Guard Your Heart
Introduction:
“Keep your heart with all
diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.”
NKJV
(Proverbs 4:23) Solomon warns us about how
powerful our hearts and minds are. Our thoughts cause
our feelings and behavior. The choices we make reflect
what’s happening in our minds. (Matthew 15:17-20) “But
those things which proceed out of the mouth come from
the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart
proceed evil thoughts,”
NKJV
(Matthew 15:18-19)
The apostle Paul revealed that we could be transformed
by changing the way we think. (Romans 12:2) “And do not
be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that
good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
NKJV
So God’s truth can change our perspective, our habits,
our feelings, and our speech. So what are some of these
truths God wants us to know? Simpson lists several
worthy of our consideration. [Simpson, Anxious,
pg. 116]
Body:
I.
God Is Unlimited
·
God is not limited
by what we can understand. He is not constrained by
space or time like we are. (Isaiah 55:8-9) He knows
far better than we do what the future holds. By
focusing on His strength, we do not need to worry about
the future.
·
God has plans of
His own. His plans, which are far better, can unravel
our plans in an instant. Nothing surprises God. Job
losses, health issues, unexpected deaths don’t catch Him
unawares. (Isaiah 48:3, 5)
II.
God’s Priorities Are More Important Than Ours
·
Often they don’t
coincide. His are on a grander scale. It’s ridiculous
for us to insist on our way and expect that life should
unfold as we think it should. (Romans 11:33-34)
III.
God Is Good
·
By looking around
us, we can see all the goodness He sustains. His mercy
and love are readily apparent – material blessings
(Matthew 5:45) and spiritual blessings (Psalm
31:19). His goodness endures continually (Psalm 52:1).
His plans for us are good; they are just and true.
(Revelation 15:3) Even if we don’t understand them, we
should be satisfied knowing He has our best interests at
heart. (Jeremiah 31:14)
IV.
God Calls Us to Joy and Peace
·
Jesus proclaimed
this in
John 15:10-11. This is different from some
temporary happiness that is dependent upon our
circumstances. We can only experience this joy by being
right with God.
·
Jesus extends His
peace to us and His peace is drastically different than
the world’s. (John 14:27)
V.
God Calls Us to Trust Him
·
God doesn’t clear
all the obstacles in our path or make life easy. It
doesn’t mean life will be neat and tidy. (James 1:2-4)
·
God knows what kind
of world we live in and how disappointing it can be.
(John 16:33)
VI.
God Is In Control
·
We are not in
charge of the world. It is the Lord’s purpose that will
prevail. (Proverbs 19:21)
·
God is sovereign
and does as He wishes. (Psalm 115:3)
·
God made us and
knows what we need. He knows us better than we know
ourselves. (Isaiah 45:9, 11-12)
·
We can’t fix this
world. It’s not up to us. We can’t change all the
social conditions that exist. It is beyond our
capability. Note Jeremiah 17:9. “The heart is
deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who
can know it?”
NKJV
What we can do is prescribe the remedy to each person;
that remedy is Jesus Christ.
Conclusion:
The truths we think about and
meditate on will affect our attitudes, emotions,
feelings, and behavior. That’s why the wise man Solomon
said, “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it
spring the issues of life.”
Bobby Stafford
February 22, 2015
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