SALSF:DAILY DEVOTION 23-07-2019

SEEDS AND SOIL!

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" ( Micah 6:8 KJV)

Human hearts are like soil. Things grow there - thoughts, ideas, and attitudes. Some of the things that grow are good. Some aren't. It is a known fact that even in the most beautiful gardens, weeds grow and need to be pulled so the good plants can be healthy. And even in the rockiest places, where there's no dirt to be seen, trees and other plants find ways to grow. But they can't survive heavy storms, and they won't grow tall and strong without deep roots. Heart "soil" can change. Hard and rocky hearts can be transformed into gentle and loving hearts. Dry and dusty hearts can be changed into joyful and kind hearts. Weedy hearts can be changed into clean and pure hearts.

We can't change our hearts on our own. Only God can make that kind of change, which he promises to do if we give up control and trust him to work in our lives. This starts with salvation. As foretold in the Book of Ezekiel, at salvation, a new heart is given to every child of God and together with the Spirit of God. This is what will "cause" such a fellow to be able to relate with God properly in the consciousness of his new life. It is that new heart that makes him one with God.

"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." (Ezekiel 36:26-27 KJV). The heart being talked about here is the human adamic nature. God said He'll blot it out and give you a new nature with which you'll be able to do His will. The new nature is God's very own nature. The nature of righteousness, imparted into every human recreated spirit at salvation. (See 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21)

Brethren, this is God's will for you. To let you know that your heart is the centre of your walk in righteousness with Him. You nurture it daily by meditating on the Word of God. It is then that your heart would begin to grow these GOOD FRUITS  in Galatians 5:22-23. Praise God!

Prayer:

Thank you heavenly Father for the gift of salvation. Thank you for making me your righteousness in Christ Jesus. I ask that you enlighten my heart with understanding as I meditate on your word. Thank you precious Father in the Name of Jesus. Amen!

Pastor D. STANLEY-MARCUS

President