Unbolt The Door To Your Heart

Tag: heart

  • Secret Thoughts

    “This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares”.  Romans 2:16 NIV

    “We may be sure that all this will be taken into account in the day of true judgment, when God will judge men’s secret lives by Jesus Christ, as my Gospel plainly states”.  Romans 2:16 Phillips

    In plain language, Romans 2:16 is saying: God sees the real person—not only the image we present. One day Jesus will judge every life, including what was hidden in the heart, with perfect fairness.

    One of the tools used for surveillance, of everyone, is known as a flock camera. They are at intersections and Highways across the nation. In Turlock there are over 40 of them.

    Flock Camera uses AI algorithms to capture the license plate, vehicle make, model, color, and unique features like bumper stickers or scratches.  By law the pictures are kept in a database to allow the authorities to track and capture criminals.  You can readily see the issue with privacy that this technology presents. Before the authorities needed a court order to track a suspected vehicle. Now they are tracking all innocent individuals and supposedly getting a court order to use the pictures and data.

    What you need to understand is that there is no expected privacy about your activity anymore. You are being recorded and your information is being stored in a database. If they want to know who went to a certain location, all they have to do is type in the address.

    God not only knows every place you have visited, what shows you watched, what videos you watch, what music you listen to, what you say under your breath.  God takes it a step further in that He knows what you were thinking in your mind when you do anything.  

    God evaluates more than public behavior. He knows hidden actions, motives, intentions, and thoughts—the things a person may successfully conceal from everyone else.

    You may be able to put makeup on or dress in a manner that receives the praises of men. God gives little concern about the outside. God knows what is in your heart and most inner thoughts.

    At some future date you will have to look Jesus in the eye about your thoughts. Remember that Jeus does not show favoritism and your outward behavior will not save you. You do not need to say out loud what you think about a person or situation. God knows what you were thinking in your mind.

    Sobering thoughts for you to ponder.

    Remember it is not a religion it is a relationship.

    Prayers and Love for all.

    Larry

  • Planted

    “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you”.  James 1:21 NIV

    The Greek word emphyton (ἔμφυτον) means “implanted,” “inborn,” or “engrafted”. It describes something that grows inside or takes root naturally like a plant. It is not words just written on a page in your bible.  The words must be planted in your heart! Then the words will change and guide your daily walk and behavior.

    The words planted deep inside you will save you.  The knowledge of the words written in your bible will not save you.

    We are told in James 2:19 that even the demons believe and have knowledge of God’s words.  Yet that knowledge will not save them.  They let Satan change their hearts and they did not put the word of God in their hearts.

    Before a plant can grow well, gardeners clear out weeds. James says to “get rid of all moral filth and evil” so that nothing blocks the growth of God’s word in your life.  This goes along with the verse in James 1:27 where it speaks about keeping oneself from being polluted by the world.

    You must stop putting in your mind or heart outside influences and worldly thoughts.  One of the greatest ways Satan enters people’s lives is through Social Media Influencers. Someone else convinces you what is the best way to live or act.  Everyone on social media is telling you that if you do it their way, believe in the things they believe in, that you will be happier and a better person.

    One of the harms in social media is the “Like” button.  You post some thoughts or beliefs about anything, and you get some ‘likes’ and you start believing that you are doing God’s work. You start to think that you are helping people be a better person or helping the world be a better place to live.

    Every time you watch a news program your mind and attitude are directed to a certain kind of belief that is 100% worldly.

    Jesus says that there is only one way.

    John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

    Acts 4:12: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

    1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.

    Where should the word of God be?

    Proverbs 3:3: “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”

    Proverbs 7:3: “Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.”

    Jeremiah 31:33: “I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

    Today let the word of God be planted deep in your heart and mind.  Let it take root so that when the storms of life come, you will stand firm in God.

    Remember it is not a religion it is a relationship.

    Prayers and Love for all.

    Larry

  • Opinion

    “When you understand every opinion is a vision loaded with personal history, you will start to understand that all judgment is a confession”. Nikola Tesla

    What a wonderful quote and life changing quote if you take the time to let the words sink in to you.

    Pray and let God speak to you and your heart about how you treat people that believe and act differently than you do.

    Let’s look at the first part of this quote.

    People’s Opinions are not formed in a vacuum. Opinions are formed or shaped by our experiences, values passed on by parents, upbringing, traumas, tragedies and the culture we were brought up in. Some opinions have been passed down from generation to generation. Some opinions are deeply held, and some are just personal preferences.  Every opinion reflects how that person sees the world and over time that lens has been polished, scratched and shaped by that person’s unique path that they have walked in.

    No two people have the exact same opinion. No two people experience life through the same lens. No two people see God the same way.

    Opinions can only be changed by the internal working of the Holy Spirit.  You cannot change another person’s opinion or perspective about anything.  You can be a friend that introduces the Holy Spirit to another person.

    Arguing or pointing out what you believe is another’s errors in opinion will never change anyone. You feel it is an error because of your unique shaping of that opinion. Understand that person does not feel it is an error.  When you attack or pass judgement upon someone else’s opinion, they will take it as an attack upon themselves. Arguing online or in person has never led anyone to God. It has never led that person to pick up their bible and let the words enter their mind.

