"TURN THE HEARTS OF THE PARENTS TO THEIR CHILDREN"

 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. ¹² When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. ¹³ But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. ¹⁴ He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, ¹⁵ for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. ¹⁶ He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Luke 1:11-17

This morning I was reading the passage above as I have many times before, but this time the enlarged phrase stuck in my mind:  "To turn the hearts of the parents to their children".  The angel of the Lord, Gabriel, came to Zechariah and told him that he and his wife were going to have a son.  They were to name him John, and he would go before the Lord in the spirit and power of the prophet Elijah.  His mission was to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and also to turn the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous.  He was to prepare the people for the Lord's coming.

We know that the world is filled with unrighteousness.  It was then, and it still is now.  We know Satan is at work trying to get people on his side.  But doesn't it seems strange that this verse says the part about turning the hearts of parents to their children?  Isn't it odd that there was even a problem with parenting in those days?

Years before, the prophet Elijah was sent to help with parenting problems.  Malachi has almost the same message in chapter four, verses 5 and 6, although this time it not only mentions the parenting problem, but also the disobedience of the children:

⁵ “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. ⁶ He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”

Malachi 4:5-6

I'm not a perfect parent.  My husband isn't a perfect parent.  Our children aren't perfect.  But, they are not disobedient.  They are not habitually disobedient. They may disobey at times, but for the most part, they want to obey us because they love us - and know we love them.  They also know that because we love them, we will discipline them when they do wrong.

Why is it that parents' hearts would need to be turned back to their children?  Why would that even be an issue in Zechariah's day or in our day?  There are several reasons to examine.  Time.  Work. Hobbies. Activities.  Responsibilities.  Goals.  Pride.  Communication. Respect. We could look at many, many different areas, but in reality, all of these areas go directly to one area:  SELFISHNESS.  Selfishness is the root of all of the other problems.  

SELFISHNESS

Many parents are selfish.  They want "ME" time.  It is less about what needs to be done for their spouse and their children and more about what needs to be done for "ME".  Do you notice as you read the Bible that the people didn't talk about "getting time for myself"?  Do you notice that Jesus didn't go off alone for himself, but to talk to His Father?  If that is the time away we need, that's wonderful.  Because then it is about HIM - GOD, and not about "ME".  We do need time alone with God, and as parents, that alone time may be hard to find.  But don't we find time to do the things we want to do?  Don't we find time for TV, movies, hobbies, exercise, shopping, etc.?  Yes, we find time for what we want to do.  

Turning our hearts to our children will not be excluding them in our day to day lives.  It will be using every opportunity available to teach them and nurture them - in the LORD - not about things in the world.  Turning our hearts to our children will not be making them participate in activities to boost our own egos and to receive accolades from others about things of this world, but to teach them about God, and Jesus, and the church He died for.  It will be showing them a faithful Christian life of service to God.  It will be leading by example.....worshipping together as a family on Sundays and Wednesdays.  It will not be forsaking the assembling of the saints - of the Christian family of God that will help be an example to the children.

So, what if we examine our lives as see that we have become selfish?  What if we realize that our hearts aren't turned to our children, but turned to ourselves - to our own wants and desires?  What should we do?  We need to stop.  We need to stop being selfish.  But how?  The simple answer is to stop thinking about "ME".  Any time something comes up, we must stop thinking about how something will affect "ME".  "ME" can no longer matter.  It becomes about "YOU".  What is best for "YOU".  What is best for "OTHERS".  What is best for the children.  Ultimately, what is best for God.

Maybe we're used to being away from our children all day long.  Our society has a problem with pawning our children off on others.  We expect other people to raise our children:  teachers, babysitters, daycare workers, coaches, youth ministers, grandparents, older siblings, friends, etc.  We want (and maybe even expect) someone else to raise our children for us while we just enjoy the "good" parts....the fun and easy parts of parenting.  The thought process is something like this:  "Someone else can do the dirty work, but I'll take the glory. If there's a problem, I'll have someone else to blame.  It's not my fault."  And that's what is wrong in our society, and must have been wrong in Zechariah's society as well.

