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Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Tuesday, October 4, 2022


Guard Your Heart

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."1

One of the first things first responders look for when someone is unconscious is a pulse. The beat of a heart, or pulse, is evidence that you are still alive! I am not a doctor, but I do know that the heart is essential for living. It is a vital organ that we cannot live without. Just as our heart produces physical life, we also have a spiritual heart that produces spiritual life.

When the Bible refers to the heart, it is referring to our mind and will. This is where all our life decisions take place. Every choice we make, including our Salvation, is a result of the decisions made with our mind. As we read in today's verse, everything we do flows from our spiritual heart. Therefore, we are instructed to guard it carefully, so that we can manage and protect our actions.

We have control over what we allow to influence our heart or mind. Our choices will be a result of what we are feeding our minds. If we put the right stuff in, our actions will be glorifying to God, uplifting to others, and will help us lead meaningful lives. However, if we allow garbage to fill our minds, we can be sure that what flows from us will be detrimental to ourselves and others, and our spiritual health will decay.

Philippians 4:8 says, "...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things." This sums up what we should be feeding our hearts.

As Christians our goal should always be to fulfill God's purpose for lives and finish the race strong. Therefore, let us not get distracted with the temptations and negative influences around us, rather let us constantly be on guard and make decisions that will help us reach our goal.

Suggested prayer: Dear God, please give me the strength to say no when I am tempted to go astray. Help me stand strong in Your Truth in all circumstances and guard my heart against anything that is not pleasing to You. Let everything I do reflect you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus' name, amen.

 

  1. Proverbs 4:23 (NIV).

     

Today's Encounter was written by: Crystal B.

 
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