HEAVENSREEF

MATTERS OF THE HEART MATTER TO GOD!  Aren’t we blessed knowing that GOD sent HIS only SON, HIS exact heartprint for us?  While man looks at the outward appearance, GOD always looks at the heart.  How often does HE take our hearts in HIS hand to refine and completely change them!

When we treasure the CROSS……..we treasure JESUS there and what HE did for us.  Jesus and HIS sacrifice was for all of humanity, for all who believe.

1 CORINTHIANS 1: 18 “FOR THE WORD OF THE CROSS IS FOLLY TO THOSE WHO ARE PERISHING, BUT TO US WHO ARE BEING SAVED IT IS THE POWER OF GOD.”

 

Our hearts hurt for those who are perishing…….men hate the CROSS because of what it stands for, a gift of freedom by grace, redemption and forgiveness. People cannot understand it’s true message and therefore mock the CROSS whenever they can.  And this is spiritual blindness and brokenness that only the power of the CROSS can satisfy.  This spiritual blindness is very evident right now in our culture and many are perishing. 

JOHN 9: 39  “I ENTERED THIS WORLD TO RENDER JUDGEMENT – TO GIVE SIGHT TO THE BLIND AND TO SHOW THOSE WHO THINK THEY SEE THAT THEY ARE BLIND.”

The promise of the CROSS is a treasure like none other on earth.  Let us today and everyday treasure it and hold it close within our hearts!

The picture above was taken in my last house…….I always loved how the late afternoon sun streamed into my front room.  One day soon after we had moved in, I walked into that room and was stunned.  Can you see the shadow of the Cross there?  It was a reflection from the front window frame, but once my eyes were opened to look there, I made it a point of looking for it’s reflection day after day.  I treasured seeing it as a reminder of the power of the CROSS. 

The story and the power of the CROSS is immeasurable……JESUS was and is the message of the CROSS for all of us whose eyes are opened.

MARK 10: 21 “THEN JESUS, LOOKING AT HIM, LOVED HIM, AND SAID TO HIM, “ONE THING YOU LACK:  GO YOUR WAY, SELL WHATEVER YOU HAVE AND GIVE TO THE POOR, AND YOU WILL HAVE TREASURE IN HEAVEN; AND COME, TAKE UP THE CROSS, AND FOLLOW ME.”

Let us treasure the CROSS close to our hearts and follow JESUS in spite of what the world says…….

GALATIANS 6: 14 “BUT FAR BE IT FROM ME TO BOAST EXCEPT IN THE CROSS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BY WHICH THE WORLD HAS BEEN CRUCIFIED TO ME, AND I TO THE WORLD.”

Let HIS heartprint of the CROSS touch your heart in all kinds of ways……hold it close.  Let HIS heart touch yours and give you peace beyond all understanding.  Let the CROSS be your all and all, every morning and evening and daytime too.  Love it, embrace it and seal it upon your heart…….

SONG OF SOLOMON 8: 6  “SET ME AS A SEAL UPON YOUR HEART, AS A SEAL UPON YOUR ARM, FOR LOVE IS STRONG AS DEATH, JEALOUSY IS FIERCE AS THE GRAVE, ITS FLASHES ARE FLASHES OF FIRE, THE VERY FLAME OF THE LORD.”

Treasure the flame of HIS love upon your heart, embrace all that the CROSS can give you and all it’s message.  Remember HIS love for you there and since it is February, the month of love, love others just as CHRIST loves you.  HIS love never fails……it is eternal and powerful enough to change hearts.  Let it change yours to be more like HIM and treasure HIS love for you that is like nothing else here on earth!

MAY JESUS BE YOUR HEARTPRINT!

EZEKIEL 11: 19-20  “AND I WILL GIVE THEM ONE HEART, AND A NEW SPIRIT I WILL PUT WITHIN THEM.  I WILL REMOVE THE HEART OF STONE FROM THEIR FLESH AND GIVE THEM A HEART OF FLESH, THAT THEY MAY WALK IN MY STATUTES AND KEEP MY RULES AND OBEY THEM.  AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE, AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD.”