Sunday, 12^th November 2023

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

TOPIC: DILLIGENTLY GUARD YOUR HEART

THEME SCRIPTURE: “Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” – Proverbs 4:23

 

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. What does it mean to keep your heart with all diligence?

 

It is the case that when a field is not intentionally cultivated, weeds will automatically grow on it. Hence, to avoid bushes that will attract snakes and other harmful creatures, people resort to cultivating their backyards or their piece of lands. Similarly, the heart of man is the garden of the Lord. We can’t allow weeds to take over that garden.

In the parable of the sower, Jesus likens the word of God to the seed and the heart of men to various kinds of fields (Matt 13:18-19). This suggests that God expects us to sow His word in our heart to bear fruits in our lives and those around us. On the other hand, weeds (such as thorns and thistles) are wrong thoughts that bombard our minds and hearts daily such as the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches (Matt 13:22).

Beloved, our theme scripture admonishes that we should pay attention to what enters our heart and the thoughts that are sown there.

This is because, out of the heart are the issues of life. Thus, the outlook of a man’s life is very much dependent on the things he’s fed to his heart or sown in it. This is the reason Apostle Paul, by the Spirit, admonished this: “…God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap” (Gal 6:7). Meaning, if we allow wrong thoughts to be sown in our hearts, we will reap thorns in our lives. However, if we sow God’s word in our hearts, the greater and superior life will be ours.

But the critical question is this—how can we ensure that our hearts are protected against weeds?

Beloved, first, we must be intentional about cultivating the field of the heart. There is no beautiful garden without a gardener. Make up your mind that you are going to decide what goes into your heart—the Word of God. Further, you must deliberately sow the word of God daily in your heart. How? By meditating consistently on the word. For instance, Jesus emphasized that the one who hears the word and understands it, is the one who receives the word into a fertile ground, capable of bearing much fruits (Matt 13:23). To understand God’s word, you must learn to read scriptures daily but also meditate on them. Meditation is what brings scriptures read, from the mind into the heart. Deeper understanding comes when we meditate.

By consistently meditating on His word, you are also consistently guarding your heart against weeds or wrong thoughts while building capacity to obey God.

Precious one, have you planned daily reading of the word of God in your daily schedule? How well are you acquainted with meditating on God’s Word? If you learn to delight yourself in the Word of God, meditating on it day and night, you will become like a tree planted by the rivers of water. You will always bring fruits in your season. Your leaves will never wither and anything you do shall prosper (Psa 1:2-3). Beloved, for as a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Prov 23:7). As he continues, so he remains. Avoid wrong or evil thoughts by constantly guarding your hearts through meditation of Scriptures. Remain blessed.

 

FURTHER READING – Psalm 1:1-6

 Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so. 

 

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. Has daily reading of scriptures become a lifestyle for you yet?
2. How are you going to make daily meditation on God’s word part of your life?

 

CONFESSION

Precious Lord, I receive your grace to be consistent with the word of God the rest of my days. I confess that from today, desire for the Holy Scriptures is enabled in my spirit.  My life is being enriched as I meditate daily on scriptures, in Jesus’ precious name. Hallelujah!

 

1-Year Bible Reading Plan

Ezra 8; Hoea 9; Acts 28