Guard Your Heart - - Watch Over Your Fruitfulness

 

John 15:5

"I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing."

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 2590

Fruit: deed, action, result, profit, gain

From the Greek word 'karpos' (pronounced kar-pos'). Extended definition: everything done in true partnership with Christ, i.e. a believer (a branch) lives in union with Christ (the Vine). By definition, fruit results from two life-streams – the Lord living His life through ours – to yield what is eternal. 

    Our fruitfulness in the kingdom of God depends on our inclination, our leaning, into Christ. Can the branch of a fruit tree bring forth fresh fruit unless it is attached to the tree? No. Neither then can a born again believer produce fruit alone. We need Jesus Christ living in us to "bear fruit". 

    Just what kind of fruit does a Christian bear when Christ (the vine) lives in us and the Spirit (the sap) flows through us?

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

I liken the fruit of the Spirit to a single fruit, like citrus, which has many segments yet remains an individual fruit.

    Galatians 5:22, 23

22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

    When these things are evident in a person's life, when you can see them, then you know that there stands a fruitful Christian. From the inside (where the Spirit works on us) to the outside. 

    Sometimes though the Master Gardener (our heavenly Father) sees the need for our trees, or vines, can be made more fruitful, so He prunes us. Does this hurt? Briefly. But then after a season our branches grow heavy with even more fruit than we think we can bear. Unless the Master Gardener sees there is no fruit, then He removes a branch or two from the tree or the vine. 

FRUITFUL FAITH

    The fruit in the Father's garden is not for physical  consumption, it is the result of a single Seed: the Seed of Righteousness: Jesus Christ, The LORD My Righteousness. This seed is the result of Faith in God which Abram had when God called him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. (Genesis 22:1-19 and Hebrews 11:17 "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son). 

    It is only by Faith in the promises of God that we are able to spread the gospel of God's plan of salvation, the Seed of righteousness, in His fields. Sometimes, this seed does not take root, as told in the Parable of The Sower. Only when the Seed reaches the heart does it take root and begin to grow. 

    It wasn't just one person telling me about God and Jesus Christ, it was many. The Word says "some plant, some water, some harvest". At some point in my life, someone planted the Seed in my heart where it took root. Others watered my heart with their tears, when they prayed for me. Now the Word grows in me and I'm growing in the Word. When I am perfect, I'll be harvested by the Master Gardener. 

FRUITFULNESS

    Every time I tell you about my Jesus and what He's done for me, I'm planting the Seed. It's up to you whether or not you receive it into your hearts. The tears of my prayers water not just my plantings, but the plantings of others when I pray for their gardens/fields. 

    I grew up singing classic hymns in church, like Bringing In The Sheaves which speaks of the harvest of grain sheaves as compared to the souls which are being saved through the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Bringing In The Sheaves

~Knowles Shaw~1874~Psalm 126:6

He that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

1. Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,

Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;

Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

2. Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,

Fearing neither clouds nor winter’s chilling breeze;

By and by, the harvest and the labor ended,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

3. Going forth with weeping, sowing for the Master,

Tho’, the loss sustained, our spirit often grieves;

When our weeping’s over, He will bid us welcome,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

(Refrain)

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves;

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

    And so we pray. We pray for the Lord's perfect will to be done, not what we want or how we want it. We pray for our families, our friends; for our spouses, our children, and our children's children. We pray for the people our children associate themselves with and for their families. 

    First and foremost, we pray for their salvation. We pray that they be filled with the Holy Spirit, that they all may walk empowered in the strength of the Lord. We pray that their hearts would be filled to overflowing with the joy of the Lord; that their fruit would be evident and sweet. 

    Lastly, we pray that they would remain strong in the Lord and in the power of His might all the days of their life. That they would be a blessing not only to their Lord but to everyone they meet. That's our prayer for fruitfulness in the kingdom of God.

