A message shared by Pastor Nicholas Tsakis at Empower Christian Church, Sunday 28 February, 2010:
Everyone remembers their first car. It's an exciting time of freedom and pride in something. Beyond those first days, we realise the core of the car is not the body, but the engine. And that motor needs to be cared for, maintained and looked after.
At our centre is a 'heart', a core inner motor. It needs care and protection. From Proverbs 4:23, we read of the need to be careful about what goes in and out of our lives.
It makes sense to be talking about hearts right now. Have you noticed how heart trouble, for example, is a major killer in the world. It affects many people, not isolated to one or two groups.
Keep your heart, value it - preserve and protect it. It feels pain and bruises; it can be hurt. So care for it. In fact, not dealing with issues of the heart will hold you back. In a spiritual sense, the heart actually reflects a person. You'll notice that when you read Proverbs 27:19. In other words, the heart reflects who and what we are.
The heart has immense value. So nurture it and be mindful of the challenges facing you. Our hearts can be heavy, sometimes because of our doing. Other circumstances are beyond our control. It's good, then, to identify the source of such heaviness of heart. Remember, most attacks from the enemy are actually aimed at the heart. When considering the inputs in our lives, don't put into your heart what you don't want to get out. In other words, the things you put in your heart will be what comes out.
Are you exercising control over what you see and consume in media? See Luke 6:45 and define the contents of your heart so you can feed it more carefully. Keep your heart pure, tender, allowing room for the Holy Spirit to speak to you - as instructed by Psalms 119:11; Philippians 4:8 and Proverbs 17:22.
This week, take a heart exam. Look at what's in there. Define what's going in. Be honest with what's coming out. As you do these examinations of your heart, surrender it to Jesus. See also Joshua 22:5 and Colossians 3:1.
In summary, then, set your hearts and minds to God, not on earthly things.
Image source: By Ben Stead, linked from Heartlight, http://www.heartlight.org
Like I made an appointment to see the doctor and received the diagnosis and best prescription. Very timely, straight to the heart, like medicine to the heart. Awesome sermon.
ReplyDeleteThank You.
S. Amasiah