; Isaac and Abimelech, Genesis 26; Jacob and Esau, Genesis 33. “Without faith it is impossible to please Him.” Hebrews 11:6

Verse 8 – The attitude of the heart of man with “Little” of material things, righteous in the LORD; contrasted to “Great revenues” without righteousness.

Verse 9 – “The word rendered “deviseth” implies, by its spectra, intensity of thought and care. Man meditates and prepares his plans with the utmost solicitude, hut it rests with God whether he shall carry them to completion or not, and whether, if they are to be accomplished, it be done with ease or with painful labour. (comp. Gen_24:12, etc.)” From the Pulpit Commentary note.

“Deviseth” can mean scheming, to fabricate, to weave. It can also mean to carefully plan out “His way”. The wise man knows that “The LORD directeth his steps”.

When we believe God’s Word concerning His Son Jesus, trusting His finished work on the cross, then we receive brand new desires – a new heart.  Our thoughts, our feelings, our love and our hate will be directed by God’s Spirit who lives within us.  That is right even “our hate”, because we will begin loving what He loves and hating what He hates.

He loved us so much He gave His only Son.

Christmas Day Twenty and Nine

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

What do I want for Christmas today?

I want my thoughts, my life, my acts to always be on God, and things that will honor, glorify and praise His name; and have the heart to reflect His light, and that every moment of my life.

“As in water face reflects face, so a man’s heart reveals the man.” Proverbs 27:19 (NKJV)

Christmas Day Seventy and Eight

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

Blessed Lord’s Day.

What do I want for Christmas today?

I want my heart, soul, mind and body to be prepared to enter the presence of God with the Church in  worshiping our Lord God, and Savior Jesus Christ; and I want the Church to have their like being joining with me in worshiping Him.

He is coming again.  Are you prepared to meet God?

“But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.” Matthew 24:37-39 (KJV)

Christmas Day Eighty and Three

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

What do I want for Christmas today?

I want to guard my  heart, so that only words of life, and not death, proceed from my mouth.

“Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”Matthew 15:17-20

Christmas Day One Hundred Ten and Three

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

What do I want for Christmas today?

I want this Lord’s Day to be one where the Lord Jesus Christ is lifted up in my heart, mind, and spirit, and in the Spirit of the Lord; that He might be glorified in me forever.

Christmas Day One Hundred and Fourteen

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

What do I want for Christmas today?

I want to always know the heart and mind of God for my life, and to walk in it, that His name would be glorified.

I thank you Father for the cross of Jesus which makes this possible through Your Holy Spirit and Your Word.

Christmas Day 120

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

119 more “Christmas Day” posts.  Are you glad.

What do I want for Christmas today?

I want to have a clear heart, mind, and a clean heart and mind for living the life that will honor and glorify my God and Savior Jesus Christ; today especially since this is the Lord’s Day.

 

Jesus Speaks – Christmas Day One Hundred Seventy and Eight

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24 (KJV)

Read verses 19-23 as well.

What do I want for Christmas?

I want Jesus Christ to always be Master of my life, my heart, my mind, and my soul; and when I get distracted by worldly, material things, or insignificant things that may seem spiritual and right; I will trust you Lord to always get me on the right path, and right mind; I want Christ Jesus to be the light of my eye, and the treasure of my heart; always.

Christmas Day Two Hundred and Fifteen

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

What do I want for Christmas?

I want to think, and I want every man who aspires to be godly; to think on the LORD and His Word, to love his wife, and children; and to care for them as a husband and father ought; and to put the things of this world on the back burner; and to thank God every day for His blessings on us.

Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: for as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.” Proverbs 23:6-8 (KJV)

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: these are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.”  [Jesus Christ]  Matthew 15:18-20

Christmas Day Two Hundred Thirty and Four

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

What do I want for Christmas?

In times of doubt, fear, discouragement, stress, I want to trust the LORD with all my heart, not leaning on my own understanding.

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Psalm 27:14 (KJV)

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

Christmas Day Two Hundred Fifty and One

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

What do I want for Christmas?

I want God to show Himself strong in the behalf of those whose hearts are perfect through faith in Jesus Christ, and His cross, burial and resurrection.