FRUITFULNESS MEDLEY

So Will I

Gratitude

When I Pray

No Other Name

Graves Into Gardens

Give Me Faith

Build My Life

    

Guard Your Heart - - Guard Your Brokenness

 

Psalm 34:18

The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 7665 & 1793

Broken: to break, break in pieces, shattered

From the Hebrew word 'shabar' (pronounced shaw-bar') 

Contrite: crushed

From the Hebrew word 'dakka'' (pronounced dak-kaw')

THE SPIRIT OF CONVICTION

It is not we ourselves who break our hearts for God, but the Spirit of God who breaks the hearts of the believer to receive the good things God has prepared to fill the broken hearted with. It is the Holy Spirit, after all, who convicts the heart of sin (John 16:8; 1 Thessalonians 1:5).

John 16:7-11 Jesus tells His disciples that He needs to go away and why:

7. But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.

8. And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:

9. in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me;

10. in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me;

11. and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world has been condemned.

The Spirit of Conviction  pricks the hearts of they who hear the Word (Acts 2:37). In order to be restored into a right relationship with God in Christ, we must take the next step after the Holy Spirit convicts our hearts to believe.

THE NEXT STEP: CALLED TO REPENTANCE

Repentance:  I repent, I change my mind and think differently afterwards. (After what? after I believe.) Changed after being with God.

I repent. God forgives. Jesus Saves. The Holy Spirit restores.

Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15; Luke 15:10; Luke 24:47; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Acts 3:19.

Acts 2:38, 39

38. Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39. This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off—to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.”

WE ARE ALL CALLED TO SALVATION

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 6:40

For it is My Father's will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies."

THE PROMISE PROMISED 

Isaiah 44:3

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and currents on the dry ground. I will pour out My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring.

Joel 2:28, 32

28. And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.

32. And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has promised, among the remnant called by the LORD.

THE GUARD

    We need to guard our hearts which have been broken not only by God but for God. We need to remain so close to Him we can hear His whispers and He can hear our prayers. For the Lord hears the prayers of the righteous, the cries of the brokenhearted, the longing of the heart to be with Him. 

    How do we guard our hearts with this purpose in mind? Stay in His Word: Read it, Live it, Breathe It. Yes, it's a very hard thing to do, isn't it? But we who repent of our sins are forgiven by the forgiving God Who forgives sins. And when we have repented, the Spirit of God restores us to God. 

    It is a good way to end the day before falling asleep, for tomorrow is not guaranteed to us. it's better, do you not agree, to fall asleep knowing we are forgiven than to fall asleep in our sins? It is also a good way to begin our day. O Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner! The words spring from our hearts to our tongues and leap off of our lips into the ears of a hearing God. 

    We guard our brokenness, when we remain in a humble state of mind, remembering who we were before we believed in God's Christ for our salvation and how we came to be where we are now after receiving Christ and His Holy Spirit. 

     We guard our brokenness, when we remember that we are nothing without God. Nothing without His grace. Nothing without His mercy. Nothing without His lovingkindness. Nothing without His presence. Nothing. Nothing without His Christ. Nothing without His love. 

    We are maggots (Job 25:6). We are dust (Genesis 3:19). We are unclean (Isaiah 6:5). We are sinners (Luke 18:13). We need God. We need His Christ to save us: to wash away our sins. We need His Spirit to restore us to Him: make us holy and useful for His purpose. 

    Let us come near to God (begin to, and continue to, walk in His direction) and He will come near to us (see us coming and run to meet us). As in the parable of The Prodigal Son, which you may want to refresh yourselves with. (Luke 15:11-32)

GUARD YOUR BROKENNESS MEDLEY

 

 

Guard Your Heart - - Guard Your First Love

 

Matthew 24:12

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 458

Iniquity: lawlessness, disobedience, sin

From the Greek word ' anomia' (pronounced an-om-ee'-ah). 'The utter disregard for God's law (His written and living Word).  Includes the end-impact of law breaking – i.e. its negative influence on a person's soul (status before God).'

    Iniquity is both contempt for and violation of God's law. And according God's Christ "it will abound". Abound: multiply, increase upon increase. And many who think they are Christians - Christ's followers - will leave the faith they think are and be revealed as the faithless that they really are: the unfaithful.

