Guard Your Heart 

January 4 & 5, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

    We put up fences to guard our yard from outsiders and to guard others from our pets. We build large buildings with locks to protect our belongings. We put our money in safe places like a bank or a vault. Why, because all of these things are of value to us. However, how do we guard our hearts?

     In Proverbs, we are told to keep or guard our hearts because it is where all of life stems from. How do we do that? The verses that follow this one in chapter 4 of Proverbs help us with this idea.

    Verse 24 says to put away a “forward mouth,” and “perverse lips.” To be froward is to be crooked or departing from what is right. Do you want to guard your heart? Keep your conversations and your mind on what is right. Do not get sidetracked into thinking about things that are sinful and wicked. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…” God wants our minds focused on what is right so our mouths will say what is right. Be careful not to be mean to others as we may hurt them deeply with our words.

    Verses 25-26 say to keep your eyes on the path before you. Keep focused on what really matters. The eyes are a great tool that God has blessed us with. Nevertheless, Satan likes to use them to bring temptations our way. It happened to Eve. It happened to David with Bathsheba. Do not let Satan drag you off course.

    Vs 27 says to keep on keeping on. Do not let the world entice you. Guarding our heart will help us in our talk and our walk with Him.   
  

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    Matt. 6:33-34 tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and not to be too concerned about tomorrow because as you well know, there will be plenty to deal with tomorrow already. So, plan ahead, but do not worry about it until you get there. Keep walking the path set forth for today and let God guide you in your walk.

Where will God guide your steps today?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage, and today’s Devotion?

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

  

GOD TALKING TO ME:  JANUARY 4, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
Genesis 7-9 / Psalm 4-5 / Proverbs 4 / Matthew 6-7

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Genesis 9-11  /  Matthew 4

WHAT TO DO ON SUNDAY:

    There will not be a Daily Devotion sent out on Sundays. Instead, we encourage you to attend your church and listen intently to what God has prepared in the heart of your Pastor. Write down all the scriptures he uses in that message, then when you get home re-read those passages for today’s reading. God has given to your Pastor exactly what He desires for you on that day.  

GOD TALKING TO ME:  JANUARY 5, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
NO READINGS ON SUNDAY

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
NO READINGS ON SUNDAY