No one can change your heart for you.  God can help you and He will, but you have to want to change.  You have to want your heart to turn back to your children.....or to your spouse.  It won't happen without your consent.  Satan will try his best to keep it from happening.

When parents turn their hearts to their children and teach their children about what is really and truly important, amazing things can happen.  The family will be stronger.  Relationships will be stronger.  Love will be evident.  Your family will not be perfect, but it will be stable.  Children will feel secure.  You may have less time for "ME", but you'll feel more fulfilled.  You'll see that life is about more than just you.  You'll see that true joy is found in serving others.  You'll know that you're doing the most important thing - teaching your children about God, Jesus, and His Church.  You'll be doing what God wants you to do and there is nothing better than doing His Will.

 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ³⁵ For whoever wants to save his life^[c] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. ³⁶ What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? ³⁷ Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?³⁸ If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

Mark 8:34-38

What Would God Say About You?

When looking for a new king to take Saul's place, God chose David.  God said that David was, "A man after His own heart."  He wanted a king who would follow His will and do what He wanted him to do.

But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” 

1 Samuel 13:14

²¹ Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. ²² After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart;he will do everything I want him to do.’

Acts 13:21-22

David found favor in the eyes of the Lord, and so He was given a great compliment by God.  God didn't care that David was the youngest in His family.  God didn't look at the outward appearance - the way man looks at people.  God was looking at David's heart.  

Here are a few questions to ask yourself today:

1.  Can God compliment me?

2.  What am I doing that enables God to compliment me?

3.  Am I more concerned about my outward appearance and pleasing the world, or am I more concerned about my inward appearance - my heart - and being pleasing to God?

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:7

God loves us unconditionally.  Nothing can take that away.  But He may not always be able to compliment us.  If we are not striving to do His will, but are continuing to do our own will, He won't find many reasons to compliment us.  If we aren't walking 'in the light' and trying to following in the footsteps of Jesus, we're walking in darkness.  There isn't much to compliment.

God wants to compliment us.  He wants to see that we are striving to walk in the light and live according to His word.  Yes, we may mess up.  In fact, we will mess up, but it's the continuing to try aspect He is looking for.  It's the perseverance...the not giving up.  That's what He can compliment!

(*Note: This devotional thought is based on a lesson from Phillip Johnson, who was with our congregation in October for a series of lessons.)

WHAT ARE YOU SEEKING?

You will seek me and find me when you seek me 

with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13

This verse is on my mind today.  Perhaps it is on yours, too.  

It makes me ask myself some questions:

What am I seeking?

Am I seeking God or something of this world?

Am I seeking Him with all of my heart - or just a part of it?

Sometimes my mind gets so entangled in the things of this world, that to be honest, I'm probably not seeking Him as I should be.  Oftentimes I'm letting the "stuff" get in the way of what is really important.  Seeking God!

Today, join me in readjusting priorities....in focusing on what is important:  Seeking and finding God....with all of our heart.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Changes and Heart Pain

I've never been a fan of change.  In fact, I don't like change much at all.  But, as we all know, change is inevitable and we must learn to live with it - whether we like it or not.

The first "change" I ever remember not liking was at my maternal grandparents' house.  It seemed like every time I would visit them, my grandma had changed her den furniture around.  She enjoyed the change.  I didn't.  I wanted things just like they were.  I'm still that way.  It's really hard for me to change most things.  I guess it's a good for a marriage because I'm not the type of wife that is always looking to change and redo things in the house or even my wardrobe.  My husband should be thankful! :)

Yes, sometimes changes in life are tough.  Sometimes they make your heart hurt.

In the past week, there have been several changes that have been hard.  To start off, our oldest child (daughter) was selected to attend Washington Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.  It was an FFA trip and she was dropped off eight days ago to travel by bus with hundreds of other Oklahoma FFA members, as well as members from other states.  I was so excited for her to have this great opportunity, but as I dropped her off and drove off, my heart hurt.  I cried at the thought of her going so far away, but that didn't last too long because I was really glad she was able to go.  But my mind drifted to what will be happening in the near future - she'll be a Senior in high school and in a little more than a year, she'll go away to college.  My heart will hurt again.....but again I'll be excited for her new opportunities.  I'm sure I'll have a hard time at that time, but the three boys will keep me busy with my "mom" job and we'll have different kinds of special times with our daughter.

