Continuing Pastor Kyle’s
message on guarding your heart, he points out that we all have people and things
that we consider sacred to us and guard. They might be our privacy, our money,
our family and friends, et cetera. They are the ones that we love and value.
But, do we value God and His holy Word, Will and Way as our own? Do we guard
who God says that we are? Colossians 1:21-23 says, “And you, who once were
alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He
has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to
present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—if indeed you
continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away
from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every
creature under heaven.” Do we covet and strive for this or the approval of
the God-rejecting world and therefore defile ourselves? What’s in your heart?
Proverbs 12:5 “The
thoughts of the righteous are right, but the counsels of the
wicked are deceitful.”
What do you and I allow to
enter our eyes, ears and body? The old saying is “garbage in” causes “garbage
out”. We cannot completely avoid the ungodliness that unfolds before us in
life. Reality is that random things happen and we are unintentionally exposed,
yet don’t affect us permanently or harm our heart. Be mindful of what you
expose yourself to repeatedly. We can control what we choose to allow in, so
that no ungodly sights, words or substances influence us. Surely, all have
sinned, but God cared enough to horrifically die to them and reset our heart –
transformed and new – bent towards holiness and righteousness. 2
Corinthians 5:17-18 says, “if
anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things
have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of
God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given
us the ministry of reconciliation.” We are a new creation living, operating
and ministering within the old around us.
Psalm 61:1-3 “Hear
my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry
to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than
I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy.”
Eliminate gossip, ungodly
language, lustful thinking, folly, addictive behavior and place a managing rein
on anger, envy, idleness, slothfulness and negativity in the flesh, as much as
possible. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says,
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the
knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to
Christ.” Put on the “full armor of
God” and find good rhythms that fill the heart with the “right” (in the
eyes of the Lord) things. Put good things into your life and focus on them,
keeping your eyes on Christ. Fill the void left from leaving the “wrong” (in
the eyes of the Lord) things with that which clean, pure, wholesome, godly,
productive and righteous, walking in the Spirit with intentionality, while
guarding your heart from distractions and evil.
2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 “Finally,
brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may
run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that
we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have
faith. But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you
and guard you from the evil one. And we have
confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things
we command you. Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God
and into the patience of Christ.”
Keep your head up and your
eyes forward. Life is a race, but not a Sprint; it’s a marathon. Be industrious
in your living for the Lord God. Surround yourself with loving and trusting
voices in your life to spur you on. Partner with people that Love God, love God’s
church and love you. Remember that your heart will not find fulfillment looking
side-to-side. Lasting encouragement comes from keeping focused on the Lord, His
will and way. Guard your heart.
In Christ, Brian
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