Guard Their Hearts

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
Proverbs 4:23

As she crossed the threshold, her senses came alive. It took a moment for the scent of apples and cinnamon to register. Then came the aroma of garlic, lemon pepper, and onions. She was smiling as she set her purse on the stand by the door.
Her husband appeared and took her jacket. “
What are you up to?” she asked with a question in her eyes. “Your table is ready, madam,” he teased with a mischievous wink and escorted her into the dining room. He’d used their best china in a table setting for two. Long stemmed roses woven into a twisting candelabra created a beautiful centerpiece. The plates were adorned with linen napkins arranged in the shape of hearts. The lights were low with a dozen candles burning here and there and rose petals scattered on the table. He had gone to great lengths to let her know how special she was. Aware that he had spent the better part of the afternoon in preparation, the sensation of being loved and adored flooded her heart.

†

Proverbs instructs us to guard our hearts, for from it we live! If not well provided for, it loses the capacity to engage. Our hearts must be healthy and whole to relate to the world the way we’re supposed to.
We were created for relationships. In them, we learn how to treat one another. In marriage, we learn what it means to give of ourselves, to become selfless, and to display our love for each other. We are given charge to guard not only our heart, but the hearts of those we love. Their hearts, and therefore their ability to love and live in covenant, is given over to us to care for and nurture. When we place their needs ahead of our own, showing them we intend to guard their hearts, we are filled with wonder and completeness.

Prayer

“Help us understand that Your mandate to “guard our hearts” does not give us license to care only for our own. Lord, teach us to love in a way that others may benefit from our actions. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

The Chimneys of Life

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away … and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
2 Corinthians 3:16, 17

Dave knew what the thump from the basement was. So getting out of his chair, he grabbed his gloves from the coat rack and headed downstairs. An old brick chimney rose from the cellar up through the middle of the house, allowing the gas furnace to be vented.
During the coldest months, birds would swoop into the chimney, warming themselves in the updraft. Occasionally one ventured too far, and unable to fly out, it would drop into the furnace where it could become trapped and die. The fortunate ones made it through the vent pipe into the basement, escaping an immediate death sentence, but remaining trapped.
Trapped by means of deception, they would fly against the basement window, believing it to be a way of escape. The very thing that appeared to bring gratification brought entrapment and sometimes death. Dave, knowing they would die without his intervention, would go into the basement and catch them, cradling them in his hands until he set them free outdoors. To not do so would impose a death sentence.

†

Starved for love and security, we swoop into the chimneys of life, seeking life-giving warmth and protection, never realizing that to venture too far traps us, and we are unable to find our way out alone. We are deceived! Without intervention, we may die in these traps.
But God, in His infinite mercy and grace, reaches into the chimney, offering to set us free. He desires to remove the veil Satan has placed over our spiritual eyes and heart, keeping us captive. God urges us to turn to Him. He wants to cradle us in His hands, bringing us out of captivity and setting us free in the Spirit. God speaks to our hearts, saying, “See the chimney for what it is; take hold of My hand. I want to exchange the death sentence for eternal life.”

Prayer

“I sometimes end up in places I’m not supposed to be, Lord. Psalm 139 says no matter where I go, You will hold me fast. Hold me, Lord. Don’t let me go. Set me free. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Second-Man Likeness

…so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.

1 Corinthians 15:49

Larry and John were lamenting the argument of the ages; both with strong opinions; neither giving ground.  

“Eve caused Adam to sin, and, consequently, the entire human race,” Larry espoused.

“No, Eve did not cause Adam to sin,” John asserted. “Adam could have resisted and said ‘No! It’s wrong!’ but instead he gave in to temptation without much forethought or resistance.” he countered.

Larry didn’t like Adam taking the blame; as a man it left a bad taste in his mouth. “I still say Eve took advantage of Adam, offering him the apple and seductively enticing him. I can hear her now, ‘Take a bite, Honey…it’s sooo good! Surely God won’t kill us!’” Larry’s words were venomous and heart-felt. “Adam never had a chance!”

