The issues of our lives
Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
This is one of my husband’s favorite verses…..for it shows the importance of mastering our hearts…..by giving them to the Lord….and working to keep them there.
How many times have we “put our all” on the altar….and then shortly removed some of it.
The heart in scripture is the soul….made up of our thoughts, emotions, and will.
In our “hearts” lies all that we have become….and is the source of all that affects our life and character.
“The issues of life” are those things that count for time and eternity.
They are what we think is important….what we put first….what we guard.
Now to speak of issues, we must consider…..who we are? And where are we going….and what we were brought into being for?
As Christians, we need to remember that we do not belong to this world,…..we are pilgrims and strangers here…..passing through to heaven.
So the issues of our lives must be looking forward to eternity….What would my Lord want for me, and by me?
Remember Abraham and the testimony he had before God:
Hebrews 11:8 “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whether he went.”
As born again ones, we have been called to go out of this world’s system and influence…..following the leading of Christ Jesus, (in the world but not of it)….not always knowing what is next….but following Him.
Hebrews 11:9 “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:”
Abraham did not possess the land that God gave him, yet…..but lived in it, giving a testimony throughout: “thou art a mighty prince among us” (Genesis 23:4-6).
We, too, should live as priests and princes of God here…..seeking the good of our fellow Christians,….and as much as we can…the good of all.
Hebrews 11:10 “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”
Here is the choice verse:
Abraham looked for a city which hath foundations…..for he knew that everything in this world was sinking sand (Matthew 7:24-27)
He looked and lived each day……by faith…..
….keeping his eye on the promises, and what he should obtain now….and then…..for his place in the inheritance he would have in eternity future.
We are called to do the same…..this world is a snare, and the influence of it corrupts and poisons our souls….
….so we are to “leave it alone”…..
Colossians 2:8, 20-22 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ (free with Him) from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
(Touch not; taste not; handle not; which all are to perish with the using;)….
Rudiments is to fall into line with the thinking and the ranks of others, of the world.
We are not to do this….
….but what we are to do, is…..by faith…..keep our eye on the promises He has given…..for now, and eternity…….and walk each day in His Will for now.
The issues of life…..which come from our hearts….how can we rule them?
By giving….and keep giving our hearts and lives to the only One who can keep us by His faith.
Christ Jesus made us free…..free to be all that He wills us to be.
To have all that He promises….now and in eternity.
To know….by faith….the foundation beneath us is sure…..for it is Christ, Himself.
Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
To keep with all diligence means,…..above all that we guard….guard your heart for God.
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 