SPIRITUAL VITAMIN DEVOTIONAL

"Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life."
~Proverbs 4:23

The New Living Translation states; "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do." The matters of the heart affect everything we do! Did you know that the heart is mentioned over 800 times in the Bible? If God thought the "heart" was so important, why do we place so little emphasis on it?

Why is He so concerned about the condition of our hearts? It is through the heart that we seek him. It is through the heart that we love and serve him. True praise and worship of him can only come from the heart. It is through the heart that we learn to love ourselves and others. It is also from the heart that we choose to obey him or rebel...As you can see, the matters of the heart matter to God.

Just as your physical heart health plays a vital role in your life, so does your emotional (heart & soul) health. The condition of the heart affects us spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically. We filter everything through our heart - our joy and sorrow, love and hate, dreams and desires. The matters of the heart affect our sleep, relationships, work, family, peace of mind, etc. Even our spending habits! Those with heavy hearts have trouble accomplishing simple daily tasks and participating in everyday life.

The heart is where love and hate reside, fear and faith, joy and sorrows, desires and lust. These all flow from the heart and affect everything we do. We must daily go to him and ask him to reveal the hidden things of our hearts that are not pleasing to him. We can only know this by staying in His word daily. Proverbs 4:20-22 (NKJV) states: "My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh." When we turn our hearts to God and his word, He brings healing and life. Are you keeping His word in your heart? Are you seeking the Creator of your heart and the expert on the "issues" of life daily?

Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Word that brings healing and life. Help me daily to seek you through prayer, reading your word and working through the matters of my heart. Forgive me when I have not allowed you into the "hidden" chambers and deep caverns of my heart. Create a clean heart in me and renew a steadfast spirit that your love and light may shine in me and through me.

Copyright © 2001-2009 Deborah Collins.

Return to Archives