The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart – these, O God, You will not despise. Psalm 51:17

 

What do you do when you are heart broken? Many seek forms of relief through friendly advice, medicine, alcohol even dangerous behaviors. These only provide temporary relief to an ongoing condition that needs something much greater than the world can offer.

 

God is in the healing business. If you read the bible for any great length of time, you’ll see how Jesus walked from town to town, healing people of their illnesses and brokenness, even bringing some back to life. He has the power to do these things and if called upon with faith, will answer your call for permanent healing.

 

Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall glorify Me. Psalm 50:15

 

What has broken your heart? God wants to help mend you and make you whole again! Make time for prayer, on your knees, to ask God to heal your heart, help you find joy, and if necessary show forgiveness to those who may be responsible for your sadness, even depression. God will restore your heart, your soul and help you stand tall once again! God bless!

 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! James 3:5

 

Words are powerful. They come from the heart, and what comes out of the mouth can indicate the condition of one’s heart. I heard a line from a movie once: “if you listen closely, a man will tell you his true intentions”. Words can provide comfort, encouragement and wisdom. They can also cause anxiety, discouragement, fear and tell lies.

 

As Christians, we must use caution when communicating with others, especially those outside the faith. They can either help to promote the cause of Christ or hinder the mission to save people. Human emotions can stir the heart, which brews words unbecoming of a child of God. Yea, my hand is raised. It’s something I struggle with at times when the heat is on, maybe you have the same struggle. How can we put a filter on our words?

 

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalms 141:3

 

King David strived to live a life pleasing to the Lord. He knew the power of the tongue and it’s potential to cause strife. He prayed for God to watch over his mouth and what came out. A great example for us, to pray, asking God to help us filter the things that come from our lips.

 

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

 

The truth is, what comes from the mouth, originates in the heart. If you find it difficult to say positive things, it’s time to transform that heart into a heart of Jesus Christ. Ask God to help you transform your heart after His so you can speak freely without the fear of saying destructive words the spoil your witness! The mouth is a powerful thing, but with God’s help it can be a useful tool and bring blessings to others, you and God! Blessings!

 

 Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3-4

 

The other day I was Facetiming my granddaughter. During the call, she looked intently into the phone and tried to grab it as if she wanted to hold me and give me a kiss. Her mom kept telling her it was an image of me on the phone, but she still insisted on trying to get to me. Love her!

 

During Jesus ministry, He always made occasion to tell those within the sound of His voice that He is looking for followers with a child like faith. Those who are willing to do all they can to experience Him, love Him and commit their life to following Him. It’s the perfect example of how we should follow Jesus in our every day walk with Him.

 

Time to reflect. How’s your relationship with Jesus. If He were across the room, would you do everything you could to touch Him, hold Him and show Him your love? The truth is, as a child of God, He lives inside of you through His Holy Spirit. He is with you everywhere you go, in everything you do and say. Your life should reflect that longing to please Him, as He is with you always.

 

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1

 

Let your heart grow in love with Jesus, so your life will have that child like faith! God bless!  

 

 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. Ephesians 5:11

 

Yesterday, I had to get the ole heart checked out. As I sat in the cardiology department, I recalled what a heart doctor once told his patient: “if it taste good, spit it out”. As you might guess, he was referring to the sweet taste of things that are unhealthy. As I sat there and looked around at all the very sick people, I came to the conclusion, unless I want to be in poor health, I need to change my eating habits. Which leads me to today’s thoughts in this blog.

 

As a child of God, it’s important to be careful what things bring you pleasure in this life. The world and its ways can provide a lot of tempting things that are harmful to your spiritual health. A good way to look at it, if God is not in it, then it’s not good for you. Everything in your life should be “God approved”. If you can’t find peace with God about something you are indulging in, then turn from it quickly and don’t go back.

 

You only have one shot at pleasing God in this life. Your spiritual health truly matters, and the eternal rewards you’ll receive will far outweigh the temporary pleasure you find delighting in this life.

 

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. Ephesians 5:8

 

 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 

 

In all my years as a Christian and conversations I’ve had with other people, it’s truly sad that so many believe their actions can save them from Hell. They claim to live a good life, not cheat, steal, lie....etc.; all of these things are good, but they are not the way to Heaven.  

 

Jesus said to him: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 

 

As humans, we are sinful by nature and separated from a Holy God, who cannot be within the presence of sin. Yet, God gave us His Holy Son, a sacrifice for our sins, so we can stand in the presence of God. The only thing required of us is to accept His free gift of salvation and to use this gift wisely through the remainder of our life.  

 

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 

 

Good works only count after you’ve received God’s grace and mercy through the shed blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Once saved, your actions should reflect the characteristics of Jesus Christ. God blesses obedience! Start today by accepting Him into your life, then live for Him daily through your thoughts, words and actions. God bless!  

 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Colossians 4:5

 

As a child growing up, my dad always used to say “think son, think”. His emphasis was to always think through my actions, so I will make right choices. I still can hear him saying those words to me.

 

As a child of God, you always have to think about your interactions towards those outside the faith. Do they see Christ in you? Do they see your actions similar to what they might have read or heard that mirror that of Jesus Christ? You are to be the example for them to experience the Spirit of Christ, living inside of you. If they see worldly behaviors, you send them mixed messages which could steer them away from any desire to accept Jesus into their life.

 

Just remember those words, “think child of God, think” when you go out the door and into the world. They are watching you, and what they see should give them something to desire, the grace and mercy of a loving God. “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise.” Ephesians 5:15

 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men. Colossians 3:23

 

Somehow the weekend flew by so quickly, recovering from this past week never got fully accomplished. Yet, here it is Monday again and the dread of going back to work. But who are you actually working for?

 

Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Colossians 3:24

 

God has gifted you with talents and abilities to perform certain tasks. You could say He is the one you are working for, as He provided you what’s necessary to perform your job. Granted, you might not be happy where you are with your employment, but the truth is, your ability to perform has come from God! To serve Him heartily through your work, to Him and not man.

 

The Monday dread is here, but don’t be dreadful, be grateful He has given you a talent and blessed you with employment so you can pay bills and sustain your life and support those whom you are responsible for. Your boss, Jesus Christ, is looking for committed employees, to show the world what a joy it is to be a child of God. Don’t let Him down, remain positive, focus on God’s goodness and receive His final performance evaluation: “Well done my good and faithful servant”!