Your Daily Devotional for October 20, 2006

 

October 20, 2006

 

 

Examining Your H.E.A.R.T.

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

“Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.”

 

Mark 14:38

 

It is so easy for our hearts to become affected by the devil and this world. Our hearts can become hard or bitter without anyone ever seeing it. We can come to church or work with a smile on our faces, but inside we are being torn apart by the devil. It may seem insignificant to us, but we need to realize how important the condition of the heart is!

 

How can we make sure that our hearts are right with God and with others? Taking time to make a personal evaluation of your heart on a daily basis will reveal the condition of your heart.

 

I once read an author who gave an acrostic on how to examine your heart. First we are to ask, “Am I Hurting?” Are you hurting inside? Are you holding on to something someone did to you with a broken spirit? Most times, that person doesn’t even know they wronged you! Go to them and make things right. When we have broken or bitter spirits, we cannot be effective witnesses for Christ!

 

Next, we are to ask ourselves, “Am I Exhausted?” Are you physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually exhausted? Did you take time today to renew your energy by spending time with Christ? Did you come before Him a weak soul and walk away a re-energized Christian? Make sure that you are daily spending time with Him. Only He can give you the energy you need to make it through each day!

 

Also ask yourself, “Am I Angry?” Anger will rob you of your joy, yet many Christians live with anger on a daily basis! Yes, people will wrong you, but God wants you to let go of that anger and focus your attention on Him. Have you wondered why you aren’t having a fruitful prayer life? Have you examined your heart for anger?

 

Next ask the question, “Am I Resentful?” Little things in life can become big if we allow it. A little thing that someone has done could have become a big problem to you. You may now resent that person. Maybe someone got something that you think you deserved. Maybe someone has something nicer than what you have. Don’t resent them! What you are saying to yourself is, “Well, God, you really messed things up! I deserve that, not them!” Do you believe that God is in control of everything? Then be content with what you have and don’t resent someone whom God chooses to bless!

 

Lastly, ask yourself, “Am I Tense, anxious, or fearful?” Stress is a common word in today’s workplace. Projects are due, deadlines are here, and you just got handed a stack of things to be taken care of immediately. Things can become hectic at work, but we have something the average employee does not possess—the power of God. God can help you through difficult times of stress, tension, anxiety, or fear. Do not succumb to the devil’s tactic of filling your mind with so much work that God doesn’t have any place in your life. Place God first in your life and He will take care of everything else!

 

Our hearts can easily become neglected and overlooked if we do not make it a point to examine them every day. How is your heart today? Take time right now and ask yourself these five questions. Examine your heart each day as you seek God through His Word.

---

================================================
THIS IS AN AUTOMATED MESSAGE PLEASE DO NOT REPLY
================================================
Manage your online subscriptions at
http://www.dailyintheword.org/email/user-login.aspx

To Unsubscribe from this list please follow this link
http://www.dailyintheword.org/email/user-unsubscribe.aspx?s=4159&l=1