Daily Reading: Proverbs 4
Scripture Focus: Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it (Proverbs 4.23, NIV)
Devotional Thought: Since everything we do, all that we seek, flows from our hearts, wisdom would tell us to guard our hearts carefully. But, how are we to do that? Here are some ideas from scripture:
Maintain thankfulness and praise to God in your heart. “I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds” (Psalm 9.1).
Keep your heart focused on God. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also... No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money" (Matthew 6.21, 24).
Trust in God with all your heart. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3.5-6).
Ask God to purify your heart. “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36.26).
Maintain a forgiven and forgiving heart. “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart" (Matthew 18.35).
Keep your heart humble before God. “Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and its inhabitants, and you have humbled yourself before me and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the Lord” (2 Chronicles 34.27).
Guard your heart!
Prayer: Lord, purify my heart! Then, help me to guard it against unholy thoughts and attitudes, that my words and actions may be pleasing to you. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 3.1-8
1 O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me;
2 many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. Selah
3 But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4 I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah
5 I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.
7 Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked.
8 Salvation belongs to the LORD; your blessing be on your people! Selah
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