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9a

Day Two Hundred Sixty and Seven

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

What do I want for Christmas?

On this LORD’S Day I want the Word of God to come into my heart, my soul, my mind with the power of the Spirit of God; to do the work God has sent it with His Spirit to perform in me and the people who will hear it; and I want us to see what God can do when His redeemed people hear, and yield to His Word and His way and His will.

Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” Philippians 2:14-16 (KJV)

 

Day Three Hundred and Sixteen

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

What do I want for Christmas?

On this, another LORD’S Day, I want the “Meeting House” where I worship and the Church gathers called Shiloah Baptist Church; and all Christ centered, Bible believing, Churches to love the Lord Jesus with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds and with all our strength; to hear the word of God, to pray diligently, and believe without wavering that the answers for the world’s problems is found solely through the cross of Jesus Christ.

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” Proverbs 21:1 (NKJV)

Day Three Hundred and Seventeen

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

What do I want for Christmas?

I want to love God with all my heart, all my mind, all my soul, and with all my strength; and want that for you too.

See Exodus 20:1-11

The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” Mark 12:29-30 (NKJV)

Day Three Hundred and Nineteen

/ Tim A. / 2 Comments

What do I want for Christmas?

I want you the reader to share with me [in the comments] what you want for Christmas.

Remembering that this is to see each day as we do Christmas.  What do you want for Christmas?

Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:3-4 (NKJV)

Day Three Hundred Thirty and Seven

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

What do I want for Christmas?

This being the Lord’s Day and Christians around the world will be gathering to remember the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and His soon coming:

I want my heart, and your heart to be directed to the Word of God; that our hearts be inclined to His Word, and testimonies, His precepts, and His ordinances; that our hearts be turned away from covetousness, and toward the Lord Himself.

Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way.” Psalm 119:36-37 (NKJV)

Day Three hundred Forty Six

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

What do I want for Christmas?

I want family, friends, and neighbors to prosper and be in good health; even as they prosper in their spiritual lives.

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 2 John 1:2 (NKJV)

Day Three Hundred Forty and Seven

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

What do I want for Christmas?

I want to no longer be selfish, or self promoting; I want my heart and mind to want what my Creator wants; for myself and for all His creation.

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galations 2:20 (NKJV)

What Do I Want For Christmas? Day 352

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

What do I want for Christmas?

Are you annoyed by my continued Christmas question when we are into the New year the 9th day of it?  Good.  So am I.  However I am committed to take this through to Christmas of 2016, and have Christmas every day.

My want for today is that I might increase in wisdom, knowledge and understanding of God and His Word; and that the Body of Christ would do the same.

To do so would change our hearts, minds and lives and affect the rest of the world in a dramatic way.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

Why Christmas; After Christmas?

/ Tim A. / 2 Comments

It seems every December people start talking about Christmas, and the “Christmas spirit”.  My thoughts this Christmas season was this,

If I am a follower of Jesus Christ, and if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, and wear the name “Christian”, then shouldn’t I [we] be living with that ‘Christmas spirit’ every day?

So I determined to see what the mind and heart of Christ would be for each day from the first day following Christmas 2015 until Christmas 2016 (providing the Lord wills that I live that long, or the rapture does not occur).

I pray they will lead me to follow Jesus even more faithfully in the year ahead.  I also pray that for you and all who may read these pieces.

Three Hundred Sixty Six Days til Christmas

/ Tim A. / 3 Comments

On the first day of December of 2015 as I was writing in my journal I had a thought of counting down the 25 days til Christmas with the question “What do I want for Christmas?”

The first day the “want” was, “A fuller heart and life for my Lord and Savior.” In those 25 days I have thought of counting down until next Christmas with the same heart and mind; which I believe is the wants God gives me.

This may get tedious, draggy, and maybe some would say “Boring”; I do not believe in boring.  I never use the word in my vocabulary, except as here, to rage against it.

This being day 366 before Christmas;  What do I want for Christmas?  I want the Spirit of God who has created all things to reach into the hearts and minds of all who come here, convict of sin the hearts of those who do not know Him and draw them to Himself for salvation.