The next heart pain came with news that my parents had sold their house and bought a house and were moving almost four hours away from me, but to where my sister and her husband and children live.  I've been in close proximity to my parents all but 18 months in my life. I left home after one year of college (where I drove to and lived at home) and got married.  My husband and I moved to southwest Kansas for a year and a half and I felt like I had gone to a foreign country!  I hadn't ever been away from my family before and I didn't like it.  He didn't either.  We both wanted to be back closer to our hometowns and soon were able to move to his hometown - where we've been ever since.  My parents moved to another town, but were then only 20 miles away instead of 30,  from our small town.  Now, after having them close for 22 and a half years, they'll be far.  We didn't get to see them a lot, anyway, and now those times may be even fewer.  It's tough.  It's a change I don't like.  It's a change that makes my heart hurt.

And lastly, but the worst change in our lives that is causing heart pain is that my father-in-law is in the last days of life on this earth.  After battling cancer for years, he was continuing treatments, but three weeks ago he had a stroke.  Due to complications from the stroke (couldn't swallow, developed pneumonia, etc.) his health began to deteriorate rapidly about a week ago.  A few days ago the doctor let us know that nothing else could be done to restore his health as far as the medical side goes.  Of course, we believe in prayer and know that God could restore my father-in-law's health, but we also realize that this does not seem to be in His plan.

When I think of these changes, I realize that many who read this will have gone through them and survived.  I know that, with God's help, I will get through it, as well.  I may not like it, but I'll get through it.  On this Gratituesday, I am grateful for God's plans and His ways.  They may not always be what I wanted or how I wanted, but they are His....and I can know that He is in control.

With my daughter, she got home today and had a wonderful trip!  We missed her so much, but are also very thankful she had a great time during this amazing opportunity.  She's growing up, and I get excited about her future.  The future (the far out future!) in regards to her and our boys will give me a son-in-law and daughters-in-law....and then grandchildren.  I get excited about that.

With my parents moving far away,  there is bright side.  When they do come to visit they'll be actually staying all night in our home.  Maybe it will actually end up being more time together, instead of short little visits or attendance at some school or sports events.  My children are excited about them staying in our home!  And, we'll get to stay in their home, too.  Most of the time, since my sister's family would stay at my parents when they came to visit, we would just visit, but then come back to our own beds so they wouldn't be crowded.

Death is a change like no other.  It can cause the most heart pain of all.  However, because of my father-in-law's faith, hope, and trust as a child of God, we know that death in the earthly body means nothing.  We know that the soul will live forever and that some day we will join him and see him again when we all get to Heaven.  There is no greater joy than knowing that your loved one will spend eternity with the Heavenly Father.  I can't imagine realizing that a loved one would be lost forever and be spending eternity in the torment of Hell.  That would be a heart pain that would be extremely hard to get over.

So, may I ask you to please pray for me and pray for my family and extended family?  I would appreciate it very much.  I'll eventually get used to the changes, and God will help comfort with the heart pain, I know.  Life will continue on and memories of what used to be with be precious.  Thank you, God, for your plans.....even when they are different from my wants.

Join us for GRATITUESDAY at Heavenly Homemakers!

Something to make you think.....

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:31-32

Have you ever thought about why you believe what you believe about God.....about Jesus.....about the Bible.....about salvation?  Have you studied God's Word for yourself or have you just believed what you've been taught or what you've heard or read according to man?

The Bible is God's inspired word.  It doesn't conflict itself.  It doesn't change with time or with political correctness.  It is constant and always will be.

I've mentioned this guy - Jeff Bethke - before on my blog.  He's got some great thoughts.  This blog post of his tells the absolute biblical truth about a commonly held opinion that is actually not true at all.  Please take the time to read his blog post HERE.  It may change the way you think....about everything.