Revelation 2:4

But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first.

FIRST LOVE

    Remember how you felt when you fell in love with your sweetheart? Our eyes would tend to glaze over, getting that starry-eyed effect, when we thought of them or spoke of them. 

    We wanted to be with them all the time, do what they wanted to do, go where they wanted to go. We listened to the same songs, watched the same movies, read the same books, attended the same church. Their world was our world. 

    But after awhile, if the stars in our eyes became tears, then was it ever true love after all? The things we used to do together were no longer appealing to us as a couple. Our hearts fell out of love. It was not an enduring love. Our first love had faded. 

ENDURING LOVE

    A love that endures will make it through the bad times as well as the good times. In this life we will know pain as well as pleasure, sorrow as well as joy, death as well as life. 

    Enduring love will make it all the way to the end. From the first "I love you" to the last breath taken. From "I do" to "Good-bye". Enduring love perseveres, overcoming obstacles and gaining ground in its endeavor to remain faithful to each other and to cross the finish line of life. 

    If the first love we have for one another remains strong then it becomes an enduring love, a faithful love. As it is in our personal relationships, so it is in our spiritual relationship. And how do we maintain a Faithful, Enduring first love relationship in Christ? When we love Him like He loves us: through and through. 

AGAPE LOVE

    Jesus tells us to "A new commandment I give to you, that you should love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another." (John 13:34). How has Christ loved us? With a beneficial love. 

    An all-encompassing love which overlooks faults in each other, forgiving each other every time there is an offense against us. A to-the-death love, an I-would-die-for-you love which Jesus proved He had when He died on the cross. But this love will wax cold, will wane in a person's heart until the flicker of love that was there goes out.

    This love wrongs no one (Romans 13:10). This love holds no grudges against anyone, nor does it seek revenge on wrongs (Leviticus 19:18). This love seeks the betterment of its enemies and prays for its persecutors (Matthew 5:44). This love honors others before itself (Romans 12:10). 

    To sum it up, this love carries no hate towards others, even if by rights one person could hate another for a legitimate reason, such reasons do not exist in Christ's love. Even on the cross, when He could have condemned the people who nailed Him there, He forgave them. (Luke 23:34).

LOVE-LETTER

    The whole Bible, the written Word of God, is a Love-letter from God to His people, for only His people will be able to understand what is written on its pages. We know this because when an unsaved person reads the Bible, they  see only the words on the pages, the surface or letter of the law written therein. And there is no understanding in their hearts, no knowledge, no love of God. 

    Wisdom writes the Word on the hearts of those who believe the Word to be God's Word. It is, after all, Faithful and True (Revelation 21:5, 19:11). The Spirit of God by the power of God is written with love on the hearts of they (we) who love God (2 Corinthians 3:3). 

    Faithfulness to God's Word requires diligence on our part. Reading this Book together strengthens our bond, for we read to learn of God's love and how to put it into practical application in us. Faithfulness to God's Word demands holiness on our part: righteous living from the inside-out, not just lip service which is only seen and heard, but heart-service which is known by God in secret and revealed by God when His timing is apparent. 

BORN AGAIN LOVE

    We are the beloved, the born of God, the born again: "We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of deception. Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:6-8. 

GUARD YOUR FIRST LOVE MEDLEY

    

 

Guard Your Heart - - Guard Your Blessing

 

Proverbs 10:22

The blessing of The LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 6238

Enriches: to be rich, to become rich

From the Hebrew word 'ashar' (pronounced aw-shar'). 

    In this verse the word 'enrich' means 'to make rich'. Therefore, the blessing of The LORD makes rich the person He is blessing. Having a right relationship with Him is all the riches I need. 

    So just what is the blessing of The LORD that I should desire it? 

