Post by Les Brewer on Feb 28, 2020 23:25:03 GMT
KEEP THY HEART WITH DUE DILIGENCE
May I address the issue of the issues of life?
(23) Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 KJV
The writer makes an imperative to guard our heart with every diligent effort.
The heart is the center of constant flow; it is the center of sensitivity, and the center of the intellect. As long as one has heart; they possess the mind, will, and emotions which spring forth from its possession. When we learn to guard it properly we can stop those things that harm it; and issues which hinder it from making the right decisions.
The mind, thoughts, and inclinations of the renewed heart lean not to its own understanding. But to the divine source of the word of God which guards it greater.
(11) Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalms 119:11 KJV
The word of God is a cleansing agent from the Heavenly Father which sanctifies our mind; be renewing it, our thoughts by replacing them, and our inclinations by reforming them.
(17) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. John 17:17 KJV
When we read and meditate upon the word of God; we are in effect tucking it into our hearts. To sanctify someone means to consecrate or cleanse for the purpose of being used as a holy vessel of God. It means to separate and prepare them to do holy works of righteousness. Christ continues through the age of the Gentile Church to sanctify his body “the church”.
(25) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
(26) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, Ephesians 5:25-26 KJV
Guarding our hearts with all diligence then can be synonymous: with the washing of the water by the word so that we are ready at the appearing of the Lord as a collective of individuals known as the body of Christ.
(27) That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27 KJV
Brethren; there are many issues which confront us from all sides and perspectives of life. We are in a spiritual warfare with the prince of the power of the air. We are wrestling against spiritual principalities, powers, rulers of darkness and wickedness in spiritual high places. These dark forces oppose and attack every godly thought generated by the word of God. The sly voice of the serpent can be heard many times in the stillness undermining the verity of the Word of God. These forces purpose to cause doubt and unbelief in the heart which is not guarded or fortified by the Word of God.
(1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
(2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2 KJV
In the Old Testament a sacrifice had to be without blemish or any kind of defect or it was unacceptable to God. Through Christ we have become a living sacrifice; one that is brought alive and stays alive continually on the altar of mercy and grace. It is an altar of transformation through the continual renewing of the mind which produces proof that God’s good, and acceptable and perfect will is being performed. The fruits of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost are in plain view. We need to see heart conformity, heart gentleness, and heart joy which will keep it with all diligence.
Once the Holy Spirit is the gate keeper to our heart; discernment is the filter that keeps the poisonous thoughts from flowing freely within our minds. The word becomes a defender that stands ready to oppose every false narrative and lie which portrays itself as truth. This helps us to rightly divide truth and take the appropriate actions concerning the issue at hand. Brethren; “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Selah
Bishop D. Ray Ritchie
May I address the issue of the issues of life?
(23) Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 KJV
The writer makes an imperative to guard our heart with every diligent effort.
The heart is the center of constant flow; it is the center of sensitivity, and the center of the intellect. As long as one has heart; they possess the mind, will, and emotions which spring forth from its possession. When we learn to guard it properly we can stop those things that harm it; and issues which hinder it from making the right decisions.
The mind, thoughts, and inclinations of the renewed heart lean not to its own understanding. But to the divine source of the word of God which guards it greater.
(11) Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalms 119:11 KJV
The word of God is a cleansing agent from the Heavenly Father which sanctifies our mind; be renewing it, our thoughts by replacing them, and our inclinations by reforming them.
(17) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. John 17:17 KJV
When we read and meditate upon the word of God; we are in effect tucking it into our hearts. To sanctify someone means to consecrate or cleanse for the purpose of being used as a holy vessel of God. It means to separate and prepare them to do holy works of righteousness. Christ continues through the age of the Gentile Church to sanctify his body “the church”.
(25) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
(26) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, Ephesians 5:25-26 KJV
Guarding our hearts with all diligence then can be synonymous: with the washing of the water by the word so that we are ready at the appearing of the Lord as a collective of individuals known as the body of Christ.
(27) That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27 KJV
Brethren; there are many issues which confront us from all sides and perspectives of life. We are in a spiritual warfare with the prince of the power of the air. We are wrestling against spiritual principalities, powers, rulers of darkness and wickedness in spiritual high places. These dark forces oppose and attack every godly thought generated by the word of God. The sly voice of the serpent can be heard many times in the stillness undermining the verity of the Word of God. These forces purpose to cause doubt and unbelief in the heart which is not guarded or fortified by the Word of God.
(1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
(2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2 KJV
In the Old Testament a sacrifice had to be without blemish or any kind of defect or it was unacceptable to God. Through Christ we have become a living sacrifice; one that is brought alive and stays alive continually on the altar of mercy and grace. It is an altar of transformation through the continual renewing of the mind which produces proof that God’s good, and acceptable and perfect will is being performed. The fruits of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost are in plain view. We need to see heart conformity, heart gentleness, and heart joy which will keep it with all diligence.
Once the Holy Spirit is the gate keeper to our heart; discernment is the filter that keeps the poisonous thoughts from flowing freely within our minds. The word becomes a defender that stands ready to oppose every false narrative and lie which portrays itself as truth. This helps us to rightly divide truth and take the appropriate actions concerning the issue at hand. Brethren; “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Selah
Bishop D. Ray Ritchie
