January 28, 2004

Last week I shared about emotions and how not be controlled by them when our earthly life starts to shaking. This week I am going to share about the heart of a child.
Christmas Eve was an emotional and difficult day for our family. Tears, anxiety, and many emotions came out as we opened our gifts and shared our love with two of our grandchildren. The youngest one said the most profound thing which reminded us all of what Christmas is about. As we were eating lunch we shared about receiving Jesus into the heart and the youngest one said, “I am too little.” Of course, as her grandparent a knife went through my heart because Jesus said: “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, “Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” Luke 18:16

Talk about the heart of a child, straight from the innocent heart which has not recognized sin’s sting. At that very moment my heart just trembled inside of me because this little one has yet to realize what Christmas is really about.
Our other granddaughter had not received Jesus either and as I watched her response to the conversation, my heart grieved within itself for her.
The heart is the seat of who we are and out of it precedes the condition and character of who we truly are in this life. We can hide a lot on our faces but we cannot hide the hearts condition. For in our actions and words is shown exactly what is inside of us.

“A good man(woman) out of the good treasure of his(her) heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man(woman) out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his(her) mouth speaketh.” “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:45-46
(Paraphrased man (woman), his (her))

Many a testimonies have been destroyed by a heart of self-righteousness or a critical judgmental spirit which is an abomination to God. The Lord Jesus condemned the Pharisees and Sadducees with many WOES regarding this heart condition in them. Jesus also taught: “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” “Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1, 2&5

I am learning to be careful when I get that critical spirit that can easily give birth to the sin of the Pharisees called hypocrites. It is so easy to allow this seed that can condemn the pure heart of a child of God to take root and place ourselves in the judgment seat of Jesus Christ. Oh, that I would look in the mirror and see the sinful state that Jesus has washed in his blood. Oh, that I would allow my Lord to be seated permanently on His throne of my heart. Oh, that I would seek him with all my heart. Oh, that I would drop down on my knees when the temptation to destroy another by my vile heart.

May I remember these words: “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:20-21

Father in heaven, fill my heart with your treasures. Fill me with the treasures of love, gentleness, kindness, forgiveness, patience, peace, goodness, faith, and joy. Help my life to be rich in heavenly treasures. This month may I learn to surrender my mind, will, emotions, and my heart to you and you alone?