THE BLESSING OF THE LORD

>Prospers the one being blessed (Proverbs 3:33)

>Is on the wise (Proverbs 2) 

>Is Life Eternal (James 1:12)

>Is Abundant Grace (1 Timothy 1:14)

>Is with they who seek with and  walk with Him 

(2 Chronicles 17:3, 4)

>Is on His faithful (Deuteronomy 28:1-14)

>Is a crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8)

>Multiplies (Leviticus 25:21)

>Is on His people who persevere in The Name of The Lord 

(James 5:10, 11)

ENRICHES

    Not for personal gain nor to increase one's own finances or bank account, but to prosper in the ways of The Lord. God's blessing is on His faithful: faithfully following His Word, faithfully hearing His Word, faithfully living in His Word. 

    1 Timothy 6:9, 10 Self-Enrichment

    God's blessing is NOT on the unfaithful. Their riches are by their own hand for their own glory. When men (and women) enrich themselves, they praise themselves and are praised by others. 

    1 Timothy 6:11 Godly Enrichment

    When God's hand is the source of the enrichment, then God gets the glory and praise. The blessing of The Lord is "righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."

   

    Let us receive the blessing of The Lord by seeking Him out and meeting with Him in private {prayer}, by surrendering ourselves fully to Him (submission) and by faithfully living a life that honors God in all His ways (surrender). Let us have joy in the God of our salvation, who showers us with His grace, His mercy and His compassion. 

GUARDING OUR BLESSING

    1 Timothy 6:12 "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

Fight the good fight of the faith. Hold onto the eternal life we have been given and confessed before many that we have. 

    Philippians 3:12 "Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own."

I press on. I persevere. I endure. With His grace. With His help. In His strength. In His love. In Him. 

GUARDING OUR BLESSING MEDLEY 

All To Jesus I Surrender - Robin Mark 

I Surrender - Hillsong 

Submission - Piano & Song Cover

At Your Feet - Casting Crowns

Find Us Faithful - Steve Green

Guard Your Heart - - Follow The Pattern

 

1 Corinthians 11:1

Be followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 3402

Followers: imitator, emulator

From the Greek word 'mimétés' (pronounced mim-ay-tace'): the root of the English word mimic. Properly, the positive imitation that arises by admiring the pattern set by someone worthy of emulation. Mimétés is always used positively in the NT (seven times) – of followers of Christ emulating a God-approved example. The supreme model is God Himself (see Eph 5:1). 

Ephesians 5:2 "Therefore, be followers of God, as dear children."

This word 'followers' is used only seven times in the New Testament. Though some translations use the word 'imitators' instead of 'followers', the meaning is the same. 

1. 1 Corinthians 4:16 - followers of Paul (his example)

2. 1 Corinthians 11:1 - followers of Paul even as he follows Christ

3. Ephesians 5:1 - followers of God

4. 1 Thessalonians 1:6 - followers of Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, and the Lord, with joy in the Holy Spirit

5. 1 Thessalonians 2:14 - followers of the churches of God in Christ Jesus who also suffer at the hands of their own nation

6. Hebrews 6:12 - followers of the faithful

7. 1 Peter 3:13 - followers of what is good

FOLLOW THE PATTERN

Philippians 3:17 

Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you.

Philippians 4:9

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 

2 Timothy 1:13

Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

FOLLOW THE SHEPHERD

John 10:3, 4

3. The gatekeeper opens the gate for Him, and the sheep listen for His voice. He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out.

4. When He has brought out all His own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice.

FOLLOW THE SPIRIT's LEADING

Romans 8:3, 4

3. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh,

4. so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

    We lead by example, whether we lead others in the way of death and destruction (Matthew 10:25) or in the Way of the Lord . The better way is God's Way. If we're going to be God's faithful leaders, then we need to be God's faithful followers. 

    A servant is not greater than his master. (Matthew 10:24; John 13:16; John 15:20). A faithful leader is a faithful servant. We follow Christ wherever He leads us, even to death. He is bringing us out of this world into His world, into our heavenly home. 

FOLLOWING JESUS CHRIST, OUR PATTERN

    Knowing that Christ suffered at the hands of his own countrymen, why are we expecting not to suffer at the hands of our own countrymen, our own nation, our own cities and towns? Jesus Christ told His disciples (and us) to take up our crosses and follow Him.