If you have any questions, first read God's Word for yourself.  If you don't understand something, ask someone.....you can ask me if you want.  I'll answer your questions as best I can according to the truth found in scripture.

Have a great day!

 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 

2 Timothy 2:15

Heart Ache

Yesterday was a day of disappointment for our teenage daughter.  Lauren competed in her favorite event of the entire school year - the FFA speech contest.  She had worked on her speech for a few months and memorized it quickly, as she usually does.  She woke up bright and early yesterday, all on her own, just to get ready for the event.  With confidence she left the house and met the group to drive to the competition.  Our next oldest, Zachary, was competing, too, but he wasn't as excited about it.  In fact, he's not too excited about any of those types of contests.  But, he participates, anyway.

After lunch I received a text from our daughter saying that Zachary placed 2nd, and that our school won the sweepstakes - meaning that our school had the most 1st and 2nd place winners of all.  To qualify to go on to the next level, most categories would only take 1st and 2nd place. 

Lauren didn't say what she did, so I texted back asking.  She placed 3rd.  So close, yet so far!  I told her that I was sorry, but encouraged her telling her she would do better next time - meaning next year.  But she's not wanting to do better next year.  She wanted to do better now!  Of course, and understandably so, she's extremely disappointed.  She didn't do as well as she even did last year and it's heartbreaking for her.  It is for her dad and I, too!  When your child is sad and upset it's hard to not be.

I know that this will all go away and she'll be just fine.  I am hopeful that she will try again next year and will be successful.  I also know that any time of loss - no matter how little or big - will help her grow.  But, I also know it still makes her sad and it makes my heart ache to see her disappointed.

This morning as I told Lauren goodbye for school and felt that same feeling for her, I immediately turned my thoughts to God.  As I thought about Jesus resolutely setting out for Jerusalem (Luke 9:51) and His Father knowing what was about to take place - that His Son was going to die on the cross - it makes me feel a little selfish.  I'm upset for my child because she missed the mark on a speech contest, yet He willingly offered His Son for the sins of the whole world?  Kind of puts things in perspective, doesn't it?  Of course, it does.  It doesn't take away the heart ache of the moment, but it easily shows that this will be a very temporary feeling and nothing that will last forever.

What are you going through today?  What kind of heart ache do you have, if any?  How does it feel to know that God loved you enough to give His Son to die for you?

All I can think to say is, "Thank you, God, for everything!"  And we all should remember to say that to Him each and every day.  As always, when we turn our thoughts to Him, everything just feels better.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

restless legs......restless heart

Every once in a while at night when I crawl into bed, my legs feel restless.  It's sometimes bothersome enough that I get up and walk around and try to make them better.  Because it doesn't happen all of the time, I don't really think about it much, until it happens.  It's at that moment I realize what I didn't do enough of during the day. 

For me, when I don't drink enough water throughout the day, I get that restless leg feeling.  I know that it would seem natural for most people to just drink water all throughout the day.  For me it's a chore.  It's something I have to make myself do.  In fact, I have to set out however many bottles of water I plan to drink on the counter, then drink them throughout the day.  That's the only way I will drink what I should.  I just don't think of it.  That's bad, I know.

Water seems to be the cure for my restless legs.  I think of it as "oiling" my body when I drink water! Oil sprayed onto a squeaky hinge lubricates it enough to usually stop the noise.  Drinking water "oils" my legs and keeps them from "squeaking" or feeling like I need to constantly move them.  It cures my problem, but if I know that, why don't I prevent the problem to begin with?  It doesn't make sense does it?

Many people walk around and go to bed with RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome).  Many more people walk around with RHS (Restless Heart Syndrome).  What do you mean?  You haven't ever heard of RHS?  Well, you won't find it diagnosed by any physician, except one.  Jesus, the Great Physician sees this problem on a daily basis.  He is waiting for people all over the world to make an appointment with Him.  The good thing about visiting with Him is there is never a wait, He is never booked up, and He is always on call.

