Guard Your Heart

11/4/22

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 NIV

As we step into November, we will focus on the Military sphere with Veterans Day approaching, as well as Thanksgiving, with a clear understanding that we pray for our military members and families throughout the year, and we express thanks to our Lord every day. These are just two more examples, like The National Day of Prayer, where we have a special day that we participate in and celebrate together but we also live out each day.

Those who serve in all branches of the military know the importance of every piece of their uniform, gear, and weapons. Each piece is vital to guard and preserve a particular part of their body or used to fight and defend themselves when facing the enemy. Going into battle without it is not only foolish but deadly.

Scripture says that the same is true for us as worshippers and warriors of Jesus Christ. We must put on the full armor of the God with prayer is as vital to our armor as communications with the commander is to the military. The Breastplate of Righteousness protects the heart as we walk through the daily trials and trouble that Jesus warned us we would encounter every day on earth. Thankfully Jesus commands us to “Take heart!” because while the earthly battle is not over, the eternal the war has been won.

Today’s verse speaks to the extraordinary significance of guarding our hearts. Note that it explains that everything you do flows from your heart. We might think that would be our brain, but the heart informs and inspires your thoughts. Your values are determined in your heart and then revealed in your decisions: the way you “feel” or value family, friends, your job, an opportunity, a desire or dream, goals, priorities, etc. all flow from the heart. In addition, our first testimony as a follower of Jesus sounds something like this, “I invited Jesus to come into my heart.” The heart is where Jesus reigns in your life, where the Holy Spirit works a harvest of fruitfulness, and the enemy attacks our “feelings.” These are deep thoughts that we will ponder and pray through together in the upcoming weeks and year.

The New American Standard Bible translates Proverbs 4:23 as, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” I encourage you to take note in your prayer journal in the upcoming weeks of what you are praying about and why. I believe you will see it is because everything you pray about you care about in other words, everything that fills your prayers also fills your heart. We praise God because we are in awe of Him and love Him, we thank Him with our hearts, we intercede for people and problems that touch our hearts. God calls us to love our neighbor and as we pray for our neighbors and nation, we express that love in our heart. Despite our country’s numerous problems and pitfalls, we refuse to give up fervently praying and fighting for her and the direction and destiny that we know God requires and desires for America. Thank you for joining us in that battle every day!

Will you please join me now in prayer?

Lord Jesus we are Your worshippers and warriors created in You, by You, for You and the good works You have already prepared for us. We put on the full armor of God, pray to You for direction, provision, and protection as we go out and fight the good fight every day against the enemy who sets himself against You and Yours. Lord, we thank You for the brave men and women serving in the U.S Military. We are deeply grateful for their sacrifices and service every day as they keep us safe and defend freedom around the world. We pray fervently every day for their families as well as everyone who put on the uniform each day; intercessors serving as spiritual armor-bearers battling in the heavenlies for all that they need. Let our prayers be a sword and shield against the enemy that they face each day in their service to our country and in their lives as they serve You. In the powerful and protecting name of Jesus we pray, Amen!

P.S. We are excited to reveal our 2023 National Day of Prayer theme video to you on our social media and website. If you do not receive notifications when we have posted a new video on Facebook and Instagram, we encourage you to go in and update that option on your social media accounts, so we never miss the opportunity to share special events with you and to pray together every week!

Serving Him with gladness,