Writing Delights

bloom-1839679__480Writing is a delight to me! It is a way we can express the wonders that God places within. Out of our hearts proceed all of the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts… “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” One way to get to know your heart is to write!

Our good and loving Father has the ability to show us our hearts is various ways  throughout life’s journey. This is crucial to our development and dependence upon Him. Without His loving care and correction, we’d be lost. In Hebrews 4:12 we are told of the importance of God’s Word to do surgery within our hearts. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” How powerful is that! Then verse 13 goes onto say, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” So really, God’s already sees us, knows us, and desires closeness with us.

fountain-pen-1851096__480Writing is a good way to reflect back to yourself what’s within your heart. It is a great way to allow the Holy Spirit to teach you truth about yourself and your chosen course.

For many years I struggled with frustration and anger in my soul. I used a journal to write it out, look at my reality, and wonder how God would change it. On occasion, I’ll pick up my journal(s) and read a few pages; I’m absolutely amazed at God’s awesome faithfulness along with how often I allowed fear to derail me! This practice has also revealed to me how God has been with me, never leaving, even when I felt very alone. What a treasure and delight to know this.

What we think upon will eventually work its way out. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

May I encourage you to write! Whether for yourself or others, it’s a way of expression that can free our souls. Better than words that cannot be taken back, writing gives the ability for self-examination, sorrow over sin and adjustment. God is so good; He redeems us from the curse of sin and gives us new life in Him! I’m forever grateful for His grace.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

It’s Your Heart

wooden-heart-3077104__480Have you ever been discouraged wondering if someone would ever change; if you could ever change? Be encouraged, with God ALL things are possible. God offers us solutions for every area of life. Let’s consider the heart of man, and why we are tempted toward those things that can harm us and others.

It seemed Jesus was continually dealing with the religious ones, about their hearts. In Mark 7:6 he responds to a question from the Pharisees, quoting the Prophet Isaiah, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;'” Jesus has a way of revealing our heart and if we seek honestly, we’ll see our great need for Him to continually change us. Only the Holy Spirit living within can give us the power to have a pure heart; it is a gift to be sought after, and a promise from the Father to those who seek Him. No religion can offer a truly transformed heart, only Jesus can.

Man’s heart is the center of all activity. Every issue we face in life is dealt with according to our heart’s desires. Our motives, thoughts, intents, and desires proceed from our inner man — the heart. Scripture indicates this clearly; Proverbs 4:23 tells us to, guard our heart with ALL DILIGENCE; for out of it proceed every issue of life.

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We are told from God’s Word that He can give us a new heart. God provides clarity in His Word in order to bring relief to anyone who is repeatedly struggling with some issue of the heart. He loves to see His people set free from sin and the bonds of the past. Here are truths from God’s Word concerning your heart.

We TRUST from the heart. [1]

God can give us a NEW heart. [2]

The CONTENT of our heart comes out of our mouth. [3]

PEACE can reign in our heart. [4]

God weighs the heart. [5]

We LOVE from the heart. [6]

The IMAGINATIONS of our heart can be darkened. [7]

Our CONSCIENCE can be made clean. [8]

We can LOVE from a PURE heart without hypocrisy. [9]

heart-shape-1714807__480If you want a new heart so that you can function fully in the way God designed for you, ask Him for one.  The first step is to invite the Holy Spirit into your heart. Jesus explained to Nicodemus, a very sincere religious man, how He could be born-again. Read in the book of John to find out more. John 3:1-8 ESV  “Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

Remember, once you have the life of God inside, knowing God’s Word is part A, applying it to your life is part B. Living to glorify God is how it all works together to produce a full and abundant life (John 10:10).

Photo Credit: Pixabay, My Illustration FHGBC: Chapter 3 Heart Model.

[1] Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

[2] 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 and heart of flesh.

[3] Luke 6:45 A good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (ESV)

[4] Colossians 3:15 and let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

[5] Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord ponders the hearts.

[6] Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with your entire mind.

