Let Not Your Heart Grow Cold
Now Think On This
Steve Martin
“Above everything else, guard your heart; for it is the source of life’s
consequences.” Proverbs 4:23, Complete Jewish Bible)
I had woken up trying to fight off bitterness and resentment in my mind.
I didn’t want it to overtake my heart.
In the dream I just had, my wife Laurie and I were ushers for a large
gathering. I don’t recall if it was on a ship, at a conference, or a special
church event. It seemed as if we had been part of the “invited guests” list, being
a part of the group, but chose to be servants for the others by ushering. We
had been doing this for a number of years.
As the dream continued, around 10 pm, when the meeting was over and all
had left for the banquet, we too went to get our food, expecting to receive
what the others would have gotten earlier. Along the way I passed several
tables which had key lime pie available on small plates, as the desert. Thinking
I might want a piece before they were gone, I picked up one plate and began
eating the slice of pie. (I must have been hungry!)
When I got to the food line, where the food had been set up in cafeteria
style for large crowds, all I could see left were turkey wings – basically bones
with a little meat on them – and some mashed potatoes. I asked the servers if
there was anything else left, and they said no. They were preparing for the
next meal, but I couldn’t have that.
I then woke up (the red digital lights read 2:22 am on the clock) and I laid
there for at least 20 minutes, trying to guard both my mind and my heart from
the thoughts of bitterness, anger and resentment that threatened to overtake me.
Here we had just served all these people, and yet nothing good was left for us
to partake too.
It was a real struggle, as my mind thought back over the years when my
service in ministry could at times have been taken for granted. Would I allow
this attitude to get the best of me now at this point in my life?
There are three things I felt the Lord was trying to tell me. He may also
do the same with you through this dream.
1.
We are in a spiritual battle. In these
last days, our hearts can grow cold due to the atmosphere around us, with
darkness trying to constantly overtake everything. We are in a real battle for
our souls and those we are in contact with.
2.
As we grow older in the faith, and in
our bodies, we can become cynical, seeing things happen over and over again,
with no change happening. It can wear us down and cause us to pull back from
engaging with others, and giving in service to them out of love.
3.
If we allow weeds to fall in our spiritual
soil and grow roots, they will consume the good wheat that has also been
planted. A root of bitterness can destroy your spiritual walk and testimony. “See
to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness
springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;” (Hebrews 12:15, NASU)
Looking back in our faith walk, in order to keep moving forward, if we do
not give thanks and continue to see with the Lord’s vision, we will give in to
that which will steal our joy, our purpose, and our direction in this life. We
must keep fighting the good fight, guard our hearts, and pray that they do not
grow cold.
Remember, we serve a good God, and He is the Rewarder of those who seek
Him. May He find faith when He returns. “But
without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must
believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
(Hebrews 11:6, NKJV)
Lord, help us stay close to you.
(By the way, I did get another hour of sleep before I got up for Bible
reading and prayer.)
Now think on this,
Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People, Inc.
P.S. I would be
most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and
friends. They might need it. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks!
Steve
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Now Think On This - In the New Year of our Lord 08.02.16 -
#263 –“Let Not Your Heart Grow Cold”
– Tuesday at 6:00 pm
All previous editions of Now Think On This can
be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This
Again, I would be most grateful if you'd share this
encouraging word with your family and friends. You can easily use the social
media icons below. Thanks! Steve