The Scriptures I have posted here tell you how.

A Journey of Passion

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

This was Jesus’s final journey to the city on the hill. He would not make it again, and He knew it. Yet, He journeyed to the place where He would die.

Would you with joy, and passion go to the place you knew would mean your death? Of course you or I cannot know those things, as He did. We do need to know, though, that every day could be our last. None of us have any assurance of the next day.

Knowing His days on earth were few; Jesus traveled on teaching His disciples, and telling them what death He would die:

“And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify Him: and the third day He shall rise again.” Matthew 20:17-19 (KJV)

We read in other places that He had his mind set on going to Jerusalem (Matthew 16:21; Luke 13:22; 17:11; 18:31; 19:28). Some have called this journey “His Passion”, and I think that to be a good description of His heart and mind.

He came to live for the righteousness, and glory of the Father; and to die for the sins of mankind; to conquer death, sin, hell and the grave. That is what He means when He says, “And the third day He shall rise again”.

His journey in life was to glorify His Father, and to do so through obedience, even unto death. He died for you and me. He carried our sins, and its condemnations away in burial, and left them there; and rose bodily from the grave. He forever lives and saves all who will come to Him.

Seeing, Hearing and Understanding

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

Seeing and hearing are an important part of human living and existence. Without seeing we could not see the beauties of the created order around us; neither could we see to navigate as we walk, ride or drive through a countryside.

Without hearing we could not hear the sounds of animals in the creation, neither the cries of our children as young babies crying out for care and nourishment; neither the voices of our spouses and friends, or other family members. We would not be able to hear the warning shouts of someone warning us of an upcoming danger.

These two senses are an important part of human life. They are also an important part of our spiritual existence. In the spiritual realm we can be very easily deceived, unless we have someone in whom we can trust and depend.

In Jesus’s days on earth He taught people, and called people to Himself; teaching them how to live in the Word of God, to do justly, to love mercy, and how to walk humbly with God. Yet, there were many who would not hear; nor would they see who He really is. Jesus says that this too is a fulfillment of prophecy:

“And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: for this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.” Matthew 13:14-16 (KJV)

Isaiah is the prophet whom Jesus quotes (Isaiah 6:9-10). The blindness and deafness of the religious leaders was fulfillment of that. It is a truth we cannot neglect to hear. When the truth of Scripture is rejected the truths of God will grow more and more dim; the hearing will fade away into oblivion and there will be no knowledge or understanding of God or His Word.

Those who know God through His Son Jesus Christ love the Word of God, and hide in the heart that we might not sin against God (Psalm 119:11), and make it a light for our path (Psalm 119:105).

The path to understanding God and His Word is through the cross of Jesus Christ who died for our sins, was buried, and bodily arose from the grave. Believe Him, trust His Word. It is the way of life, and life everlasting.

Humble Yourself Before the King of Heaven

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

For the most part chapter four of Daniel is the writing of Nebuchadnezzar, sharing his personal testimony of a tragic, yet humbling, and redeeming time of his life and reign as king of Babylon. He had grown proud and arrogant (4:28-30), and the King of heaven brought him down.

The following are the final words of Nebuchadnezzar in the testimony he shares:

“Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and His ways judgment: and those that walk in pride He is able to abase.” Daniel 4:37 (KJV)

Pride is one of the abominations which God hates (Proverbs 6:16-19); called “a proud look”, and the king of Babylon had it. It is a dangerous thing to try and exalt oneself above the word, and words of God. The LORD had given Nebuchadnezzar warning through a dream of a tree being cut down; but he did not listen to it; he did not fear the word of the LORD.

How about you today? Is there a arrogant, proud mind, and heart where you are saying to yourself; “I am a self-made man. I do not need God.” That is the height of arrogance and pride. Every man and woman needs God, His mercy and His grace. He is offering it to you today through the cross of Jesus Christ His holy Son. Believe Him today. Humble yourself before God, and He will lift you up (Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; 1 Peter 5:5-7).

Humble yourself before God; and He will not need to abase you. Honor the King of Heaven with your life.