Guarding my heart

2 Samuel 3; 1 Chronicles 12; Matthew 15

Scripture:
Mathew 15:¹⁰Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen and understand. ¹¹What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.' "

Observation:
What a great reminder for me today that what concerns the Lord is what comes in and out of my heart. God is more concerned about my character / heart than my gifts or talents. God searches the heart of a man, He knows a man better than he knows himself. May God know me and may I obey Him.

Application:
It is amazing how many people are being busted by steroid use lately. Barry Bonds on trial, allegations against Lance Armstrong. These guys seem to be clean so far, but then there is Marion Jones, guilty, and many more others. They were all heroes in there fields for a season, and then they got busted and in a few days they were fallen and booed. On the outside phenomenal, but on the inside cheaters. I do not judge these, but pray for them. There is a greater arena of life, it's called the spiritual journey. As a child of God I do not want to be disqualified. Disqualified because on the outside I looked good, but on the inside my heart was wicked, my lifestyle hypocritical and judgemental, and my motives impure. Lately my attitude has been bad. I have been angry, frustrated, tied and judgemental. I let the guard down and now I feel my heart has been polluted. I am glad for the grace of God. I am glad for the awakening of my spirit by the gentle words of the Holy Spirit. I hear Him clearly, "Guard your heart, take care of your spirit, rest." I know these words to well. I sit in the place of solitude today. I am waiting for a fresh touch of heaven. God is faithful. He will work it out for me, He know me better than I know myself. I rest in Him.

Prayer:
God thank You for grace. Thank You for forgiveness and restoration. Thank You for my friend Marc in whom I could confide. Thank You for the wisdom You spoke to me today. Clean my heart this day, restore to me the joy of my salvation. Feed my spirit in this time and thank You for holding me in this season. I pray for a guard over me heart, mind and ears. I pray for the filter of the Holy Spirit to remove the pollution the enemy would want to bring my way. Be with my pastor today and speak to him. Guide him in this season, bless him. Bless my wife and thank You for her. I pray for urgency and the change, bring peace and wisdom into the hearts of the leaders. I pray for Your will. I pray Pulse and for every person that is invited and I ask You to start a new work. We need a move in the young adults. Lord align me to Your will. Thank You for all You are doing and about to do. Thank You for the promise of Jer 29, You truly have a hope and future for my life.
Amen.