Scripture: Ezekiel 36: 26-27
26 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. 27 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.
Devotional:
We often see that the human anatomy is used in scriptures to show the correlation of God and mankind. It is my belief that the heart is the most used part of the human anatomy because the heart refers to the soul. It has been said that the heart controls the mind, will and emotions of mankind. The heart is vulnerable to the deceitful ways of the world. In order to protect it, we must allow our hearts to be cultivated by God. “God is the One who softens and prepares the soil of our hearts, allowing the implanted Word to take effect” (Shirer, Priscilla, p.89).
While we have the freedom to choose whether to allow God’s work to act as fertilizer that strengthens and cause our heart to grow or allow the poisonous ways of the world to overtake our hearts, we must always remember that there are consequences for the choices we make.
As Christians, we should always have a desire to remain righteous in all that we do. Therefore, we need our minds renewed because we can be quickly taken captive by the world (Romans 12:2). Lasting change comes through the word of God and only God can change the heart. His grace is what teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age (Titus 2:11-13)
Reflection:
Even though God is all powerful and could easy subject all of mankind to His will, He has given every man the right to freewill. He has provided every man with the seed that can produce everlasting life when it is given the correct nutrients to flourish. It is up to each individual whether to allow God to cultivate the seed He has planted in their heart or succumb to the world and let their seed die. I cannot speak for anyone nor can I tell anyone what to do. Just remember there are consequences for the choice you make.
Prayer:
Dear Lord and Savior,
I humbly submit myself to your will and your way. Lord, you are my strength and the source of my salvation. It is because of your love and grace that I am who I am and for that I am thankful to you. Use me oh Lord, as a willing vessel. Continue to cultivate my heart and teach me how the be righteous. I know that I am not perfect and that I sometimes make the wrong choice, but I ask that you continue to look at my heart and know that it is my desire to not only please you but to become more and more like you each day. I know that my flesh will cause me to make mistakes, but I believe that the seed (Word) that has been planted in my heart will provide the strength I need to acknowledge my faults and turn from the wickedness of the world. Lord, please continue to grant me grace and mercy. This and all prayers I continue to ask you the wonderful and glorious name of Jesus. Amen!
Humbly submitted,
Sister Tamela West
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