The Heart of Man

While mediating on the condition of man yesterday the Spirit of God reminded me of Cain. Cain was the first born son of Adam and Eve and the first murderer in history, causing the first record of death on the earth. Cain killed his younger and at the time only brother Abel. Now what is most interesting for the point of this discussion is Cain’s heart. The Word tells us God asked Cain before the murder, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?” So we know Cain was angry and that his expression or physical appearance was noticeably upset. We all know what someone looks like when their countenance has fallen. I used to say to my children, fix your face. (They hated it!) I would inquire about what was wrong and when they would say nothing, I would tell them look in the mirror to notify their face and fix it. What we often fail to acknowledge is the condition of our heart.  Remember His Word says “it’s not what goes in a man that defiles him, but what comes out of the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornication, thefts, false witness or lies, and blasphemies.” In this scripture we see Cain did not answer God when asked about his anger and countenance. Although God knowing all things spoke of Cains heart and told him to do well and that he would be accepted. He also warned Cain that sin was at the door of his heart but instructed Cain to rule over it. Yet, Cain killed his brother and when God asked him where his brother was, he answered lying by saying he did not know and questioned God asking, Am I my brother’s keeper? In other words, Cain said I am not responsible.

Wow! As we read this most of us think of Cain as this despicable hate filled man. We don’t think of him as a man just like us. We separate ourselves from the heart that was in him as if that heart is not in us. And we do this in pride and ignorance. His Word says, “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." God is speaking of us! It is the heart of God only that separates us from the heathen. It is His blood that cleansed us and His Word that sustains us. This is accomplished through His grace and our obedience alone.

I find that it is not in the Sunday service that I am confronted about the wickedness that is within me. It’s daily.  We must strive daily through constant vigilance to heed His Word and with purposeful effort maintain ears to hear and a heart to obey. It’s work! It is the working out of our salvation with fear and trembling. An example, yesterday my son, Jeremiah addressed some comments I made about a friend of ours. I justified the reasons for my words in the moment. But in my heart I knew there was no justification. It was a small thing and could seem harmless, yet I know and believe that God saw the truth of my heart and it was wicked. It doesn’t matter how much I attempted to explain or justify the reason for my words. It didn’t matter if the person heard me or not. (The lie of the world, what they don’t see won’t hurt them) We are the ones hurt. And I was wrong. God heard me and He hears you. He knows our hearts and He alone reveals our hearts to us, whether they are good or evil. God pricked my heart to repent. I am sorry and am turning from this wickedness. We know if we will admit it when we are wrong. I know His Word says, “Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life”.  

My prayer for us today: Oh Lord God, Father of lights, You from whom all blessings flow. Hear my prayer. Guide us today in truth, open our hearts to receive your Word and strengthen us to obey. Remember that your servants are the creation of your hands and have mercy on us. Then we will declare the power of your name and your faithfulness to all generations. Amen!

He called some………..

This writing has been stirring within me for a very long time. Therefore, I am compelled to speak His Word concerning His church. May He according to His Word root out, pull down, destroy and throw down as well as build and plant. Yes, I said destroy! Beloved, He said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you shall be no priest to me; seeing that you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget my children.” We hear the beginning of this verse quoted regularly yet fail to acknowledge all that He has said, in that we are destroyed because the knowledge of Him is rejected. This is the subject that I will speak with you today concerning, rejecting the knowledge of God.

Little children, as John referred to us as is appropriate in this regard. Truly you act as little children that are unaware of your actions. First I must make it clear that it is not the responsibility of your leader (be it pastor, bishop, etc) to provide you with the knowledge of God. For many this is the error which causes them to not have a foundation within themselves and to never grow. For they wait faithfully for a man to speak the Words of God to them. Foolish ones and slow of heart. Jesus became our High priest so that we would each have access to God. God gave us His Holy Spirit to lead us, guide us and teach us of Him. And of course He has given us His Word, (the bible) which we have in abundance. He did give us some apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors and teachers.  Until we come to maturity. Some…. Have you ever considered that Jesus choose twelve? Those twelve turned the known world around with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Today we have umpteenth pastors, apostles, prophets, etc in each congregation within each city, within each state, within each country. I am sure you get my point. And to what avail, so that you can sit and wait for some one to provide you with the knowledge of God to consider? I say this to your shame and to the shame of your leaders. Who exactly is benefiting from your behavior? Certainly not you and not the God of heaven! He is not glorified in a lazy, ignorant church. As He said, you reject His knowledge and He rejects you.

We have been blessed beyond measure, yet are full of lust, selfishness and disregard for the holiness of God. You are repeating history and have clamored for a king to fight your battles for you, one that you can see and blame for your misfortune. While waiting for some one to give you the next Word to set you free, or put your mind at ease for a moment. You will never know the liberty of God until you come to the knowledge of His Word.: “If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed, but My Word has no place in you”.

We must first know the Word of God for ourselves. Which means you must pick up your own bible and read it, daily. Then we must obey each and every Word spoken regardless of how we feel, what anyone says, or how you will be perceived. You will find many thoughts and beliefs you’ve embraced are contrary to His Word. Therefore, repent! And turn from your wickedness and God will forgive you. And walk anew! And you will find the knowledge of Him! That knowledge will give you all things that pertain to life and godliness. You will find God! Isn’t that what we all want?

The power of God’s Word

I am blessed to be a witness to the testimony of the power of God’s Word in my husband Donnie’s life. Today is Donnie’s birthday and God alone deserves all honor and praise for His goodness toward him and those who love Him. Donnie’s life is a demonstration of the power of the Word of God. I have observed the Word of God manifest in his life and change him into the man he is today.

For those of you that don’t know Donnie. He is not a man that has walked without challenges. He is a man that has struggled with lust, pride and sin. He is a man like all of us. Yet, he has continued to walk with God and to pursue Jesus and His righteousness. By the power of God’s Word and Donnie’s perseverance in yielding through repentance and obeying the Word of God he is becoming the man that God has called him to be and one that I am committed to walking with for the rest of my life. 

The Word of God says that we should be living epistles to be read of all men. When I read the epistle of Donnie’s life I learn of God’s faithfulness. I see God’s strong right arm of deliverance. I see how the Word of God can change a heart and life as he has submitted himself to God’s Word. I have watched God by the Word of His power give strength where there was no strength and give honor where there was shame. Donnie is now a man that his wife honors, his community acknowledges, his co-workers admire, and his children respect. He is a brother in Christ, elder in the church and a father to countless believers. God demonstrates His strength through Donnie and also His gentleness. He is a man that is not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God that has changed his life. I am blessed to be a witness and write today in giving honor where honor is due.

I am proud to be called his wife. And as Sarah honored Abraham through obedience and was not ashamed to call him lord, I honor my husband today and everyday (I pray) in word and deed. This is the blessing I pray for Donnie and for all of you that love the Lord: “May the Lord bless you and keep you; May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; May the Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.”

Father, I pray that you give Donnie and I many more years together. Oh and Lord, and may we live to see our children’s children!
Happy Birthday, I love you, Honey!