Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23
Six years ago, we moved out to the country. It seems that we have had some type of construction going on all these years. Our latest renovation is almost finished. Praise the Lord! When our eldest moved out of his suite area, we decided to turn it into Tim’s “man’s world”. We are sooo ready for people to be out-of-our-home!
Due to years of construction occurring, numerous people have our gate code. Recently, while working in the yard, I looked at the gated entrance to our land and thought about Proverbs 4:23.
You see, when all construction is complete the gate code is changing. Too many folks have access to what we want to keep safe. It is soon time to guard our property/protect our land. My thought process poses this question, “Is it time for you to change your life, and guard your heart from intruders?”
How is one supposed to guard their heart? By fixing your thoughts on above, giving your life to Jesus Christ, and staying on God’s course for you.
I recently read a devotional by the pastor Adrian Rogers. He said, “Someone once said, ‘Sow a thought, reap a deed. Sow a deed, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny.’ Before you can do a thing you have to think it. Your thoughts lead to attitudes; attitudes lead to actions; actions lead to those achievements. It all begins with the thought life. Your achievements will be the sum total of your thoughts.”
Sounds like before you guard your heart, you must protect your thoughts. The mind is a tricky thing and can be downright nasty. The best way to protect your thoughts is to submerge your mind in God’s word and the goodness He lays before you.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8
When you get your thoughts fixed on Jesus, do as Psalm 119:11 says to do:
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
The Message translation reads, “I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won’t sin myself bankrupt.” I want to encourage you to keep God’s word in the vault of your heart and mind. Not in the sense of not sharing God’s word, but to protect your heart and mind from unpleasant intruders.
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2
I pray that you will allow God to transform you into a new and godly way of thinking so that your heart and soul will be protected. Seek Him first in all you do, and love the Lord with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Do this, and you are on the right course in life.
Guard your heart.
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie