SUBJECT :
TOPIC: Guarding your Heart.
Introduction
Bible reveals word Heart 830 times, in 762 verses.Here Solomon Put a great emphasis on word HEART to guard it highly because by which he gained the kingdom, wisdom, honor, respect, personal relationship with God, and by the same heart he losted all he had, even his own soul, for a lack of guarding his heart!
Our feelings of love, hatred, desires, etc, dictates the way we live on a daily basis as we just read. See how ladies protect their jewelleries, handling them carefully, put them in safe place so that no one can touch them. Where your treasure is your heart is, Jesus said. Guard your heart like jewels.
HEART is a greatest treasure we possess to guard it, in order to inherit the earth & the eternal life. Jesus said don't let your heart be troubled! He didn't say don't let your mind be troubled? Because Bible says
1Cor 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness!
Why Jesus insist on heart? He said that you can believe in Me? In the circumstances you live, and abide in Me as a branch on the Vine, Because without Me you can do nothing?
Trouble starts when we jeopardies our heart, by the way we see, rather than we sense in heart? Example of EVE saw the tree, even though she knew in heart, that is No No. David Uriah's wife. Jesus knew our situations, that's why He said, don't let your heart be troubled. Just believe in Me.We Christians often caught in problems, hardship, in our study time, work, in church, can't even live like a Christian alike, because our heart is not guarded, the (inner man).
For this reason David said in Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. That's why he also said in Ps (119:11) I have hidden thy words in my heart... to guard my heart. God put Adam into the garden to both DRESS, & KEEP it, rather than be cast out from it!
QUESTION: How do you guard your heart? Do you hid His word in your heart to protect it?
Here Is Some Reasons Why Christians have Failed to Guard their heart, During the Godly test
Even though when men is tested by God, for a better Christian warfare and character. See Exo 20:20 And Moses said to the people, "Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin."
Read (2 King 5:21-26).....Worth $4,000 + 2 Robes.
Gahazi Forget all the blessing, mighty works,Godly rewards, that might come to him as double portion of Elisha's spirit perhaps,yet instead he received double portion leprosy for life.
Gehazi, lied, Took unlawful money from Naaman, for his healing .(Guard your heart)
Balaam, Received money from Balak, to curse God's people.........(Guard your heart)
Easu, soled his B/R, for a pot of stew!.........................................(Guard your heart)
Judas, betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.................................(Guard your heart)
Jesus said in (Matt 6:1) There is no reward from God to those who seek it from men David said in (Ps 139) Search my heart..Hidden faults in me. Why? because I'm in a place that can't afford to have fault, covetousness, lustily desires, for I'm a king, I'm a prophet, I'm a shepherd, I'm a son of the living God? Praise God Amen...
Read (Exo 16:16-20). Manna in desert.
A rich baker who sent for 20 of the poorest children in a basket loaf of bread for each of you.
Take one and come back every day and I'll give you more." Immediately the youngsters fighting that whom should get the largest loaf. they left without even thanking the baker. A poorly dressed little girl, patiently waited until the others had left. She then took the smallest loaf, which remained in the basket, kissed the old man's hand, and went home.
But when girl's mother sliced her loaf, she found many shiny diamond pieces inside. the girl took the them back to the baker. Baker said, "No, my child, it was not a mistake, I put them into the smallest loaf to reward the humble one! See in (Heb 13:5) Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." God test your inner man (heart) to develop a right, godly character, in various situations. In time of need, famine, marriage, finances, materials, To make you more available in.... According to Read(James3:1) Blessed are you which go through various trials for your own good.
1. TEST OF OBEDIENT: Read (Gen 13:22).Spies & evil report, refusing enter promise land! How often we as a believers bring a bad report, & harden our heart, & make it harder for them to enter the promise land, by not showing the spirit of love, courage, faith, help. Yet, (1Thes 4:18) says encourage each others by these words, till you come in promise land?
When a company takes over another company, there is often a sign placed outside the premises announcing, "Under New Management". When Christ takes over a life, that life is literally "under new management. In my national service I was 2 years under the higher authority, as a Soldier in Milatery service, I was not my own for this period of time! likewise it is a command in Christian life should say I have no more rights? Paul wrote, in (1 Cor 6:19-20) you were bought with precious blood, you are temple of Holy Spirt.
A man suddenly stumbled fall of the cliff, holding on branch of tree, cry for help, want to be comfortable rather leading go of the branch!
No where in the Bible says, it is so easy to enter the narrow gate? But we want the easy way? Paul said, that I may suffer for His name sake that I may share His glory.
But we should know that
There be No oil without squeezing the olives
There be No wine without pressing the grapes
There be No fragrance without crushing the flowers
There be No real joy without incoming sorrow
Bible says in (Heb 11:6) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him?
God said SPEAK TO IT. When it comes to problems, we speak about problems rather speak to them? My car. When it comes to God's business, you can't afford use human egos, or logics, Man's wisdom. Bible says these signs shall follows those who believe.
Why people harden their heart? Because they want only to SEE THINGS. Read (2 Ki 3:16-17) And he said, "Thus says the LORD: 'Make this valley full of ditches. For thus says the LORD: 'You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink. Why? because your faith make you to see the things you were hoping for, like Joshua he saw it. Above all: If you don't live it, you wont believe it! Amen?
: (Gen 16:1-3) Promised son Isaac, become Ishmael.
This is the most sensitive test that all of us must go through on our daily basis. So often we think we are Christians we've should be on pulpit preaching, like...so & so. I've seen Christians failed intensively, for mixing God's time with theirs?
Serai said maybe Lord give us through Hagar mid servant. (SERVANT) A slave has nothing to do with master's son? (Jesus). Joseph would never reached his destiny if he wouldn't wait a total of 14 years, for God to be able to work within him then with him. Problems began when we are so much in rush to do our will rather than God's, by working for God rather with God? Lord said to Abraham next year.
Just wait a little longer? "People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances.The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them they make them!". If you facing bad circumstances, simply you making them? Not God.
Phil 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. How do you guarding your heart? Your heart, is a most important organ of your body, which could save your life and to destroy your life. The choice is yours? Read (Hos 10:12). Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy.
Presented by Pastor Henry Tarveran
Assyrians For Christ Ministry Australia
Copyright 1999