Matthew 16:24

Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

1 Peter 2:21-23

21. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

22. “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;

23. When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.

    Don't be surprised when the men and women you have called friends turn their backs on you when you profess Christ as your Lord and Savior; when your ways are not their ways. Don't be alarmed by family suddenly criticizing the change in you. Stand firm in your newfound faith in Christ. You are not alone.

    But continue to follow Christ faithfully. Read your Bible. Study your Bible. Highlight areas that make an impact on you. Underline verses that reach you. Date these things in your Bible, if you can. Use the flyleaf and the back blank pages. You should see my study Bibles. 

    Keep a journal or notebook with your Bible. There may be times when you need more space to write your thoughts and the insights you have gained in your studies. This will help you remember what you are learning.

     "​A faithful follower I would be​,"​ is what the hymnist wrote way back in 1862, when he penned the words to "He Leadeth Me." 

FOLLOW THE PATTERN MEDLEY

Guard Your Heart - - Guard Your Seed

 

Genesis 18:19

"For I have chosen him so that he will command his children and his house after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just. This is how the LORD will fulfill to Abraham what He promised him.”

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 6680

Command: to lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

From the Hebrew word 'tsavah' (pronounced tsaw-vaw'). 

    To command one's children and household is to set in order and make known what is required and what will be accepted according to the Word which God has given us. There is a right way to do this and a wrong way, as many of us are aware. 

    The right way is to command in the love of the Lord, to lead by example a godly lifestyle in the eyes of the Lord and the eyes of our children and extended family. It is to be obedient to the Word of God in every aspect of our lives, setting our children up for their success and progress in living godly lives. 

    When we live in the fear of the Lord faithfully, our children, we hope, will also live in the fear of the Lord. But, and if, we have raised them to love God then even if they take the long way to God, we know that they will return to the Lord as long as we keep praying for them to return. 

    There is a sequence of command in our households. First, we recognize God as Lord. Second, we love the Lord our God with all our hearts, and our minds, and our souls. Thirdly, we honor Him with all that we have and are. Fourthly, we submit to His will for us, for God knows what is best for us, as He is our Heavenly Father, the One who meets the needs of His household, His people. 

    We recognize God as Lord when we believe that His only begotten Son Jesus Christ the Messiah is Lord of All. 

     We recognize God as Lord when we believe not only that He Is but that He Is God above all gods and that He is the only God. 

    We love the Lord our God with all our hearts, when we put Him first in our lives, seeking His will for us, instead of doing whatever we want to do.

     We love the Lord our God with all our minds, when we think on His Word, meditate on His Word. 

    We love the Lord our God with all our souls, when we live for Him: when we live according to His Word: our actions and our words must align with His Word. In love. 

    We honor God with all that we have when we tithe of our finances and give offerings to build His kingdom. 

     We honor God with all that we are when we submit to His Word, His Will and His Way willingly and with a joyful heart. 

    We submit to His will in love, with peace in our hearts and not confusion or doubt; with great expectations of the many blessings He has in store for those who submit to Him. 

    We are not stingy in giving our time to Him. Time spent not only in study of His Word, but time spent in prayer. This, too, is a part of the command. It is 'communing with God as friend to Friend'. We spend that prayer time with Him not just alone in our special places of prayer, but together as a family, seeking God's face and His presence.

    Failure in any aspect of the sequence of the command is to fail on all. Not obeying any part of God's leadership command for our children and our households results in chaos: chaotic lives, chaotic hearts. But when we repent of our failures, our faults, God restores us. And He will restore our children, too. For the promise is not just to us but to our children and our households. 

    To do what is right and just is to do what is right according to God's Word and live justly before Him in His Way. It's not enough to be a good person. It's not enough to live a peaceful way of life. We must make the decision to do what is right and just that our children and our household may also do what is right and just. Not just living by the example which we have set before them, but living a right and just lifestyle according to the Word which God has laid out before them. 

    This day and age in which we live is becoming increasingly more difficult in which to maintain a godly lifestyle without having someone come against us for it. Now more than ever, God's people need to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might: we need to be filled with His Word, filled with His Spirit and filled with His Love. 