“You know, Larry,” John said, holding up his hand, motioning for a truce. “No matter who’s to blame, all that matters is that because of what happened that day, we needed a Redeemer, Someone Who could make us right with God. Thank You Jesus! If not for Him we are lost forever.”

“Amen to that.” They’d finally found common ground.   

†

If Adam was the first father of the human race; hence the first man, we needed Another, who could say NO! to temptation; a Redeemer of mankind; the Second Man.

While destined to reign over the earth, Adam fell into sin, and caused us to forever need a replacement for the pattern God intended. Adam’s sin, resulting in our sinful nature, is the likeness we are born with. We take on Adam’s likeness under the influence of temptation, living out of our sin instead of in the Spirit.

For us to enter heaven we needed a Second Man to Father our race. So God sent Jesus. Who, in the flesh, was able to live a life complete and sinless by living in the Spirit at all times. It is this likeness, that of the Second Man, that must shine through our sin. And the only way to ensure this outcome is to accept Him as our Lord and Savior.

Prayer

“Lord Jesus, I want to exchange my sinful likeness for Yours, the likeness from heaven. Please, forgive my sins, and come into my heart. Amen.”

Snow*

Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
Isaiah 1:18

The air was cold and crisp as she sat in her car, awaiting her husband. The snow had started out light and then quickly became heavy. The flakes were nickel-sized wafers, floating gently down, touching everything within her view. A hush fell with it, covering everything.
As she watched, it began to cover trees, bushes, grass, parked cars, the street, even the wires strung overhead, blanketing everything in a layer of pure white. It was as if God was speaking to her through the beauty of this moment.
It was so white! The world looked so clean! No dirt! Not a single track from a car.
When she’d arrived an hour earlier, there had been visible clutter and dirt. There were things people had discarded and left behind, such as gum, candy wrappers, and cans. Things that had been splattered by passing motorists, leaving a layer of grime on everything in its wake, were now unseen, even the layers of thick dirt between the bricks that paved the street. It was as if God were saying, “I make all things white as snow. I can wash away all the dirt, all the wrong.”

†

As we walk down life’s path, making choices that cause us to become dirty, God wants us to know we are still redeemable. When we are willing and obedient, choosing to follow Him, Jesus promises to cleanse us and make us white as snow. Unlike the things covered by the snow, God’s cleansing touch completely removes the dirt in our lives. Psalm 103 says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
When we repent, turn from our sin, and submit to His will, we can be assured we are covered with the righteousness of Christ; we are made pure as the driven snow.

Prayer

“Lord Jesus, thank You for being our spiritual healer. As we come surrendering our lives to Your will, please cleanse us and cloak us in Your righteousness. Amen.”

*Co-written by: Nancy Clouston

He Exceeds Expectations!

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine … be glory … ”
Ephesians 3:20, 21

Having lost a kidney to cancer years ago, Donna’s remaining kidney was failing for the same reason. On dialysis five days a week and needing a kidney transplant, there was less than a one in four hundred thousand chance of a match.
The elders anointed her as the church body gathered around. They prayed for a match to be found, prayed for God’s peace, and for God to sustain her. What happened wasn’t on the list.
At her next doctor’s appointment, an MRI was ordered to check on the progress of the tumor. As he entered the exam room, the doctor had a dismayed look on his face. Holding the film to the light, he said, “I believe you have another tumor where your first kidney was removed.” The negative revealed a small growth resembling a lima bean. Donna felt a rush of hope. “I know what that is! It’s a new kidney, not cancer!” The doctor tried to reason with her that kidneys do not replace themselves, especially after so many years. But to his surprise, over the next two weeks, this lima bean grew to become a viable, working kidney. Donna has not needed dialysis to this day. And by the way, the diseased kidney was also healed.

†

We are amazed and somewhat surprised when God steps onto the scene in power. We pray in faith and yet are stunned when God chooses to answer in a way that eclipses what we pray for.
Miracles and healings did not pass away with the apostles. It is for God’s glory that they occur. He is sovereign and will bestow or withhold healing as He sees fit. We should always pray in unshakable faith, believing for miracles and healing, leaving room only for God’s decision as to how He will answer our petitions. With boldness, in prayer and thanksgiving, we are to approach the throne of our Creator.

