KEEP YOUR HEART

 KEEP YOUR HEART

 Keep your heart with all diligence, 

For out of it spring the issues of life.
Proverbs 4:23

We need to put in more effort to keep our heart than to keep our garden!

It takes diligent work to kill weeds and to grow wheat! 

The heart is the most important part of our body. the spiritual heart is also the most important part of our inner man.

It is the heart that receives and pumps out the life blood to every part of the body to keep us alive.

Will we not do anything to keep our heart healthy and strong?

We will adjust our lifestyle diligently, when the Doctor gives us a warning regarding the condition of our heart. We will take counsel from the Doctor about exercise, rest and diet.

The health of our physical heart depends much on the kind of food that is put into the stomach.

The health of our spiritual heart depends on the kind of information that is put into the mind.

It is important for us to select our diet wisely. It is even more important for us to be wise and selective in the kind of information we seek after. Entertainment from books and social media concert halls and theatres can corrupt the mind and spoil the heart. Like in the days of Noah, every thought and intent of man is evil. These evil intents and imaginations bombard us through social media as never before!

Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth
 goes into the stomach and is eliminated?
But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart,
and they defile a man.
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders,
adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
These are the things which defile a man,
but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."
Matthew 15:17-20

Fruit from the tree of Life gives life and health to the heart.

GOD's word is like the tree of Life.

 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying,
"Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 
but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat,
for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."
Genesis 2:16-17

Words from the serpent made Eve and Adam eat Fruit from the tree of The knowledge of good and evil, bringing death to their soul, just as GOD warned them. 

 Then the serpent said to the woman,
"You will not surely die.
 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened,
and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
Genesis 3:4-5

Even watching and reading opinionated news can impress the mind wrongly and affect the attitude of the heart against individuals, kings and rulers, people groups or nations. Such knowledge will be mingled with  the deceptive whispers of the serpent of old, '"You are like GOD, knowing good and evil"! This can result in pride and rifts with people who carry opinions that differ from ours.

The Scripture says that knowledge will increase in the end times. People will be greedy for knowledge that puffs up. If we have collected knowledge in the mind, it is necessary for us to take that knowledge to the LORD in prayer, to hear His version of what we have heard. He will give us wisdom as to how to use and dispense that knowledge wisely. 

 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. 
The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. 
The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good. 
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
Proverbs 15:1-4

We should learn to receive information objectively and not allow that knowledge to affect our heart that will cause us to react adversely. For one, that information may not be accurate or complete. Besides, our wrong reaction and attitude will not be beneficial to our spiritual heart or to others.

For a Christian, the most important purpose of seeking knowledge should be to intercede for the people involved. But if our heart is prejudiced, our prayers will not be heard!

 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.
Psalm 66:18

Thinking on and keeping on thinking on the thoughts in our mind is like chewing on and swallowing the food in our mouth! Just as the food enters the stomach, the thoughts enter the heart. Food digests in the stomach and bowels and nourishes or brings sickness to the body, depending on whether it is good or bad. Similarly, the thoughts and ideas that enter the heart, affect the soul positively or negatively.

 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure,
whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report,
if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-
-meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8

 A merry heart does good, like medicine,
But a broken spirit dries the bones.
Proverbs 17:22

We must also pray and intercede for the people involved in or affected by any situation we are informed of, as led by the Holy Spirit. The information we receive should result in setting up straight paths of righteousness for ourselves and bring blessing to others and glory to GOD!

If we do not deal with the knowledge we receive, it will sit in the mind to puff us up with pride, to show off our knowledge and earthly wisdom. It will also affect the attitude of our heart negatively. If not prayed through, it will be burdensome to the soul. 

It is more important for us to seek and pursue the knowledge of GOD, which will fill our heart with His beautiful, pure love. Such a heart is a healthy heart that is able to receive GOD's love and pump it out to others!

 Who is wise and understanding among you?
Let him show by good conduct that his works are done
in the meekness of wisdom.
 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts,
do not boast and lie against the truth.
 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual,
demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist,
confusion and every evil thing are there.
 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits,
without partiality and without hypocrisy.
James 3:13-17

So fill your stomach with healthy food.

Fill your mind with good knowledge and more importantly, the knowledge of GOD.

Treadmill test for the spiritual heart:

• What do you feel in your heart, when you hear certain news from the media or from people? 

If you feel anger towards wrong doers, let it not take root in your heart. Take that individual or people to the LORD in prayer and intercession, until the anger changes into compassion.

• If you are one, who has much knowledge and is highly opinionated about the president of the US(although you are not an American), the Jews, the vaccines and such, and you hear others voicing their views different to that of yours, do you feel an agitation in your heart and want to open your mouth and drown their voices?

If you were unable to speak, did you feel anger and resentment in your heart towards those who voiced opinions differing to yours?

 So then, my beloved brethren, 
let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 
for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness,
and receive with meekness the implanted word,
which is able to save your souls.
James 1:19-21

• Do you feel a discomfort deep within, when you hear the name of someone you don't like? 

You must come to that place of rest regarding that matter, by taking it to the LORD in prayer. You will know that part of your heart is healed, when that symptom is no more!

• How do you react when you see or bump into an individual against whom you hold grudges?

If you feel like hiding or ignoring that person, it indicates a sickness in your heart. It shows that through a wrong attitude, you have given into bondage. That individual has the power over you to cause you to turn your face away, to turn around or to run away! 

