Renewing the Heart

Matters of the Heart, Part 2 Renewing the Heart

Watch over your heart with all diligence,

 for from it flow the springs of life (Proverbs 4:23).

Last week, we learned . . .

This week, we must learn to daily renew the heart.

            Our hearts can grow insensitive . . .

·        Insensitive to God’s presence

·        Insensitive to right and wrong

(Prov. 28:14) He who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

                        Due to a pattern of sinful behavior.

Encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Heb. 3:13).

                        Due to a pattern of spiritual neglect.

You neglected the Rock who begot you, and forgot the God who gave you birth (Deut. 32:18).

Church in Ephesus (Rev. 2:4) But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

Our hearts need renewal.  Renewal requires a heart of faith

A faith exhibited by . . . a reading, a requesting, a receiving

            A reading.   (Josiah, 2 Kings 22-23)

(Heb. 4:12) For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the  heart.

(2 Timothy 3:16-17) All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

            A requesting.

 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen (Eph. 3:14-21).

            A receiving.

Application

            Establish a pattern of renewal.

            Seek the support of others.

            Offer encouragement along the way

Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life (Proverbs 4:23).