    For the day is at hand when the decision to live a God-filled life will cause us to be killed for that decision. Joshua told the Israelites, "Choose you this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15). 

    

    

Guard Your Heart -- - Guard Your Core

 

Colossians 3:12

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4698

Bowels:  the inward parts (heart, liver, lungs, etc.), the emotions

From the Greek word 'splagchnon' (pronounced splangkh'-non):  the inward parts; the heart, affections, seat of the feelings. Properly, the internal organs ("viscera"); "gut-level compassion" (visceral feelings); the capacity to feel deep emotions (sympathy, empathy, etc.).

THE CORE

    The main job of the core in the human anatomy is to hold and protect the spine. It is located within a person's abdominal muscles, which stabilize the pelvis, maintain natural abdominal pressure and helps hold other organs in place. 

    It is the same in our spiritual bodies. The core, the innermost part of our spiritual hearts, where the Trinity dwell, holds us upright. The core's main function is to keep the born again Christian in Christ and Christ in the Christian. It is here God writes His Word with the power of His Holy Spirit. 

HEART OF MERCY

    Having gone through various trials with Christ at our helm, we are able to navigate these same storms with others. We call this empathy. But being Christians, we can also offer the Love of God, our Hope in Christ and Strength for the journey.

    Death is another storm which everyone goes through. When we are born into this world, we are aware that we will have to die at some point to leave it. Though we do not want to say good-bye to our loved ones, we who know we are in Christ and that He is in us, know that 'good-bye' is really 'see you later'.

     Therefore, as Christ's servants we can also sympathize with the dying, the ones they leave behind and the ones who fear death. A grieving parent is shown both empathy and sympathy by a Christian parent who has also suffered the loss of a child. A grieving child is shown sympathy and empathy by a Christian when we share how our parents are now in heaven.

    From deep within the heart of a Christian rises the love of God and the mercy of Christ to reach into the heart of the one we are showing empathy with and sympathy to. We grieve when they grieve. We cry when they cry. We mourn when they mourn. We rejoice when they rejoice. 

CORE VALUES

    Core values are the priorities by which we live our lives: our personal ethics, our integrity. In Scripture, the core values are the fruit of the Spirit as outlined in Galatians 5:22, 23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." These grow in the spiritual core of a Christian.

    We each have our own list of core values. Some as few as five, yet some have a set list of 200+ values. It is the structure of life for us. In a Christian's life it is the same. What we believe and how we live what we believe is to be known by our core values. 

    For instance, integrity, which tends to show itself in a public display of honesty. When you see an item in your cart after you've already paid for everything else, do you go back and pay for it or do you keep it? The person with integrity goes back and pays for it. 

    Responsibility, respect, good sportsmanship are all core values. But servant leadership is also a core value. Jesus showed this value when He washed His disciples' feet. (John 13:1-17). He's the Servant Leader, who shows by example how to live a Christ-centered life.

     So, remember, in order to guard our hearts and the core of our hearts, we need a right relationship with Christ and to be filled with His Holy Spirit, who leads us and guides us on every step of our walk with Him. In the church we call it 'being known by our fruit'. What are you known for?

Just A Closer Walk With Thee - Alabama

I Can't Even Walk - Southern Gospel Revival

Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross  

I'd Rather Have Jesus - Jim Reeves

Nothing Without You - Will Reagan

Guard Your Heart - - Guard Your Prayer Life

 

Matthew 26:41

Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 3986

Temptation: test (positive), temptation {enticement to sin}(negative), affliction {adversity, trouble sent by God} (both pos. and neg.), trial {rebellion against God} (negative).

From the Greek word 'peirasmos' (pronounced pi-ras-mos') is a word with double meanings. Depending on context (passage where it's found), can sometimes be both negative and positive at the same time.

WATCH & PRAY

Watch: be careful, pay attention to. 

     In this verse, Matthew 26:41, temptation means 'enticement to sin'. Strong's "of a condition of things, or a mental state, by which we are enticed to sin, or to a lapse from faith and holiness". 

