In Your Heart

Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. And these things, which I command you today shall be in your heart; you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9

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This is a favorite passage of Christian families. I, too, love this scripture, but am concerned that for some these beautiful words of instruction have become a slogan rather than a true conviction. It is possible that some of us have lost sight of true obedience to Scripture, and only possess an outward appearance holiness. Perhaps the Word has not taken root in the heart because it is read out of fear; fear of what others will think of us if it is revealed that we have not had “our quiet time” lately. Or, do we open the Word and read a quick passage out of a sense of duty instead of love for the gift our Bibles are from our gracious Lord. I cannot stress enough the importance of truly knowing and loving the Scriptures, not just using them to prove how good we are or to argue our point of doctrine. To know God’s Word is to know God. Isn’t that what every believer longs for?
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For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

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According to Hebrews 4:12, the Bible is the only book that is alive with the power of God! This powerful gift reveals the true thoughts and intentions of of our very hearts. Things that we keep hidden for fear of rejection and judgement by others are seen clearly by the Lord. His Word helps us to see them clearly as well. How can we ever truly know the conviction of the Holy Spirit in our lives if we avoid the very tool He has given us for this purpose?

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It is because of what God reveals in His Word that we can know Him and believe in His Son. Because of His Word we can grow, change and become more like Jesus. What a wonderful promise to all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and love to live in the Word! Let the Word of God truly be in your heart.

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Prayer:

Father, please forgive me for not always using the Word the way You intended. Help me to run to it rather than away from it. Holy Spirit, please show me through the Scriptures what I need to change in my life so I can be holy inside and out. Amen

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Challenge:

Have you been avoiding the Bible because you are afraid of what the Lord might reveal to you about your own heart? Maybe you have been using the Bible only to prove your goodness to others. If you are guilty of either, repent and begin to study for the sake of holiness alone. Search your heart and see if you are being a 'standard' bearer instead of an 'image' bearer. Read Norm Wakefield's excellent articles on The Curse of the Standard Bearer at http://www.spiritofelijah.com/.

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Jen Gorton 2009