All things flow from the heart! The Bible describes the heart as the seat of a person, from which all things flow- our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors originate from the heart. For it is within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come- sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly- Mark 7

The heart is the fountainhead of our lives. God looks at the heart all of his children and as you know there is nothing that we can hide from God. We hear things like follow your heart but the heart can be very deceiving if we are not lined up with God’s will and way for our lives. The heart drives our motivations, desires and even our decisions.

Because of sin our hearts are corrupt and outside of the Gospel of Jesus we live with an incurable spiritual heart disease. By God’s grace ( quick disclosure….Grace is NOT I can live as I chose ( in sin) and I will be covered) Grace is the faith and knowledge in Jesus. This and only this will bring a new heart with new desires. Your lust, hate, and self-seeking must be surrendered to Christ. We need strong counsel from God and other followers of Christ so we can see ourselves and God in the right way. Remember, the only real truth there is, is in the word of God. Are you looking for answers about something in your own life? The Bible is there with those answers for every dilemma you face. It is part of your life line this side of heaven.

Pastor Matt Chandler describes secular counseling’s approach often treating only symptoms- focusing on behavior, thoughts, and emotions while failing to address the deeper issues of the heart. He goes on to say… treating symptoms has been described as giving aspirin to someone for a headache caused by a brain tumor. It may relieve the headache for a time, but it does nothing to fix the brain tumor.

Did you know that God pursues the hearts of all His children and will not rest until He wins them over ENTIRELY?

Therefore, we have hope because God knows us and understands our sin. He knows what is in our hearts better than we know ourselves. The word reveals that the cause of all human suffering is sin. If we begin to connect God’s word to our everyday struggles, we will become transformed. Seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened. Our part and honestly the best thing we can do for ourselves is to get aligned with the word of God. Our attention should be on him at all times so he can show us the way to go. What the world says and what God says are very different so the best place for counseling is in the Word of God ( I recommend a study bible).

Through the Gospel we are given new hearts! How amazing is that? What a gift! This is called sanctification- God’s will for our lives. We are now set apart for special use. This brings tears to my eyes to think that we have a God that loves us so much that he will not only work on us from the inside but he will use us for good.

Yesterday, my pastor said that we are to live victorious lives not struggling lives. Please don’t misinterpret this because I know some of you are really hurting and I would never want to make light of that but what I want you to know is that as you grow closer, as close as you want to grow to Jesus, He will work on your behalf. He will come to your rescue. He will defend you against your enemies. He will walk with you. He will provide for you. He will show you which way to go. And He will love you properly. That is the good news!

My pastor also said one of the most profound statements I have ever heard…. We are to be and then do, not do and then be. We think we have to earn God’s love but that is not so… If we just allow ourselves to BE in His presence, then we will know what to do.

The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it. You created the north and the south; your arm is endued with power and your hand is strong, your right hand exalted..

xo