    You have greatly misunderstood your job in life.  You were never called to change people’s hearts.  You were not called to point out that their opinion is wrong according to you. You were never called to change people’s minds.  You were called to show God’s love. You Show God’s love by sharing how God changed you. How He walked with you through the shadow of death. How He has been your friend and how He has loved you.  You introduce the Holy Spirit and let Him start the transformation.

    How do you feel when someone questions your opinion about anything?  Are you willing to listen or do you just become more hardened in your belief? Does it bring about a feeling of Love towards that person?

    The greatest form of discretion is knowing when to keep your mouth shut. Silence may show far more of God’s love than anything you can say. 

    The way that God changes a person’s opinion is dependent upon the amount of time that person spends is a close communion with God.  God is not going to argue with you. God is not going to force His opinion on you. God is not going to over shout you while you are talking. God is not going to write a condemning post on social media.

    I am 70 years old and God has spent the whole 70 years trying to transform me and my opinions and He is not done yet. He loves me too much to leave me where I am.  He has eternity to accomplish His work inside me.

    I must be willing to be transformed, and I show this willingness by the amount of time I spend digging deep in God’s word and on my knees in prayer and listening.

    One change in my life that I have started doing is in every situation or conversation with anyone I say a quick prayer and ask God the following Question. “Father, how do you see this situation”?   I want to see it through God’s eyes and not my own eyes or opinion. I want to represent God in the situation I am experiencing at that moment.

    God can see the heart, and He knows what the other person is going through. God is working on that person’s heart. 

    You do not need to interrupt that work by your opinion.

    Remember it is not a religion it is a relationship.

    Prayers and Love for all.

    Larry

  • Working on the Inside

    God forms my heart to get ready for any circumstance.

    God changes us from the inside out by renewing our hearts and minds first, so our outward actions naturally follow.

    Ezekiel 36:26: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

    Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

    Psalm 51:10: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

    “2 Corinthians 4:16: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

    “2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

    If you want your circumstances to change, let God change your heart.

    God only promised to be with you when you are in the valley of the shadow of death.  He never promised to change the valley of the shadow of death.

    Jesus knew the storm was coming over the Sea of Galilee, but he sent His disciples out in the boat anyway. He could have told them to wait until morning or the next day.

    He knows what storms or temptations are coming your way. What family tragedy or health event is coming your way. What addiction that will you be afflicted with. What pain, suffering and depression you will be going through. How hard it will be for you to give up control and surrender fully.

    God worked on the hearts of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and then He was with them in the fiery furnace. God did not remove the furnace or lower the heat inside the furnace. He did not change anything about the situation. God had already changed the hearts of those three men so that they could utter the words, “But if not”.  Their hearts were fully prepared to endure death to follow their God.

    God is attempting to build a strong spiritual strength within you. A deeper trust in Him. He is trying to refine your character. He is getting you ready for trials and hardships ahead.

    Stop praying for your circumstances to change and start thanking God for what you are going through and the work He is doing inside you.  Accept the change and be born again.

    “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”. Romans 8:28 NIV

    All things, good or bad, painful or enjoyable work for your good.  God has a purpose for you, and He knows how to get you there.

    Remember it is not a religion, it is a relationship.

    Prayers and Love for all.

    Larry

  • Delight

    “But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night”. Psalm 1:2 NIV

    What a wonderful verse and so misunderstood by many. 

    Let’s unpack what daily instructions God is giving us.

    The Hebrew word for “law” in Psalm 1:2 is Torah (תוֹרָה).In this verse, it generally appears with a prefix as Torat (תּוֹרַ֥ת), meaning “the law of”. It does not mean a strict set of rules but teachings, instructions, direction and refers to God’s guiding wisdom for daily living.

    The Hebrew word for delight in Psalm 1:2 is חֵפֶץ (pronounced khay’-fets). Its meaning is inner joy, finding great pleasure and having a strong desire. It comes deep from within, it is not superficial smiling or outward enjoyment.  It is a longing from deep inside the heart.  

    A longing that can only be filled by following the next part of the verse.  “meditates on His law day and night”.  A deep desire to be in the presence of God’s word and His Spirit both day and night.

    In God’s world meditating is not emptying the mind.  It is filling the mind with God’s instructions and teachings.  Therefore, throughout the day in every circumstance or situation you will be guided on how to act and respond. You will have buried deep within your mind and heart the proper way to bring Glory to God.

    This teaching is not about keeping a strict set of religious rules or behavior.  You find no joy when you feel that you are forced to keep a strict set of laws or you are only doing it because someone told you that is the way to heaven.

    You find great joy when you follow the instructions of someone when you find that it brings joy to the person giving the instructions. God loves and delights when a believer finds great internal joy from following His instructions.

    “Count on it—that’s the kind of party God’s angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God.” Luke 15:10 The Message.

    In short, it is about shifting your focus from the world’s negative influences to God’s wisdom, and making His Word the baseline for your thoughts and life. 

    You want to make the angels have a party in Heaven? You want to bring Joy and a big smile to God’s face?

    Turn off the noise of this world and spend time in His word!  Turn off that news program, turn off the instructions from man on how to live. Turn off the voice that is telling you how bad things are. Stop following the political world and its two parties.  They do not have your best interest in mind. 

    Who has your best interest in Mind? GOD!

    How much better would you feel, and God would delight, in the fact that you shut off the world noise and spent time in His word?

    Remember it is not a religion but a relationship.

    Prayers and love for all.

    Larry