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THE HEART

How do we maintain a HEART that's pleasing to God while pressing or going through life battles or troubles in the home, on the job and other situations impacting our lives? Proverbs 4:23 says we are to "Keep our heart with all diligence (carefully), for out of it springs the issues of life." This Monday Morning Inspirational Blast "THE HEART" is securely protected in spiritual warfare through the "Breastplate of Righteousness. We share the metaphor of physical warfare weaponry to spiritual warfare weaponry, then the importance and protection of our righteousness as well as holiness through the perfection of Christ to overcome and endure life issues.

Monday Morning Inspirational Blast “THE HEART” is one of the most protected and vital organ in spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:14b to “Having put on the breastplate of righteousness. It’s metaphorically compared to the soldiers’ breastplate protection over their vital organs in physical battle during ancient times.

The breastplate of Roman times went completely around the body. It was made of hard leather or metal.  “Under the Roman republic all the legionaries wore a bronze cuirass (a piece of armor) consisting of a breast and back plate with a border of pendent leather straps defending the lower part of the body” (The Encyclopedia Americana, 1903). We must consider breastplates were made more secured depending on ones’ financial status. Therefore more than often the soldiers’ breastplates were penetrable. Yet God’s Breastplate of Righteousness is impenetrable.

Now you may have similar or more thoughts about the “Breastplate of Righteousness.” What’s suggested in Chapter 3 of Get Through, Going Through Life book is the “Breastplate” represents the thickness of God’s protection over our hearts. Our hearts should resemble or mirror the righteousness and holiness of God. His divine nature is absolute, perfection and justice. The believer’s righteousness and holiness is through the sinless and supreme moral perfection revealed through the character and life of Jesus.

So what are our hearts filled with today? Hopefully the light of Christ because He lives in us. Sometimes we get derailed or off track. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all diligence (carefully), for out of it spring the issues of life.”  We generally keep our hearts with all diligence by what we say and do. Most times we operate in the light of Christ. Then when people get us wrong, we may act in darkness (sin). Derailed because to us “We had enough” with folks that often leads to escalated anger when we approach them. Then often times get off track when faced with other life issues impacting us directly or indirectly like situations with children/grands, sickness and grief.  

I remember years ago when frustrated and stressed I hung out at Big Daddy’s. Only to learn a drink didn’t work since no change in stress. I still had a headache. Just to laugh, maybe I needed more than one drink. The most practical cure at that time for me was to sleep then I woke up without a headache. Thank God for now spiritual growth.

For those who love or desire a closer relationship with God and/or those believing it is very important to seek life pleasures with little to no limitations since still young-not old—“This is what we/I do.” Please consider or ask yourself “Am I please with my relationship with my family, do I like my child’s behavior, what are the troubles in my life that I’m asking God to fix or help me with?” Because when we ask God to do something for us, what are we willing to do for Him?

Failure to “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” leads to spiritual HEART ailment or decline.

A Way of Escape Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”

Our trust increases with some regularity when we read and think about God’s Word in relation to our lives, asking God to help us understand and apply His scriptures for daily living. Google for more understanding, get a Study Bible that explains the verses. We can work on one issue at a time. For example the spirit convicted me to pull away from my party life to receive the blessing and help needed in my life.

The Church of Laodicea & Today’s Lukewarm Churches  Revelation 3:16-17 “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” This brings to memory Exodus 34:14 “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a Jealous God.

Churches maybe lukewarm in other ways like we don’t love like Christ, unforgiving, lack compassion, picks and chooses in the ministry including the lack of truth (God's Word) in love for correction.

An opportunity for forgiveness—Rev. 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door (heart to Jesus), I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and He with me.” As always love, blessings and your comments are always welcome! #Your Destiny, #Your Best