If so, you have miserably failed the treadmill test for your spiritual heart!

You must consult your Heavenly Physician regarding this problem, so that He can speak to you and heal you.

• How does your heart feel, when you hear good things about someone you don't like?

• How does your heart respond to news of something good happening to someone you can't stick?

• How do you react or respond when what you have stood for as correct information, is clearly proved to be wrong?

Even if the result of this test makes you feel discouraged about the condition of your heart, there is hope for you in JESUS, Who is the Great Physician!

 Now hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts
by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Romans 5:5

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;
I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 36:26

You will now realise that the enemy of your soul kept you bound by unnecessary burdens of knowledge. In this way, he kept you from fulfilling GOD's wonderful plans in your life.

When you allow GOD to heal your heart, there will be a transformation in your whole being. You will sense a lightness in your heart, joy in your soul and experience health in your body!

GOD BLESS YOU!

 The Tree of Life

Then the Lord God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever"-- therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

Genesis 3:1-24

Man was not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He was to enjoy the fruit of the tree of life and live a spiritual life in communion with GOD.

The temptation to eat the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil was from the devil. His motive that caused him to fall from his position with GOD, was imparted also to man - "You will be like GOD, knowing good and evil." Man was enticed to step on the pedestal of pride which caused his fall. This broke his relationship with GOD. He lost his peace and immediately experienced shame, guilt and fear. Rather than walking with GOD, he hid from GOD his Creator!

We have inherited the sin nature and continue to crave for the fruit fromthe tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. The fruit from the tree of life is love.

We need to overcome this situation to have access to the tree of life.

We tend to steer our lives according to the selfish way of our soul, but as believers, we must yield our will to the Holy Spirit.

 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
James 1:12-1

Selfishness desires fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Once eaten, the fruit makes us self- conscious and self-centred. This leads to feelings of shame, guilt and fear.

The solution is, another tree!

 "If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God.
Deuteronomy 21:22-23

 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"),

Galatians 3:13

The LORD JESUS carried His cross to Calvary and He was crucified on it. He was nailed to the tree and hung on it.

 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.
Genesis 6:5-6

 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.
Isaiah 53:11

The LORD, being pure and holy, had to go through the most unpleasant experience of seeing, hearing and knowing all the obscenities, vulgarities and evil that come out of wicked and perverted minds. That was the cup that was so difficult for the LORD JESUS to drink. At the garden of Gethsamane, He made the decision to drink it for the sake of you and me.

The cross of CHRIST gives us the picture of the curse that came out of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He took the curse of sin upon HImself by carrying the cruel cross and being nailed to that cross.

The cross of CHRIST also is a picture of the tree of life! The blood that flowed down the cross, washes our sin away, releasing forgiveness and freedon from guilt, shame and fear. The perfectly pure Son of GOD, changed the cursed tree into a tree of blessing. JESUS hung on the tree of the cross and through His intercession, changed the cross as it were, into the tree of Life! The cruel cross became the wondrous cross! By His immense love He took our punishment for sin upon Himself, and now releases blessing and life to those who come to the cross in repentance. 

Therefore it is only the cross of JESUS that bridges the gap between the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and the tree of life. He is the  Resurrection and spiritual Life to all of mankind who are dead because of the fruit from the cursed tree.

How do we overcome?  We overcome, by repenting and returning to our first love - the LORD JESUS.

 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then from what you have fallen, repent and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have, you hate the works of the Nicola'itans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'
Revelation 2:4-7

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 FRUIT TREES

What kind of a tree are you?

 Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth"; and it was so.
Genesis 1:11

Just like the different kinds of fruit trees which carry the specific seed in the fruit, the LORD has made each one of us with specific skills, talents and personalities to bear fruit for the LORD.

 And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Genesis 2:9

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."
Genesis 2:16-17

Fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was poison to the soul.

Isn't it so even now? There is more knowledge of evil than good. Lies, deception, perversion and violence are rampant in the media, flooding the minds of adults and children. Once you know something, you know it and it will affect your soul. You cannot 'unknow' that. It sticks in your mind and is able to change your attitude towards people and GOD. 

The cursor on your screen can be your curser if clicked on the wrong spots!

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?" And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.' " Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; 

The devil continues to offer fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, to people everywhere through the various media. Even when one looks for the knowledge of good, evil pops up to corrupt the mind! Fruit from this tree continues to open the eyes of innocent ones to more and more evil while blinding them to the truth revealed in and through GOD!

 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?' But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn." ' "
Matthew 13:24-30

Like sowing seeds in the ground, we receive information into the mind by seeing and hearing. Our mind is exposed to many things good and evil that we don't choose to receive. We can of course choose to weed out the evil and unedifying thoughts. Meditating on good thoughts is like puposefully planting them in the heart, watering and caring for the seed. The truth of the word of GOD is good seed that should be planted in our heart and watered by meditation, memorisation, prayer and obedience.

 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."
Matthew 15:17-20

The serpent of old, the devil, still deceives people into eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, doesn't he? He says to the innocent, "click here; click there; watch this; listen to that; you need to know..." Then he prompts those people to share that evil fruit and to scatter that garbage by talking to others about it, passing it around and forwarding it on all kinds of media. 

 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.
Romans 16:19

 "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
Matthew 12:33-35

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