Above All Else, Guard Your Heart

My first question to you is, do you believe in your heart that God loved you so much that He sent His son Jesus to die on the cross for you, so that you may have everlasting life? How can one obtain this everlasting life? I am so glad you asked. Salvation in Jesus is the answer. It is as simple as confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9). That is how you are saved. I love this scripture, because this is where it all begins for a believer. Salvation starts first with believing with your heart.  Romans 10:10 (NASB) also states that “for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” Now hopefully you can see how simply believing can be monumental and life changing in your life. If belief is needed for salvation, then I would also like to share that belief is needed in how we see ourselves. What I mean is that, what you believe can either positively or negatively impact you. Are you believing that you have been saved and are now a new creation with the mind of Christ? Or are you believing that you are failure, beyond redeeming? It all depends on what you hold true in your heart.

So what do we know about the heart? We know that when the heart stops pumping, oxygen can no longer be delivered throughout the body to keep the organs functioning. Death ultimately follows when the heart cannot be revived. An unhealthy heart can lead to all sorts of problems throughout the body when it is not pumping efficiently. Some issues that it could cause is fatigue, shortness of breath, kidney dysfunction, clot formation putting one at risk for a stroke, and mental and emotional well being. Although this is not an all inclusive list, it shows how a poor heart can negatively impact the body as a whole. Additionally, an unhealthy heart as a result of a heartbreak (from lies, betrayal, deception, etc) can flow into our responses, our decisions, our relationships, etc. 

I recently watched a college basketball game and witnessed the player on the opposing team have a temper tantrum as a foul was called on her. During the play she fell to floor, jerked her body and banged her feet on floor in response to the call. I observed those watching the game glare at each other in confusion and others laugh as they witnessed her reaction. Mind you, these are young adults playing college basketball. At first I had laughed a little but then immediatelyI felt this sense of sadness for her. At that moment I realized that there must be more to her story. I felt that she was hurting inside and her reaction was in response to that hurt. You know the saying “ hurt people hurt people” that is true, because their response/reactions, how they deal with people or relationships comes from a place within, that is genuinely hurting. Sometimes we must take a step back to understand that the difficult person you may have to work with, live with, or be around has hurt that has not been tended to. I think that is something we all have to remember before passing judgment or being so quick to laugh. We all have a story. Some have experienced more pain than others, but it does not take away the fact that no matter how big or little pain one has endured, they have experienced just enough to have caused harmful effects. It’s a hurting heart that needs tending to, by the love of Jesus. Only Christ can take that pain away and our love extended to them can bring comfort to that hurting heart. 

If you are believing in your heart that you have not been forgiven, that you are unlovable, will never be well, or are hopeless, I must tell you that those are all lies from the pit of hell. It can go right back to where it belongs, because you are now a new creation. It is no longer you who live, but Christ who lives in you. If Jesus is your Savior, you have been redeemed by the blood of the lamb. You are no longer guilty of charge. The penalty has been paid by His sacrifice and you now have everlasting life. I share this because a healthy heart births life and transformation. True transformation comes from within that is why it starts with believing with your heart. 

Did you know that King James Version mentions the heart 800 times? It is so crucial for you to know how important the heart is in relationship with God and those around you. Proverbs 4:23 (NASB) says “Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.” For where your treasure (prize possession) is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21 ). Our treasure can either be in what gives life, from our belief in what is true, or our treasure can be in what brings death, from believing in a lie. When I think of treasure, I automatically think of hidden treasure full of gold, diamonds and all sorts of jewelry that you would see in a pirate movie or movies like "Indiana Jones." Treasure is usually hidden and protected from being stolen, hence all the boobie traps we see in these movies. It is valuable to the one who possesses it. Treasure carries power. With treasure (like gold) it has substance, enabling one with the ability to purchase the most valuable thing. This treasure we are to hold in Jesus was purchased at a price. It holds true value, that never depreciates. Just like gold we can pass on this “wealth” from one generation to the next.” Yes our treasure in Jesus will be passed on from generation to generation. What are you making valuable in your life? What has consumed your time from what brings life? What are you holding on to that you have subconsciously allowed to be so dear to you? Is it a lie or the truth of who God says you are? 

Lastly, please be reminded that you are loved by a greater love. Allow Christ to do the change from the inside out. 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NKJV) says “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.”

As you speak God’s promises and meditate on it, you are being renewed. You are being transformed by the renewing of your mind. An unhealthy heart can affect what you believe in. A heart hurt by trauma, betrayal, deception, etc can lead to a mindset that is far from what is true but a mind that is renewed can restore the heart.

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Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10 KJV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

Blessings,

MG