Proverbs 4:23 TPT
“So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life.”
We are discussing how we can prepare our hearts for the good seed of God’s word to be fruitful in our lives.
3. Root Out the Thorns
Thorns represent the cares of the world, the delusion of riches and the works of the flesh. According to Jesus, these choke the word and prevent it from yielding fruit in our lives.
Jeremiah 17:9-10 NLT
“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? [10] But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”
Psalm 51:10 NLT
“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.”
We need a cleaning of heart; therefore, there is the need for careful and prayerful examination of our hearts. We must repent of any sins, wrong desires and attitudes that are a hindrance to our spiritual growth. We must determine to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to help us in overcoming these sins, so that we can mature and bear fruit.
4. Surrender Your Heart Wholly
You may have surrendered other aspects of your life to God, and the word of God is working, and fruits of righteousness and the fruit of the Spirit are already evident in your life. However, there may still be a part of your life that you’ve never got around to dealing with. Maybe, it was a painful experience that you cannot forget, or a wrong that you can’t forgive; therefore, the word of God does not have any impact on you concerning this area of your heart.
Perhaps you’ve put off dealing with this because it is too difficult or too painful. Now is the time to turn to the Holy Spirit and ask for His help. Surrender yourself to Him and ask Him to help you to deal with whatever is hindering you, and heal, restore and renew your heart.
REFLECTION AND PRAYER
Psalm 19:14 NLT
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.”
Father, only You can help me to prepare my heart, through the help of your Holy Spirit. I want your word to be effective in me, and my life to be fruitful. So, I surrender my heart to You and ask You to show me if there is anything that hinders Your word. I am willing to repent and cooperate with the Holy Spirit as He works in me to transform my heart. Thank You for loving me and helping me to become more like Jesus.
For Further Reading: Jeremiah 17:5-10; Psalm 51:7-12; Hebrews 12:1-12
Fulfilling Our Theme For 2024: “Building The Highway And Lifting The Banner”
“And in that day, there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him…. (therefore) Go through, go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway! Take out the stones, lift up a banner for the peoples!” [Isaiah 11:10, Isaiah 62:10]
Women In Tune | QUIVER | Cedars House Christian (International)