July 9th, 2024
Week 4: July 9th
Title: Guard Your Heart
By: Denise Vukmer
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your lifeâ€
Proverbs 4:23, NLT
Throughout a single day, we will make thousands of decisions. If you were to spend time reflecting, can you remember what it looked like to make some of your first decisions? What clothes would you wear on the first day of school? Do you remember the first time your parents gave you the keys to the car – did you go where you told them you were going? Everyone had a friend crowd. What crowd were you attracted to? Did your decisions reflect the good in your heart or the self-centered nature that says, I know better?
Scripture reminds us that humanity has struggled with the heart's desires since the beginning. Adam and Eve were living in perfect union with God. But when tempted, rebellion against God was the path they chose. Like Adam and Eve, our hearts are susceptible to sinful thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs. Vulnerable when the focus is on self and not on God. God created each of us with a natural desire in our hearts. Created in His image, God purposed the human heart with a desire for him. When we guard our hearts, we protect ourselves from the sinful influences that can steer us away from the good that God has for us. We cannot do this on our own. We must lean into God and seek His will in all we do.
“I cannot by direct moral effort, give myself new motives. After the first few steps in the Christian life, we realize that everything which needs to be done in our souls can only be done by God†~ C.S. Lewis
Title: Guard Your Heart
By: Denise Vukmer
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your lifeâ€
Proverbs 4:23, NLT
Throughout a single day, we will make thousands of decisions. If you were to spend time reflecting, can you remember what it looked like to make some of your first decisions? What clothes would you wear on the first day of school? Do you remember the first time your parents gave you the keys to the car – did you go where you told them you were going? Everyone had a friend crowd. What crowd were you attracted to? Did your decisions reflect the good in your heart or the self-centered nature that says, I know better?
Scripture reminds us that humanity has struggled with the heart's desires since the beginning. Adam and Eve were living in perfect union with God. But when tempted, rebellion against God was the path they chose. Like Adam and Eve, our hearts are susceptible to sinful thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs. Vulnerable when the focus is on self and not on God. God created each of us with a natural desire in our hearts. Created in His image, God purposed the human heart with a desire for him. When we guard our hearts, we protect ourselves from the sinful influences that can steer us away from the good that God has for us. We cannot do this on our own. We must lean into God and seek His will in all we do.
“I cannot by direct moral effort, give myself new motives. After the first few steps in the Christian life, we realize that everything which needs to be done in our souls can only be done by God†~ C.S. Lewis
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