    We need to be determined not to allow ourselves to be brought to a place in our thoughts where we could find our words reminiscing of the 'good old days' instead of proclaiming the deliverance from said days, for then our words could cause not only ourselves, but those listening to us to fall back into the sinfulness of that from which we have been saved and delivered out of. 

    And just how do we do that? Self-discipline is doing and saying the right thing all day long day after day. When we bring our desires under control according to the Word of God that's mastery. When mastery is done in the love of God, that's faithfulness. 

    Though Daniel was a young man when he was taken captive, he refused to be trained according to the king's way of doing things, but "purposed in his heart" to be faithful to the Lord. He and his friends that were with him remained faithful to God throughout their captivity, even if it meant certain death.

    Reading Daniel 3-6, we see that Daniel served under several kings. Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar's son (Daniel 5:2), and Darius the Mede who's thoughtless decree made it illegal to pray (ask a petition of) to any God or man other than himself. The punishment was to be thrown into the lions' den. 

    Daniel 6:10

"Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before."

    'When Daniel learned': he watched. 'Three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.': he prayed. 

    Are we, the born again believers, watching and praying with the same faithfulness in which God's faithful servants have done before us? If not, we need to fall down on our knees before God and repent of our faithlessness. And then we need to purpose in our hearts to remain faithful to God. 

    Are we aware of the changing times around us? or are we behaving like ostriches? Are we fearful or watchful? The fearful will run and hide, seeking safety, but not finding it. The watchful will stand on the Word and kneel to fight; thereby finding that which was promised: salvation and deliverance. 

    Pay attention, believers. We are in those days now where we see praying in public is being come against and disallowed. Discerning the times, having the wisdom of God's Word to know not only what is right and what is wrong, but speaking against the wrong is illegal. 

    We need to read His Word every single day, spending time with him in intimate communication. We need to pray to God on a regular basis every single day. Yes, we can pray throughout our days, but we must also set aside certain times of our day to meet with Him in special prayer. 

    If we can set aside times of our day to do other things, then we can set aside times of our day to pray. And if you think this message is directed at only you, remember: the message from God comes to the messenger first. 

MY PORTION

LAY IT ALL DOWN

IN THE NIGHT WATCHES (Scripture Memorization Songs)

I SURRENDER TO KNOW YOU

FIND ME AT THE FEET OF JESUS

Guard Your Heart - - Guard Your Life

 

1 Timothy 4:15, 16

15. Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.

16. Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 3191 and No. 1961

Diligent: to care for, practice, study, revolve in the mind, premeditate on

From the Greek word 'meletaó' (pronounced mel-et-ah'-o): I devise, plan; practice, exercise myself in, study, ponder.

Persevere: to stay on, abide in

From the Greek word ' epimenó' (pronounced ep-ee-men'-o): I remain, tarry;  I remain in, persist in. To continue on with persistence that suits the objective.

    Are our lives living examples of the Gospel? Can you see Jesus in me or hear His voice when I speak? What in me is hindering you from either of these things? I have to ask myself: Does my well hold any Living Water or is it broken? Has rust (corruption) gotten into my treasure box? 

    Matthew 13:52

"The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure."

    Jeremiah 2:13

"“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water."

    In Matthew 28:19, 20 Jesus gives The Great Commission: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” An instruction Paul repeats to Timothy, the young evangelist who will remain in Ephesus for a time. 

    And, so, I study. I read and devour The Word of God that I might be found an acceptable servant in His sight and give out The Word that I have heard and seen. I embrace The Word with delight; I meditate on His Word, pondering in my heart, as Mary did (Luke 2:19), what I am hearing and seeing. It is ever present within me. 

    It is what we have been studying for over a year now: what it means to be a born again Christian: the how we become born again; the why we choose to become born again; the how to live a  born again life. We are not done with our studies. Yet. 

PSALM 63 (Better Than Life) Shane & Shane

TAKE MY LIFE  Micah Stampley

LIFESONG Casting Crowns

EVERYTHING (video skit) Lifehouse