Heart To Heart
In a few days from now my son Jordan and I will board a plane headed to Memphis. We're going up to St. Jude for his regular 6-month check up. In case any of you reading this don't know, my son was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of 16. .
As we prepare for our trip, I begin to recall the many times I've sat in some waiting room while Jordan was having an MRI and CT. I continue to pray each time, “Lord, please don't let them discover any new spots, or change to his tumor.” Just thinking about how closely they exam every structure of his brain and spine causes butterflies and sweaty palms each time.
Examinations...
Gosh, I was never one that liked to take a test. Just the thought of missing an answer or forgetting something brought on anxiety. It would be nice if we didn't have to be tested!
Yet, in each moment of our lives God exams of our hearts. Although we don't make appointments, or have to climb into some strange machine, God is able to look past what man sees and probes deeply into our hearts.
The prophet Jeremiah wrote:
"I the Lord search the heart; I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and
according to the fruit of his doings." (Jeremiah 17:10)
In the Old Testament the Hebrew word for heart means:
The seat of the senses, affections, and emotions of the mind, the mode of thinking and acting; the seat of the will.
Did you know that the word heart is used over 830 times in the bible? God has much to say on that subject. Today I'd like to look at a few conditions that might afflict our hearts, and understand what God has promised if we turn our lives over to Him.
In the book of Hebrews we are warned about a very serious heart condition:
As we prepare for our trip, I begin to recall the many times I've sat in some waiting room while Jordan was having an MRI and CT. I continue to pray each time, “Lord, please don't let them discover any new spots, or change to his tumor.” Just thinking about how closely they exam every structure of his brain and spine causes butterflies and sweaty palms each time.
Examinations...
Gosh, I was never one that liked to take a test. Just the thought of missing an answer or forgetting something brought on anxiety. It would be nice if we didn't have to be tested!
Yet, in each moment of our lives God exams of our hearts. Although we don't make appointments, or have to climb into some strange machine, God is able to look past what man sees and probes deeply into our hearts.
The prophet Jeremiah wrote:
"I the Lord search the heart; I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and
according to the fruit of his doings." (Jeremiah 17:10)In the Old Testament the Hebrew word for heart means:
The seat of the senses, affections, and emotions of the mind, the mode of thinking and acting; the seat of the will.
Did you know that the word heart is used over 830 times in the bible? God has much to say on that subject. Today I'd like to look at a few conditions that might afflict our hearts, and understand what God has promised if we turn our lives over to Him.
In the book of Hebrews we are warned about a very serious heart condition:
1. A Hardened heart:
"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts" (Hebrews 4:7)Have you ever felt like your heart has become cold and hard? I sure have. Often because of disappointment, betrayal, or sin our spiritual hearts can lose their sensitivity and ability to function as God intended for them to. But Praise God, He is our Wonderful Physician who is able to repair every heart that has become hard.
“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart…, and I will give you a heart of flesh”. (Ezekiel 36:26)
Another condition we must carefully watch for is a heart that has become:
2. An Unclean heart
Jesus said:
‘‘What comes out of a man is what makes him unclean. For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly”. (Mark 7:20-23)
We must continually stand watch for these kinds of afflictions that can plague our hearts and corrupt our lives. Satan is lurking and waiting for the chance to draw us back into our old ways. Be diligent and watchful so that your heart will always be pure before Him.
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." (Proverbs 4:23)
And finally, one last problem of the heart is:
3. An Anxious heart
David offered up this pray to God:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”(Psalm 139: 23-24)
It’s so easy to allow our mind, will, and emotions to take over. Anxiety can not only cause havoc to our physical bodies, but to our spiritual hearts as well. How it must break the heart of God when He sees us struggle in our own strength rather than allowing His Spirit to rule in our hearts.
Ladies, Jesus is that great and wonderful Physician that can heal every disease and all of the wounds that afflict our hearts. May He touch your heart today...
Some things to ponder:
When is the last time God revealed a heart condition that you were not aware of?
When others around you are struggling do you see it as an opportunity to encourage them?
"Lord, I pray for that we would learn to trust you with our whole heart. Please show us any area that needs cleansing and healing. Give us a heart that follows hard after you. Thank you for being faithful to reach deep within to heal and restore our hearts. In Jesus name, Amen."
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Labels: heart matters, Susan's articles
posted by Susan @ 12:01 AM
6 Comments:
My prayers are with you and dear Jordan.
Sweet that in the midst of your trying time you think to exhort others to give their heart conditions over to the Lord. May God bless you and grant you good news! Praying that the tests ressults are what you want to hear and that no matter what you feel His arms wrapped around you in a real way throughout the whole ordeal.
Oh, what trials you are walking through. I will pray for all of you right now. Your wisdom here is anointed and very timely. You're definitely doing well through the test in that you are offering praise to Him through it. That's His faithfulness showing up in and through you.
Well, if you've read my most recent post, then you'll understand my "take" on our heart and the importance of it therein. God is so concerned about our hearts because they are the vessels in which he's implanted his eternal seed! I love how our two pieces intersect at different angles.
I will be thinking about you and your son as you travel. Please keep us all posted.
peace~elaine
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Jordan as well as the rest of your family.
Praying for wonderful results on your son's scan, Susan. Thank you for this precious devotional...I needed it.
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