Yes, RHS is rampant in the world.  It's the leading cause of death...spiritual death, that is.  But, the best part is that there is a cure for the syndrome. The physcian, Himself is the cure.  Jesus is the cure for RHS.  Call Him today, won't you? He is waiting to hear from you. He wants to cure your restless heart.

P.S. If you suffer from RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome), maybe you should try drinking more water!  You can even send me the money you will be saving from a doctor's visit, if you want....I don't mind :).

But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. 

Deuteronomy 4:29

Parents, Be Their Heart Meter

This past Friday and  Monday was Fall Break for our school, which means there was no school. (Can I hear a YIPPEE for no school days???!!!) Teachers, students and parents get a much-needed break during this annual four-day weekend in most Oklahoma schools.

Each fall we decorate our yard with pumpkins and hay bales, corn stalks and a scarecrow.  It's my favorite time of year and my husband always makes sure we have plenty of the pumpkins and hay bales.  This year our own pumpkin crop didn't grow too well, so we actually bought about half of our pumpkins. 

Monday morning we woke up to a surprise.....a sad surprise.  Someone (or several someones) had stolen a lot of our pumpkins and one of the hay bales.  It disappointed us that someone had done it, especially since smashed pumpkins were seen on several streets in our small town.  This proved that the pumpkins were stolen only to be destroyed.  But the thought that someone came onto our personal property and stole something....even though it was pumpkins and a hay bale, makes me a little angry! 

What made me angrier is that I was writing my blog post late Sunday night and actually heard people at the stop sign near our house and heard a vehicle door shut.  That was probably the thieves!  I wish now that I had gone outside or at least looked out the window. I probably would have yelled out, "Thou Shall Not Steal!" and "Jesus Loves You!"....and then hit them with my son's marshmallow-shooter-sling shot :). Just kidding....don't worry!

Teens (we know it was teens now, although we don't know all that were involved) make bad choices.  So do adults.  But, I thought about this post I received some time back via email from Inspiration List.  It talks about the influences our children have around them from all different sources.  As parents, it's up to us to protect our children from those influences.  I love how Mr. Luce says that, as parents, we must be our children's "Heart Meter".

Who Owns Your Kid's Heart?

Ron Luce

"Johnny gets to do it, so why don't I get to do it?" Is this a familiar statement out of your son's or daughter's mouth? This is a tell-tale sign that their friends may be influencing them more than you do. Your kids can develop a frame of mind where they desire to please their friends more than you. You'll begin to see that these friends will subtly hold more authority in their lives than you do when it comes to what to wear or what to do.

Peer pressure is quite a common part of growing up, at least according to most parents. Yet the questions their children ask, based on feelings of peer pressure about why their friends get to do so and so and they don't get to do so and so, are met with responses like, "Because I'm not Johnny's parent, am I?" "Just do what I say," or "We don't do that in our home." While these responses are partially true, there is a deeper issue here: Is it really a "natural part of growing up" for our children's hearts to be given over more to their friends than to their parents? I'm not so sure. It may be a familiar part of growing up, but it doesn't mean that we can't stem the tide of the transference of their affections. It doesn't mean that we're doomed to lose our children, or that there's sure to be incessant fighting with the "because I say so!" kind of mentality from now until the time they leave home.

The change in ownership is not something that happens dramatically. However, there are subtle signs that friends are beginning to hold more authority than you do. Therefore, it is imperative to know who your kids' friends are; who they spend most of their time with. The values your kids friends hold will be values they attract to as well. Do you know what kind of talk goes on at school? What's being said in the locker room? And in particular, what is going on at overnight parties and sleepovers, even when they are young? Are they staying with their friends the whole night?

Most parents don't imagine they have any control over what are considered "normal" activities. How can parents control who their kids' friends are or what they do? How can they possibly know what's being said or done when their kids stay the night at another person's house? These are all difficult questions, but they are not unanswerable. We need to wake up to the fact that what seems to be the "normal way kids grow up" can actually pose entry points for the culture to begin to shape their minds and hearts.

