Blog In Audio:
Greetings,
Today I am going to continue on the need to keep our hearts in a way that life is always flowing from us to others in our world. Leaders must set an example that can inspire others to do the same.
Keeping our hearts filled with life that overflows to others is connected to our decision to rejoice in God in all things and at all times. We must be sensitive to others around us and not consumed by our own needs or desires. We cultivate a relationship with God that simply seeks to know Him and to grow in the testimony of His love to others in our world. There is no separation between us and God. He sees us as His sons and daughters, and we must always live to see Him as our heavenly Father. The apostle Paul encouraged believers to live a lifestyle of rejoicing, being gentle to others, knowing God, never being anxious, and cultivating a face-to-face relationship with God that would protect their hearts and minds in Christ (Phil. 4:4-7).
Paul went on to write some key things for us to embrace in order to keep our hearts open to the flow of God’s life. We must keep our hearts so the issues of life will freely flow to those around us. This is true for all believers, but especially true for us as leaders as we set an example for others to follow.
Philippians 4:8, 9 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. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Rather than focusing on the things we cannot think about, we should fill our hearts with the things we can think about. We must give our hearts to things that are true. Here is something true. He loves us! He will never leave us! He cares for us! Nothing can separate us from Him! We must receive the things that He says about us and embrace them with our whole hearts. We must give our spirits, souls, and physical lives to all that is true. What about things that are just? I am not talking about complaining about injustice! I am talking about thinking on the things that are just. Can we be merciful and gracious to others based upon who we are and not what they deserve? Love, forgiveness, mercy, and grace – these are all things of God’s justice. We must give our hearts to things that are pure! Resisting the things of impurity is not as powerful as embracing the things of purity with our whole hearts. We must give our hearts to things that are of a good report. Indulging in the good reports of life is more powerful than choosing a path of negativity and of bad report. Let’s give our hearts to things that are of good report. How about virtue? This is giving our hearts to every opportunity to give life to others. To live for the wellbeing of others and for the purposes of God and His kingdom is a virtuous thing. Life will come off of us that will empower others to live too! We must give our hearts to anything that is praiseworthy. If we think this is hard, all we have to do is think of ANYTHING! Anything praiseworthy is a good thing to give our hearts to. Giving our hearts to receive, hear, and emulate others in their example of faith in their journey of Christ’s life will surely help us keep our hearts with all diligence. These things are essential for all believers, but especially for those who lead for the sake of others.
Food For Thought,
Ted J. Hanson
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House of Bread Ministry
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