Matters of the Heart

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

Fun Fact! Did you know that our heart beats around 100,000 times per day, and pumps about 5 Litres (equates to eight pints) around our body through blood vessels for us to stay alive? Many chambers and vessels are attached around the heart keeping us alive and healthy, or maybe not.

My blog today is straight from my heart to yours. It's not about a physical heart that I am sharing with you, but rather a spiritual one, that is full of wisdom, thankfulness and intuition. A feeling that arises from instinct, rather than just reasoning. What moves us deeply which brings us great joy and happiness, or brings us to tears? We need a clear and transparent heart that is connected and attached to God. What flows out of our life is connected to the pace of our inner spiritual being - Matters of the heart!

The condition of our heart is crucial to us if we want to live a long and healthy lifestyle. Whether they bring us lots of joy and happiness, along with sadness or tears. Nevertheless, these conditions, touch our hearts, fill our hearts, or break our hearts - We are Human!

The one thing we do know, is that what sits in our hearts will inevitably come out, by our utterances by the things that we speak out, or simply by our actions, especially when we are hard pressed, knocked down and when things go wrong, Are you with me? The place where your treasure is stored is the same place you will most want to be, and end up being unless we choose to change the status quo. (re: Matthew 6:21). So, the question is this, What is really, sitting in your heart that only surfaces when something goes wrong?

What does it mean to have a strong and healthy heart?

When we behave in a manner of thankfulness, love and forgiveness. These are some of the attributes within us that help us to thrive and live a strong, healthy and fulfilled life. Being thankful and overjoyed in the goodness of God, for all that He has done for us, and for our eternal salvation through Christ Jesus. To live a lifestyle of forgiveness towards those who hurt us in some way, or another, asking the Holy Spirit to empower us when we do. To love them in the same way that God turns His love of forgiveness towards us when we hurt him, knowingly or unknowingly.

What does it mean to have a Contrite heart?

Having a contrite heart is someone who surrenders everything in their world to the will and purposes of God. Here's a question for you! What are we surrendering? and what does this look like in real-life application? Could it be that of our ministry, our marriage, or, our career path options? Metaphorically, it is like running everything in our life through the sieve of God's will for us. Ultimately, it's not all about us. When surrendering, we no longer chase after the things we want, but, desire the absolute will and purposes of God in our life. The descriptive characteristics of a contrite heart, in recognising our sinful ways, through a brokenness of heart, who devotedly humble themselves in being pliable and yielding. One of the many characters in the bible who stands out the most with a contrite heart is David. King David, recognised throughout scripture as one who is known to be a 'man after God's own heart', yet turning the pages of the Old Testament and the book of Psalms, we read that David was not perfect, and so are we, not perfect! We would like to think so, but the truth is, we're not. God is not looking for the perfectionism within us, but, a heart that is truly after His own heart, that He will never turn away.

How can we open our heart?

First of all, make that first step, by being open and transparent with your feelings, in being true to who you are and how you see yourself. We cannot hide anything from God, He sees everything within us, our warts and all, yes! those things that do not look pretty, when exposed. Secondly, change the way you think, feel or see, in who you are and in how you see others. Are our expectations of others far greater than expected? Maybe try to lower those expectations for you to be set free, in setting those around you free too. This is such a beautiful and liberating thing to do, trust me I've been there! It may hurt for a while, but then the love of Jesus floods through our hearts like a Tsunami. We become fully aware we have imperfections too - and the truth shall set you free!

The good man out of the good treasure

of his heart brings forth what is good

and the evil man out of the evil treasure

brings forth what is evil,

for his mouth speak from that which fills his heart.

Luke 6:45

The abundance of what comes from our mouths highlights the connection between, feelings, in the way we behave by our thought processes. Our Father in Heaven cares very much about the condition of our hearts and what we fill our hearts with. "Our tongue, our words, our speech has the ability, to bring death or life" (Proverbs 18:21).

"Trust the Lord with everything you have. In all your ways turn to Him for help in times of need, for He is much wiser than we can ever be. Our heavenly Father will show us the true way and straighten out all our imperfections through and by His immeasurable grace and abundance of love. Avoid trusting your thoughts, leadings, and conclusions, but reverence the one who upholds you in His hands with all truth. Turn away from that which causes you harm or to openly or unknowingly sin, this will be healing for your soul and ultimately your heart" (paraphrasing Proverbs 3: 5-8)

Take away.....

Grab a cup of coffee and have five minutes to yourself to answer a couple of questions for you to reflect on.

~Does the Lord have the final say about what sits in your heart? SELAH! (Pause and reflect for a moment).

~~~

~What breaks God's heart, does it break your heart too? Recognise and understand where we should be focussed and give our attention to what ~ Matters of the heart.

Pause to pray.....

Lord, help me to pray with a grateful heart,

from a place of gratitude and thanksgiving.

Help me to know when my heartbeat is out of sync with your heartbeat.

Break my heart, what break yours!

Change me, and help me to grow into the person whom you want me to be.

Help me not to always want my way, but to pursue your way.

Purify my heart and renew a right, spirit with me.

Help me to love others, even though they don't understand me or hurt me,

or blamed someone when something bad happened, and I've not let go.

Help me to have a heart that quickly forgives, in the same way, you have forgiven me.

Let no root of bitterness creep in or take hold of my heart.

Reveal in my heart and mind any place where there is unforgiveness, in not letting go.

Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me from this day forth.

In Jesus name, Amen!