[7] Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

[8] Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

[9] I Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

Freedom from Habitual Sin

Addiction is rampant in our society. In biblical terms, we would describe this as bondage to an idol in the heart.  Something that has been given a place and taken hold in the person’s life to where they feel helpless to become free.  Some thing or person has been chosen over God to fill the void or remove some hidden pain in their soul. The good news is that through Jesus Christ there is freedom from destructive habits. It involves work and dedication to the process, but freedom is guaranteed to the ones who will humble themselves, repent with godly sorrow, and hate the sin that binds them. This involves loving the Savior who died to set us free from the bondage of sin, in whatever form it takes.

Sexual Idolatry is a major problem today. Unlike drug or alcohol addiction, this habitual sin can be masked for a period of time while secretly doing it’s work of changing one’s brain. Usually, by the time it is discovered, great harm has come to the individual, marriage, and family. The destructive consequences will follow, but there is hope.

With the growth of the internet, the porn epidemic has become a tsunami ravaging our world.  Pornography + Masturbation = Tragedy. Sexual abuse, pedophilia, sodomy, bestiality, human trafficking, and all sexual lust brings Satan delight in his mission to steal, kill and destroy God’s creation (John 10:10). Because of our Father’s great love toward us, He desires to redeem each one. His desire involves abundant life that comes from a right relationship with Him through repentance and correction steps to restore wholeness within.

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II Cor. 7:11 indicators of Godly Sorrow:

  1. Eagerness and earnest care to explain what you did, even though you may not understand why.
  2. To clear yourself of the wrongdoing and follow-up with proper actions.
  3. To hate the sin that you were involved in.
  4. To have alarm and fear about the seriousness of sin.
  5. yearning and desire to live for God instead of your own pleasure.
  6. Zeal to make things right. To correct all injustice.
  7. readiness to embrace the consequences and make corrections.

Understanding the physiological changes that result from habitual porn hits to the brain is cricial in gaining freedom. This will give hope and practical help to those who’ve struggled for years to be released from the bondage of porn use. Please see my Resources page for insights and wisdom.

LINKS to help (or go to RESOURCES Tab for additional links)

Photo Credit: Pixabay

A True Wonder-Woman

We live in a world marked by much pain and suffering, yet God’s desire is that we prosper in the midst of the situations we face.  By prosper, I am speaking of flourishing, growing and walking in victory—the Bible calls it being blessed.

My life-theme is centered in Psalm One.  This Psalm succinctly lays out the way God said things would go in life.  I love this because God is faithful to all, He is never-changing, and what He says is true.  With His help, and the Holy Sprit’s power indwelling the believer, we have all the potential to be “Wonder-Women” of God!  That brings me great comfort and joy.

Let’s look at those who are blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable/Amplified) and why this is.  Those who obey the instruction of our Father truly become a “wonder” to those around them.  Why?  Because onlookers observe their life and are amazed, or wonder… “How they can continue on? … happy, believing, fortunate, prospering.”  This is truly a wonder that only God can perform in us!

Let’s look at this incredible Psalm and rejoice, knowing we have the possibility to live the blessed life because of God’s great love and provision for us.

PSALM ONE

Blessed is the woman…

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, (following their advice, plans and purposes)

Nor stands in the path of sinners, (submissive or inactive)

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; (to relax and rest)

2 But her delight is in the law of the Lord, (instructions)

And in His law she meditates day and night. (ponders and studies)

3 She shall be like a tree, Planted (and tended) by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season, (evidence of spiritual life)

Whose leaf also shall not wither; (die off)

And whatever she does shall prosper. (comes to maturity)

4 The ungodly (those disobedient and living without God) are not so, But are like the chaff (worthless, dead, without substance) which the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand (justified) in the judgment,  Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God).

6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish (end in ruin and come to nought).

Notes in parenthesis are taken from the Amplified Bible.

Photo credit: Pixabay

Light vs. Darkness

Walking in the Light is a wonderful place to be!  The benefits of having unbroken fellowship with our Creator God and one another is beautiful.  Because Christ provided the way to the Father, through His terrible suffering for sin and death on the cross, we are now free to enter into this beautiful place of LIFE!

Safety is found in the Light.  Satan’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).  He operates through deception, lying spirits, and whatever leads to separation from God and others.  Isolation is a large part of His plan.  Guilt and shame keep people isolated in their sin.  Praying for someone who is bound is our duty, privilege and opportunity as followers in Christ.

I John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.