Topic: Guard Your Heart [Sunday September 17, 2017]
’Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.’’ (Proverbs 4:23 KJV)
I want to tell you something critical about your mind. You must keep your mind busy and not allow it to become idle at any point. The Bible says, “keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” I like the way the message translation of the Bible puts it. “Keep vigilant watch over your heart, that’s where life starts.” You cannot afford to leave your heart fallow. Each time you keep it unoccupied, the devil invests in it. He brings to you all that you thought you have forgotten. That is why you cannot let your guard down at any time. Child of God, forget the sins of your past, that case against you was settled a long time ago.
Your heart is also vitally important because it determines where you are going. It is what is in your heart that your mouth speaks and it is what you say that you get. Your words are very powerful so refuse to say the wrong things, irrespective of what is happening around you. Keep your heart busy with God’s word. Say only the right things. Speak your expectation. Speak where you are going to. The Shunammite woman said to herself, it is well even though her child laid dead at home. In her heart, she saw the child alive and well, and so she spoke what was in her heart and not what her condition was saying to her.
Child of God, start today to think productive thoughts. The scripture says “Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things.” – Philippians 4:8 KJV As you think about these things, they form pictures of good things in your heart, and that is what your mouth will naturally speak about.
Further Reading: Hebrews 3:12-14, Philippians 4:6-9
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Proverbs 27-29; Evening- 2 Corinthians 10
Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.
