New

I have to confess that sometimes there is confusion in my heart. I “feel like” doing something that I “want” to do, but it’s not the right thing to do. If I work at it for a minute I can justify my behavior even though it’s wrong. I believe this behavior really hurts God’s heart. He’s the very Person trying to help me make good choices and live in a way that honors Him.

The people of Israel broke His heart and He scattered them to many nations. It looked like all was lost, but His plan was to bring them back. He told Ezekiel as much. Check this out…

16 ‘Therefore say: “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.”

17 ‘Therefore say: “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.”

18 ‘They will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable idols. 19 I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. 20 Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God. (Ezekiel 11:16-20 NIV)

I may not have carvings in my home that I worship – I still have idols nonetheless. I want things my way most all of the time. I sometimes put what I want in front of what the Lord wants. Every day that I walk with the Lord, He reveals areas that I need some heart surgery. I need Him to give me a new Heart and a new Spirit – His Heart and His Spirit in me. I need to live and act on His behalf NOT my own will and my own way. I want to honor the Lord with all of who I am. I can only do this because He’s put my new Heart and my new Spirit in me.

Pressing On!

Dwayne