A Good Heart!

In Luke Chapter 6, Jesus speaks about a tree and its fruit.  He lets us know that as we store up things in our hearts, either good or bad, that they will eventually come out.  

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”  Luke 6:45 NIV 

I know that it can be discouraging when we hear about Christian leaders falling.  They, like everyone else, are susceptible to failure when they have stored less than desirable things in their heart.  Quite often it is greed, envy, and lust, although there are other things as well.  

This is why it is so important that we guard our hearts. 

We need to be deliberate about making sure that we are putting good things in.  Being in the Word of God every day helps us to make sure that we are constantly putting good things into our hearts.  We don’t want this to be legalism (something we are required to do), but a passion to make sure that we are constantly putting good things in.  For if we aren’t constantly putting good things in, then we are going to have less than desirable things come out.

For those looking to be a part of a multi-ethnic church, this is even more important. We have all grown up with different bias’ and prejudices, even if we don’t want to admit it or work to suppress them. As we continue to see God’s love for all people, and how we are all sinful people who are in need of a Savior, we will continue to have our hearts softened so that we can truly love everybody as Jesus does.

Lord, help us to be constantly in Your Word, and by messages and Christian songs putting positive, “Christ-like” things in our hearts, so that we will find good things coming out, especially when we are under duress.  May our hearts be consumes with You, so that You are what others see coming out of our mouths, and out of our lives!