Issues of Life

What are issues of life?  The King James Version of Proverbs 4:23 says, "Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life."  Other versions translate the issues of life as the source of life or the well spring of life.  The New Living Translation says, "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life."  The verses before and after all speak to listening for God's wisdom, seeking His understanding, avoiding evil, and doing all this continually.

Sounds pretty important to me.  I must watch my heart daily, hourly to make sure I stay with the wisdom that God provides.  I must take captive thoughts that might lead to wickedness.  I must keep God's word deep in the midst of my heart and soul.  Without God's word, I would quickly turn back and forth between ideas.  I would look upon and follow evil easily.

(Father God, thank you for your Word that keeps my eyes looking right on.  Thank you for the time to ponder the path on which I go.  You are my source of stability.  You are my confidence. Let me never lose sight of that.  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Desires of the Heart

I've been pondering the desires of the heart a lot during the last few weeks. Why does God create desires in our hearts? How does He change those desires? How does He fan those desires? How do I know the desire is one that He placed there while He was shaping me before I was born? I know the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. But as I've blogged before, God gives us a new heart when we trust him. So, now my heart, the innermost part of me, the part that is truly me - wonders what is the desire from God and what is my own flesh being influenced by the media and society? I seek to know the very threads that God used to weave me together.

I want to know the desire and passion that He placed in me for my job, for my family, for my ministry. I'm am steadily tapping into that fundamental desire to know Him. Intimately. Deeply. Personally. Without fear. As I get to know Him, I want to know my purpose for Him.

(Father God, thank You for all that You do. I know You see the confusion and desires of my heart. I know that You have a plan to prosper me and that You direct my paths. Yet, Father, I feel so alone at times. Please help me to hear what You have for me. In the name of Jesus, Amen.)

Fireproof - Oh, yes!

http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/

I am a movie nut. I love going to the movies (except those stupid horror flicks that have NO purpose on the screen at any time or in any place). A good action film and I invest my emotions into the characters. I watch movies in my head as I read a book. Take for instance the Biblical book of Ruth. When I read, my mind's eye develops the scene and my mind's ear hears the dialog. I invest in these historical characters with the same gusto as I do the movies on my TV. I cry when the heroine/hero is hurting. I laugh when she/he laughs. I fall in love with the good guys and hold the bad guys at arm's length.

So, I must confess. I spend money on movies. I try to be discerning about the movies. I am only willing to spend so much money on any particular movie. When I learned that the movie ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church released a good movie. I determined to spend money on the movie at the theatre (twice) and to purchase the DVD. Then, I waited patiently for the next release (okay not real patiently).

My daughter and I went to see Fireproof this weekend. I will be going back with my son next weekend. My heart broke during the opening of the movie. I thank God for the clear message. There is much more I'll blog about this movie and my own personal experiences as time goes along (and the Lord tarries).

If you want to put your money where your mouth is and back up your Chrisitian values, go see this movie. Honor God with your presence there.

(Lord, I thank you that you have forgiven my sins. I thank you that you created marriage and that you gave it to mankind. I thank you for a movie that helps show what a marriage that honors you takes. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.)

Heavy Confused Heart

Tonight I have a heavy, confused heart. I know that our heart is decietful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9) but I also know that God gives a new heart at salvation (Ezekiel 36:26). Then, I know that those two hearts struggle one against the other (Galations 5:17) as I live out my daily life. Why are people so unwilling to follow the rules? Why are we teaching our children that the rules don't apply to them? Why? How can we expect them to believe that salvation in Jesus is the way when the rules get changed or ignored? Isn't the logical thought process to then believe that if the rules can be changed for me about the class I attend the rules can also be changed for my salvation? Oh, how I wish I could make them understand how dangerous this path is!

(Lord, God, You know what burdens my heart this evening. You know. Please let me hear Your voice as I try to fulfill the work You've called me to in Your church body. Don't let me be distracted by the devil's ways. Thank you. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.)