Prayer

“Sovereign God, we are humbled when You recreate what You first created. Teach us to come boldly before Your throne, with faith that produces hope! We yield to You in all we do and continue to believe for healing when it serves Your purpose. Amen.”

Led Astray

I am afraid that…your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:3

The passengers receive no advanced warning before the plane dropped out from under them, falling more than 1000 feet in less than six seconds. All they knew was they had free-fallen for what felt like an eternity before the floor returned under their feet, and the plane leveled off; it wasn’t something they cared to repeat.

The pilot’s subsequent apology did little to calm their fears, “I am sorry for any anxiety this unexpected event may have caused,” he said, then continued, “Our auto-pilot has malfunctioned, causing the sudden drop in elevation. We have assumed manual control of the aircraft and will be returning to Scottsdale. We thank you for your patience.”

Concern among the passengers now turned to unrest. What if another system failed?! The audible lament from several frightened individuals did little to bring comfort to the rest of the passengers.

Fortunately though, nothing else failed, and twenty-five minutes later they were safely on the ground. A little apprehensive, but overjoyed the malfunction hadn’t resulted in catastrophic consequences, they were shuttled to another plane where they continued on to their intended destination.

 †

Systems fail; sometimes without warning. We can be cruising through life, on auto-pilot, not paying close attention to the course we’re on until a malfunction occurs, and find ourselves in the midst of a serious situation. Knowing what to do and taking corrective action is critical. But taking preventive measures is better by far.

By tending to our spiritual flight-plan before we encounter rough weather may not assure us of avoiding turbulence, but we will certainly be better prepared to deal with temporary system failure.

Where are you headed? The wise person takes time to map out their flight-plan before taking off. Detours and unexpected problems are inevitable, but if we have a plan going in we stand a much better chance of surviving an in-flight glitch. Avoid disaster, and register your flight-plan today.

Prayer

“Lord, help me not to carelessly wander through life on auto-pilot. Show me the course You have mapped out for me and help me stay on it. And when I stray off course, gently guide me back. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Do This

Do this in remembrance of me.
1 Corinthians 11:24

He donned a hygienic mask, latex gloves, and sterilized the communion kit. Then he prepared the elements. He was bringing the Lord’s Supper to a recovering cancer patient. She had been isolated from the public for the past twelve weeks due to an insufficient white cell count as a result of chemotherapy.
He thought about God’s healing power as he broke the matzo into the tiny tray. As he poured the juice, the blood of the Holy Lamb of God, he reflected on last night’s phone call. “Hi, Dana. It’s Pastor Chuck. I was wondering if it would be all right to bring communion to you and Paul tomorrow morning.”
“That would be wonderful!” she replied. “I just hung up from talking to a friend. He mentioned that he was getting ready to take communion to a shut-in. As I hung up I said, ‘Oh, Paul, I wished our church did that.’”
Chuck was never surprised when he found that God’s urging was in response to prayer.

†

Divine appointments are opportunities to do the work of the kingdom for God, to be His instrument of blessing. In our busyness, we sometimes view these as inconveniences. Yet if we listen closely, stop rushing, and respond to His urging, we discover God’s eager desire to bring blessings. When Chuck brought the Lord’s Supper to Paul and Dana, he brought God’s love and healing power. When we obey, God sends His power through us to encourage others. It always amazed Chuck that he was the recipient of a large portion of that blessing.
As our relationship with God deepens, He asks us to carry His love further into His kingdom. Fear from the enemy wishes to stop that from happening. God wants us to know His strength is sufficient to meet that fear head-on and walk right through it. Our obedience will determine if someone receives a blessing.

Prayer

“Father of inspiration, right now we give ourselves over to You to be used in bringing a blessing to those in need of one. Touch our hearts and minds so that we can respond as Your instruments of love. Blessed be Your Name, amen.”