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The Meditations of My Heart Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Ezekiel 36:26 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 out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Thank God for the regenerating power of His Spirit. When I believed and obeyed the gospel, I became a new creation in Christ Jesus. My old way of thinking changed, old things passed away and all things became new (2Co 5:17 ). I embarked on a new life’s journey, walking in the life of the Spirit (Ro. 8:1; Gal. 5:16). It was no longer I who lived, but Christ lived His life in me (Jesus). God did a heart transplant. He took away the stony heart that I inherited from my father Adam (Ps. 51:5) and replaced it with one patterned after Himself. My old heart was deceitfully wicked and unpredictable (Jer. 17:9). My new heart, which is the seat of all my thoughts and emotions, is patterned after Christ Jesus (Php. 2:5). Sounds like I’ve arrived at perfection, doesn’t it? Well, not exactly! It’s easy to use church-speak and talk the talk, but walking the walk is another matter. That requires constant diligence. James said that temptation comes when I am led astray of my own lust, and this temptation leads to sin (Jas. 1:14-15). Guess I need to examine myself to see what sin may be lurking at my heart’s door (Gen. 4:7). Hebrews 12:15 tells me that I can be defiled by a root of bitterness. Well, I have harbored bitterness over things that happened in the past, but I have to let it go, or my heart will be contaminated. I don’t want to be like the folks that Jesus condemned for giving God lip service, while their heart was far from Him. Jesus referred to them as hypocrites or actors (Isa. 29:13; Mt. 15:8). Mark 7:6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with [their] lips, but their heart is far from me. Jesus told us that our speech is determined by what is in our hearts. He said that “from the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. 46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so [is] he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart [is] not with thee. I often hear Proverbs 23:7 quoted out of context as, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Some would misapply this to say, “If you want to be successful, think success, etc. However, the context of the text below shows that this is talking about the one who glad hands you to your face, while despising you in his heart. What I say to man or God is worthless, unless my words are expressing the true feelings of my heart and my words are backed up by action (James 2:14-18). A good way for my heart and mouth to be in agreement is to exercise unto godliness (1Ti 4:7). If I am busy speaking to myself with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, I can sing and make melody in my heart to the Lord (Eph. 5:9). When I’m doing this, worldly influences are greatly diminished. I note that when I’ve lost my song, I can expect a struggle in the flesh. Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Philippians 4:8 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, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things. In Psalms 19:14, the Psalmist cried out “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” If my heart is clean, my words and actions will be acceptable at the throne of God. If not, I am deceiving myself and will be judged accordingly (Lu. 8:17). I must continually make certain that my words and actions are a reflection of what is in my heart. I must be certain that Jesus reigns supreme and has total preeminence in my heart (Col. 1:18). There was no guile or sin found in Him (I Pet. 2:22). Can I say the same about myself? If not, I know what the remedy is. If I call on Jesus my Advocate, His blood will cleanse me from all sin (I John 1:7, 2:21). To paraphrase II Corinthians 10:4-5: We have been equipped by the Holy Ghost to wage spiritual warfare. This warfare must first start within ourselves. We can take authority over the strongholds that reside within us by taking advantage of the weapons which God has supplied. We can cast out evil imaginations and everything that is against the knowledge of God. If any thought is contrary to the Word of God, we must recognize, reject and bring it into the captivity of Christ. When I look at Jesus, I see One who was consumed with doing the will of His Father (Luke 2:49; Heb. 10:7). He the Creator, came to this world as a servant. Everywhere that He went, he did good (Acts 10;38). He had compassion on the sinner and downtrodden (Mt. 9:36). Philippians 2:1:8 urges me to desire to have His mind. If I do, I will do nothing for vain glory. I will esteem others more highly than myself. Most of all, I will be obedient to the will of God, even if it is necessary to give up my life. I can’t attain this goal without self effort, but self effort must be Spirit directed. Reformation is good, but only Spirit directed repentance has eternal value. I must live and move in the Spirit. Galatians 5:16 tells me that if I walk in the Spirit, I will not fulfill the lusts of my flesh. The Spirit is our teacher and brings to our remembrance all that Jesus commanded (John 14:26). Paraphrasing I Corinthians 2;10-16: The Spirit reveals the deep things of God to us. We know the things of this world by our human spirit and we can only know the things of God, by His Spirit. The natural man cannot receive the things of God, because they are foolishness to Him. But those who have been born of the Spirit have received the mind of Christ and the Holy Ghost teaches us all things. David’s prayer of repentance comes to mind. It is a good model for all of us. Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Free Ebooks That You Can Download. An Expository Study on the Book of Colossians The I AMs of Jesus Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@About-Him.Com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe to About-Him Devotional Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries The purpose of About-Him.Com is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ whom we preach as the Almighty God manifest in the flesh. It is our desire that everything presented on these pages increases your faith in our God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Home About Us About His Word Bible Studies Flash Movies Guest Writers Humor Links Midi Music Songs of the Church Thoughts on the Life of Christ Weekly Devotions Audio Devotionals Topical Studies Contact Last modified: 10-09-2011 Contact us About Him! Ministries |