When Katie and I were very young parents, some incredibly wise parents told us that the biggest mistake they ever made was to let their kids stay overnight with other kids. That seemed to be where all the trouble started for their kids, who were now teenagers who had gotten into quite a bit of it. There is a strange kind of peer pressure created, and an inordinate amount of influence on your children, when they are engaging in an all-nighter with someone else's kids, and you have no idea what that family's values are.

We made a decision when our kids were small that they could not spend the night at any friend's house. We modified that rule a little to say that they could stay the night at the houses of covenant friends. Covenant friends are parents with whom we have a relationship and know that they are raising their kids with the same values we have. We know that their kids are going to have the same kind of morals instilled in them. We know that the parents are going to be supervising our kids as well as their own.

Sometimes our rule about sleepovers meant that the girls could not stay the night with a friend down the street or even with their cousins. This is where it gets a little sticky, because we don't want to offend our relatives. However, one horrible conversation could destroy a whole bunch of work you are trying to do in the lives of your kids. If your children are only 8, 9, 10, 11, imagine if they had an exchange of thoughts and conversations with other kids, where rebellion is deposited, or something is shared about sex, or your kids are exposed to some movie where swear words are prevalent or it contains concepts that you just don't want in your kid's mind. Children are just too young to understand, not to mention the possibility of their sneaking out from a parent's supervision. We have stuck with this rule through all the years that our children were young, and I encourage you to do the same.

Parents, you are the ones to intervene in your children's lives to keep them from being pulled away by the culture. To do this, you need to develop a "heart meter" for your kids by watching for the signs-even when they are young. Watch who owns your kid's heart and mind, in each stage of growth, and you will see the cue for you to invest into their lives. You need to woo their hearts back from the culture or their friends so that you are their touchstone. You are the one they go to for advice and direction.

We are engaging into a battle for the hearts and minds of the young people of this generation, and we do have the authority to claim influence in our kid's life. It is time to step up and take the role that we have been given as parents. Remember, it's our job as parents to woo our children's hearts, to keep their hearts and then to influence their hearts. When that happens, they will become the God-honoring people we've always dreamed they would be. Who owns the heart of your child?

This article was adapted from Ron's book, Re-Create: Building a Culture in Our Homes That Is Stronger Than the Culture Deceiving Our Kids. Look for it at your nearest bookstore, or visit www.battlecry.com for more information.

Ron Luce is the president and founder of Teen Mania Ministries, a Christian organization reaching millions of young people worldwide. He passionately declares the Gospel through Acquire the Fire TV broadcasts, youth events, camps and media resources, challenging teens to take a stand for Christ. http://www.teenmania.org/

Open My Heart, Lord

In the Bible, there are many descriptions given of the heart.  In Exodus, Pharaoh's heart was hardened towards the Israelites. Sometimes it says that the Lord hardened his heart and other times it says that he, himself hardened his heart. (Exodus chapters 8-14) Later on even the Israelites, themselves, hardened their hearts towards God, as did King Nebuchadnezzar, King Belshazzar, and others throughout the Bible.

But in other places, the Bible speaks of hearts being opened - or being pricked or cut (in comparison to circumcision under the Old Law).  The first place the open or pricked heart is mentioned is in Acts 2, during Peter's first sermon on the day of Pentecost.  Peter addressed the large crowd telling them all about Jesus.  He told them about Jesus' whole life and then named them as the accusers and the ones who eventually  killed him.  The crowd believed Peter's message.  They were pricked/cut to the heart.

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

 Acts 2:37 

You can look up Peter's answer and the crowd's response in Acts 2:38-41, but for right now, let's focus on the heart of the people that heard Peter's message.  They were cut to the heart.  Their hearts were opened to the message they heard and they responded.

Belief in Jesus comes from hearing the good news and believing it.  Jesus said, "I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins." John 8:24.  

We must believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the He is the Son of God, that He was born of a virgin, and that He is the Savior and the only way to God.  That belief is essential for all of Christianity.  Without belief in Jesus, we would have no hope of eternal life.  He is the way - THE ONLY WAY!

Many people may believe in God and believe in Jesus, but that belief goes no farther than that.  They may hear with their ears about God and about Jesus, but their heart is still hardened or not pricked or cut in any way.

