The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? Jeremiah 17.9
And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. Ezekiel 36.26
And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5.5
Comment
Like many of us I’m sure, I’ve been horrified by amount of school shootings in America in the last few years. Chilled by how a lone person could so easily find it in themself to kill so many children, injure others and of course end their own life in the process.
Then I look at my own heart and realise, I still think, do and say things I know are wrong and sometimes I don’t even know my own motives. If you’re like me then you’ll be grateful that God is working in our hearts and with his help they will become increasingly tender and responsive, through the Holy Spirit. Bring it on I say!
I guess if we all took a good look at ourselves every now and then it would help the way we related to our loved ones.
What would change in your relationship?
Prayer (as a couple)
Dear Father, thank you that with your help our hearts are changing. Father help me to recognise the state of my own heart and my dependence on you to change it. I am so dependent on you. Please fill me afresh with the Holy Spirit make me tender and responsive like Christ. Father help me to remember my own state in my dealings with others. Amen
Prayer (for others)
Dear Father, we lift up ______ and ______ to you. Father help them to recognize the state of their own hearts, their dependence on you to change the situation. Fill them afresh with the Holy Spirit we pray. Make them tender and responsive like Christ. Amen
Final quote
“A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.” – Cicero (a Roman philosopher)