True belief in God and Jesus changes our heart.  The heart responds to the gospel message, just like the crowd we read about above. True belief will not keep quiet, but want to share that message with others, so that they can know the truth, as well.

When we believe in God and believe in Jesus, our hearts are opened to His Word.  Our hearts are pricked or cut.  We want to serve God. We want to trust His promises and obey His commandments.  We want to be more and more like Jesus. We want to be live in Heaven forever in eternity.  It's our hearts' response to our belief in Him.

Prayer for today:

Open my heart, Lord.  Help me to believe in You and to believe in Your Son, Jesus.  Help me truly believe that He was sent to this world to be the Savior of all.  Open my heart to the gospel message, but also help me to respond to that message.  If I believe it, I must share that message with others - by telling them and by showing them your love.  Help me more like Jesus every day.

In His name,

Amen

"Beauty and the Beast"

Tonight my mom and I took my kids to see the musical production, "Beauty and the Beast". It was a great production, which included actors only 18 years old and under. As I sat through the performance and thought about the story, it made me think. I know it's just a fictional, fairy tale story, but it has a good moral to it at the ending. It proves that true beauty is what is on the inside, not on the outside.

In the world, a lot of importance is placed on looks. That's nothing new. In fact, looks and outward appearances were referred to many times throughout the Bible. In 1 Samuel 16, God told Samuel to go to Bethlehem and to anoint one of Jesse's sons to be the new king. It was to be the son whom God had already selected. God told Samuel He would indicate to him which son he was to anoint. When the first son, Eliab, passed by in front of Samuel, he thought to himself that this son was to be the king (1 Samuel 16:6). However, the Lord said to Samuel in verse 7, "But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

One by one, each of the sons of Jesse passed by in front of Samuel. During that time, God never indicated that one of them was the one to be anointed. Samuel asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" (verse 11). Jesse told Samuel there was one more son, David, who was out tending sheep in the field. Samuel anointed David as the new king.

"So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one.""

The Bible says that David was handsome and that he had fine features, but that isn't why God chose David. No, God chose David because he knew about the condition of his heart. He deliberately chose David because he wanted the king to be "a man after His own heart, as we see in 1 Samuel 13:14, "But now your (referring to Saul) kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command." He knew that David would continue to be a "man after His own heart", too. The book of Acts tells of God's confidence in David, "After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.' Acts 13:22.

We can read all about David's life from then on. From time to time, David sinned. David messed up. But, David's heart was always striving to be more like God. When he had done wrong and when he sinned, he was truly repentant. He was very sorrowful because he knew that he had sinned against God. He confessed his sins before God and did all he could do to live a faithful life in service to God.

Belle, the "beauty" in the "Beauty and the Beast" production, saw something inside of the Beast. She saw into his heart and found kindness and love that no one else could see and her love for him caused him to turn back into a prince. But that's a fairy tale. God is for real!! He can look in our hearts and see what is real and what is true.

Ask yourself these questions:
What does God see when He looks into my heart?
Does He see a man/woman with a heart like His?
Or, does He see a heart that is cold, hard, and uncaring?
When I look at others, do I look at their heart or look at their outward appearance only?
When I do sin, am I truly repentant and sorrowful...realizing that I am sinning against God?

How's Your Heart?

In the past few days, two people close to us have had heart attacks. One is my sister's father-in-law, who is stable, but will be undergoing triple bypass surgery in the next few days. The other is a woman in her early fifties. Her's was mild and will hopefully not require surgery.

Each day we wake up is a gift from God. We may have troubles, struggles, pain, and sorrow, but it is still a gift He has given us. But, we never know when we wake up what the day will bring. Neither of these two people woke up and expected to have a heart attack. In fact, neither of them had ever had any heart trouble before.

Of course we want a healthy heart, physically, but what is more important is the condition of our spritual heart. So, how's your heart? Is it spiritually healthy? Does it belong to God? If not, just like we taught in our "The Great Physician" VBS last week, Jesus can heal your heart.

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23

Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. Psalm 86:11-12

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. Matthew 22:37